Mike: As a '14, I'm really excited for my first Winter term at Dartmouth. I'm from San Diego, so living in the snow is something that is completely new to me and the novelty still hasn't worn off. When I walk around campus I'm reminded of Bambi on ice. I might just go nuts and start making snow angels, throwing snowballs at strangers and shoveling snow simply because I've never done these things before. Seriously though, I am looking forward to a real winter. Hockey on the pond, sledding on the golf course and sitting in front of a fire when it's actually cold outside these are the things I've been missing out on in California.
Madeline: Congrats on getting through the first week of Winter term, but you have no idea what you're in for. I've lived in Connecticut my whole life, so I'll agree that the snow is beautiful for about three days. The white, fluffy snow will eventually become a brown slush that makes its way into every building on campus and covers the ground until the first day of Spring. Although I haven't endured an entire Hanover winter myself, I couldn't help but be terrified when my trip leader said last winter was mild because it didn't get below zero degrees. And while sledding and hockey are great, have fun doing them in temperatures about as high as your GPA. There's nothing like having your wet hair turn into icicles to make you love Winter term. Can't wait.
Mike: Okay, but how could a freshman not be stoked for the crown jewel of the Dartmouth winter: Winter Carnival? It's a 100-year-old tradition. Dartmouth has been celebrating Winter Carnival since before Israel existed, before Arizona became a state and before World War I began. Winter Carnival is a celebration of winter it's how Dartmouth flips the bird to the elements, and as freshmen we need to respect and enjoy it.
Madeline: Homecoming was undeniably awesome, but I think the fact that campus is freezing and blanketed with snow will definitely lessen the fun of this big weekend. How fun can it be to walk home drunk from frat row at 4 a.m. during a blizzard? Knowing that your fracket could be stolen at any moment is enough to dampen the mood of any party, and walking back to your room in a T-shirt is miserable even with the thickest liquid parka. You don't want to be "that guy" who blitzes out about his lost North Face to no avail. I'm sure Winter Carnival will be fun, but I can't help but already be excited for Green Key.
Mike: My UGA told me that in the Winter the campus can seem cozier and less crowded, and that Winter term exposes freshmen to the positive effects of the D-plan. As familiar faces flee to study or intern in warmer places, the '14s get to meet a whole new group of people who were away last term. Who knows, someone returning from a LSA just might become your new best friend. At least they don't know you got Good Sammed during Orientation.
Madeline: Sure, there are fewer students on campus Winter term, but after only a week back I can tell you it sure doesn't feel that way. Campus seems more crowded than ever thanks to construction and freezing temperatures. The FoCo construction, for example, overcrowds Homeplate seating and forces unlucky students to eat upstairs in a concrete room not unlike a prison cafeteria. For some reason, FoCo only has one cashier, which causes huge lines and bigger crowds in Homeplate. The only real upside to all this is the hilarious blog documenting students' reactions: FocoReactions.Blogspot.com. Winter's freezing temperatures also force students inside. Rather than running outside or playing Frisbee on the green, students now head to the gym in packs. The combination of terrible weather and ambitious New Year's resolutions means the gym will be crowded for weeks.
Mike: Who cares about the gym Winter means that Dartmouth is finally ready to do what it does best: winter sports. Now, instead of spending Thursdays in bed feeling sorry for ourselves, we can get outside. We can go skiing or snowboarding. We can rent ice skates. Maybe build an igloo. Who knows? If nature is going to bombard us with snow and ice, we might as well thank her for it and go play.And then there's Big Green hockey. Being down on the boards and getting rowdy for a game is an unreal experience. After the Dartmouth-Yale game, every fan was issued a notice telling them not to break benches, push or pull on the glass or throw things. Basically we were having too much fun. If a hockey game like that doesn't get you excited for the winter, someone needs to check your pulse.Say what you want about the weather and seasonal affective disorder, I personally think this term is going to be great. If a dude from Cali can suck it up and enjoy the winter, so can you.
Madeline: Fine, I guess I'll concede that the benefits of winter outweigh the slightly annoying drawbacks. Even though Winter is arguably the worst term, I'm sure it'll still be pretty great. After all, where else can you sacrifice the feeling in your extremities for P.E. credit?
