Hi there! I'm Brendilou, a '26 from Western Nebraska. As an English major interested in journalism, I'm passionate about writing to educate—to explore differing perspectives, to emphasize the mundane. Through this blog, however, I write to introduce you all to my perspective, my mundane, at the college that's stolen my heart. Welcome to my neck of the woods.
As finals approach and my countdown for winterim (winter break) changes from double digits to single digits, I reflect on my first term here as a Dartmouth student–the traditions, classes, routines, and connections that have defined my first-year fall.
I began my first-year year with move-in day on August 31st, orientation week directly following, and first-year trips (an experience that I have already documented in one of my earlier posts…go check it out)! The atmosphere of the Big Green–the clear air, tranquil solitude, and picturesque landscape–welcomed me for the first time, and I slowly began to settle into my home for the next four years.
Move-in day!
With orientation week came Matriculation (a tradition where all first years are officially welcomed into the Dartmouth community), Fallapalooza (a start-of-term concert, this year featuring Peach Tree Rascals and John K), and, of course, the first day of classes. My schedule, despite being significantly shorter than that of my high school schedule from just a few months ago, still proved to be much more intense than I had anticipated. The heightened workload and fast-paced classes completely contrasted the learning environment I had been adapting to for years. Although this was difficult to adjust to at first, the newness of studying three courses for a mere ten weeks allowed me to fully reinvent a daily routine for myself, one that I would use not only for the purpose of academics, but for the purpose of self-care as well.
My friends and I at this year's Fallapalooza concert!
I began to prioritize my mental health as it became more prominent in my everyday life. And as a result, I spent more time in nature, more time journaling my thoughts down instead of burrowing them away, and more time building relationships with those around me. Surrounding myself with supportive and open-minded friends steered me away from the inevitable feeling of loneliness and homesickness, allowing me to actively live in the moment and cherish experiences like my first Homecoming Bonfire and DCWE (Wind Ensemble) concert more with each passing day.
Me in front of the Homecoming Bonfire!
Looking back on the individual I was at the beginning of the term, I can't help but notice the gradual changes I have made both emotionally and academically. I anticipate the end of my first-year fall with a satisfactory view on how I spent it, and I look forward to the beginning of winter term and how those future experiences will impact me as well.
One of the most unique traditions at Dartmouth is sophomore summer, where students stay on campus to take classes the summer before their junior year. My sophomore summer has been an incredibly special experience!
Senior Fall brings an eventful and diverse courseload, taking up almost all of my time! Find out what I am involved with this term and the incredible variety of classes that Dartmouth has to offer!
New Hampshire is such a glorious state with so much to offer in the fall! Come with me as I explore Plainfield, NH, and go apple picking at Riverview Farms.
Now that I'm a sophomore, I find myself in the possession of an extraordinary amount of 'Dartmouth lingo.' This is your formal invitation to get the inside scoop!
Now that I'm officially halfway through my Dartmouth career, I'm acutely aware of how fast time seems to fly. It seems like years ago that I first experienced Fallapalooza, a free concert for Dartmouth students hosted by Programming Board.
