Hi! I'm Chelsea Mills, a '26 from North Potomac, Maryland. I'm a pre-med student pursuing a Psychology major and a Biology minor. I'm a tour guide, co-president of the Student Mental Health Union, and an outreach coordinator for Camp Kesem (a college-run camp for kids with a parent who has cancer). On weekends, you might find me grabbing a bite at The Works Cafe, spending time with friends in my sorority house, or taking a stroll around Occom Pond. I hope you enjoy my blog- thanks for reading :)
It's week 9 of winter term. As we head into the last week of February, it's safe to say that the harsh winter is largely behind us. Campus has weathered the negative temperatures, inches of snowfall, and extreme windchill. And yet, I've managed to survive my first Hanover winter!
My Maryland hometown isn't known for extreme temperatures. Rather, people joke about the "bipolar" nature of the weather. It's sunny, cold, and everything in-between. That being said, I can't even remember the last time I had to shovel snow from my driveway. I was really nervous about the blankets of snow that are characteristic to New Hampshire.
At Dartmouth, I quickly realized that winter is a culture beyond the weather itself. To navigate it, there is a certain mentality that welcomes a successful season. I braced myself. Eventually, I learned how to tackle the cold temperatures and isolation that comes along with it.
I always thought that seasonal depression was a myth. The short days and lack of sunlight do make a difference, though. I found it helpful to take advantage of winter activities. Occom Pond is only a 5 minute walk from my dorm. When the pond freezes, we're allowed to go ice skating. And skate rentals are free! I've also been taking skiing lessons at the Dartmouth Skiway. I had never skied before coming here, so I'm really grateful for the opportunity.
The weather itself is also surprisingly manageable. I did research to find a good, warm winter jacket and snow boots. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. If you're dressed well (layers!), it'll feel like you're walking around in a wearable blanket. Or a big hug :). But there are some times where it feels a bit too cold for comfort. Our campus is pretty small. Yet, you still run the risk of getting frostbite. We're lucky enough to have campus shuttles that run until 2am. I often use it when the 10 minute walk from the library to my dorm feels especially daunting.
Usually, though, I don't mind the cold walks. Campus looks really pretty after a fresh snowfall. It's a beautiful white that brightens my mood. I always look forward to seeing snow in the forecast, and the drive to the Skiway each Sunday for my skiing lesson. Hanover winters aren't nearly as scary as I thought they would be.
This past Friday, my French program stepped beyond the classroom and into history itself with a day trip to Montauban and Moissac, where art, architecture, and place came together through hands-on learning.
During my freshman year, I lived in the River Dorms as part of West House. This past fall, I moved to Fahey, one of the nicest dorms on campus. Keep reading to see what it's like!
Our first weekend in Toulouse took us to the medieval town of Carcassonne, where exploring historic ramparts, sharing regional food, and traveling together turned history into a communal and meaningful experience.
In this blog, I share how joining Ujima, Dartmouth's oldest hip hop dance team, became not just a creative outlet but a family built on collective work, responsibility, and love.
Curious about how declaring a major works at Dartmouth? Concerned about getting trapped studying something you don't like? No need to worry. Come explore with me how majors and minors work at Dartmouth!
To the Class of 2030: Congratulations! For those of you who are still making a decision, this blog is intended to give you some tips from my own experience of being in your fortunate (but difficult) position.
