Only two weeks after their return to Dartmouth from two years abroad, at home and on campus, members of the Class of 1997 are already caught up in the excitement and anxiety of their final year at the College.
Having the entire class back on campus again "makes the year feel like more of a culminating experience," Geeta Bahl '97 said.
But many seniors said they are realizing how little time they have left at Dartmouth.
"I definitely want to make the most of the time I have. We have realized that these are our last few semesters," said Lloyd Fass '97.
Bahl, who is from Dallas, said she wants to learn to ski before she leaves.
Some seniors have returned to campus to find the College running a little differently from the way they remembered.
"Dash is definitely a big change. It has left everyone confused," senior David Chiang said.
Nicole Galanek '97 said "I have only been away for the summer, and so much has changed. It makes me wonder how much things will have changed in another three years."
For many seniors, the thrill of returning to campus has been mixed with anxiety concerning plans for the future.
"I'm majoring in English, and I am definitely anxious and nervous. I wish I had a definite plan. It will be such a relief ... to know for sure what I will be doing next year," Amy Fournier '97 said.
Many seniors are amazed at how quickly their time at Dartmouth has passed.
"You feel remarkably old," Chiang said. "Things are very different, and time passes really quickly. All of a sudden I have LSATs in less than a week."
Senior Kimberly DiTomasso's whirlwind sophomore and junior years contributed to her amazement.
"I cannot believe that one year ago I was in Spain," she said.
Elizabeth Johnsen '97 said she feels time has flown.
"I feel like I've been here 20 minutes," she said. "Freshman year just does not seem that long ago." .
"I think my challenge will be to get involved in new things and maintain my friendships through all the pressure of applying to graduate schools," Johnsen continued. "The big question is where you and your friends are going to end up."
Many seniors are already worried about their prospects for employment or education after graduation.
"I have already been to two Career Services meetings this week. The process of corporate recruiting could definitely be the biggest anxiety for people over the next few months," Fass said.
Rebecca Sullivan '97 has noticed a sudden tension in her class.
"There is no hint of senior year anxiety until senior year," she said. "People are incredibly tense now. Career Services is helpful but forces you to be self-motivated."
Balancing future planning and taking advantage of the last months of college is a difficult task for many seniors.
"The most difficult thing" about senior year, according to Sara Israel '97, is that "you should be doing everything you want to do and yet you need to think about the future."
Through all the thrill and trepidation, some seniors have not lost sight of the fact that their time on campus must soon end. "It is going to be hard leaving Dartmouth," Daniel Fehlauer '97 said.
"After four years, it feels like home."
