Abbi Fralick
A Day in My Life as a Freshman
Between figuring out what clubs I wanted to join, trying out for sports teams, and finding new study spots, each day looked a little different for me this fall. However, with the fall term behind us, I've found a routine that I'm happy with, so I wanted to share it with y'all!
- No. 1
7:30 am: Rise and Shine!
When my alarm goes off at 7:30 each morning, my day begins with me rolling out of bed, hitting play on my favorite morning news podcast, and getting ready for the day ahead. I always like to open my blinds first thing in the morning, so I can have a view of the changing leaves.
- No. 2
8 am : Coffee, Always Coffee
After packing my bookbag for the day, I head to Novack Café, which is a coffee shop in Baker-Berry library. It serves Starbucks, pastries, and lots of other yummy snacks. My favorite breakfast order is an iced coffee, yogurt covered pretzels, and an apple!
- No. 3
10 am: General Chemistry
When choosing classes for my first term here at Dartmouth, I was a little nervous to start out with a big, STEM lab class, but I’ve really enjoyed Gen Chem so far! As well as having a great professor, my class also has a Teaching Science Fellow (TSF), who just graduated from Dartmouth as a chemistry major. The TSF holds office hours almost every day, and I’ve found it super helpful to be able to work with someone who has firsthand experience as a Dartmouth student.
- No. 4
11:30 am: Lunch in the Class of 1953 Commons
After chemistry, I walk with some friends from class to the Class of 1953 Commons (lovingly known as FOCO) to grab lunch, talk about class, and decompress before heading to our next classes.
- No. 5
1 pm: God, Darwin, and the Literary Imagination
My second class of the day is an English Class focused on the rhetoric surrounding debates on evolution and religion. In class, I’ve enjoyed discussing a wide range of ideas from religious, scientific, and philosophical thinkers.
- No. 6
2 pm: Study Time
After class, I like to head up to the Tower Room in Baker Library. Here, the view is amazing, there are big comfy chairs, and it’s super quiet. I think it’s the perfect place to read or work on homework!
- No. 7
4:30 pm: Introduction to Poetry
My last class of the day is a creative writing class focused on poetry. Each week, we have a chance to write and get feedback on our work while also reading and learning from other authors’ work.
- No. 8
7 pm: Water Polo Practice
Before heading to the pool, I try to finish up any work with upcoming deadlines, so I can use practice as a time to relax. I did not play water polo before coming to Dartmouth, so I have loved learning a new sport and bonding with the other girls on the team. After practice, we all grab dinner together.
- No. 9
9 pm: Studying and Bed
After practice, I finish up the night in my room talking with my hallmates, doing homework, and sometimes grabbing a late-night snack. I head to bed around 11:30, excited to wake up and do it all over again in the morning.
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