"My pong game has gotten pretty good this term," Riep said. "In fact, I'd say it's never been better."
Riep is one of many Dartmouth seniors who have chosen not to take classes during their senior spring term. She does not, however, spend all of her time in basements. Instead, Riep spends the hours once taken up by homework conducting research at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and soliciting donations for the senior class gift. She said she was not worried about having too little to do this term.
"Here at Dartmouth, once you have free time, something else comes up very quickly to fill it," she said. "I would go crazy if I didn't have anything to do all day."
Sean Garren '07 is also free from academic obligation. In addition to working for Dartmouth Dining Services in Collis and Lone Pine, he is doing research for the Rockefeller Public Policy Center. However, Garren's jobs are not his primary focus this term.
"Mostly I'm just hanging out a ton," Garren said, "I'm trying to make some life changes and decisions to prepare for the real world."
One of Garren's principal motivations for not taking classes is his desire to connect more deeply with his fellow Darmtouth students.
"At this point in your career at Dartmouth, you have to solidify your friends for the rest of your life."
Riep agreed that an improved social life was a valuable part of her experience.
"I go out to dinner with people every night, I go to [the] trivia [competition at Murphy's on the Green] every Tuesday and I go to meetings every week," Riep said. "My calendar is packed with things I want to do."
In a different light, Oana Castu '07 is an international student who, despite receiving her Dartmouth undergraduate degree at the end of Fall term, continues to pursue her academic goals. The economics and romance languages double major immediately began work for a master's degree in comparative literature, with a thesis on non-French writers writing in French.
"This is a way to continue my interest in romance languages," said Castu. "I'm doing more language and literature courses."
Castu, who is from Romania, said that her status as an international student was a factor in her decision to pursue another degree. To apply for a visa for her job in New York, she needed to have her bachelor's degree completed by April. Castu seized the opportunity to graduate early and chose to apply for a second degree.
Even though the master's program is not directly related to Castu's job in finance next year, she feels that the work is improving her writing skills and will look good on her resume.
She still finds time to spend with friends and enjoy the spring weather. Stepping down as president of the International Students' Association after the Fall term, she said, has decreased her extracurricular obligations and opened up her social calendar.
All three seniors are enjoying their last weeks at Dartmouth, but agreed that it is now time to leave.
"I love Hanover, but it's very small," said Castu. "Four years is a good enough time to spend here."
