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Olivia Koo
![Olivia Koo - blogger](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/4b596702-2c48-4037-8b1f-db79eeb3e7b0_1_201_a_0.jpg?itok=i3IG8eHM×tamp=1663532063)
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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.
![a picture of pink and white flowers on a tree with the street blurred in the background on a sunny day](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_7195.jpg?itok=oakhmPHr×tamp=1684116114)
Why You Should Take A Language Course at Dartmouth
I initially wasn't very excited to take a language in college, but my experience with learning Spanish at Dartmouth has honestly been one of the highlights of my freshman year. Here's what I gained through these classes, and what you might gain too!
![a selfie of people studying](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_7226.jpg?itok=ldOysBsf×tamp=1684694732)
Dealing with Stress and Burnout—Dogs, Decisions, and Dancing
I've found that, along with all the cool opportunities and classes, I've also been dealing with quite a bit of burnout. Here's how Dartmouth provides stress relief for students, as well as how I'm dealing with it on my own!
![a view focused on a white blosson on a cloudy day with Wilder hall in the background](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_7161.jpg?itok=KyzkSgb9×tamp=1683478872)
A Day in the Life
Hello! The Dartmouth experience is different for every student, but this is what my term has been like so far as someone taking a language course, a lab course, and a first year seminar!
![a picture of a yard sign with the text Admissions Programming Dartmouth with a large arrow pointing to the right in green text next to a sidewalk on a rainy day](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_71201.jpg?itok=WGGLKQ1U×tamp=1682269826)
Do You Need To Fall In Love With A School At First Sight?
Congratulations to admitted students! Choosing a school to attend is a difficult choice (if needed), and oftentimes, emotions involved will be much more complex than "I fell in love with the campus." Here's my take on it all!
![a picture of the Green at sunset with people sitting on the lawn](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_7078.jpg?itok=eVjMLUub×tamp=1681699663)
Everything I Wish I Knew About Being Pre-Health at Dartmouth, Two (And 3/10) Terms In
Two terms in at Dartmouth, I've gotten a little more familiar with the pre-health track at Dartmouth. Here's a small list of everything I've learned so far!
![a photo of baker-berry library illuminated by sunlight](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_7071.jpg?itok=kxnG0zOA×tamp=1681059456)
Springing Into New Classes
For the last term of my freshman year, I'm finishing up some requirements, a tried-and-true choice. The overall class choices in my freshman year were standard, but rewarding all the same!
![A photo of a tall tree illuminated by light taken in the summer](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_6009.jpg?itok=MBQAGiXH×tamp=1680488802)
Why I Choose to Go to Dartmouth, Every Day
As Ivy Day came and went, I am brought to think about my experience with college applications and Dartmouth, and my hopes for the term ahead!
![Boston](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2023-03-26_at_3.14.58_pm.png?itok=MZJDPODr×tamp=1679858122)
Spending Springterim at School
Here's how I spent the 2-week spring break in the Upper Valley!
![BEMAlights](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_6911.jpg?itok=uYvIIe9B×tamp=1679856862)
23What Happened This Term?
The 2023 winter term was a whirlwind of new experiences and a slow but steady integration with the Dartmouth groove. Here's what I thought about the previous term and what I want to do/change looking ahead!
![Lab table with microscopes on it](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_6778.jpg?itok=HVJftR3h×tamp=1678078222)
Labs, Labs, Labs
This term, I had the opportunity to work in a lab for the first time at Dartmouth, through the WISP program and my biology class!