Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm majoring in Engineering Sciences modified with Studio Art—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, biology, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as the Triathlon and Cycling Teams. Outside of class, you'll probably catch me drinking coffee somewhere or out on my bike.
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.
I delved into the process of using digital design tools—such as the Adobe Suite, Rhino 3D, and Fusion 360—to create projects that used computer driven manufacturing methods like laser cutting and 3D printing. This class was right up my alley as the assignments required a hybrid of creative and technical thinking. My favorite projects included a making my own lamp, decorative tiles, and an architecture miniature. Overall, this class expanded my design skills and further solidified my pursuit of a Studio Art minor.
I learned about the history of New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles through a series of group discussions and presentations. Professor Orleck was an amazing lecturer and guided us through topics like labor reform, corruption, infrastructure, and economics across each city. The final project was an open research paper, and I chose to write about the evolution of culture in Boston's North End. Overall, this class reshaped my perspective of cities and allowed me to fulfill a SOC distributive requirement.
A classic engineering course in which I learned about rigid body statics, the behavior of deformable elastic solids, and how to build a system that can withstand load. The final group project was a truss bridge laser-cut out of wood that involved multiple rounds of simulation and computer-aided-design (CAD). In the end, it held over 20 kN, or about 4,500 pounds! I loved how this class changed the way I interacted with everyday physical objects and think about structures!
I've thought a lot about how impactful time spent in college can be, and that has led me to wonder more about what specifically makes Dartmouth special to me. I applied early decision because I had a very clear understanding of how I might fit into the community, but now I would like to look deeper into what exactly has made my experience special.
Baker Berry Library on an early-ish morning.
The Classes
One of the main reasons I came to Dartmouth was because of the access to every department under one academic institution. Since all departments are housed within the college, you can take classes in any department you want. When that's paired with Dartmouth's D-Plan—a quarter system where you take three courses per term—I knew I'd have academic flexibility.
Though I'm an engineering major now, I came to Dartmouth thinking I was going to study biology. Since then, I've ended up taking classes in Earth Science, English, History, and Studio Art along with my engineering courses. This ability to pursue all my interests has been a huge part of my learning and growth, and I really appreciate being able to change my course of study depending on what I need.
I'll also mention that the distributive requirements needed to graduate have helped make this possible. It's not just the option to take a diverse range of courses that's been impactful, but the incentive to do so as well. I think this balance of flexibility with some structure is one of the things that makes Dartmouth's academics special.
One of many sunsets I've seen while riding around Hanover.
The Environment
I couldn't write this blog post without talking about the environment of Hanover, New Hampshire. Even though I'm from New England, New Hampshire still feels distant and very different from the suburban sprawl of the Boston area.
Part of what makes Hanover special is the combination of endless outdoor opportunities and four very distinct seasons. When it comes to spending time outside, there are almost too many activities to choose from. Personally, my favorite has become cycling, since being on a bike lets you travel a fair distance away from campus and visit nearby towns like Norwich, Woodstock, Lebanon, Strafford, Thetford, Fairlee, and more.
It's not really about what these towns have to offer, but more about the process of getting to them and what you see along the way. And I have to say, the landscape here is beautiful—whether it's colored by fall foliage, covered in winter snow, or lush and green during the summer.
Since my first fall on campus, I would say I've developed a better sense of what it means to live in the Upper Valley (the area around Dartmouth) and simply a much deeper appreciation for the outdoors. This connection to the environment has defined my time here and my experience wouldn't be the same without it.
The Club Triathlon team out by the coast for a race!
The People
The most important part of Dartmouth, though, is the people. I've come to see that the people here are an extension of your education. Being friends with majors in neuroscience, creative writing, economics, chemistry, history, ecology, and so many other areas shapes you in ways you don't even realize at first. Daily conversations and time spent together can teach you a lot about different fields and what it means to study them. But beyond academics, learning about people's backgrounds and what makes them unique is what's most enriching.
Hearing about what people do outside of class is often more interesting than hearing about their classes themselves. When you're surrounded by a community like this, it opens your eyes to new possibilities like doing research research, building projects, applying for certain roles, or even starting a company. Dartmouth really encourages that kind of curiosity and drive.
And it's not just the students, it's faculty and alumni too. Public lectures, guest speakers, and opportunities to connect with alumni (like the Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum) have helped me broaden my network and my sense of what's possible beyond campus.
I hope this gives you a better sense of what Dartmouth has to offer, and a small look into one person's experience so far. I started thinking more about why Dartmouth feels special to me, and these are the things that come to mind: the classes, the environment, and the people. They've made my time here pretty meaningful.
A reflection on how Dartmouth offers countless ways to stay connected to literature and writing—even as a side passion—through blogs, courses, campus publications, and creative communities.
