Julia Snodgrass

With Dartmouth's very own ski mountain a mere 20 minutes from campus, skiing is a fantastic way to spend the winter. Student day passes and rentals are heavily discounted, while private lessons are available for free as a PE credit. I was a ski instructor my freshman year and absolutely loved getting to teach fellow students and spend time at the moutnain. There is a bus that takes students to the Skiway every couple hours, so you can get there quite easily. If you'd prefer to go to a different mountain, Dartmouth students also get great discounts at many of the larger VT resorts and they are only about an hour away. Beyond that, the DOC Winter Sports Club offers backcountry trips for more experienced skiiers and has a closet of gear you can borrow for free. Nordic ski rentals are available through the DOC too, and the golf course is full of nicely groomed trails. Overall, skiing at Dartmouth is fun and accessible, no matter your ability level. 

Although I could certainly be described as a Bambi on ice, getting out ice skating this winter has been a lovely way to enjoy the outdoors. This year, two ice rinks were built on the Green and in years past, Occom Pond was a common spot for ice hockey and figure skating. Another great skating spot is Lake Morey, which is not too far from campus and is a gorgeous 4 mile loop (seen in the photo above). Rentals are quite affordable and you can take your time skating laps around the lake!

A "woccom" (walk around Occom pond) is a wonderful way to unwind, no matter the season. In the winter, if you dress warmly, a long stroll around Occom and even into Pine Park is a perfect way to get some fresh air, catch up with a friend, and enjoy the natural beauty of Hanover. 

The Class of 1953 Commons, affectionately known as “Foco” (short for food court), is the main all-you-can-eat dining hall on campus. This wouldn’t be a post about food at Dartmouth if I failed to mention the infamous Foco cookie. Foco has perfected the art of the chocolate chip cookie–think crispy around the outside, soft and gooey middle, and an abundance of melty chocolate chunks. There seems to be a never ending stream coming out of the oven–and there has to be. They disappear as quickly as they come out. One of my favorite “hacks” is to scoop some ice cream into a mug and stick a warm cookie on top, so the ice cream gets all melty and you’re left with a mug of deliciousness.

Generally, the Collis Student Center is known as the place to go for a quick breakfast. Collis is a bustling scene in the morning hours, as students weave in and out of lines, grabbing custom smoothies, coffee, pastries, and made-to-order eggs. While I appreciate the efficiency of a quick Collis breakfast, Foco is an underrated breakfast spot. If I have some extra time in the morning, or maybe an assignment to finish up before class, I’ll find a little nook and camp out with my custom omelet and everything bagel (Goose & Willie’s bagels are the best!!). I enjoy taking my time with breakfast and feeling the stillness of the early morning, before the start of a packed Dartmouth day.

Apart from breakfast, Collis is also known for more a-la-carte dinners, like sushi, stir-fry, and soups. The big dinner surge is around 6pm, and a line always forms for the pasta station. While waiting in line, you’re guaranteed to run into someone you know...whether it’s an old freshman floormate, or a partner for a group project in your class last term, I really miss the random encounters in Collis. It’s a simple, but strong reminder of one of the biggest things I love about Dartmouth–the bonds you form, however seemingly insignificant, are lasting.

Getting involved in extracurricular organizations is a great way to make connections with people across campus. There’s clubs for nearly every possible interest out there and if one that you’re looking for doesn’t exist, you can easily create your own! Continue with older interests, explore new ones, BUT don’t think you need to join a bunch of random clubs to fluff up your resume. In reality, engaged, sustained involvement with a group you’re passionate about–whether it’s singing, farming, or real estate–will be much more rewarding in the long term.

Even if it doesn't seem productive, sometimes you just need to take a breather. During finals week one term, a professor told my class: “The less you think you can afford a break, the more you need one.” Take a walk around Occom Pond, get a socially distant lunch on the Green, or call up a friend from home. Also, take time to reflect and journal...I’d highly recommend 'One Line a Day' which is a five year journal where there’s only enough room to write a few lines. You could summarize your day, write something you’re grateful for, or jot down a new fact you learned–it’s totally up to you! I started mine in January of my first year at Dartmouth and have been writing in it every single day since then. It’s great to be able to look back and see the ways in which life has shifted over the course of college.

Use a physical or online calendar to keep track of class times, upcoming assignments, club meetings, and other items on your agenda. I’ve found it helpful to have everything in one place and visualize what my schedule looks like in the coming week. If you’re especially organized, you could even include things like exercise or time with friends, to ensure that you’re building time for those things into your day.