![A picture of me!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/kabir_beotra.png?itok=HQj4u7Y9×tamp=1663883042)
![A look at a beautiful blue sky!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/img_2552.jpg?itok=JhGFUXfO×tamp=1663883190)
Kabir Beotra
![A picture of me!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/kabir_beotra.png?itok=HQj4u7Y9×tamp=1663883042)
![A look at the Green.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2022-11-13_at_12.26.49_pm.png?itok=w4vCa42c×tamp=1668360482)
The Quarter System? What's That About?!
Something that separates Dartmouth from most schools in the United States, beyond its rural setting, strong focus on community, and student body, is definitely its teaching format. Dartmouth follows a modified version of the quarter system, called the D-plan. For anybody unfamiliar — most colleges follow a semester system, where there are two semesters throughout the year (usually fall and spring), made up of 16-week terms.
At Dartmouth, however, we follow the D-Plan, which consists of three terms of ten weeks (usually fall, winter, and spring). This is markedly different from semester system schools, meaning we have different timelines for holidays, course selection, midterms, and finals weeks. The quarter system, coming to Dartmouth, definitely made me nervous. As a first-year, I felt like I would be isolated from my friends who go to semester schools, who could relate on a somewhat shared schedule while I would have something completely different.
I couldn't have been more wrong though. One term down, I believe that the quarter system is an absolutely fantastic method of teaching. Let's go through what I believe to be its pros.
Firstly, I think that the quarter system helps you expand and make proper utilisation of Dartmouth's liberal arts curriculum. The liberal arts find their roots in encouraging students to move beyond their field of choice and have a more holistic education. With three terms, as opposed to the typical two, each year, students get to explore more courses, subjects, fields, and areas of study and exploit the college's resources to its fullest. I have friends in the Biology major taking an astronomy course next term, and friends in the Film major taking mathematics classes! This intersectional approach to education, I believe, is possible only through Dartmouth's educational structure.
Secondly, the term moves faster. This comes with a caveat: some people could definitely find the fast-paced teaching difficult, but I promise: once you get used to it, it's great. A lot of students across semester schools complain about feelings of boredom creeping into their classrooms, and that's completely understandable: when you spend 16 weeks each year focusing on the same syllabus, it can start to feel repetitive and claustrophobic. With Dartmouth's ten weeks, there's a quick turnover. If you love a class, you can digest all of its information at a rapid pace; if you feel like you might be struggling (and that's completely fine), you only have to stick it out for a couple of weeks!
Finally, the quarter system truly enshrines what I believe is a work hard play hard mentality. With Dartmouth's D-plan, we start midterms early (my first one was on a Monday in Week 3 of classes!). But this rapid structure, what I call "work hard", is counterbalanced by the ample amount of holidays we get. Our winter break is far longer than most universities, and we have a hefty amount of time dedicated to spring break too! This is the "play hard" mentality I was talking about. The D-Plan truly commits to holistic growth of students, and that's why I've honestly come to love it.
And the college has tools to help you navigate it as well! Pictured above is the "D-Plan game" that all incoming first-years get to play. Through it, one can modify their schedules and see what it would mean in terms of credit obtainment.
![The D-Plan game!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_width_only_590/public/admissions/wysiwyg/screenshot_2022-11-13_at_12.26.55_pm.png?itok=3BdI7nPH)
I love the D-Plan, and I genuinely think you will too.
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Reflecting on my sophomore year and how I feel about being halfway through my time at Dartmouth!
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Sophomore Summer has already defined itself by its exciting, unfamiliar experiences and the relaxed atmosphere of campus. With new classes and clubs in full swing, here is what I have been up to during this wonderful time on campus!
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In this blog, I would like to share some other academic-inclined ways that Dartmouth students spend their freshman summer.
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
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In the summer, prospective students might take the time to visit potential colleges and universities to apply to. But what are some things to look for as you peruse campuses and take in the view, especially during the summer? Here are some ideas!
![Olivia Koo - blogger](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/4b596702-2c48-4037-8b1f-db79eeb3e7b0_1_201_a_0.jpg?itok=9S9os9ML×tamp=1663532063)
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I'm now finally done with my pre-medical requirements and wanted to continue my recap of the whole journey!
![pic](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_1827.jpg?itok=BAuyur99×tamp=1665456638)
![writing essay in the library](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screen_shot_2024-07-16_at_3.20.04_pm.png?itok=HQbcow8c×tamp=1721157629)
My first-year at Dartmouth has been a period of profound growth and self-discovery. It has challenged me to push beyond my limits, embrace my strengths and weaknesses, and navigate the complex web of opportunities that define college life.
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
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"What's your major?" seems like a pressing question for every freshman, but now that my freshman year is behind me, I know I shouldn't have worried as much.
![Kalina standing amidst the autumn leaves](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/kalina_duncheva_27_-_kalina_duncheva.jpg?itok=1Spk_Kot×tamp=1694612135)
![The white blossoms are sprouting from the trees on Ivy Lane in a depiction of spring blooming.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_5246_1.jpg?itok=We2VabIP×tamp=1719527109)
Dartmouth has Distributive and World Culture Requirements, including the Writing classes, that are be fulfilled during your first year.
![Arianna smiling at the grocery store](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_7676_-_arianna_dunkley.jpeg?itok=eQQiMmwB×tamp=1694612412)