Welcome!! My name is Serena and I'm a '28 from New York City. I couldn't be more excited to be here at Dartmouth and share my experiences with all of you! I know I want to explore English Literature alongside a STEM discipline. I love to run, play volleyball, hike, knit, and read books! If you want to hear about a city kid's adventures in rural New Hampshire, follow along as I experience life in the woods!
In this dynamic class, Visiting Professor Vera Kallenberg taught us a survey of Jewish history and culture from the European enlightenment to the establishment of the State of Israel while also sharing her wealth of knowledge with us! Our small, seminar-style class lent itself to profound conversations around the difficult topics that arose during our discussions. From the Haskalah to discourse around the modern-day Israel-Palestine conflict, our class approached these topics with respect and care for one another. We read historical texts and fascinating personal narratives for homework, and then wove our knowledge about the past and present together in class discussions. What an incredible course!
Part 2: The Most Important Lessons I Have Learned as a First-Year at Dartmouth
Here is part two of some of the most crucial lessons I've learned as a first-year! Click here to check out part one.
1. How to Excel in an Academically Rigorous Curriculum
It's been an exciting and demanding transition to Dartmouth. I've learned to forge my own path forward while still reaching out for help. I've learned to adjust to new types of classes, curricula, and expectations. I've read a whole novel in just a few days, and then came to class ready to discuss. Similarly I regularly read ~30 pages of critical readings and scholarly texts. I have a lot more unstructured time than I did in high school, so I will go to Baker-Berry Library to get this work done. I've definitely gotten better at blocking out my time, managing my daily schedules, and adjusting to a fast paced curriculum!
Having upperclassmen friends who give me advice has really helped, and so has going to my professors' office hours. For my first year at Dartmouth, I'm focused on learning and growing as opposed to being perfect. I've loved the new types of reading, writing, and thinking I've been doing!
2. Balancing Academics and Social Life
There are so many fun traditions and activities to participate in with friends! Just some examples are The Bonfire (check out my post here), a Friday night going out, a Friday night staying in and playing board games with friends, going to Late Night at Foco, our dining hall, (check out fellow blogger Eva's post), ice skating on Occom Pond, skiing, relaxing out the Green when the weather is nice, meeting new people, studying in the library (I love seeing friends in the library that I wouldn't have if I was studying in my room!!), going on little adventures (if your friend asks you to go on a side quest, join them! You'd be surprised at the memories you can make while trekking through the library stacks trying to find a book for your class and the lights won't turn on and it's creepy and spooky and you're dying of laughter, but you both have to stay silent because the noise level is silent in the stacks.).
There is no such thing as a perfect academic and social life balance, but it's important to find friends who will encourage you to become your best self! Find friends who you can both study with and also have fun and hang out with.
3. Good Things Take Time
My friend actually gave me this piece of advice. While I was brainstorming what piece of advice I wanted to share with you guys, I asked a fellow first-year friend (shout out Taara!) about the most important lesson she had learned. As I was thinking over her statement "Good things take time", I realized just how true this statement really is. Every piece of advice and lesson I shared with you guys rings true with this statement. As long as you keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will be fine!
I hope you will take these pieces of advice, tidbits of stories, and your new knowledge to heart. I really enjoyed growing and learning these past two terms.
The Sri Lankan New Year falls on the 13th and 14th of April, a time for plenty of celebrations and family time. At Dartmouth, I keep these traditions with my friends and celebrate a part of home every year!
