Practicing Gratitude: Hidden Gems of Dartmouth!
This may be my second to last term at Dartmouth, but I'm still experiencing my fair share of firsts. Here are a few of my highlights of 24W.
1. Student Wellness Center Massage Chairs
Tucked away in a separate "tranquility room" within the Student Wellness Center are these two massage chairs all students can use to unwind for a study break in the library. This tranquility room was made possible through members of Dartmouth Student Government's mental health committee. I have loved adding 15 minutes of relaxation into my day!
2. Jewelry Making Studio
I visited the Jewelry Making Studio and created my own ring made of silver with my little (younger sorority sister that I mentor). For under $5, we got to see our strips of metal through all stages of the process: from hammering out our engravings to using a blowtorch to meld the ring together. This studio—located in the Black Family Visual Arts Center—is a must-visit for any '28s, '29s, or '30s reading this!
3. Winter Gile Hike
What better way to spend a sunny winter morning than a lovely hike? Fellow blogger Diana '24 visited me after Week 5 and we embarked on this beginner-friendly 1.5-mile out-and-back trail only a 20-minute drive from campus. We borrowed microspikes and hiking packs for free from the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC). I can now say I have hiked Gile Mountain in all four seasons!
4. Book Arts Workshop Studio
For my Indigenous Environmental Studies course, our creative group assignment had us working in teams of four or five to create a zine, a small DIY book with text and colorful illustrations. This was my first time stepping into the Book Arts Workshop Studio, located on the ground floor of Baker Library. Not only can you make zines there, but you can also learn about bookbinding, letterpress printing, typography, and more!
5. Open Rec Squash
I had never picked up a squash racket prior to this term, but thought I'd give it a try when my friend Amanda '24 asked if I'd like to join her one random Tuesday evening at open rec squash. As someone who played tennis in high school, squash was completely different (less bouncy balls, smaller rackets, walls), but so much fun! We were able to check out rackets and balls for free from the front desk at Alumni Gym.