Reflecting on my '24 Winter Term
Hi there! It's hard to believe that a whole term has already gone by! It sometimes feels as if the terms go by faster with each one.
This term was a great combination of new things and familiar things! Here were some of the highlights for me this term:
- My songwriting class
I was a little nervous at the beginning of this class. The structure of the class consisted of writing a song every week and then presenting it to the class, and I was worried that I might face writer's block or that I wouldn't be able to take the feedback that my classmates and professor would give me. However, I found this class to be a great opportunity for having a creative outlet throughout the term, and I was so inspired by all my classmates, who had their unique voices and musical styles. It's gotten me more excited about exploring the music scene at Dartmouth, too (and in London next term)!
- Shadowing in the OR for the first time
This term, through the Nathan Smith Society, I was able to shadow in the operating room. I found it to be an eye-opening experience to see how an operating room, well, operates. The synergy between the nurses, anesthesia and surgical techs, and surgeons was really fascinating to see, and it's increased my scope in knowing how the field operates. It was a little overwhelming, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to observe it!
- Taking up running
I know… jogging? In the winter? I found that my schedule this term offered an opportunity to squeeze some exercise into my day if I was feeling it. And the abnormally warm winter this term allowed me to jog outside for many of the days. It was a new form of exercise that I incorporated in my routine, and I found that it boosted my mood a lot—I'm glad I had the chance to implement some good habits into my day that can help maintain my mental and physical health.
Of course, there are some things I wish I did more—I still have yet to go skiing at Dartmouth, after all! But I think that I truly aimed to moderate my time and energy this term, trying to know my limits and not trying to push past them as much as I could. With this last stretch of the term, I might be pushing past them a little bit, but I'd say that, overall, I've made good steps toward maintaining myself. In such short terms, burnout is always a risk, and knowing oneself is crucial. I hope every term I'm at Dartmouth, I get to know myself a little bit more.
But now, I'll be in a completely new environment next term: London!