What class are you most excited about this term and why?
Noelle Blake ’26: I’m abroad in London (and miss Mirror dearly), but I’m taking a class called Crisis of Culture about 18th-19th century politics that I’m looking forward to.
Gabe Brigham ’26: SOCY 33: Self and Society! Three years into Dartmouth, and I’ll finally get to learn who I am.
Aynura Erejepbaeva ’28: I’m most excited for Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (ANTH 3)! As an international student, I’m keen to learn about what a culture is and definitions of ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
Aditi Gupta ’27: I’m honestly most excited for Biochemistry! I wasn’t the biggest fan of taking Organic Chemistry this past spring and summer, so to get back to learning about cellular structures and processes is such a breath of fresh air.
Amirahimaan Kalonji ’28: I’m most excited for ENGL 1: Literary History I: Literature up to the mid-17th century! I love reading about dragons and knights :)
Rachel Kim ’27: Global Literary Theory — I’m excited to learn a few different literary theories in the comparative literature discipline and apply them to interpret my favorite text.
Cayla Kwok ’28: Reasons, Thoughts, Persons — I’ve never taken a philosophy class before!
Tia Mehtani ’28: Design Thinking! I’m excited to work on projects!
Vivian Wang ’27: THEA 50 Playwriting I — the professor seems amazing and I’m excited to keep developing my playwriting skills and engaging my creativity in a practical course!
What’s your favorite fall tradition at Dartmouth (or one you’re excited to try this year)?
NB: I love the bonfire, Gile hikes and anything Mac’s Maple related.
AG: This isn’t exactly specific to fall but I love going to the Norwich Farmer’s Market on Saturdays! It’s a great way to start the weekend with a fun little activity.
AK: I’m most excited for Homecoming weekend!
RK: I’ve never done it, but I’m excited to try apple picking.
CK: I’m excited to go hike Gile during peak foliage.
TM: Fallapalooza!
Best spot on campus to see the leaves change?
NB: Fairchild third and fourth floors if you’re facing the old observatory or looking just past Baker tower!
GB: Fourth floor Moore.
AE: Occom Pond! I lived in the Choates in my freshman year, and I totally loved doing Woccoms. It’s just gorgeous in fall!
AG: Life Sciences Center second floor — I can’t actually say this is the best place, but it’s definitely my favorite.
RK: Sanborn second floor.
TM: The Novack swing.
VW: All around the Green!
What’s one goal you’ve set for yourself this fall term?
NB: Reach or surpass my reading goal before Winterim!
GB: Be more bold.
AE: Enjoy the weather and outdoors before winter comes.
AG: Stop skimming my readings for class.
AK: Average seven hours of sleep minimum.
RK: Try not to burn out too early.
CK: I want to grow in friendships!
TM: Eat breakfast.
VW: I want to go to bed early consistently.
Favorite fall clothing item?
NB: Sweaters forever <3
GB: A really cozy cable knit sweater.
AE: My Uzbek scarf which has a blend of red, yellow and blue.
AG: Boots!
AK: A nice and cozy cardigan!
TM: Sweaters and bows.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you had as a freshman starting fall term?
NB: Do as much as possible! Ask friends/upperclassmen for activity recommendations because this is the least busy you’ll ever be.
GB: No one really knows what they’re doing.
AE: Don’t put too much on your plate. While I’m happy that I tried a lot of things and clubs in my freshman fall, I regret that I didn’t take care of my energy.
AG: Have fun! Now’s your chance to not spend too much time locked away in the library. Say yes to doing fun things!
AK: Prioritize time management!
RK: Try to enjoy and take advantage of fall in Hanover as much as possible! Go apple picking and get some doughnuts and apple cider with your friends.
CK: Don’t be afraid to try new things!
TM: Go slow — don’t take on too much.
VW: Don’t be too scared of upperclassmen!
Favorite cozy study/writing spot on campus?
NB: Sanborn, but the Writing Center has blankets!
AE: Pine Park.
AG: I love writing on the first floor of Fairchild if you sit in one of the chairs facing the glass wall.
AK: Random grassy spots I find until it’s too cold to be cozy outside.
RK: Sanborn and the Tower Room.
CK: East Reading Room.
VW: Not on campus, but I love writing at Still North Books & Bar.
One fall-themed activity every freshman should do before the term ends?
NB: A Woodstock weekend for antiquing, thrifting and peak foliage.
GB: Go to a pumpkin patch!
AG: Bake something! One of my favorite things last fall was baking little fall treats with my friends. It’s a fun little pick-me-up between the stress of classes and everything else.
AK: Pumpkin picking!
RK: Wear matching Halloween costumes with your friends (I did frog inflatables with my friends last year and it was really fun!).
CK: Go apple picking.
TM: Step on crunchy leaves.
VW: Sunrike (sunrise hike) up Gile Mountain!
A new hobby you want to start this term?
GB: Repairing/upcycling vintage clothes.
AE: Learning how to take neat and beautiful notes on my iPad.
AG: I would love to actually learn how to sew. Hemming things is the extent of my current skill set.
AK: I want to start cooking a lot more.
RK: Try all the different flavors of ice cream at Hanover Scoops before I graduate.
CK: I’d love to bake more.
TM: Crocheting.
VW: I signed up to take Zumba so hopefully I get to follow through with that!
What advice do you have for new writers this term?
NB: Write as much as possible, especially with stories that get you around the Upper Valley! You’ll meet many wonderful people in our area that may very well lead you to the next adventure.
GB: Just get something on the page; it doesn’t matter if it’s awful on your first go.
AE: We associate places with certain emotions. What place ignites writing for you? Find it out ASAP.
AG: If you’re nervous to take a story, co-write it! It’s a great way to get more practice writing, and having a partner makes the experience less stressful and far more enjoyable if it’s your first time.
AK: Practice makes perfect!
RK: I think your writing is at its best when you truly enjoy the process. Spending time meditating in nature also helps, and even something as simple as having a cup of tea beforehand can really spark your ideas!
CK: Try different types of articles and have fun while writing.
TM: Ask for help if you need it!
VW: Pitch your own stories! Write what you care about, even if it seems like no one else cares about it — people will enjoy reading it as long as you do!
