Mario Lopez

My First-Year Reflection

Hey y'all, 

As I conclude my first year at Dartmouth, I've begun to reflect on all my experiences and would like to share with you some of the most important lessons I've learned throughout the year.

"Do not wait for things to happen, go out and look for them yourself."

This is one of the quotes that stuck out to me at a department open house during New Student Orientation (NSO). During NSO orientation week, I attended the Department of Economics open house, where the department chairman and other professors held a Q&A session with students to answer questions about classes at Dartmouth and the Economics Major. In this Q&A, one of the main questions that stood out to me was about student research at Dartmouth. 

Professors found that most students often assume that professors will reach out to students about research opportunities or other research they are working on. However, the panel of professors said that they want students to demonstrate initiative and interest by reaching out to work on research projects first. They agreed that students should not wait for things to come to them; instead, they should take the initiative and actively seek what they want to achieve.

This lesson has stuck with me throughout my entire first year at Dartmouth. It made me realize that nothing will come to me unless I work for it, whether it be good grades, research opportunities, or extracurricular activities. I realized I needed to put myself out there, even if it meant failing several times. I applied this logic to begin working as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Government Department, where I researched international security issues and nuclear proliferation. Whether it's work experience or a research internship, I've learned that nothing will automatically come to me. I realized I need to put myself out there and actively work for it, reach out to professors, and look for guidance from others.

Grades are a focus in school, but they are not everything. 

The 'grades are everything' mentality was one of the hardest mindsets to reframe when I started college. During my fall quarter, I was more concerned about getting 'perfect grades' than actually learning and applying the material. This came at the cost of limiting the classes I wanted to take, as I was scared of leaving my academic comfort zone and my involvement in campus activities and extracurriculars.

Do not get me wrong, grades can matter since they are important when applying to internships, graduate school, or study abroad programs. However, I realized grades should not overshadow or limit my ability to explore new subjects and enjoy my time in college. I should not be scared of taking classes I am not familiar with, missing out on spending much time with friends because I spend too much time studying, or not joining clubs I am interested in because I am too busy. College is a place to learn, but it is also a place to explore, discover yourself and your interests, have fun, and make lifelong friends. 

Your unique college experience is what you make of it.

This may be the most important lesson I learned this year. After my first year at Dartmouth, I realized that my experience has been so meaningful because college is what I make of it, not what it makes of me. I approached Dartmouth with an open mind, a desire to learn, and a willingness to step outside my comfort zone to make new friends and explore new experiences; this is what made my college experience so incredible this year. 

As long as students take full advantage of all the opportunities and resources their school has to offer, study hard, and are willing to step outside their comfort zone, I believe they will have an exceptional experience at whatever college they attend.

My experience over the next three years will continue to be defined by the effort I put into my schoolwork, my social life, and my utilization of the countless resources Dartmouth has to offer.​