Hi everyone! I'm Madison. I'm originally from Pasadena, California, but I also spent eight years living in Manila, Philippines, and one year in Gibraltar. At Dartmouth, I plan to double major in Film & Media Studies and ASCL (Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages). Dartmouth has already opened up so many doors for me and truly changed my life for the better, so I'm really excited to share my college journey and experiences with you all!
Academic Program
Majors in Film and Media Studies and Asian Societies, Languages, and Cultures
An introductory Chinese class for beginners that provides a foundational understanding of the language, including pinyin, proper tones, pronunciation, character writing, basic vocabulary, and sentence structures.
A dynamic, hands-on course that emphasizes empathy-driven problem solving, rapid prototyping, and collaborative innovation through team projects, energizing activities, and practical skill-building sessions.
A course that builds on the foundations of Chinese 001 and 002 by introducing more sentence structures and vocabulary, with regular weekly drills to strengthen speaking and tonal pronunciation, and a shift from traditional to simplified characters in the final three weeks.
A course that builds on introductory Chinese 1 2, and 3, following Chinese 22, and deepens previously learned material through more complex grammar, sentence structures, and expanded vocabulary.
A film theory course that builds on some prior intro experience, where you watch, analyze, discuss, and write about films across different genres while learning how to apply various theories.
As a high school senior, I found myself thinking about college almost constantly. On the bus, staring out the window. Sitting in class while a teacher lectured. Even during school assemblies, my mind would drift. Somehow, everything circled back to one thought: what would my life be like at Dartmouth?
I kept picturing the small town in New Hampshire I had visited before—the quiet streets, the trees, the feeling that life there moved at a slightly different pace. I tried to imagine what my everyday life might really look like, living in the residence halls, walking to class as the leaves changed, and settling into a new rhythm. It was one thing to visit campus, hear stories from my sister's friends, and watch my sister (who was a graduating senior at the time) go through her own experience at Dartmouth, but I was curious what it would feel like once I was living it for myself.
Ready for the woods!
More than anything, I felt excited to start something completely new. College felt like a big change—unfamiliar in some ways, but full of possibility. I knew it would be different from anything I had experienced before, and although it made me a little nervous, I couldn't wait to get started.
Coming to Dartmouth, I remember feeling giddy. There was so much excitement in the air, and the energy on campus felt very alive. During those first few weeks, everyone was especially open and social. You were constantly meeting new people, spending time with different groups, and saying yes to almost every plan.
One unique part of Dartmouth is that first-year students arrive about two weeks earlier than everyone else. This time is filled with First-Year Trips and Orientation Week (O-Week), where first-years get to know each other through group activities and fun events around campus, like s'mores nights and bingo. It's a really special time because everything feels new, and everyone is eager to connect.
Sweet start to four years together
It was a really fun and memorable time, and I did meet some of my closest friends during O-Week. At the same time, many of my strongest friendships actually formed later, once classes started and life began to settle into a more routine. You won't stay close with every person you meet in those first weeks, and that's completely normal. As the term goes on, you naturally find your rhythm, and even if the beginning can feel a little unstructured, things start to feel more familiar once classes are underway.
One of the biggest adjustments for me in the transition from high school to college was realizing how much independence I suddenly had—and how much free time suddenly came with it. In high school, my days felt very structured. I was used to waking up early, going from class to class, juggling a mix of subjects, and constantly balancing extracurriculars. My schedule was always full, and most of my time was already planned out.
At Dartmouth, the structure felt completely different. You take three classes each term, and you actually get to choose what you want to study (while keeping in mind a few requirements like writing, seminar, and language). I wasn't rushing between as many classes or constantly studying for five or six different subjects at once like I had been in high school. In many ways, it felt more manageable and more freeing.
Learning my way around campus
What surprised me most was how much unstructured time I suddenly had during the day. At first, I wasn't used to it. I had to figure out how I wanted to spend my time without everything already being decided for me. Personally, I used that time to explore as much as I could and meet as many people as possible. I tried new things, like joining an intramural soccer team, signing up for blind-date style dinners through the Chinese Student Association, and spending nights playing pong in someone's basement with friends. A lot of the time, the plans themselves were simple, but they made those first few weeks really fun and memorable.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to take classes that genuinely interest you and say yes to opportunities to meet people. The beginning of your first year is a great time to try new things, figure out what you enjoy, and slowly find your place.
Personally, I've found college to be a lot more enjoyable academically. In high school, I often felt pressure to get perfect grades, but in college, my relationship with learning has felt different. I still care about doing well, but I've noticed I'm more motivated by genuine curiosity than by pressure to excel. I take classes because I'm interested in the material, which makes it easier to stay engaged and do my best. In this way, learning feels less like something I have to do and more like something I get to do.
My first production course here at Dartmouth!
To the Class of 2030, it's completely normal to feel nervous about starting somewhere new. But rest assured, you will find your footing here. Everyone is in the same boat, figuring things out right alongside you. Give yourself time, stay open to new experiences, and trust that you'll find a place where you feel comfortable. You have so much to look forward to. Welcome to the woods!
As my friends and I navigate complex feelings of nostalgia and excitement, we all have very different senior springs. Find out what I have been working on and what it has taught me!
True to the theme of a liberal arts education, Dartmouth requires students to take one or two classes each in several different subject matters, or distributives, in order to graduate.
