Since freshman fall, members of the Class of 2002 have heard stories and College rhetoric about the D-plan feature that receives the most hype -- sophomore summer.
Now with over half of sophomore summer behind them, student reaction is a mix of unfulfilled expectations and general satisfaction with the fabled "best term at Dartmouth."
Not surprisingly, the irregular dining hours have been a source of frustration, and the absence of activities like a cappella concerts and organized spectator sporting events seems somewhat abnormal for typical Dartmouth living.
The '02s have found themselves much busier with classes than they had originally anticipated. Most of the students who spoke with The Dartmouth said they were taking a normal three-course load, and a few were even balancing four courses.
"The amount of work of work is always directly related to the classes you are taking," explained J.R. Lederer '02. "You may feel like you have more time, even though you don't."
He added, however, that he was also having a lot of fun.
In fact, the majority of '02s interviewed said that even though the commonly-held belief of working less this term is not really true, they are still very much enjoying sophomore summer for a variety of reasons.
"I like that it's just our class and we're getting to know each other," said Lauren Holmes '02.
Indeed, both Colin Fox '01 and David Nelson '01 agreed they had more fun during last year's sophomore summer than they are having this year as rising seniors.
Students in the Greek system also said that this summer has been a great opportunity for bonding within their houses. It is the first time many of the members have all been together since their pledge class days last fall.
While the parties have mellowed out somewhat, outdoor activities in the wilds of New Hampshire and Vermont have become new favorite pastimes for many students. Kayaking, canoeing, midnight dips in the river and especially jumping off one of the rope swings dotting the shore of the Connecticut rank among the preferred summer time escapes from campus.
Kate Alexander '02 said she has definitely had the chance to participate in more outdoor recreation and even plans to go skydiving next weekend with friends.
Students expressed great enthusiasm for their summer residences, whether they were living in on-campus dorms, in rented houses, or in Greek houses.
Students living in Massachusetts Row and the Gold Coast said they enjoy being so close to campus and like having mostly '02s for their neighbors.
In Gile Hall, John Cortese '02 has had more time to play guitar and sing with his two roommates, Jeff Heminger '02 and Adam Feffer '02. Living together for the first time, the trio has enjoyed making the music of the night for any passerbys who happen to be strolling by their door.
Other students have moved off campus to dwellings such as the Sugar Shack, the Love Shack, the Red Barn and others.
In a series of surprise pranks, two houses, the River Ranch and the Rock, have started a sort of summer rivalry.
The "feud" began, explained Charlie White '02, when the Rock residents put a train coupling on the porch of the River Ranch and tied a string from it to the front door. Because train couplings, which connect train cars together, weigh several hundred pounds, the River Ranch residents were unable to budge their front door and had to climb out a window to get cut the string.
In retaliation, they ambushed the Rock by smearing wet oatmeal on the house and leaving some fifty leftover tubes from Tubestock inside when the residents were at a Cabin and Trail meeting.
Rock residents responded by leaving rocks, some weighing up to thirty pounds, all over the River Ranch, including in the toaster. A copy of the movie "The Rock" was playing on the VCR when the residents came home.
"I thought it was extremely creative on their part, and I'm wondering what we're going to do next," said White.
As for the rest of his term, White had only positive things to say: "It's really been the best summer of my life so far. I wish every term was like the summer."
