I'm in the uncomfortable position of giving you advice. I'm trying to find vague certainties that can connect with a large amount of people. I must say that this isn't working too well. Just about the only thing I'm sure of, random member of the Class of 2003 who is reading this, is that you did in fact pack too many clothes.
Your experience is certain to be unique because you are unique. The paradox that arises is how we, unique specialized individuals, come together and still maintain our individuality in a community with a fabled collective spirit.
That said, the best advice that I can give is this: say yes to all possibilities and say no with certainty to nothing. Just about all you should be certain of is how few things you are, in fact, certain of. Experiment and try new things. That's what College is for. Consider it your four years in the wilderness to try a bunch of new stuff. It's like a big time out from the rest of the world. In doing so, try to find yourself and not be concerned with losing yourself. There's a subtle, but important difference.
And when these things that you try don't jive with you, do not worry or get discouraged. You are no worse for the wear. Often times, you will learn the most from your mistakes.
At some point when you are settling in to Dartmouth some other student will ask you what year you are. Presuming that you are not trying to outfox him or her when he or she is working the door of a fraternity, you will respond honestly and say that you are a 2003. Now that's when something really special happens. The person will get very excited and remark how wonderful it is that you have four years at Dartmouth.
When this happened to me, I thought to myself how cool it was that there were these other people who wanted me to have a good time. The message that they were trying to send was to make your time in college count.
Most people are going to throw that Dr. Seuss, 'Oh the places you'll go' stuff at you. In fact, I'm sure that you've practically had green eggs and ham force-fed to you by now. DMX says, "ryde or die." What does that mean? It means when presented with a chance to do something, go for it. After all, that's what it's all about and how you should try to pattern your college career.
You will get out what you put in although you will probably not realize it while you are in the process of putting in.
Take a moment, when you are thinking about what role you want to take on in our community to recognize your good fortune in coming here. Regardless of how and why you ended up enrolled at Dartmouth you are coming to an institution that has the resources to enable you to pursue what you want. It's unlikely that you will be in a similar situation at any other point. Again the message is to take advantage of what will be offered. Dartmouth will challenge you and you should in turn challenge it back.
Basically here's the bottom line about Dartmouth -- Dartmouth is what we make it. It's a bunch of interesting people out in the middle of the woods who are there to learn both from each other, and to learn with each other.
The school is ready for you and be confident, because even if you don't realize it, you are ready for it.
