![Sydney Wuu '24](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/sydney_profilepicture_resized.jpg?itok=4b_FZFPv×tamp=1600710724)
![lone pine](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/background_12.png?itok=dp98jBva×tamp=1600457845)
Sydney Wuu
![Sydney Wuu '24](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/sydney_profilepicture_resized.jpg?itok=4b_FZFPv×tamp=1600710724)
![sydney wuu outside dorm](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_4032_x_3024_outsidedorm.jpg?itok=WjAMrT0u×tamp=1611437594)
Winter on Campus: Snow Much Fun!
Since Dartmouth is on the quarter system, each season feels like a distinctly different chapter of my time here in college. Hanover has truly transformed over the past weeks: from deep shades of red to a white blanket of snow all around. My first full week back on campus has been busy with staying caught up with classes, writing news articles for The Dartmouth (I just published one on the new boba shop opening within walking distance on Main Street!), attending virtual club and floor meetings, settling into my dorm, but most notably for me having grown up on the West Coast – embracing my first time living in the cold.
When applying to Dartmouth, part of me was worried for the winters because I've never lived in a cold environment before. However, going outside on my first snowy day to pick up my breakfast from Novack Cafe was like stepping into a snowglobe. The air felt so refreshing, crisp and clean! Tiny, crystalized snowflakes with the most intricate details fell from the sky and landed on my hair, coat, and gloves. Before I entered the building, I took off my gloves so I could examine them one by one. I found it fascinating how each miniscule flake that didn't land on me joined millions of others on the ground to create a fluffy and powdery layer of white snow.
I entered the second stage of my arrival quarantine after receiving my second negative test on campus on day 3, allowing me to pick up packages from Hinman Mail Center, collect hot meals from Novack Cafe, and go on socially-distant walks outside with one other friend. The first day, I joined my friend Emily for a morning run around Occom Pond. The pond had completely frozen over and looked amazingly different than it did in the warm September months. The following morning, I went on a walk with my pen pal, Millie, a varsity tennis student-athlete who just arrived on campus for the very first time from Australia. We met by complete chance – some '24s on the Facebook page organized a pen pal exchange in spring of 2020 after regular decision applicants committed, and we continued emailing each other for months after our pairing. It was great meeting her in real life after so many virtual letters exchanged!
![sydney wuu walk with friend](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width/public/admissions/wysiwyg/blog_4032_x_3024_walkwithfriend.jpg?itok=qbreD6f2)
After I'm released from the last stage of quarantine, I can't wait to go sledding on the golf course, ice-skate on the two rinks out on the Green, and learn to ski on the Dartmouth Skiway (here is a link to two live webcams of what's going on right now at the Skiway). In case you're curious, COVID-19 protocols look a little different this winter than last fall – following CDC and New Hampshire state guidance, Dartmouth reduced its quarantine length from two weeks to eight day and upped the number of times students living on campus should get tested per week from one to two.
That's all for now. Dartmouth has been "snow much fun" so far in 2021 and I'm excited for what the future holds! For all my readers on the West Coast, be sure to bring warm gloves, boots, and many layers for whenever you experience your first winter on the East Coast. I'm sure you'll have a blast!
![sydney wuu ice skate](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width/public/admissions/wysiwyg/blog_4032_x_3024_iceskate.jpg?itok=Vvl1yHAB)
Posts You Might Like
![Orange sunset over Tuck Drive](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screen_shot_2024-07-15_at_9.42.44_pm.png?itok=GU1ixnAN×tamp=1721094188)
Reflecting on my sophomore year and how I feel about being halfway through my time at Dartmouth!
![Profile Picture](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_6959_2.jpeg?itok=8Ic27ok0×tamp=1717243884)
![An image that says, "Dartmouth Debunked" with clipart of a person sleeping on a bed. Besides the bed is text that says, "part one: dorms"](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_800x548_dartmouthdebunkedpart1.png?itok=dovES2sg×tamp=1719958732)
Welcome to the first part of Dartmouth Debunked, a series of comprehensive blog posts answering common questions first-years have prior to their arrival at Dartmouth. This post will cover all the housing options for a first-year student.
![Cal standing on the Dartmouth Green in front of Baker Tower](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/untitled_design_6_-_cal_shin.png?itok=eVUxVOeC×tamp=1697736503)
![Group of girls enjoying a sunny day in a grassy field, standing and looking away from the camera.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/unnamed_7.jpg?itok=h2PMVDSj×tamp=1721892638)
As I reflect on my first year, I reminisce on the people, places, and things that made the most of my Dartmouth experience!
![Arianna smiling at the grocery store](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_7676_-_arianna_dunkley.jpeg?itok=eQQiMmwB×tamp=1694612412)
![An image of a map of Dartmouth College](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/unnamed_5_800x600.jpg?itok=aUgvuRDu×tamp=1721722730)
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!
![Olivia Koo - blogger](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/4b596702-2c48-4037-8b1f-db79eeb3e7b0_1_201_a_0.jpg?itok=9S9os9ML×tamp=1663532063)
![writing essay in the library](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screen_shot_2024-07-16_at_3.20.04_pm.png?itok=HQbcow8c×tamp=1721157629)
My first-year at Dartmouth has been a period of profound growth and self-discovery. It has challenged me to push beyond my limits, embrace my strengths and weaknesses, and navigate the complex web of opportunities that define college life.
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
![Pop Up Bike Shop Sign Pop Up Bike Shop Sign](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/bike_shop_sign.jpg?itok=Q6g9dm_y×tamp=1718940753)
I got a bike this term! Read this blog to learn how!
![My first D26 swag! Me, holding up a Dartmouth 26 long sleeved t-shirt](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/bio_pic_redo.jpg?itok=yiMwSuSN×tamp=1673287174)
![Cute tree outside my dorm](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2024-06-21_at_22.46.42.png?itok=cXPj0J_h×tamp=1719024425)
The Dartmouth Alma Mater isn't my most played song on Spotify, but it did teach me a lot.
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=z4tVogx3×tamp=1632239532)
![My reunions co-workers](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2024-06-21_at_22.38.05.png?itok=m-RnpBDm×tamp=1719023956)
Have you ever thought of working for reunions? Well, neither did I. But it was super fun, come check what it's all about!
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=z4tVogx3×tamp=1632239532)
![A view of Baker Tower from the Green during the summer](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/unnamed_1_1.jpg?itok=WhMNrP7S×tamp=1719924347)
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?
![Olivia Koo - blogger](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/4b596702-2c48-4037-8b1f-db79eeb3e7b0_1_201_a_0.jpg?itok=9S9os9ML×tamp=1663532063)