Written by Armita Mirkarimi ’25

Our winter theme, “Opening to Understanding Across Experiences,” is all about building meaningful connections. Expected and unexpected ones that are born of thoughtful intention. Holding each other’s hands in times of crisis and happiness. Finding new places and people on campus to get to know better. What does it really mean to be open to understanding across experiences? As we complete midterms and see our 10-week terms swiftly pass, let’s break down how to practice our winter theme daily. 

This is my last winter on campus and intentionally connecting with the people around me is almost always on my mind. My internal dialogue sometimes works on overdrive. Am I doing enough? Am I hanging out with friends and soaking it all up? Am I doing all the activities and getting outside? 

It’s exhausting, right? See, there’s all this pressure to do everything all at once and it can become quickly overwhelming. This is where our winter theme comes in, slowing down time and making us savor the little moments that make Hanover so special. 

We open ourselves to understanding our beautifully diverse community and forge meaningful connections through intention. When we step back, breathe, and take actionable steps toward creating new relationships or rekindling old ones, life becomes sweeter and more manageable.  So, I made a list of things you can do today to not only practice our winter theme but also enjoy all that 25W has to offer. 

Connecting to familiar people 

• Reach out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Whether they’re on an off-term or someone with an opposite schedule than you this term, we all have friends we haven’t connected with in a while.  Send that text to schedule a time to grab a meal, a walk, or schedule a Facetime call! 

Connecting to familiar places 

• Do you have a favorite spot on campus? A favorite walking loop or window sill in the library? The massage rooms in the Student Wellness Center? Block some time out in your calendar this week to go there and soak it all up. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, go to that place, put your phone away, and just breathe. You deserve ease. 

Reach out to someone new 

• It can be really intimidating to reach out to someone new or say hello to a stranger. My challenge for you this week is to compliment a stranger! Are they wearing a hair clip you like? Or perhaps have a sticker on their computer you resonate with? Or maybe you see them all the time after your 10A and you want to say hi! This is an easier way to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know. People will always appreciate another person saying something nice and maybe you might turn out to be friends! 

Explore a new place 

• Is there a space on campus or off-campus you’ve always wanted to go to? Maybe a DOC trip on trailhead or a club meeting that always seemed interesting? Take a minute to survey a new place that piques your interest and try to go. The only way we keep growing is to keep showing up in familiar and unfamiliar places. Explore a new corner of campus this week. You got this! 

Connect to yourself 

• For me, a big part of being intentional is actually connecting with myself. When I spend too much time running around campus without a break, I begin to lose how I am actually feeling. One of my favorite ways to reconnect with myself is to go on a solo date. Plan something special that you can do for yourself by yourself. I love getting a coffee in town and going on a walk. But you know yourself better than anyone else. Do the thing that’s going to make you take a breath and slow down. 

We can find moments for connection every day. When we connect to people, places, and ourselves, we begin to understand across all experiences. We keep learning and discovering new pieces of the world. And isn’t that so beautiful? 

Sending ease,
Armita