Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm an intended Engineering Sciences Major and Studio Art Minor—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Triathlon Team, French Living Learning Community (LLC), and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. Explore my posts for an inside perspective of everything Dartmouth has to offer!
I took this class to explore the Biology Department and it ended up defining my freshman Fall. I grew close with other biology-minded students and together we delved deep into cellular mechanisms and processes in a fast-paced environment. The labs were long but rewarding and everything about this class made me a better scientist—Professor Bezanilla is an amazing teacher! I would recommend this class to anyone with a passion for biology and research.
“Who do I want to be?” is a question that I frequently ask myself as an undergraduate (and I’m sure you will as well). A good place to begin answering this question, however, is “Who am I ?” Taking Investigative Memoir as my first-year seminar allowed me to explore this question via personal reflection and expressive writing—something that has helped me frame my identity at Dartmouth with the rest of my life. College can be a surreal experience, but Professor Sharlet’s introduction to the world of creative nonfiction has given me the ability to transform my own perceptions into tangible, recorded stories.
As a kid I drew a lot; I was inspired by architectural books like “Pyramid” and “Castle” and fascinated by illustrations in “The Way Things Work.” All of these books are by the author David Macaulay—and I had the opportunity to take this very class with him! I completed weekly sketchbook exercises, worked on visually communicating inventions, and was able to receive personal feedback. The theme of visual illustration as a tool in engineering resonated strongly with me, inspiring my interest in an engineering major modified with studio art. Given my long relationship with his work, this class was truly a dream come true.
SummerAmherst, Massachusetts
I interned at a running biomechanics research lab in Amherst, MA, to explore my interests in kinesiology and running shoe design! I was able to self-fund the internship through a grant from the Dartmouth Center for Professional Development (CPD). I spent the rest of my summer reading, spending time with family, and took a trip to Quebec before returning to campus.
Dartmouth terms are only ten weeks long, and the pace gradually ramps up as the weeks progress. It's manageable, but it also depends on your course load—last term I took four courses and definitely felt the weight at times (no regrets though, see a previous post!). I've learned that most assignments will take longer than you think, so it's always better to get started early to avoid the stress of cramming. This is easier said than done, of course, but my top strategy for avoiding procrastination is to "minimally" start something. In other words, make an outline or start plugging some ideas into a document even if you only take five minutes. It's a bit of a psychological trick, and I find it increases the chance that I'll keep making progress.
Attempting to start early in the Class of 1902 Room.
2. Go Outside
The outdoors are as much a part of my Dartmouth experience as the library and the people. I feel like I have a decent grasp of Hanover and the surrounding area, but I know I haven't even scratched the surface of beautiful views and hidden trails. The Triathlon team allowed me to explore the area via biking and running, but I also went on a variety of DOC trips and Nordic Skiing during the winter. The opportunities are endless, and the enrichment is real, so you simply have to take advantage of the unparalleled access while you're here (no matter your level). My time in nature has helped me understand what Dartmouth is all about and what it means to fit in as part of the community.
Nature, it's all around us
3. Take the Time
It's a bit similar to my last lesson, but ultimately much broader and still important. What I mean by "take the time" is to go on that weekend excursion to Montreal, to join that DOC trip you've been eyeing, or to finally visit that café or restaurant you've been stalking on Google Maps. "Taking the time" is ultimately about being sustainable and ensuring you receive what you need to thrive in college. That looks different for everyone, but for me, it meant visiting family in Boston or planning a run with friends. You make a lot of memories across a Dartmouth term, but I found that the parts of the term that I remember most were when I made impromptu decisions that led me down some sort of adventure—here's one example:
A very long bike ride to Moosilauke Ravine Lodge.
4. Systematize
In other words, build habits and get basic things in order to ensure you adjust to the world of Dartmouth. By this, I mean understanding time management: know how to use your meal plan like a pro, decide when you'll do your work during the day, and figure out times to call your parents or do laundry, etc. Will you do all your work in your room or the library? Will you prepare for classes in the morning or the night before? You'll find out these things soon enough, but I discovered that when I made an effort to simplify my daily routines and maintain some level of consistency, I was less stressed and could move through my day with more confidence. My Fall term was all over the place because I was trying different clubs and improvising my schedule as I went along (which is normal—everyone was doing it), but I quickly realized that a little bit of standardization helped quite a bit. Systems help prevent overcomplicated time-management!
5. You Can't Do It Alone
It sounds cliché, but it was probably my biggest lesson coming from an independently-minded person. I became acutely aware that the best part of Dartmouth is truly the people, and finding those who you can resonate with will carry you through the term. My advice is to find friends who will teach you things and impress you in their own unique way (which isn't hard). A support network of friends will have you waving to someone on campus every five minutes.
I applied through Questbridge's National College Match, but did not match. To others who also did not match, this is not the end of your application process! Here's what I did following match decision day.
Unlimited buffets, flavorful drinks, an assortment of breakfast pastries—Dartmouth has so many great food and drink options to choose from! Join me as I rank my favorite ones.
Walking around the Wellelsey campus, it's clear that it was built with intentional incorporation of the surrounding nature. The architecture of many buildings were also mindfully crafted to support Wellesley's unique principles.
My first time in Chicago at the Society of Women Engineers Conference in Chicago, Illinois! Fully funded by Dartmouth, I had a great time meeting amazing companies and getting to know fellow women engineers.
