Taoheng (Tao) Chen
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And We Are Back!
Hello friends! I am so excited to kick off 2025 with People, Places, Pines. I have been away with the Dartmouth Winterim break trip. After five hours of a long coach bus ride this Saturday, January 4th, I arrived in front of the Berry Library with a heart full of excitement for the new term!
So What's New?
The first thing that immediately hit me with the giant Dartmouth Christmas tree, a highlight of my initial view of Dartmouth. Besides the campus, this term I'm also taking free skiing classes, with ski gears provided by Dartmouth thanks to Dartmouth's P.E curriculum! Academics wise, I am taking a heavier course load (no Dartmouth course is easy, but relative to my course load during last fall term) like CS10 and ECON 1. For ECON1, this is an introductory course, and will be the first time I ever get to explore topics in economics so I'm super excited. And as for CS10, I decided to take this course after the end of my last semester CS1, Introduction to Computer Science; I was inspired to continue coding and learn a new programming language this term, Java! I have never taken a computer science course nor economics during high school, and I'm so excited that I get the opportunity to explore disciplines across the curriculum at Dartmouth.

Weekend Kickoffs
To start things nice and sweet, I spent the weekend reuniting with my friends! After waking up from an exhausting travel day on Saturday, I woke up the next morning to rejuvenate myself with a quick gym session followed by a long-waited meal at FOCO, our flagship dining hall. After a warm, hearty omelet with a cup of hot chocolate, I visited my friend who also arrived on campus the same day—we decided to go sledding at the golf course on campus! The weather was absolutely beautiful. Although it was freezing, the flurries of snow accompanied by the faint-sunlight made sledding ten times more aesthetic.
Closing Thoughts Before Starting Class
This is my second term before Dartmouth. I've gotten a taste of what a Dartmouth experience can be like. This term, I'm looking forward to exploring more academic disciplines, going on even more outdoor trips with the Dartmouth Outing Club, and reviewing more restaurants around the Upper Valley!
Posts You Might Like
Here is my list of the restaurants in Hanover within walking distance of Dartmouth. Whether you're touring campus for the first time or are a Dartmouth student in need of a new place to eat, feel free to reference this list!
As I approach the end of my first year at Dartmouth, I would like to reflect on some of the experiences and lessons I've learned throughout this school year.
I can't believe it's already summer again—this academic year flew by, and I'm so excited for my sophomore summer here on campus!
After speaking with Amen, I decided to try going vegetarian for a week on campus!
Meet my friend Amen, who went vegan for Great Lent—here are their thoughts on being vegan on campus!
This interim, I'm staying on campus for the entire interim period between spring and summer. Why? Because I'm working! I have a job with Dartmouth Conferences and Events to support Dartmouth Reunions!
East Wheelock House hosts weekly crafting and mindfulness sessions. Read on to see what I made this week!
Here's what I'm up to during my winter break in my junior year!
Here are my reflections on being on campus for my junior fall and how the term went overall.