Hello, 你好! My name is Tao; I'm from New York City, and I'm a proud first-generation student. I'm currently interested in studying Math, Economics, and Philosophy. I love being immersed at campus–especially aesthetic Woccoms and soaking in the nature in the Upper Valley. Come one, come all: let me take you along!
Hello friends! I am so excited to kick off 2025 with People, Places, Pines. I have been away with the Dartmouth Winterim break trip. After five hours of a long coach bus ride this Saturday, January 4th, I arrived in front of the Berry Library with a heart full of excitement for the new term!
So What's New?
The first thing that immediately hit me with the giant Dartmouth Christmas tree, a highlight of my initial view of Dartmouth. Besides the campus, this term I'm also taking free skiing classes, with ski gears provided by Dartmouth thanks to Dartmouth's P.E curriculum! Academics wise, I am taking a heavier course load (no Dartmouth course is easy, but relative to my course load during last fall term) like CS10 and ECON 1. For ECON1, this is an introductory course, and will be the first time I ever get to explore topics in economics so I'm super excited. And as for CS10, I decided to take this course after the end of my last semester CS1, Introduction to Computer Science; I was inspired to continue coding and learn a new programming language this term, Java! I have never taken a computer science course nor economics during high school, and I'm so excited that I get the opportunity to explore disciplines across the curriculum at Dartmouth.
Weekend Kickoffs
To start things nice and sweet, I spent the weekend reuniting with my friends! After waking up from an exhausting travel day on Saturday, I woke up the next morning to rejuvenate myself with a quick gym session followed by a long-waited meal at FOCO, our flagship dining hall. After a warm, hearty omelet with a cup of hot chocolate, I visited my friend who also arrived on campus the same day—we decided to go sledding at the golf course on campus! The weather was absolutely beautiful. Although it was freezing, the flurries of snow accompanied by the faint-sunlight made sledding ten times more aesthetic.
Closing Thoughts Before Starting Class
This is my second term before Dartmouth. I've gotten a taste of what a Dartmouth experience can be like. This term, I'm looking forward to exploring more academic disciplines, going on even more outdoor trips with the Dartmouth Outing Club, and reviewing more restaurants around the Upper Valley!
Three years ago today, I received an email that would shape my entire Dartmouth experience in a way I never could have predicted. It's funny to think that it all started because I was a prospective student obsessively reading this very blog.
The River Cluster (the group of residence halls closest to the Connecticut River, including French and Judge Hall) has a reputation…and some of it is warranted. But there's more to living in the River than you might expect!
