Hi everyone! I'm Julia from Seattle, WA. Reading this blog during my junior and senior years of high school helped me to envision myself on this campus, so this all feels very full-circle. I'm studying QSS, Geography, French, and Religion (I know, it's a lot at the moment!). I love cooking/food, watching old Modern Family episodes (my favorite character is Mitch), and finding cozy places to study on campus. Talk to you soon!
Academic Program
QSS major; Religion and French double minor
Favorite Thing Right Now
Beautiful (and free) dinners at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge!
I've lived in Seattle for my entire life. I've lived in the same house for thirteen years, and I've only attended two schools. All of that to say, coming to Dartmouth has been the biggest change of my life. Here are some of my tips for settling into a new space.
1: Tell people when you need support
In my first few weeks here, I remember someone mentioning that Dartmouth students tend to be pretty transparent if you open up to them. I couldn't agree more; everyone here is willing to talk to you when you're down. I can't imagine making it through the first few weeks of school without people like my roommate (Riley AKA the light of my life), my floormates, and even Trips croo (the way we spell "crew") members. People are ready and eager to support you through thick and thin.
On my way to go swimming during O-Week with my friend Julia!
2: Make your dorm feel like your own
This one kind of goes without saying, but the space you live in matters. I found it helpful to decorate my dorm like my room at home by hanging the 4x4 photos I'm used to, similar posters, and the same fairy lights I had before. I even took one of my blankets and brought it here! Being able to fall asleep in a similar environment to what I was used to helped me acclimate to my new surroundings (especially given my initial jetlag!).
3: Take breaks when you need to
Over the summer, incoming students had the opportunity to meet the Undergraduate Deans via Zoom to talk about what the first few weeks would look like on campus. Dean Natalie Hoyt mentioned that O-Week can be overwhelming and thus, it's normal for kids to take time away from sessions. At the time, what she said didn't resonate much with me. How would O-Week be overwhelming? We wouldn't even be in classes yet. It turns out, though, that Dean Hoyt was right. O-Week was a lot of fun and it was also the most exhausting week of my life. I took up Dean Hoyt's advice on many occasions and most of my friends did, too. Taking time to pause—whether in my dorm, on a walk around Occom Pond (known as a "woccom"), or on a random couch in Berry Library – was crucial to my initial success.
A beautiful view from a recent morning woccom.
Arriving at Dartmouth for the first time as a student comes with all of the emotions, good and bad. On one hand, I felt overjoyed to be in the place that I had been dreaming of for so long. On the other hand, though, I missed Seattle deeply and felt like this place might never feel like "home." I embraced all of the feelings and, just a few weeks later, I can confidently say that this is where I am meant to be.
Dartmouth is known for its outstanding graduate schools of business, engineering, and medicine, but how can undergraduates take part in that enriching environment? Read more to find out!
Dartmouth is no stranger to a variety of student-run full-year performance groups in dance, a cappella, improv, and comedy. Sophomore summer is particularly special, as most of these groups allow sophomores to audition and join just for the summer.
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned how I joined a sorority earlier this fall by going through the recruitment process. I've come a long way since then. In fact, I am living in my sorority house for my sophomore summer!
Dartmouth is not just a college. With world-renowned graduate schools, why would we choose to call ourselves a college instead of a university? The story behind that decision dates back to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
On a quiet spring Saturday in Hanover, I traded the usual campus buzz for Monet in the morning and archery in the afternoon—a reminder that Dartmouth weekends can be just as meaningful when they're slow, reflective, and a little unexpected.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
