Olivia Koo
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Olivia's D-Plan
What's a D-Plan?-
FallHanover, NH
Unsure whether I would enjoy the biology-heavy pre-health track, I took an intro biology class. I surprisingly found myself so invested each class—I didn’t think I’d ever be excited trying to determine if the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) had DNA or RNA, but here we are! I found it a great introduction to thinking processes at Dartmouth.
WinterHanover, NH
Favorite Class: WRIT 005: Authenticity: Self, Society and CultureI loved coming to this class with its supportive environment! The professor's feedback really helped me improve in my writing. This course guided us through personal narratives and organizational writing while discussing what it really means to be authentic. It also introduced me to the library’s resources for writing and research!
SpringHanover, NH
Favorite Class: CHEM 11: General ChemistryThis class was definitely not easy! The accelerated version of general chemistry, it was my first class at Dartmouth that used a textbook, and I had to adapt and learn how to use a textbook for a class properly. But that didn't mean I didn't have a good time! The classes were full of physical demonstrations, and I felt very supported in the lab and beyond.
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FallHanover, NH
Favorite Class: MUS 42: From Plato to Mozart (Early Classical Music)This was the first group music class I took, and I loved it! Each class we'd move a little forward in time; one day we'd talk about medieval chants, and by the next couple weeks, we talked about Baroque music. We even got to observe original medieval music scores from the Rauner Library, and attend a performance of Baroque music by the Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra!
WinterHanover, NH
Favorite Class: MUS 36: Songwriting ISongwriting 1 was the first time I was able to work on something creative/in the arts at Dartmouth, and I really loved it! I got to learn how to improve my songwriting and get to know a community of fellow songwriters on campus. The class was both supportive and constructive, and I pushed myself to my creative limit with the assignment of writing one new song a week. This class inspired me to continue writing and being expressive, whether in an academic setting or not.
SpringLondon, England
Favorite Class: MUS 70 Perspectives in Music PerformanceFor one of my classes on the London Music FSP, I got to attend a myriad of musical performances in London and discuss them with my class! It was a once-in-a-life-time experience–getting to watch multiple operas, ballets, jazz sets, and a musical, as well as seeing beautiful performances from the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, and more, helped me grow my ear so much and my inspirations as a musician.
SummerHanover, NH
Favorite Class: ENGL 55.27 Introduction to Literature and MedicineI took this class to learn a little more about the social landscape around medicine, and this class delivered that by a mile. From environmental exposure to racial inequities in medicine/health to the discussion of medicine itself as a manipulative tool in colonialist social structures, this class helped me rethink medicine and my role within it.
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FallHanover, NH
One Half In—Where To Next?
Now that I am more than a half into my Dartmouth experience, I have grown and learned about the world in ways that I would never have anticipated. How do I feel about it? Where do I hope to go next?
The Beginning of my Second Half at Dartmouth!
As I take part in a couple of orientation traditions, I reflect on my own orientation experiences as a first-year student and how I see them now.
Reflections of Sophomore Summer
Here are some of my personal highlights of my Sophomore Summer term! (plus some pictures of flowers on campus)
Singing with Dartmouth Forte!
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!
Sophomore Summer: Dance, Acapella, and more!
A highlight of Sophomore Summer is the opportunity to participate in activities that you're usually unable to do—most notably, dance, acapella, and comedy! Here's my experience being in a summer dance group!
Casual Tennis at Dartmouth
With the sun and schedule of summer, I've had more time to dedicate to exercise. My sport of choice is tennis–here's how I maintain that hobby at Dartmouth!
My Sophomore Summer Classes
This summer, I'm taking a set of courses focused on science and medicine; it's resulted in a rather thematic summer term! Check it out!
What To Look For On A College Campus Tour
In the summer, prospective students might take the time to visit potential colleges and universities to apply to. But what are some things to look for as you peruse campuses and take in the view, especially during the summer? Here are some ideas!
Why Sophomore Summer?
Dartmouth employs a unique quarter system in which most students are on campus in the summer between their sophomore and junior year, labeled "Sophomore Summer." But why did it start? And what are my plans for this notable term?
Takeaways From the Dartmouth Study Abroad Experience
As my time in London nears an end, here are some major takeaways that I want to share about the Foreign Study Programs at Dartmouth!