Hi! My name is Arianna, and I'm a sophomore ('27) from Georgia. On campus, I am involved with the Cheerleading Team, Dartmouth Caribbean Connections, the First-Gen Office, and the Black Underground Theater Association. My aim is to pursue a degree in History modified with Public Policy and a minor in Psychology ("pre-law"). I love reading, listening to music, and meeting new people. Follow along through this blog as I traverse my wonderful experiences!
Given my intrigue in pursuing a major in Government, I adored my Politics and AI class. I had zero background in computer science, yet Professor Breuer cohesively connected politics with principles of algorithms and artificial intelligence in a way that I could understand. We finalized the course by doing a cool research project of our own liking.
I am interested in pursuing a minor in Public Policy, which was my reason for taking this class initially. As the term progressed, I was able to learn most of the introductory principles of Public Policy and the framework for policymaking in democratic governance. The readings were interesting, and the discussion-based lectures kept me engaged.
Wow...what an amazing class! This has been one of my favorite classes that I have taken the entire year. Professor Chaney encouraged us to expand our writing through a multitude of methods of analysis, allowing students to look beyond the details of a photograph. Our ideas were not discouraged or disproved, leaving room for proper evaluative learning and prompting discussions about interesting moments in black art history.
This class is a gem for those interested in learning more about the development of the healthcare system from the pre-colonial period into its contemporary form. Initially, I took this class because I am interested in becoming a healthcare lawyer and wanted to explore the foundation of one of the biggest systems in America. While the content is still fairly fresh, and it is the beginning of the term, I already know that this will be one of my favorite classes this fall! Despite the vast influx of information that we go over each class, Professor Koop writes all the topics we will discuss that day on the board sequentially. Not only does this keep me engaged and willing to participate, but it also encourages me to stay organized and on track!
East Wheelock is a thriving community with a wide range of events and activities aimed to foster interpersonal relationships rather than just being a dorm. There's always something going on, whether it's outdoor outings, movie evenings, or house dinners. I value the sense of community it fosters the most. Because of the close-knit community, making friends and connecting with individuals who have similar interests is simple.
Dartmouth has six house communities: Allen, East Wheelock, North Park, School, South, and West. These houses are not as restrictive as the Harry Potter houses; they merely serve as your haven on campus, offering not just a place to sleep, but a community that supports you throughout your time here. Each house has its own unique vibe, and the dorms connected to each house are scattered across campus. A perk to the housing community system is that you can compete against other housing communities through intramural sports. During winter term, my friends in School House competed against the East Wheelock Intramural Hockey Team (I was gladly just a spectator)
The four residence halls that make up East Wheelock House are Andres, McCulloch, Morton, and Zimmerman. There are several different housing options available in these halls, such as singles, one-room doubles, and a few two-room doubles. In addition to living in mixed-class floors in Andres and Zimmerman, first-year students in East Wheelock also share housing on two first-year levels in Morton. The single-use nature of all the bathrooms in this housing community is one of its distinctive features, providing a little more seclusion.
My first-year vacant dorm in Andres Hall was a 1 Room Double (my side of the room is hiding behind my dresser on the left of the image). My roommate and I had so much space!
Andres has a snack bar where you can get a quick bite, and McCulloch has a fully functional kitchen for when you want to make a big dinner. Microwaves are also included in every dorm building, which makes it simple to heat up leftovers or cook fast meals. Whenever you are struggling with finding a study space on campus, these dorms are equipped with common rooms and study rooms for your quiet times.
The Andres Hall study rooms come in handy during the chilly winter months.
In November during the fall of my first year, my friend used the McCulloch kitchen in East Wheelock for our Friendsgiving; she made Alfredo, fried chicken, ham, and more! While your house community plays a significant part in your experience, it doesn't confine you, which is what makes Dartmouth unique. Although people from all across campus will get to know you and become friends with you, it's nice to know that you always have a home away from home.
Friendsgiving!
Overall, I'm really happy that East Wheelock was my placement, looking back; it has evolved from being merely a dorm to a community where I feel welcomed and supported.
Curious as to what Greek Life is like at a college where 50% of eligible students are part of at least one Greek organization? Read on to learn about my experience with sorority recruitment!
