First, I'll explain who I am. I'm Nicholas Sugiarto, a '23 from San Diego, California. Second, a quick disclaimer. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing. Prior to Dartmouth, I've never hiked, skied, or seen snow. So yeah, you could say that Dartmouth is quite a bit different from what I'm used to. You'll probably find me on campus lost. I have no sense of direction. Please help.
It's not what you think. Though it's kinda cool that I can *technically* say that.
Basically, one of my good friends is a prospective studio art major who is currently taking Sculpture 1. According to her, it's pretty demanding in terms of workload, but still one of her most enjoyable courses.
Part of what makes the class so demanding is that for each sculpture she creates, she needs to have a "digital component" to accompany it. And, for her artistic vision, she needed a model.
That's where I came in.
It was about 10 PM on a Tuesday night when my phone buzzed with a cryptic text reading:
"Need a model. Please come to BVAC [the Black Family Visual Art Center, the school's art facility]. Wear white. Bring [a mutual friend of ours]."
Having nothing better to do, I decided "Eh, why not. Let's see where this goes."
I show up, and long story short, I spent an hour or two wearing a bedsheet pretending to be a "blank, human pillow."
Me pretending to be a "human pillow," whatever that means
I thought that would have marked the end of my modeling career, until about a couple weeks later I got another text:
"Nick, come to BVAC again. Wear a black turtleneck. I need you to try on the 'Smiile Box.'"
Now, the 'Smiile Box' was another one of her various machinations. The best way to describe it is a massive, wearable post-modern wooden box with a lifeless painted smiley face. You put it on your shoulders and, when you speak, you're blinded by rows upon rows of sound-activated LEDs.
So, one trip to BVAC, a couple hours, and numerous disorienting LED flashes later, thus ended my second modeling endeavor.
A mock infographic for the "Smiile Box" starring me
A funny little outtake from when we shot the "Smiile Box"
The reason I tell this story is to pretty much show that Dartmouth is somewhat of a "nerd sanctuary"— a place where people can do whatever and explore whatever passion they want. And if I'm being honest with you? I love that about this school. There's gotta be a reason why I spent all those late hours at BVAC with my friend because, let's face it, I'm clearly not getting paid for this. Rather, it's because it's comforting to be surrounded by people who genuinely put passion into their projects. Not just art too. I have friends working on social impact, scientific research, etc. for no other reason than they genuinely want to. It's comforting, really. That wasn't something I could really get in high school.
There's something about being surrounded by that that's freeing— if everyone is open and free about doing what they love, well, it kinda makes you wanna do the same.
Wow, my freshman year at Dartmouth has really flown by! Towards the end of summer 2020, I received a warm welcome email from my Orientation Peer Leaders inviting me to join a Zoom call with around ten other of my classmates.
As we approach graduation day, I continue to reflect on my time at Dartmouth. I've learned a lot about myself over the course of the last four years, but here are three of the most important things I've come to realize...
In no particular order, here are a few places and ways I love to spend my free time as a student at Dartmouth. I hope this post can give you a glimpse into how wonderful campus life can be!
Here is a glimpse into the gorgeous outdoors that sits on and hugs Dartmouth's campus. On this fine May afternoon, my friends and I paddled down the Connecticut River for the first time now that the Ledyard Canoe Club opened services. We had a blast!
Spikeball on the Green, cherry blossoms in front of Baker….as spring is arriving here in the Upper Valley, I thought I'd write a quick post about my favorite things to do near campus this time of year!
The reason I tell this story is to pretty much show that Dartmouth is somewhat of a "nerd sanctuary"— a place where people can do whatever and explore whatever passion they want. And if I'm being honest with you? I love that about this school. There's gotta be a reason why I spent all those late hours at BVAC with my friend because, let's face it, I'm clearly not getting paid for this. Rather, it's because it's comforting to be surrounded by people who genuinely put passion into their projects. Not just art too. I have friends working on social impact, scientific research, etc. for no other reason than they genuinely want to. It's comforting, really. That wasn't something I could really get in high school.
