Written by Denva Nesbeth, Jr. ’24

Love. Community. Service. These are some of the values I care about the most and during my time at Dartmouth, I was able to invest heavily in those things, particularly through my hobby of making music. In spring 2022, I created my instrumental song In The Stacks while I was in the East Reading Room with the goal of creating music that I could imagine my peers listening to while studying or completing their assignments. This eventually inspired the album of the same name and the subsequent albums I’ve released in the series: Back In The Stacks, Stacks Vol. 3, and, most recently, Stacks Vol. 4. Anytime someone has told me that they were able to complete tasks and assignments or study while listening to my music, it brings me joy because it means that the music is serving people and having the positive impact I intended. I find meaning and purpose in being of service to others with what I do. I’ve also been able to build community with others as a result of music. Some of the closest friendships I formed at Dartmouth originated from a common interest in songs or artists we like.

Additionally, even though my songs are all instrumental, the song titles serve as affirmations and reminders as one aligns themselves with their purpose. For instance, my latest project Stacks Vol. 4 contains song titles like Only Competition Is Me, In My Element, One Day At A Time, and Trust The Process. When you’re involved in activities that directly connect with values you hold dear or ideas you’re most passionate about, that’s the best place to be because you’re in your element and there’s no need to compare yourself to other people. You are your only competition since everyone’s respective journey is unique and everyone has a different purpose, so it’s important to take things day by day and trust the process as you walk with purpose. Stacks Vol. 3 has song titles like When You’re Going Through It and Give Yourself More Grace because having setbacks or stressful challenges is normal, but it’s important to give yourself more grace and embrace the beauty of imperfection, which is the opportunity for growth.

By putting my energy toward activities that align with the values I find most important, my mental health benefited greatly while at Dartmouth and beyond. I find joy in working on music that can uplift one’s well-being and provide a calming mood as one completes whatever important tasks are ahead of them.

-Denva Nesbeth, Jr. ’24

Denva Nesbeth Jr. ’24 is a recent Dartmouth College graduate who received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematical Data Science with minors in FILM & Media Studies and African, African-American Studies. While at Dartmouth, he served as Vice President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and as the Educational Chair of the Men of Color Alliance (MoCA). He spent time as a research assistant at the Augmented Health Lab as well as pursuing his passion of music production by releasing instrumental albums on all streaming platforms, amassing over 20,000 streams. Notably, he’s released an instrumental album series called In The Stacks, which was inspired by Dartmouth Libraries. 

Post written by Armita Mirkarimi ’25

Hello everyone, 

Happy fall! It’s surreal to be back on campus, marveling at the changing leaves and autumnal festivities that await. On the morning of the first day of classes, my friends and I hiked Gile Mountain. The world was quiet as we climbed the metal tower to reach the top. A sea of yellow, orange, and red leaves greeted us. We were silent for a few moments as immense gratitude washed over us. 

I’ve been thinking a lot about this month’s theme, “Connecting to Purpose.” Purpose takes on different shapes during our time at Dartmouth. As a ‘28, you have just begun your journey of finding purpose on this campus. Sophomores or Juniors might be redefining their purpose on campus. To be honest, as a senior, I am still trying to figure out my purpose here. 

There is so much pressure to figure out what your purpose is on campus. On the surface, it can look like everyone knows where they’re going and the intentions they are pursuing; Classes planned, jobs secured, and a packed calendar to boot. 

Let’s focus on the word, “Connect” as we explore this theme. Purpose evolves as we connect to different ideas, people, and places. It is not something that can be defined in a word, sentences, or even paragraphs. We are all multitudes with different passions and pursuits. It can seem daunting to define your purpose as we are all still exploring who we are. However, finding small moments to connect every day can shape the tapestry of purpose. 

Here are a few ideas to find a connection with yourself and others this fall: 

1. Find a spot in Pine Park to just think or journal about these questions: What are the things that bring me joy? What do I want to be doing less of? What are the things I want to be doing more of? What does your ideal afternoon look like? 
   
   
2. Hop on DOC trailhead and sign up for an activity that looks fun to you! From O-Farm dinners to beginner hikes, there is something for everyone. 
   
   
3. Send the “Want to grab a meal?” text. After off and abroad terms, there may be friends who you haven’t seen or caught up with yet. Send the text! Be the one to reach out. People will always appreciate it. 
   
   
4. Say something nice about yourself. Yes, it’s that simple! Sometimes, connecting with yourselves just takes a moment where we celebrate our strengths and reflect on ways we want to improve. 

And don’t forget the awesome resources on campus: 

1. Student Wellness Center – Set up 1:1 time with a trained, non-judgmental listener to deepen your self-awareness and embrace your path toward flourishing.
2. Counseling Center – Meet with a licensed mental health provider in a confidential setting to help you understand your emotions as you explore your identity and other challenges.
3. Tucker Center – Seek confidential spiritual guidance through Pastoral Counseling with a College Chaplain.

You deserve to feel good and take care of yourself this fall. Stop by the SWC for a cup of tea or just to say hi! 

Sending you ease,
Armita 

Welcome back to Connecting With Our Purpose where we will offer tools and tips throughout the term to help you embrace and maximize that which makes your life most worth living. 

Revealing glimmers of your life purpose can be achieved through something as simple as a journaling practice. Let journaling be a powerful tool for helping you better articulate your goals and needs and gain new perspectives along the way. You may also find it to be a relaxing, even meditative activity. Sometimes it helps to write freely, while other times it helps to write under the auspice of a specific prompt. We’ll offer some of our favorite journaling practices and prompts here to help you kick start your journey!

1. Pause and Center Before You Begin
   • Set aside at least 5-10 minutes for your journaling practice.
   • Try this 2.5 minute STOP practice as a way to pause, breathe, notice, and reconnect to your intentions.

2. Our Favorite Prompts to Help you Connect With Your Purpose (write openly or try one of the journaling tools below):
   • When you imagine your future self, what do you hope to see?
   • What does “purpose” mean to you? 
   • Name one way a value of yours connects to your purpose. How did you arrive at this value?
   • Do your decisions reflect your values?
   • What parts of your relationships are most meaningful to you?
   • What does having a sense of purpose provide you?
   • What makes you come alive?
   • When have you felt a sense of meaning?
   • Fill in the blank: I exist to _____ (intended impact) in order to serve _____ (desired audience). What do you notice about your response?

3. Our favorite Journaling Tools:

• Gratitude Journaling: Each day, write down 3 things you are grateful for. When we take the time to remember and list three things we are grateful for, we focus on what’s good in our lives and helps us recognize qhat truly matters to us. Pick up a free gratitude journal from the Student Wellness Center (located in Berry library, right above Novak).

• Swift Ink or Stream of Consciousness Journaling:
  • Want to journal but don’t know where to begin (or worry you’ll get caught in the trap of perfectionism)? Swift Ink can be an effective practice for letting words flow freely onto the page, without judgment.
  • How to start: Set a timer for 2-5 minutes. Choose one of the prompts above and write, without lifting your pen from the page, until the timer rings. If you are stuck, simply write “I have more to say” over and over until an idea or direction emerges.
  • Reflect on what you have written: What themes have materialized? 

• Three Things Journaling: This practice is helpful for helping us prioritize what is important and release that which no longer serves us. Periodically check in and jot down your responses these three questions:
  • What is one thing I want to let go of?
  • What is one thing I want to embrace?
  • What is one thing I want to focus on?

Want more journaling prompts? We’ve developed more prompts here to help you reflect on your past journey, present focus, and future intentions. Happy writing!

P.S. We’d love to hear from you! Schedule a Wellness Check In with one of our skilled wellness coaches to reflect on your journaling practices and debrief what emerges related to finding your sense of purpose here at Dartmouth.

Armita Mirkarimi ’25 and Class of ’28 Photo Grid

Dear Class of 2028, 

Happy fall term! By now, you might’ve gone on your First-Year Trip, waited in line for stir-fry at Collis, or figured out your favorite place to study on campus. 

Your first couple of weeks at school can be a whirlwind. There’s so much pressure to figure it all out: What you want to study, who your friends are, what you like and don’t like. It can seem so daunting. 

During my first few weeks in Hanover, I felt like everyone else knew what they were doing and I didn’t. I kept asking myself: What if they all know I don’t deserve to be here? What if no one wants to be friends with me? My homesickness was not helping. I wanted to be both in Hanover and back home in Southern California. 

One fall morning, I found the Student Wellness Center (SWC), a small haven amidst the rush between class periods. It was a place I could go to when I was feeling stressed and wanted a cup of tea. I found a group of people invested in giving students the tools they need to cope with the stressors of life. Since then, it’s become one of the most consistent places on campus for me. If I’m having a good or bad day, I know I can go into the SWC suite and take some time for myself. 

As you’re embarking on your college experience, I hope you think about what well-being looks like in your life. What are some ways you can relax every week? Where can you build pockets of peace amidst your hectic schedule? This is going to look different for every single one of us. You might be into yoga or opt for scheduling time in your calendar to simply do nothing. 

You deserve to feel good. You deserve to take care of yourself. The Student Wellness Center is here for you throughout this journey. Whether you need a place in the library to unplug, sit in the massage chairs for 15 minutes, or do a wellness check-in with one of the amazing staff, the SWC is committed to your well-being. For a full list of Student Wellness Center resources, check out the website here: https://students.dartmouth.edu/wellness-center/ 

More importantly, you belong at Dartmouth. You’re not going to figure it all out in the first week, month, term, or maybe even a year. No one ever really does. But, the cool thing is that we get to make Dartmouth a home together. 

Stop by and say hi 🙂 The SWC is located on first floor of Berry Library, Suite 178-179. 

Sending you ease, 

Armita