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.
Winterim is a six-week period that begins right before Thanksgiving and ends at the start of January. Why is it called "Winterim"? Well, it's an interim period during the winter—hence, Winterim. It's a unique opportunity that allows students to take time off earlier and provides ample time to pursue activities and opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be possible during a typical term at Dartmouth.
For my Winterim, I spent six weeks at home, focusing on family and passion projects that I usually have less time for. For me, this included a lot of design work for my footwear startup (you can read about its origins [here]), creating art (curious about drawing at Dartmouth?), reading books of interest, and training for an upcoming race with the Club Triathlon Team. The team organizes a training trip over spring break, and this year we'll also compete at collegiate club nationals in Miami, Florida! Additionally, I used the time to plan my courses and start applications for both a foreign study program and theTuck Business Bridge Programfor this coming spring.
Overall, I felt the benefits of Winterim as I struck a balance between recharging and being productive—but most importantly, I aimed to be present with family and friends. Being at Dartmouth often means some of my relationships fall by the wayside, and this time off gave me the chance to reconnect and catch up.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the break and the chance to focus on areas that might be neglected during the school term. However, I also found myself ready to return. The fast-paced nature of Dartmouth's 10-week terms makes time away from campus feel slow and, at times, mundane. The stark contrast between life at and outside of Dartmouth can feel like a roller coaster. Even after six weeks at home, it almost feels like I never left once I step back on campus.
Dartmouth itself doesn't seem to change, but what does change are the people and the stories they bring back. One of my friends went on a backpacking trip to Texas through the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC); another began their research journey with a professor in the Biology department. Others spent time traveling or developing their passions, while some stayed on campus.
What I've realized is that everyone's Winterim is different, offering a unique and independent opportunity to enrich their Dartmouth experience. Ultimately, what matters is how you choose to spend it
The first-generation community at Dartmouth is an extremely tight knit and supportive community! This past week, we celebrated first-gen week, with a myriad of activities and lots of chances to meet new people!
One of the most important aspects of being a Dartmouth student is knowing how to be a college student and manage your time effectively. As a first year student, these are resources that have helped me.
I can't wait to celebrate Winter, so I just had to write a blog post all about it. Read on to hear about all the fun (and affordable) Winter activities at Dartmouth!
