Hi, I'm Youmi from China and Japan and I'm majoring in CS and minoring in Human-Centered Design. I love playing tennis, taking peaceful morning walks around Occom Pond, and relaxing by the river with friends. Dartmouth feels like a patchwork of people and places that constantly surprise me, and I'm excited to share those little discoveries with you through my blogs and photos.
Dartmouth offers a variety of different first-year writing classes across disciplines, but “Understanding the Craft of Dramatic Writing” caught my attention right away upon browsing the descriptions of all 32 classes offered this year. As an avid binge watcher of TV shows, movies, and short films, I couldn’t wait to explore my favorite pastime hobby in a classroom with peers. I also had the chance to explore theatrical plays, which is a literary medium that I’ve always wanted to explore but never had the opportunity or resources to. What I love the most, though, are the weekly check-in sessions led by Professor Carabastos — through these short life updates, our class formed a relationship beyond just being classmates. I’m so glad to have chosen this class!
Dartmouth offers a wide range of unique classes, and this term, “Drawing 1” has been my favorite. Even though it’s not directly related to my academic interests, I’ve always been passionate about art but never had the opportunity to fully explore it before. This class has given me the chance to experiment with techniques and express myself creatively, but what I love most are the critique sessions. Hearing my classmates share their interpretations of the same drawing has been eye-opening—it’s fascinating to see how everyone’s perspective adds a new layer of meaning. The discussions have deepened my appreciation for art and made every class a rewarding experience.
After hearing my friends rave about CS22, I had to see what the hype was about... and it absolutely lived up to it. 3D Modeling is truly my favorite class taken here so far. Despite the demanding workload and fast pace, seeing all your hard work come together in the end makes the late nights worth it. What really made the experience special, though, was the community—Lorie and the TAs were incredibly kind and supportive, creating a space where even complete beginners (like me) could thrive. Taking this class was hands down one of the best decisions I’ve made here.
Someone recently reframed my thinking about "surviving" in the winter to thriving, and I have really taken that to heart. Read to find out how I (try to) thrive in a winter climate!
This winter break, I went on tour with the Dartmouth Decibelles to Charleston and Atlanta, performing throughout local communities and making lasting memories together!
