Hi there! I'm Nathan, from Lynn, MA (basically Boston). At the moment, I'm studying Engineering and Biology, though I hope to explore courses across the Humanities and Social Sciences. I'm an aspiring naturalist who loves writing, drawing, and photography. My time outside the classroom is spent running trails, reading random wikipedia articles, or speaking French with Francophone friends. Explore my posts for an inside perspective of everything Dartmouth has to offer!
It seems so simple, yet it can be so challenging at times. I quickly realized upon arriving at Dartmouth that three classes per quarter only provide you with three precious slots to fill your time with meaningful and influential experiences. Each class is sort of like an investment, and what you glean from a class is not nearly as important as the people you meet and possibilities that open up in your mind (i.e., a class can open your mind to a new career or dismiss another).
As a quick recap, I took Biology, Calculus, and a class called "Humanities 1" for my writing requirement. I learned a lot through these courses; however, I am also very happy with my new courses for this Winter term.
While I could have enrolled in Math and Physics, I decided to take Chemistry and Earth Science courses. Over winterim (winter + interim = winterim, Dartmouth's 6-week winter break), I've realized that an engineering career may not be the best fit for my interests; currently, I have interests in graduate school and teaching. Furthermore, I've come to the conclusion that the Biology and Earth Science departments have quantitative courses that will complement the "raw content" that I learn in the majority of each department's classes. In this sense, I've freed myself up to delve into the subjects that interest me the most and not get caught up in the need to load prerequisite courses for a major I'm uncertain of. It's also only my second term! These courses will count towards a STEM major and possibly even modify my Engineering major. My writing seminar, "Investigative Memoir," may also become my new favorite class—no regrets there (though I'll have to follow up on this).
To provide you with an idea of what flexibility is like during your first year (it's pretty flexible, but you still need some planning for Engineering and Pre-health), I'll go over some general class requirements and considerations.
Dartmouth students have nine courses your first year (unless you take a two or four-course term, which is not common)
First years take a writing course and a more specialized writing seminar (two writing-based courses)
Students have a language requirement to fulfill by graduation, which many first-years tackle early on (ranging from one to three courses, depending on individual language background).
For Pre-Health, Engineering, and most majors, odds are that you will be taking a few prerequisite and major courses.
Because of these guidelines, I am always sure to be very thoughtful during my course selection.
For example, my thought process for my new Earth Science course, "The Evolution of Earth and Life," was that I would be able to explore geology, evolutionary biology, and paleoclimatology—all topics that can be covered in individual courses but are also all included in this introductory course! I'm essentially trying to explore multiple sub-disciplines within departments through one class! (hopefully, I'm right! So far, it's been great).
I hope this provided you with an internal perspective exploring courses, choosing courses, and the overall course situation during one's first year at Dartmouth!
The thrills and whirlwind that is Freshman Fall was an extraordinary time in my life. Reflecting on two years back, I want to explore the many events and emotions I went through during this time.
I recently completed a language-pledge homestay week in the village of Orvinio, Italy as a part of the Dartmouth F.I.R.E. Italian study abroad program!
How do Dartmouth students balance their classes and social life in a reasonable way? Somehow, we manage to get good grades and prioritize our academics while also making life-long friendships and memories.
As much as I love studying abroad on Dartmouth's Full Immersion in Rome Italian program, I also really miss campus! Here's a look back at some of the places I can't wait to get back to soon.
This past week, I got to participate in a Memory Café hosted by the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth with my club, Dartmouth Forte! What's a Memory Café? Read to find out!
Choosing the right college is a critical decision that extends beyond mere rankings. Without the benefit of campus visits, it's vital to thoroughly research and understand each institution to ensure a fulfilling and safe experience.
