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.
The first of a two-part series on classical mechanics, this class made physics refreshing and enjoyable. The content came primarily through lectures given by Professor Caldwell, who was extremely clear and made each class memorable with demonstrations, jokes, or historical tangents. The lab section, which involved hands-on physics experiments, reinforced my understanding of the material in a practical sense. I took this course as an engineering requirement, and I found it to be my favorite quantitative course thus far.
As I've written about in previous posts, one of my biggest involvements at Dartmouth thus far has been the Club Triathlon Team. I wanted to continue engaging with endurance sports (since I ran in high school), but I also wanted to try something new… something different. Hence, I joined the Club Triathlon during my first Fall and I haven't looked back since! (For a more general overview of how to join and what the training is like, please see this post).
After leaving Hanover in the Spring, I knew I was going to continue training over the summer; I also knew, however, that I wanted an event—a goal—to look forward to. I searched for races online and considered a half-marathon, but happened to be notified of a local alternative (the Appleman Triathlon/Duathlon) by a teammate! (Shoutout to fellow triathlete and maple connoisseur Frank from Fitchburg, MA). We both registered, and amazingly, the club covered half of our entry fees! (Our fundraising process means being part of the team has many perks, including gear that can be borrowed and race subsidies such as these).
Frank and I both prepared throughout June and July by swimming, biking, and running. Though in my case, I omitted swimming—a Duathlon is a run, bike, run. Our training even led us to plan a 50-mile group ride around Amherst, MA, where I was staying for an internship.
On the day of the race, I woke up early to drive over and be ready for the 8:15 AM race start. I picked up my registration packet, set up my bike, and went for a short warm-up.
The transition zone, essentially a parking lot for your bike
Before I knew it, I was at the start line and off we went. The first leg was a 1.4-mile run that twisted and turned through a lakeside neighborhood. I resisted the urge to go full gas and made it back to the transition area feeling a bit tired but thoroughly warmed up.
Next, I changed my running shoes for bike cleats and clomped my way to the mounting zone (riding your bike in the transition zone is a no-go). I pumped my way up to the first turn and accelerated to a maintainable speed. The bike course was 10 miles that were scenic, well-marked, and full of rolling hills. I tried to maintain a consistent tempo, powering up the climbs and increasing my gear on the descents. I did get passed by a rider on a time-trial bike about three miles in, but there wasn't much I could do against his optimized aerodynamics.
Wheeling my bike back into the transition area, I felt that my legs were more wobbly during the first few steps compared to after my first run. That "jelly" feeling continued during the first half-mile of my third and final leg (the second run leg). Eventually, I settled into my stride, though, and managed to shake off some of the pedal-pushing-induced fatigue. This last leg was 3 miles long and took me through a technical trail section with a steep climb. The final mile was somewhat downhill, and the finishing stretch came down on the beach by the swim start. I crossed the line feeling spent yet satisfied! The rest of my time was spent cheering on finishers, especially Frank, who conquered the sprint Triathlon (and completed his first open-water swim!).
Frank and I basking in our post-race glory.
In summary, the Appleman Triathlon/Duathlon was a great way to stay active in the summer and keep exploring the sport as a whole (I did end up registering for a 10k and completed some trail races, but these multi-sport events are a different kind of challenge!). I'm happy to have another race under my belt and considered the Duathlon a nice change. Frank and I also encountered two alums (an '83 and '12) who were pleased to meet us in the crowd. I plan to stay engaged with the team throughout my Sophomore year and look forward to upcoming races this Fall. The Triathlon Team is ultimately a welcoming space and offers support at all levels. If exploring these types of races or even getting started in swimming, biking, and running is of interest, then the team might be for you (to get started and keep progressing)!
Are you artistically inclined? Are you not artistically inclined but still love making art? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Dartmouth Donald Claflin Jewelry Studio is for you!
Some of my rising senior friends from New York have been in contact with me since graduation, and I've compiled a list of FAQs that might help you better understand life at Dartmouth!
