Hi everyone! I'm Madison. I grew up in Pasadena, California, but spent eight years living in Manila, Philippines, and one year in Spain. I'm planning to double major in Film and Media Studies and Sociology, with a minor in Human-Centered Design. I love spending quality time with people and having good conversations. I'm so excited to share my college journey with you!
Academic Program
Majors in Film and Media Studies and Sociology, Minor in Human Centered Design
Navigating friendships and finding your people at Dartmouth
Relatives and hometown friends often ask me, "What's been your favorite part about Dartmouth so far?" My answer is always the same: "My friends." If you're worried about making friends at Dartmouth, don't be. Here are some tips to help you approach building friendships.
1. So, I got in. Do I reach out to people?
As a new first-year student, you're probably stoked about your acceptance to Dartmouth and might even be eager to reach out to people—at least, I know I was! Once early decision results are released, many colleges will have Instagram accounts where you can connect and introduce yourself to your future classmates. Before arriving on campus, I used our Dartmouth '28s Instagram account to connect with classmates from around the world and even meet up with a few local peers from the Los Angeles area. After talking with a friend online for a while following our Early Decision acceptances, she invited me to visit her in Dubai this past summer. We consulted with our parents, who agreed, and it was a blast. It was our first time meeting and my first time in Dubai. To this day, she's one of my best friends, and I'm not sure we would have bonded so strongly if we hadn't connected on Instagram before coming to Dartmouth. I'm so grateful we did!
Tara and I hitting the indoor slopes at Ski Dubai to prep for Dartmouth winters
On the other hand, there is absolutely no pressure. I know plenty of people who chose not to reach out to anyone before coming to Dartmouth and ended up being totally fine. Whether or not you should reach out really depends on you and what you want. For example, if connecting on Instagram feels forced and you'd rather meet people in person first to let a natural friendship develop, go for it. There really is no right or wrong approach. I guarantee you there will be plenty of opportunities to make friends once you're here, so don't stress.
Friends I made on a 3 am hike during the last day of first-year trips.
2. Make friends in your classes
Having friends in class makes everything more fun. Some of my best friends at Dartmouth are people I met just by sitting next to them in class or through forming study groups. It's been nice to work through challenging material together and feel supported by my peers while getting to know them better by hanging out with them outside of the classroom.
My friends and I grabbing a meal together at the Hopkins Center for the Art.
3. Put in the effort to maintain your friendships
Friendship is all about mutual effort. You shouldn't expect someone always to be the one making plans. If one person is always initiating, they might feel like you're not interested in spending time with them and might hesitate to reach out. Taking initiative can be intimidating, but what's the worst that could happen? Ultimately, it shows you care about the friendship and want to keep it strong.
4. You don't need to be in a friend group
Some people in high school might be used to being in a set friend group and may prefer it that way. They might enjoy the stability of being in a friend group—knowing they can always count on a specific group of friends to have meals or make plans. For me, though, I am a floater. I value building individual, meaningful friendships over being part of a friend group, which I think can sometimes feel restricting. Of course, this can be a challenge, too, as not being part of a friend group means I have to balance my friendships and make time for everyone. But that's what works for me. Do whatever floats your boat—but remember, you're not obligated to be in a friend group. There are many opportunities to get to know cool, new people at Dartmouth and make lasting friendships, so take advantage of them. Surround yourself with people who you can be yourself around, who want the best for you, and who make you feel good after spending time with them.
This winter, I'm studying abroad in Toulouse, immersing myself in French language, literature, art, and culture through place-based classes, city explorations, and firsthand experiences across southern France.
From surfing in Puerto Rico to backpacking in Joshua Tree to Norway: Break trips are a unique Dartmouth experience, giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outdoors
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Gabe Brigham '26, a psychology and sociology double major, showed me around his dorm room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
