Now that orientation is over and classes have started, everything will calm down, right?
Wrong.
The most important skill I've learned at Dartmouth has been time-management. So many different clubs to join, IM sports to play and shows to attend leaves you with barely a few hours to socialize.
So when do we have time to form meaningful relationships? Relationships, in fact, do exist at Dartmouth. You just have to look a little further than the frat basement.
In my time here, I've found that there will always be more "stuff" to do " more studying, clubs, parties, etc. But the clearest memories I have are not of the best a cappella show I ever went to, but rather of being with the person sitting next to me. I vividly remember blowing off that extra hour of studying for Spanish to go for a walk up by the Observatory. Those are the best things you will take away from Dartmouth.
As my freshman trip leader once told me, if you're doing homework and a group of your friends bust in to drag you out bowling in the middle of the night, go. Ten years from now, you may not recall what you were studying, but you will remember your completely sober male friend wearing your red leather pants (And if you're lucky, you'll have the pictures to prove it. Not that I know from experience or anything.).
And if you are fortunate enough to find someone whose D-Plan sufficiently matches your own to date him or her, do it. Everything you do becomes a little bit better; the lights burn a bit brighter, and the leaves are a little more colorful. You'll have time for classes, homework, parties and all the other amazing activities we have. I spent my first year here in a relationship, and don't regret it. It was a good investment and I will have fond memories for the rest of my life.
Alright, fine. I lied. The most important lesson in my career here hasn't been learning time-management, but realizing that I am not tied to anything. If you no longer enjoy a club, it's okay to quit. Had I stayed in every club I joined my freshman year, I would have been overworked and miserable. I tried many different things, and most of them weren't for me. I even chose a major, found it didn't suit me, and switched. The understanding that this was okay was a huge step. Always say "yes" -- unless it's to the infamous fraternity house tour -- and know when to bow out gracefully.
I've always believed that who you are never really changes; you just discover new bits of yourself here and there. Dartmouth has done wonders to bring out the best (and sometimes the worst) in me, but just being here has been the blessing. I intend to leave Dartmouth without regrets, and with a lot of great memories.
