

Natalie Keim

You are here
Natalie's D-Plan
What's a D-Plan?-
FallHanover, NH
Favorite Class: Design ThinkingWe built roller coasters, solved problems on campus, designed PSA posters and more. A great introduction to the Human-Centered Design minor.
WinterHanover, NH
Favorite Class: System Dynamics in Policy Design and AnalysisHave you ever wondered about the link between gang violence and after-school programs? Between a link between accessibility of doctors office and ADHD diagnosis? Between gender dynamics and drug usage? System Dynamics uses a systems thinking framework to explore policy that builds links between issues and their root causes.
SpringHanover, NH
Favorite Class: Intro to Middle Eastern StudiesWow! Such an introduction to the Middle East... politically, economically, historically, artistically. I learned so much in this class -- and since taking it, I feel like I can really understand contemporary conversations about the region.
-
FallHanover, NH
Favorite Class: Modern German HistoryUdi Greenberg is the best lecturer I have ever had. Come to Dartmouth for the woods, stay for the teaching! Professor Greenberg's lectures flowed like stories... the most captivated I've ever been by a class!
WinterHanover, NH
Favorite Class: Development Under FireWhy is foreign aid so prevalent in conflict zones? Does giving money to areas in conflict help reduce violence? Answers to all this and more lie in this class.
What a *REAL* College Dorm Room Looks Like
A look at my sophomore year dorm room!
- No. 1
The Room
I hope this image gives you a good sense of what to expect from a Dartmouth dorm! There are a few things in particular I want to point out here. Every room comes with a bedframe, a desk and chair (not pictured), and a set of drawers (on the far right.) I've added underbed storage, curtains, and my minifridge.
In general, I would say most students add extra storage and a fridge to their dorm room. Some Dartmouth dorms provide fridges, and some do not! When you are assigned housing, the school will inform you if there is a fridge in your room. In terms of extra storage, I find that lofting my bed (see how it's raised off the ground?) and adding more drawers underneath help me manage all my different things. The curtains are purely for decorative purposes—there's already a blackout shade in every room!
I've added all sorts of my own decorations. One of my favorite things about living in the dorms is getting to see how people express their personality through their decorations.


Sorority Recruitment: The Facts and My Story
Greek life! What's true! What's not! My REAL experience joining a house!
Academic Resources On Campus!
Scared of Ivy League academics? Don't worry! There are plenty of ways to get help. Read me to find out more!
- No. 1
1. RWIT — The Student Center for Research, Writing and Information Technology
RWIT was an insane concept to me. You show up with a paper, a prompt, or a question, and you work 1:1 with a writing tutor (for free!) to revise your paper or brainstorm and talk through ideas. You can bring literally any writing or research questions to the Center, and they will give you an hour of their undivided attention. RWIT helped me build confidence in my writing and adapt to a college-level standard of research, citations, and ideation.
- No. 2
2. SAS — Student Accessibility Services
SAS works with students, faculty, staff, and the campus administration to ensure that Dartmouth is accessible to students with disabilities. For me, this looked like getting academic accommodations after I was diagnosed with ADHD in the spring of my freshman year. Now, with more of an ability to understand my brain, and by partnering with SAS, I can request extended time on assessments, and a quiet, distraction-free testing room. SAS was also my first step when I began to suspect I had ADHD. They pointed me to a psychologist who helped diagnose me.
- No. 3
3. ASC - Academic Skills Center
The Academic Skills Center's mission is to "assist students in achieving their academic goals.” They offer sessions on everything from time management to good notetaking to study tips. For me, the coolest part of the ASC was the 1:1 academic coaching. I met with a coach to go over how I could structure my study sessions in a way that was productive to the ADHD brain — my grades certainly thanked me.


Surviving a heat wave in the Upper Valley
My tips for surviving an Upper Valley heat wave!


Teacher Appreciation Week: How We Got Here
Teachers -- how we got to Dartmouth, and why we'll stay!


Travel Debate Tournaments (Dartmouth Style)
Travel with the Dartmouth Debate Team to Brown University!