Kaj Johnson

You’ve likely heard the necessity of a good winter coat: something with insulation (be it down or a synthetic filling), a hood, and a water-resistant shell. However, another essential in keeping warm is layers. Wearing a base layer under your day clothes will give you a warmth boost that’s low-profile, while a zippered fleece is easy for removal in warmer classrooms. The ability to customize with layers takes much of the guesswork out of staying comfortable both indoors and outdoors. 

The chills and gusts of the winter season can do some serious damage to your skin, especially with long exposure. If you have sensitive skin like me, it’s essential to plan ahead before you find your entire face frozen and chapped. Applying an unscented lotion before bed and during your morning routine helps lock in moisture without irritating your skin. Also, carrying around a heavy-duty lip balm, like Burt’s Bees or Aquaphor, will save you from the terrible sensation of chapped lips.

As dorky as they may look, snow boots are one of my must-haves. Not only do they keep your feet warm, but their height prevents your socks from getting soaked with melted snow and slush. I’ve damaged some of my favorite sneakers by wearing them in the snow, all in the name of fashion (see above). It’s not worth it, I promise!

My very first run in Hanover took me around Occom Pond, a quaint body of water near my dorm hall that’s used for picturesque ice-skating in the winter. A popular running spot for its one-mile circumference, I appreciate Occom Pond for its peacefulness and lack of vehicle traffic. This route adds on a quick loop through the Hanover Country Club’s golf course, which has winding trails, both dirt and gravel, open to walkers and runners. 

This trail steps it up a notch, taking you over the Connecticut river to Norwich, Vermont, a town about a quarter the size of Hanover. The map may look like you’re running in the middle of the highway, but there are asphalt pedestrian paths on both sides of the streets. This trail was my first venture into Vermont, and Norwich is a charming town that’s worth the visit. Since it’s an out-and-back, you can easily customize the mileage as you see fit!

My personal favorite, this trail follows Lyme Road past Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and further north into Hanover, passing small cafes and elementary schools along the way. While there are some steep spots, I find this trail the easiest to build up some speed – and on the way back, it’s mostly downhill!

RWIT, the student center for Research, Writing, and Information Technology, is a service that offers support for writing essays and creating multimedia projects. RWIT employs a ton of knowledgeable tutors that can offer constructive feedback on your writing, help refine a rough draft, or even help with developing an initial outline. During finals period, I came into a drop-in session to get support on my Anthropology essay – even though it was only 15 minutes, having someone else’s perspective on my essay was really valuable in making my writing clear and succinct.

Tutor Clearinghouse, Dartmouth’s center for one-on-one academic support, offers a wide range of services year-round, such as free tutoring and a plethora of study groups for various classes. During finals period, Tutor Clearinghouse hosts a ton of review sessions for a wide range of courses. Led by undergraduate tutors, teaching fellows, and resident experts alike, these review sessions offer an extremely  valuable opportunity to clear up confusions and get help from those who are experts. While I didn’t take any classes this term that had review sessions, friends who took Economics and Math courses found the review sessions to be extremely helpful. They last between one-and-a-half and two hours; short enough to sneak into even the busiest of schedules.

While studying and preparing for final papers and exams is certainly important, taking care of yourself mentally should be given equal priority. Thankfully, there are so many ways to engage in self-care during these stressful periods. Programs hosted by Collis After Dark offer massages, music, and therapeutic art leading up to the finals period, and ’53 Commons gave out free soda to take on-the-go. Even within my dorm hall, my UGAs put on a free breakfast and gave out pizza when we needed a late-night study break. Sharing a meal with my floormates was a valuable reminder that although finals period can be tough, we’re all going through it together. With the help of both academic resources and fun opportunities, I’m approaching my last days of fall term with an optimism I didn’t expect. Sure, I’m a little exhausted, but it’s nothing some free tea from Collis can’t fix!

I’m a lifelong musician and music lover, so I always turn to my music library when I’m feeling excited, stressed, or nostalgic. I compiled some songs that remind me of home – whether it be Minneapolis artists or simply tunes that evoke high school and old friends. I had to include Prince, of course, but I also threw in Moses Sumney, Young Thug, and dvsn, some of my favorite artists.

Nothing beats actually seeing your friends and family. That’s why I often FaceTime the people closest to me. I try to FaceTime my brother at least once every two weeks; it’s a great time to get caught up with exciting events and rant about bad days/weeks. Although more time consuming, it beats texting by a long shot. 

Although not exactly in your power, care packages are one of the most effective lift-me-ups. Whether they contain your favorite foods, dorm decorations, or that one article of clothing you forgot to pack, the material satisfaction of opening a box with your name handwritten on it can’t be beaten. It doesn’t have to be just from parents, though – sending one to a close friend can be a great way to reconnect!

Collis After Dark is a program that offers late-night entertainment such as music, comedy, dance, and other opportunities. So far, there have been two concerts, a rollerskating rink, multiple movie nights, and an inflatable bouncy castle. If you and your friends are looking for something to do on Friday and Saturday nights, this is the place to go! Pro-tip: Collis Cafe offers incredible late-night snacks (pictured above) every day of the week in conjunction with its late-night programming. It's well worth the trek from the library or your dorm hall.

If you're from the city like I am, stargazing isn't an activity you can do often. But Hanover's isolated location makes it the perfect spot to see all the sky's constellations. Stargazing events are frequently put on by clubs and House communities. Your phone might not be able to snap a good picture, but the experience itself will be sufficiently memorable!

It sounds cliché, but going for a walk around campus is the best way for me to decompress and get rid of any stress. Removed of the hectic afternoon buzz, the Green and the surrounding buildings are majestic and peaceful, and the nighttime air is especially crisp. It's also a great time to call your parents or friends from home. If you feel more comfortable walking with friends, bring them along, too. Just make sure you pack a jacket!