Hello there, friend! My name is Love and I am a '23. Aside from being on the pre-med track, I'm currently interested in studying math and public policy. I have a penchant for old things, learning languages, and the arts. I also love personality tests, irrespective of their actual validity—in case you're curious, I'm an INFJ, Scorpio, dragon, and type 2w1.
Hi, everyone! I just took my first college test and handed in my first paper this past week. Both feats were incredibly nerve-wracking for me because of how much stake I've put on academics throughout my life. I spent a lot of time glaring at my paper because I felt like something was off, but couldn't figure out what, and I spent the day before my first biology quiz with mild hypertension.
Studying at Rauner Library! Studying in nice places eases the stress a little bit, and there are lots of hidden study spots on campus.
I have another biology exam next Thursday, as well as midterms after Homecoming weekend, so while this was my first foray into assessments at Dartmouth, it certainly won't be the last.
With this in mind, I've spent a little bit of time thinking about how I can approach grades and *judgment* with a more positive mindset, and have found great encouragement from the producers of said stress — my professors!
Interestingly enough, none of my professors emphasize tests or pure memorization in their teaching. We find problems in the subject together and learn about ways to address them. My classmates rarely ask "Will this be on the quiz?" during lecture, either, and our learning is always pushed by the class's collective interest in the subject. Sometimes we even ask questions outside of the scope of the course, prompting the professors to say, "Ask me again during your senior year." Whether it's in my writing, biology, or data analysis class, the information we learn has been, frankly speaking, cool. The professors' methods of teaching and engaging with me as a student have made learning the material so enjoyable and engaging for me. I find what I learn interesting and genuinely want to explore more!
When the weather is warm out, studying outside is also a treat!
This has resulted in some unique ways that I approach academics at Dartmouth, even as a freshman just ending Week 3 of her first fall on campus. Going forward, I really want to take examinations in a stride and not spend the entire week leading up to it in mild jitters. While yes, I do still care about doing well on my work, the learning environment on campus has been helping me to look beyond grades and discover what I'm truly passionate about. The competition inherent in things such as medians, grading curves, and applications (yes, those still exist after you get into college) can be a damper on a person's natural curiosities and inclinations, but I also urge you to take a step back and remember what got you interested in the first place. Pursuing any type of education is such an opportunity, so don't waste it by making yourself miserable! For the remainder of this year, I hope that I can navigate grades at Dartmouth with a little more grace than I did this first time around, and I hope the same for you, wherever you are!
In case you didn't know, Dartmouth operates on a quarter system, which means that in each term, students typically take three classes. However, they can also elect to add an additional course!
Have you ever wondered what a Dartmouth freshman's course of study may look like? The beauty of the D-Plan is everyone can customize their own schedules, so this term I'm taking International Politics, Global Health & Society, and Expository Writing.
Professors at Dartmouth really love their discipline and want to share their knowledge with as many students as possible through a variety of resources. I'll walk you through some of the ways they do this while telling you about my classes this term.
This winter is my first term really focusing on classes in the government and economics departments, so I thought I'd walk you all through my class schedule and experiences so far!
Dartmouth's Center for Social Impact has several opportunities for students to be involved with the Upper Valley. This year, I have the privilege to be involved in Foundations, a first-year program, and can't wait for other opportunities!
While taking four classes at most other schools with semester-based calendars seems like a breeze, Dartmouth's unique D-Plan and quarter system make my efforts to take four classes this winter a bit more challenging.
DUJS is a great opportunity for students across campus to get together and discuss scientific thought and innovation, whether from psychology, astrophysics, or more social justice-oriented medical research.
I have another biology exam next Thursday, as well as midterms after Homecoming weekend, so while this was my first foray into assessments at Dartmouth, it certainly won't be the last.
This has resulted in some unique ways that I approach academics at Dartmouth, even as a freshman just ending Week 3 of her first fall on campus. Going forward, I really want to take examinations in a stride and not spend the entire week leading up to it in mild jitters. While yes, I do still care about doing well on my work, the learning environment on campus has been helping me to look beyond grades and discover what I'm truly passionate about. The competition inherent in things such as medians, grading curves, and applications (yes, those still exist after you get into college) can be a damper on a person's natural curiosities and inclinations, but I also urge you to take a step back and remember what got you interested in the first place. Pursuing any type of education is such an opportunity, so don't waste it by making yourself miserable! For the remainder of this year, I hope that I can navigate grades at Dartmouth with a little more grace than I did this first time around, and I hope the same for you, wherever you are!
