It was so appropriate that I was blitzed this summer and asked to write a column for the freshman issue of The D. First, of course, is the fact that it was a blitz. You all know about the superhuman entity of blitz at this point; no doubt a few of you have ingeniously discovered how to download and use it already. I swore to myself the first day of my freshman year that I would not succumb to blitz, that I would be man enough to refrain from e-mailing people who live down the hall. Five minutes later I forgot what a phone was and could not pry my fingers from the keyboard. Even the strongest among you should not underestimate blitz's addictiveness.
More to the point, however, is the fact that at the precise moment I was reading the blitz, I was thinking about my freshman year. That is to say, this summer I have been doing nothing but thinking about my freshman year. Being at home pales in comparison to college life, even college life in the middle of nowhere -- and make no mistake about it, Dartmouth is so much in the middle of nowhere that I began hyperventilating upon going to Boston and seeing buildings.
I've been reflecting upon the best year of my life, a year spent with some of the smartest, most interesting and nicest people I've ever known. I had more fun than I ever thought possible. I learned tons about myself (most significantly, that I don't like Chinese food), and I even managed to learn something in class. Okay, maybe not the last one. But any student will give you a myriad of unique reasons for why Dartmouth is such an amazing place. You'll find reasons of your own to prove that you made the right decision.
However, great as your experience is sure to be, friendly advice from those who have already gone through the ups and downs is always helpful just in case the need to use it should arise. I'll start with some advice that I cannot possibly reiterate enough: for the love of god, go on a DOC trip! Don't let doubts about ability or concerns for the DOC's complete and utter disregard for personal hygiene keep you from participating in what may very well be the most memorable experience throughout your time at Dartmouth. Many of my best friends are trippees or acquaintances thereof; friends who didn't go on trips were frequently complaining how they didn't have the memories to share that the rest of us do. Don't be one of those unfortunate souls! The trip is without a doubt the best way to be introduced to the school, the surroundings and, most importantly, the rest of your class.
I hope you aren't spending the summer dreading opening your housing information to find that you'll be living in the River or Choates clusters. In fact, you should spend your summer praying that you get so lucky! These dorms are the loci of freshman activity and, between you and me, are home to the best room parties. While the rooms may be small and relatively distant from anything worthwhile on campus, you will not find the same social scene in any other cluster. However, it might do to pray that you don't get stuck in a one-room single with someone who snores like a jackhammer.
Don't be afraid to talk to upperclassmen. Sure, some of us, myself included, are intimidating beyond belief, but there are some nice upperclassmen who will be invaluable as sources of advice. I learned so many tricks from talking to upperclassmen, including how to manipulate a schedule to get a professor you want when it looks impossible, finding out which classes and professors to take in the first place, how to get by spending $6 on textbooks and what to bring to school (don't be unprepared like I was and find yourself without disco clothes). You will be saved from some massive frustration with guidance from those who have already experienced the frustration so you don't have to.
Some other helpful tidbits: for whatever good things you've heard about the food at Dartmouth, never, and I mean never, try anything ethnic. You'll pay for it the rest of the night. Also come prepared with ski goggles and a facemask, even if you don't ski, because when the wind chill hits 50 below, your face will freeze instantly even if every piece of exposed skin is covered. But, as with everything else, even the cold has an upside -- it will build your tolerance for when you decide to do the foreign study program in Antarctica.
Come with an open mind. I learned more from talking to my classmates than from actually going to class, and everyone has something incredible to contribute if you give them the chance. Don't fall into cliques instantly, but be willing to meet new, different people and try things you never thought you would've done before. My favorite thing about Dartmouth is that it is a small, tight-knit school with all the perks of a large research university -- anything you want is there if you have the willingness to expand your horizons and the initiative to go for it. Or, at least try because with Dartmouth's isolation, you're not going anywhere else!
Come with a penchant for giving your opinion. This is an important time in Dartmouth's history, so your class has the potential to help steer the school in even better directions. The time is ripe to mold Dartmouth into the school you want it to be, so make your voice heard rather than letting others decide what your college experience should be for you. Yours is the first class that will have limited all-freshmen housing and the first class to experience a changing Greek system from day one. You're also, as far as I know, the most intelligent and diverse class ever. Use those brains to make an impact because this is your school and the bigwigs in charge are eager to make some changes. Let them know what you want changed.
And, most importantly, even though you are going to school in the East, make sure you make a stand for what all rational people know is the correct pronunciation, "pop." If you're saying "soda," there's still time for help. Now start counting down the days until school starts -- I'm doing the same!
