Dear ’24s
Welcome home
Written by Chelsea-Starr Jones, Lucas Joshi and Ale Geisel-Zamora
’24s, here we have collected tried and true advice from current Dartmouth students. Enjoy!
Dear ’24s,
Don’t expect to be best friends with your roommate(s) right way. Trust takes time to grow.
Dear ’24s,
It’s ok to drop something that you did in high school, something that you thought defined you might no longer brings you happiness.
Dear ’24s,
For the most part, upperclassmen are happy to help you and give you advice. Find someone you vibe with and ask questions because they love talking about themselves.
Dear ’24s,
It’s ok to mess up. Just because you’re in college doesn’t mean you have to be perfect 24/7. Not even 12/3.
Dear ’24s,
As upsetting as it may be, you simply cannot expect yourself to perform at the very best, all the time.
Dear ’24s,
The same people who say they don’t study are really working their butts off. Don’t believe the lies.
Dear ’24s,
It’s going to seem like everyone has a huge friend group by the end of orientation week and you’re still lost. Trust me, they don’t.
Dear ’24s,
Don’t overpack for Move-in Day. If you have the means, figure out what you need when you get to school and ship it to yourself.
Dear ’24s,
Get a lanyard or find a special, consistent spot for room key and ID. They’re a pain to replace.
Dear ’24s,
Duck tape is your best friend when decorating your room.
Dear ’24s,
Photograph EVERYTHING! Dartmouth memories are worth documenting.
Dear ’24s,
Follow your passions and you will find your home.
Dear ’24s,
College is a time to reinvent yourself. If you wish you had been more outgoing in high school, this is the time to try it.
Dear ’24s,
Don’t leave your laundry detergent in the laundry room unless you’re ok with it being used.
Dear ’24s,
First term is hard, everyone struggles. I mean everyone.
Dear ’24s,
It’ll sounds stupid but you must make your mental health a priority. No matter how put together as everyone else seems, they’re struggling with something too.
Dear ’24s,
Somehow, 8 AM classes aren’t as easy in college. I would avoid taking a 9S or 9L, at least for the first term.
Dear ’24s,
If there’s something big you want for your room, you can get it cheap at the Suitability Sale. Mirrors, mini fridges, lamps, organizing binds, irons, makeup and jewelry organizers, bikes. Just get there early because that line gets long fast.
Dear ’24s,
Try every activity once even if you don’t think you’ll like it.
Dear ’24s,
Expose yourself to new subjects. Take that sculpture or sociology class. This is your chance to explore.
Dear ’24s,
Be prepared to meet people from completely different backgrounds and with varying views.
Dear ’24s,
Not a single person cares if you have a question.
Dear ’24s,
You deserve to be here just as much as everyone else.
Dear ’24s,
I promise you will find your home on campus.
Dear ’24s,
Get flair, it’ll come in handy.
Dear ’24s,
Minimize your shmobing, < 8 at a time. Especially when going to parties.
Dear ’24s.
LEARN Dartmouth slang. Example… “shmobing” (first-year mobbing).
Dear ’24s,
There will always be people on FFB on a Friday or Saturday night. You can do it too if you need or want to.
Dear ’24s,
No one is who they seem from their Instagram.
Dear ’24s,
You’ll never be quite sure if you’re in Baker or Berry.
Dear ’24s,
Don’t be surprised if you see people walking around in tutus or animal onesies.
Dear ’24s,
Buy a good pair of slippers for the dorm“Wool socks are an investment….so invest!
Dear ’24s,
The more clothes you bring, the less laundry you do.
Dear ’24s,
Take a picture of the map of campus from your orientation packet. Or download a map of Dartmouth with the building names on your phone. There are a lot of buildings and a single physical building can have multiple names. Just ask someone.
Dear ’24s,
Everyone is equally unprepared heading in, so don’t worry.
Dear ’24s,
For the first two weeks, give yourself a minimum of 10 extra minutes to get anywhere. No matter how confident you are, you’ll get lost at some point (make it 20 if you live in the River).
Dear ’24s,
Check Layup List.
Dear ’24s,
Go to sporting events, even if you didn’t in high school. The Dartmouth hype alone makes it worth it.
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