MIRROR 10.02.2015
SWUG ROUTINE|2
TEACH ME HOW TO RAP|3
A Song for every space|4-5
TTLG: Paving my own path|8 Kathy Rao/ THE DARTMOUTH STAFF
2// MIRROR
SWUG Routine
EDITORS’ NOTE
To the Tune of “Wildest Dreams” (2014) by Taylor Swift SOng
During their freshman winter, Maggie and Maddie decided to start an aerobics dance class for all those who lived in the River cluster (how exciting!). They posted sick signs all around the dorms and even on the Class of 2016 Facebook page. The signs read — “Stressed for finals? Still haven’t achieved that hot spring break bod? DON’T FRET!!!! Come to Maddie and Maggie’s aerobics dance class!!!! 5:00 Judge Basement Study Room. IT’S FREE!” Despite this fantastic marketing effort, when the girls arrived to the basement in their leotards and neon tights, the only people in attendance were themselves. They instantly texted their two other friends and forced them to come to the basement. Because Maddie and Maggie spent hours making the most perfect playlist and since there was hardly anybody there in attendance (we still hold a grudge), enjoy an excerpt of the mix. 1.“Starships” by Nicki Minaj (2012) — High intensity warm-up. If you aren’t sweating by the end, you are doing something wrong. 2.“Sleazy” by Ke$ha (2010) — Quad, inner thighs and butt workout. Get low and gyrate those hips! 3.“I Love It” (feat. Charli XCX) by Icona Pop (2012) Arm workout. How long can you fist pump for? Try for two minutes and 35 seconds (the entirety of the whole song). We never held another aerobics class, but this playlist has definitely not lost is luster. In this issue of The Mirror, we examine the musical campus. Our writers wrote a Taylor Swift parody about an epidemic hitting the seniors, uncovered the musical vibes of campus spaces, learned how to rap and shared what music means to them. Bon Appetite! — OL MAGS and LIL MAGS
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MIRROR R MIRROR EDITORS MADDIE BROWN MAGGIE SHIELDS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KATIE McKAY
PUBLISHER JUSTIN LEVINE
B y Mary Liza hartong
Coutesy of Mary Liza Hartong
ELIZA McDONOUGH / THE DARTMOUTH STAFF
Mary Liza rocks the knee-length cheetah-print jacket to class #swug.
Mary Liza contemplates whether or not to go out. Probably not.
She said, “Do you wanna go out? Dress up real pretty, Dance our hearts out?” I thought — BarHop, Psi U, Phi Tau? We’ll all go together, But one thing’s gonna take me down. I’m so tired, exhausted as hell. That sounds fun, but I’d rather just chill. Sorr y my friend, I hate to offend, my premonition is Three different types of cheese, Staying in my PJs, binging on Netflix, babe. Twizzlers and GREs, Yes, you’ll see me again, it’s just gonna be in my SWUG routine. SWUG routine. I said, “Wanna order Indian food?” My clothes are in a chair, these shambles are my room. And his voice is a familiar sound, “To go or deliver y?” Should be here in a short hour. In my shawl, I’m SWUG as hell. On my chem test, I’m gonna do well. And when my friends invite me and insist, My last request is, Say you’ll text message me, The stories of your success, dancing til the sunrise, babe.
Sig eps and hot Tuckees, Yes, you’ll see me again, it’s just gonna be in my SWUG routine. SWUG routine. Forgot about my white knight, Watchin’ reruns of Nick at Night, Kenan and Kel. When you close the door, you leave me In my sanctuar y, bumming around. This beanbag feels alright, Sweatpants are never tight. Never a frown. Gals, when you leave me, I have this brie cheese all to myself. Say you’ll remember me, Combating my school stress, swearing at the internet, babe. Lay’s chips, “Good Will Hunting,” Yes, you’ll see me again even if it’s just in bed. Say you’ll remember me, Ignoring a big mess, adopting a parrot, babe. Lounging at home for weeks, Yes, you’ll see me again it’s just gonna be in my SWUG routine SWUG routine. Join me in my SWUG routine.
EXECUTIVE EDITORS LUKE McCANN JESSICA AVITABILE
’16: “I feel like at Dartmouth everyone has that one guy that ticks them off... I have many.”
“Something funny someone said ’17: “Do oyster crackers have real oyster in in Collis that one night.” —Drunk them?” 17
’17: “One time my mom bought Nair because she thought it was shampoo. And she almost put it on her head.”
’16 Girl: “Remember when I wanted to rush BG? I’m over it now”
BIO 11 Professor: “’UGA’ is the “Something somestop codon.” ’16: Life isfunny so much easier once Student: “That’s because UGAs oneyou saidembrace in Collisthe that one fact that you’re a stop everything!” night.” —Drunk 17
bastard.
Check out Overheards and Trending@Dartmouth on
MIRROR //3
Teach Me How to Rap
Trending D @ RTMOUTH
Campus Rappers Talk Talent Spotlight
B y SAM Forstner
Only two months ago, a new phenomenon began to sweep through the grand theaters of Broadway. And, odds are, it’s not what you would expect. That is unless, of course, you expected men in colonial garb rapping about the life of Alexander Hamilton. If so, you hit the nail on the head. “Hamilton,” which premiered offBroadway this February and made it’s way to the big stage in August, is garnering increased exposure for hip-hop music by reaching new demographics through an unorthodox medium. Co-founder of campus freestyle rap group D-Style Alec Tarantino ’16 cited “Hamilton” as a prime example of the newfound acceptance and appreciation that rap music has seen in today’s mainstream society. Tarantino and Josh Koenig ’16 founded D-Style their freshman year, seeking to create a formal avenue in which rappers could display the talents, which until then had been confined largely to dorm pregames and the occasional a cappella group beatboxer. They performed a trial show, and after receiving positive feedback from the audience, the group was formed. Just like any performance art, freestyle — and more generally, rapping — requires a combination of innate talent and learned skill. “At its core, rap is a very rhythmic art. You need to have that kind of music ability and rhythmic sense built in,” Tarantino said. “But lots and lots can be learned just by listening to it and studying the greats.” Victor Muchatuta ’16, also a member of D-Style, added that a person’s natural cadence is something that just cannot be taught. “The acronym R.A.P., it’s supposed
to be rhythm and poetry. The poetry can be taught, the rhythm cannot,” Muchatuta said. Rap music today has undeniably found its own place in the greater scheme of mainstream music — it would be almost impossible to spend a night in a fraternity basement or even Novack café without hearing Fetty Wap blaring from the speaker system. Tarantino said that while rap used to be limited to certain demographics, the mere fact that the members of D-Style are rapping speaks to the evolution of the genre. Rap is very much alive at the College, as evidenced by last year’s epic rap battle between Marcus Reid ’17 , perhaps better known by his performance moniker “Ill Fayze,” and Carter Bastian ‘17 a.k.a. “Breezy B.” The conflict started in response to Ill Fayze’s famous — or infamous — track “McLaughlin Anthem” (2014). Bastian initiated the beef with his “McLaughlin Anthem Response Rap” (2014), which saw him take shots at Reid and at one point declare himself “The Ivy League Slim Shady.” Reid, not to be bested, dropped his “IDFWU Freestyle (Breezy B Diss)” (2014), which saw him rap over Big Sean’s track for a full four minutes — while the track has several targeted, sexually explicit attacks, Fayze really hit his stride when he called Bastian “the Pluto of the planets.” Muchatuta points to the box office success of “Straight Outta Compton” (2015) as evidence of how far hip-hop has come. Additionally, he said he believes that the internet has helped make it more accessible for those that seek to understand it. “We’re doing more to find out about the music and what it’s about
— sites like Wikipedia and Rap Genius — it’s definitely being perceived more positively,” Muchatuta said. Reid emphasized rap music’s role as an avenue for expression for marginalized members of society. “Rap gives a voice for those that feel like they’re not being heard,” Reid said. Our culture, however, has still not entirely adopted rap music with the warm embrace offered to many other forms of expression. Whether it’s the rough sound or the often-troubling subject matter, the genre still gives some pause. Tarantino postulated that hip-hop is a raw form of expression, and some people aren’t ready to hear people cursing and saying whatever is on their mind. “Just like any music trend, it is associated with a certain element of rebelliousness,” Tarantino said. “It’s like rock and roll — adults weren’t exactly thrilled about that, and I think it’s the same principle.” Music professor William Cheng wrote in an email about the political atmosphere that has often surrounded the music genre. The idea of rap and its decades-long history, Cheng wrote, ideology and form of expression has been bound up in issues of expression, protest and “saying something.” He said that the question as to whether or not rap can be considered a form of art, but that one should question the political situations that might make that question arise in the first place. Additionally, there seems to be a certain “other-ing” of rap music — both its performers and proponents. Americans are always quick to show support for a phenomenon they deem to be uniquely American, however they choose to define that term.
“When Bruce Springsteen writes a song, which is great, it’s ‘He’s so American, he’s so New Jersey’,” Muchatuta said. “With rap, there was a certain dismissal of that”. The history of rap, then, is undoubtedly tied up in several conversations, many of which are entrenched in conversations of race. While it began as a genre that existed largely on the margins of the national music scene, the ability of rap music to permeate and a find a place in broader mainstream American culture may be due in part to subconsciously superficial reasons, like the rise of white artists like Eminem and, more recently, Macklemore or Iggy Azalea. Muchatuta said a large reason for rap’s increased success and perceived accessibility is because white Americans can say, “‘This music is being produced by someone who looks like me.’” Reid added that increased diversity in the industry has improved its outlook greatly, pointing to the monumental success of a female MC like Nicki Minaj, who has helped to bring a more mainstream audience to hip-hop, as well as comedic rap like that of Lil Dickey and Christian rap like the music of Lecrae. It is works like “Hamilton” that are proving instrumental to completing the collapse of all barriers to entry for rap into the mainstream of American consciousness for all ages and demographics. Most, if not all, of the actors who portray the founding fathers in the musical are black or Latino, and strong parallels are drawn between the immigrant roots shared by early rap pioneers and the founding fathers. “Rap is misunderstwwood in a lot of ways, but it has so much to offer,” Tarantino said.
rain jackets Better than winter coats, I guess.
The Freshman PlaguE Finally, a sensible argument for the freshman ban!
Super Blood Moon
See also – blurry iPhone photos, the moon emoji.
Career Fair Hopefully the only time you’ll have to dress up and be judged this week.
Sappy Rush YikYaks
But in all seriousness, you are more than your letters.
Anything and Chill Xfinity and chill?
Burrito Week Getting to Foco at 4:55 is just so worth it.
DANIEL BERTHE THE DARTMOUTH STAFF
Marcus Reid ’18, also known as Ill Fayze, became famous before coming on campus for his rap on youtube entitled “McLaughlin Anthem.”
A Song For Every S Your Campus Playlist PLaylist
Music is all around us at Dartmouth. From breakfast in Collis Café to studying in One Wheelock, to working out at the gym and getting Facetime in Baker Lobby, music is the constant backdrop to ever yday activities. Not ever y space is created the same, though, and a song that reminds us of one place might seem totally foreign somewhere else. With the help of some musically astute students, I compiled a campuswide playlist for you. You’re welcome. Baker Lobby “Strangers in the Night (Instrumental)” (1966) by Frank Sinatra “Ever ything (Instrumental)” (2007) by Michael Buble “Clocks (Instrumental)” (2002) by Coldplay Elevator music. Blobby reminds us of a hotel with its new uncomfortably clean couches, stiff chairs and echo-inducing high ceilings. The musical atmosphere is one that you are not supposed to notice, but maybe it will make you feel slightly less awkward and lonely among the hoards of people constantly passing through. You won’t hear any music with lyrics in it here. One Wheelock “Don’t Know Why,” (2002) by Nora Jones “Thinking Out Loud” (2014) by Ed Sheeran “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing,” (2005) by Jack Johnson One Wheelock has a mainstream coffee shop vibe (but not like too mainstream, you know?). You might as well be sipping a soy non-fat vanilla cappuccino pumpkin spice latté in a non-Starbucks coffee shop in Seattle watching the rain. Music here should be acceptable to the DJs of XM Radio’s Coffeehouse station. Russell Sage “What Do You Mean,” (2015) by Justin
B y LINDSAY KEARE
Bieber “Shots,” (2009) by LMFAO “Turn Down For What,” (2014) by DJ Snake and Lil Jon
The Canadian National Anthem The “No Music” chant
As ’19s tr y to impress new friends with their musical prowess, expect to hear lots of EDM and Soundcloud remixes at the pregames. But let’s just all agree to give it up and play instant crowd-pleasers. Just remember, do not take shots of hard alcohol to the song “Shots” #MDF.
Basically music that’s awkward to dance to but good to kinda bob your head around to while playing pong and watching sports. But the DJs here sometimes throw it back a few years, too. As long as there is music on... “I also think of ‘Thunderstruck” by AC/ DC,” Elise Ferguson ’18 said. “The brothers go crazy when it comes on.”
Novack Café “Anaconda,” (2014) by Nicki Minaj “My Humps,” (2005) by The Black-Eyed Peas “Waiting for Love,” (2015) by Avicii
Phi Delt “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” (1964) by The Beatles “American Pie,” (1971) by Don McLean “Jessie’s Girl,” (1981) by Rick Springfield
Discoteca tunes. When the line gets short and the night gets late, expect to see students behind the counter jamming out to music that would be at home in a city night club. I also once heard a Novack employee say he hates countr y music, so don’t expect any of that.
If any frat has a formula for its music, it’s Phi Delt. Don’t expect to hear any music that’s come out since you were born. These guys take their music VERY seriously. I tracked down Phi-Delt member and music guru Nick Gutierrez ’16 to find out more. “Even though we appreciate new music, we like to keep our old school music playing,” Gutierrez said. “We cater to the geriatric population of Hanover.”
4th Floor Berr y Trick question, this space should be silent at all times. Cue the pencil scratching and page shuffling. TDX “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” (2002) by Good Charlotte “All the Small Things,” (2000) by Blink-182 “Mr. Brightside,” (2004) by The Killers I don’t really have a specific name for this genre of music, but come 2:30 a.m., one can reasonably expect to hear at least a few of these angsty anthems from our adolescence whilst twirling around the basement with the lights on. Heorot “Trap Queen,” (2015) by Fetty Wap
Life Science Center Bill Nye the Science Guy Theme Song (1993) “The Cat Came Back,” (2002) by Macabre Minstrels “Free Fallin’,” (2002) by John Mayer Do people play music during science labs? I don’t even know, but Bill Nye the Science Guy’s opening sequence on repeat is what I imagine. It may var y from subject to subject — for EARS 1, I imagine some hard rock and for Physics, the John Mayer cover of “Free Fallin.” In Bio, I can hear them playing songs about the animals they dissect.
Space FoCo “We Will Rock You,” (1977) by Queen “You Know You Like It,” (2013) by DJ Snake, AlunaGeorge The Alma Mater Typical music here is of the acoustic variety. For those who haven’t witnessed drocoing (drunk FoCo-ing) students chanting songs about America over Green Key or Fourth of July, just you wait. I have yet to hear the dining hall break out into the Alma Mater, but I imagine it would be pretty epic. Homecoming challenge anyone? Soccer Stadium “All the Above,” (2009) by Maino “Remember the Name,” (2005) by Fort Minor “Lose Yourself,” (2002) by Eminem Realistically, they play some rap with a little Top 40 mixed in. I say, the more inspirational the lyrics, the better. Top of the Hop “Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major op.9 no.2” (1831) by Frederic Chopin “Für Elise,” (1867) by Ludwig van Beethoven “I Just Had Sex,” (2011) by The Lonely Island feat. Akon Chopin, Beethoven and the like. Or maybe a little “I Just Had Sex” by The Lonely Island featuring Akon. I am okay with people playing piano here, but make sure at least a few people have told you you’re good before you take your skills public, please and thank you. Good piano music helps us study, but bad just gives us anxiety. That means no “Mar y Had a Little Lamb” or “Chopsticks” on repeat. Sororities “Love Myself,” (2015) by Hailee Steinfeld.
“Independent Women, Pt 1.” (1999) by Destiny’s Child “Wrecking Ball” (2013) by Miley Cyrus These are a wild card, depending exclusively on who controls the iPod. Battles have been known to ensue as sisters play pong. Prepare yourself for some countr y with a little bit of *NSYNC mixed in. GDX “I Knew You Were Trouble,” (2012) by Taylor Swift “Burning Up,” (2008) by The Jonas Brothers “Ugly Heart,” (2014) by G.R.L.
to, however, took it quite literally. “Collis makes me think of Green Day’s ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends,’” Ali Dyer ’16 said. “Also known as ‘When the ’19s learn how to order food.’” True. Ledyard Docs “Pontoon,” (2012) by Little Big Town “Toes,” (2007) by Zac Brown Band “5 O’Clock Somewhere,” (2003) by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett Any music that makes you wish you were on a boat. Except “I’m on a Boat” (2009) itself.
T-Swizzle and the Joe Bros get a surprising amount of air time in this joint. People love to hate, but there is literally nothing better to scream your lungs out to while gyrating around a sweaty basement.
The 1902 Room “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” (2004) by Green Day “Mad World,” (2001) by Michael Andrews “Bad Day,” (2005) by Daniel Powter
Gym “Stronger,” (2007) by Kanye West “Get Low,” (2002) by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz “Fight Song,” (2015) by Rachel Platten
Depressing songs for a depressing place. ’Nuff said.
You can’t just pick one type of music for the gym. You’d definitely need a dual speakers approach — angr y rap by the weightlifting machines and Top 40 by the cardio machines. But realistically, ever yone has headphones on so it really doesn’t matter. Collis “Firework,” (2010) by Katy Perr y “Steal My Girl,” (2014) by One Direction “Superbass,” (2014) by Nicki Minaj When it gets loud and packed in Collis, rest assured you’ll be hearing some radio tunes that are slightly past their prime, but are at the point where you enjoy them again. Some people I posed this question
The Organic Farm “Rain is A Good Thing,” (2009) by Luke Br yan “Apples and Bananas,” (1985) by Raffi “Big Green Tractor,”(2009) by Jason Aldean Sorr y we’re just thinking literally here, but the farm is all about good old countr y music. Robinson Hall “Ever ytime We Touch,” (2006) by Cascada “Blame it on the Boogie,” (1978) by The Jackson 5 The Salty Dog Rag Robo = Trips Nostalgia. Happy listening!
NORA MASLER / THE DARTMOUTH
6// MIRROR
Through The Looking Glass:
Paving my own Path column
B y Tierra Lynch
I came to Dartmouth from Taos, a small town in New Mexico, not knowing anyone or what to expect. How could an hour-long campus tour possibly prepare me for such a massive transition? I was moving across the countr y, living away from home for the first time. I was a mess of ner vous excitement. How was I supposed to find my way around campus? Was I going to make friends? How could my small-town public school possibly compare to the prestigious prep and boarding schools of some of my peers? But I was excited too — excited to test myself and tr y new things, to be able to take control of my life for the first time, to choose my classes based on my real interests, to choose my activities, my friends and what I was going to eat for dinner that night. And so I arrived on the Robo lawn for my Dartmouth Outing Club First-Year Trip with a pit in my stomach. Thanks to an ever-punctual mother, I was early — ver y early. In fact, I was one of the first kids there (Thanks mom.) I could barely move I was so ner vous. If my arms and legs didn’t work how was I possibly supposed to dance with the crazy, hair-dyed, intimidatingly confident upperclassmen? What if I threw up on them out of ner vousness? How would I ever make friends after that? But I sur vived — in fact I thrived. I came out of my shell. I met lots of new, interesting, inspiring people and absolutely I loved my Trip. I had two fantastic leaders and met one of my best friends to this day. The magic of Trips continued through my freshman fall. I distinctly remember one day when I went canoed to a rope swing during pre-Orientation with my friends. It started pouring rain on the way back, and we screamed the alma mater at the top of our lungs. I have no idea why, but it felt like the most quintessential Dartmouth moment. This was such a happy magical place, and I wanted to belong here so badly. When you come to college you get a blank-slate. You come here shiny and new. You have a chance to completely reinvent yourself. Keep the things you like and leave behind the high school stigmas that kept you down. But you also leave behind all your family and friends — the people who watched you grow up and know you best. Like me, you might even have to leave behind things like sports or activities that were central to your identity and connected you to your true self. So though I was excited for this chance to reinvent myself, I had also left so much behind. No longer was I a three-sport varsity athlete, but I had to plunge right into NARPdom. Without my friends, family and teammates, I was ver y scared I would lose myself. To fill this void, I worked to be open-minded, meet new people and tr y new things. I applied for a range of activities, and for the first time I was faced with rejection. Like many of you, I was used to succeeding in high school. If I worked hard, things would usually fall right into place. Rejection was a new taste, and I didn’t like it, especially when it came from activities that I believed I should be good at, things I thought I belonged in. It was a huge blow to my confidence, and I
TIFFANY ZHAI /THE DARTMOUTH SENIOR STAFF
Tierra Lynch ’16 looks back on her first few days at Dartmouth and reflects on the things that she has learned. started to question myself and whether I belonged at Dartmouth, a school that was full of such amazing and talented individuals who seemed to be involved in ever ything. How did I fit into this community? Was I building genuine relationships or just surface acquaintances? By the end of my first term, I had joined a couple of organizations on campus. It was such a necessar y validation, but at the same time, I didn’t find myself fitting in as naturally as I expected. Ever yone else seemed to meld together so easily. And though I had made many friends who had lots common interests with me, I wasn’t as ragey or outgoing as some of them. So though I was now involved in such a wonderful community, I still felt awkward and alienated. FOMO is real. After three years, I am just starting to see campus as my home, a place that I could be myself. This feels weird to say about the place that has been my “home” for three years, but it took time and patience for me to find the sense of community I needed to feel grounded. Finding your sense of place takes time and patience, and it doesn’t always come naturally — I had to put in effort and make it my own. On a similar but separate note — a big part of campus social life has always been defined by the Greek scene, at least that’s how I saw it initially. Like many of my friends, I decided to rush my sophomore fall. In high school, I never imagined I would join a sorority, but it felt like the thing to do. And so I did it.
The whole rush process felt shallow and superficial — I hated it. After much debating, though, I decided to join a Greek house. I wanted to challenge myself to get out of my comfort zone and my friend group. While at times I felt ver y out of my element, I had a lot of fun getting to know a group of amazing, inspiring and passionate women. Even with this newfound community, though, I had a ver y difficult sophomore year. The magic of freshman year seemed to have faded and reality set in. Both of my trip leaders and a lot of the upperclassmen with whom I was close had graduated, and I lost many of my role models and mentors. I watched as several of my friends lost themselves to constantly going out almost ever y night in a way that was completely unsustainable. So even though Greek life seemed like the thing to do — my friends loved it and completely immersed themselves in their houses — I still felt like it wasn’t completely for me. This is just my experience — not ever yone’s. Due to a heavy workload last spring I went inactive, and I found that I didn’t really miss Greek life. I found myself refocusing in other directions on campus and exploring alternative communities. I started hiking, biking, rock climbing and spending much more time outside, and I had a wonderful group of friends who supported and loved me and let me drag them on crazy adventures. I filled that void in other ways — ways that have been so meaningful to my personal growth. In the beginning of this term, I disaffiliated from my sorority. I do not regret joining for a minute. It was
so good to tr y something new and to meet new people, but deep inside I always knew that Greek life wasn’t really for me. This decision feels so good, and I feel like I am finally being true to myself. So it’s okay that I didn’t find my home in the Greek system. I found it in other parts of campus — parts that I needed to reach out to and make my own. So as a SWUG looking back at my experiences, here is my advice for all the young’uns on campus. Be open-minded and tr y new things. Throw yourself into these experiences, but don’t lose yourself along the way. If something doesn’t feel right, make a change. Don’t do things simply because you feel you should do them. Do them because you love them. Some things might not work out, and that’s okay. Others will. Always stay true to yourself, your values, your passions. I’ve always tried to live without regrets, and I believe that ever ything happens for a reason. You will make mistakes, and you will be rejected. But you learn a lot about yourself when you fall down. Just don’t be afraid to ask for help getting back up. Ever yone here carries with them their own worries and excitements. We all come from different backgrounds and have different ambitions and passions. We all will have a different Dartmouth experience. There will be periods of triumph and rejection. Remember that no one really has it all together or is as perfect as they might seem. Strive to be your best selves. But be gentle with yourselves and those around you. And always wear sunscreen.
MIRROR //7
JOE KIND, A GUY COLUMN By Joe Kind
I struggled to write this week’s column because I refuse to validate the job hunt experience as the debilitating, life-sucking endeavor that so many college students claim it to be. At least I refuse to render my own experience looking for employment in that way. But this past weekend was the first big deadline for many high-profile job applications, and not to acknowledge the importance of this moment is a disser vice to the integrity of this column. The job hunt process engenders a spectrum of personalities amongst college seniors. For starters, there’s the senior that already has a job lined up for next year. He or she had a great internship at some point these past three years, and has accepted an offer to go back to work full-time at said institution. These seniors exist in mystifyingly significant numbers — they are plentiful yet somehow sort of elusive in nature. There’s the senior juggling multiple job offers. Highly confident in their skill sets (and rightfully so), these seniors are milking the process that they already excelled in not too long ago when looking for internships. They want to make as informed of a decision as possible, because they are able to. Good for them, I guess. There’s the senior who ought to have a job by now, but doesn’t for some reason. Ever yone expects this senior to have a job already because this senior is seemingly one of the smartest people you know on campus. You know that he or she has an awesome resume and would bring value to any company. I pity these seniors, because I know how great they are, and because they are arguably under the most pressure right now. But I am also admittedly frustrated that these highly qualified seniors are still struggling — if they have yet to figure it out, then how long is it going to take me? And then there are the seniors without a job. Most seniors across the countr y, by the way. Nonetheless this categor y of college students contains further subspecies of seniors. There’s the senior who, fully aware of where he or she wants to be in five years, is preparing for the time to perform his or her own appropriate application kamikaze, given the timing of his or her respective career field of choice. There is the senior who is methodically, slowly researching his or her companies of choice and preparing for his or her application process accordingly. There is the senior contemplating the nuances of the fellowships, Fulbrights and other forms of foundational grant dol-
lars available to him or her. There is the senior who is laying the groundwork for a variety of career paths, stalling to pick one conclusively. And let us not forget about the senior who is still putting the pieces together so that he or she can graduate on time. As Dartmouth students we should be ver y familiar with the pressure, both internally and amongst our peers. We practically went through this already just to get here. What’s different about the job search, hypothetically, is that the stakes are raised. But is that really a divergence from what we experienced just to get here? Yes, for some of us. Without question, this time of our lives is especially unique. Therefore what we say and do in response to these situations is all the more earnest in intention. I put together an application for a company with an hour left to go before the Dartmouth-specific application portal closed. I ended up missing the deadline by two minutes. I reload the page of full-time entr y-level positions and see that around 100 entries are no longer on the page. That’s about a 75 to 80 percent decrease in a single second. I was able to perform that so-called back-of-the-envelope calculation because I’ve studied for case inter views in my recent past. Don’t be proud of me. Part of me feels really bad for myself, but another part of me thinks I should probably feel more sullen than I do. Of course I power through yet another cover letter only to barely miss the mark. I deser ve to throw my hands up at the sting of it. The fact is, my plan of attack was incorrectly calculated, and now I have to move on. Clearly I don’t yet know what I am doing with this whole thing. Unlike the college selection process, I have no idea which firms might want to hire me and which ones won’t even make it to my resume. But that’s beside the point. The next time you walk past a senior today, give him or her a meaningful greeting of some kind. A high five will probably do (for me at least). It’s really up to you and what you think is best. Do not do this because you perceive your senior friends to be sad, pathetic creatures clawing at the remains of their college existence. Even if that may be true. Do this instead because you have only a faint idea of the kinds of decisions seniors across all walks of campus are considering right about now, with less than a third of our senior fall under our belts.
SAM’S LITTLE LARKS COLUMN
By Sam Van Wetter
Scene: FRAT DADDY SAM and ANARCHY SAM sit together in a dorm. They both rushed the same fraternity. FRAT DADDY: Yo, honestly, it’ll be their loss if they don’t give me a bid. Did you see those other boobs? Like, if they’re looking for someone fratty and gnarly and hot and sweaty and philanthropy and chuggy and pully, they honestly shouldn’t look any further because I’m all of those things, and I’m right here. Honestly, their loss. Right? How’d your shakeout go? ANARCHY: I don’t know, man. I’m not sure if this is something I really need, you know? FRAT DADDY: Honestly, what are you talking about? ANARCHY: I’m just saying that it seems like a lot, you know? FRAT DADDY: No, honestly I don’t know. A lot of what? Fun? ANARCHY: Well — FRAT DADDY: A lot of networking opportunities? ANARCHY: No — FRAT DADDY: A lot of new friends? ANARCHY: No— FRAT DADDY: A lot of memories? ANARCHY: Probably not. FRAT DADDY: Then what? ANARCHY: It just seems like a lot of time. FRAT DADDY: Please, you have more important things to be doing? Like, homework? Or calling your mom? ANARCHY: I really should call her. FRAT DADDY: I only call her when she sends me texts threatening to turn off my data. ANARCHY: I’ve just been thinking, like, I’ve really liked the guys I’ve met this week, but it probably isn’t a huge deal if I don’t get a bid. I’ve got plenty of other friends. I have access to these houses regardless. FRAT DADDY: But you won’t be a brother. ANARCHY: And what does that even mean? Being a “brother?” Is everyone pretending that you’re actually siblings? Like, did you all pop out of the same womb? And is the house the womb? Does that make your fraternity your mother? Who’s the father? Are you each other’s father? FRAT DADDY: I’m honestly not sure. ANARCHY: Right! Which is why I feel pretty good about it all, you know. Like, I rushed, and that’s great. And I could get into a house, which could also be great, but I don’t need to worry about it! I really don’t! I’ve done such cool things at Dartmouth in a year, and I did that by myself! Without a house or brothers or letters or jockwear. Like, why wouldn’t I just keep doing me? FRAT DADDY: I don’t know, man, think about how much cooler that “you” could be if it were part of something bigger. ANARCHY: But it is part of something bigger! I’m part of Dartmouth! And it’s a big fraternity, anyway, without most of the weirdness. FRAT DADDY: But it’s not exclusive. ANARCHY: That’s what you crave? FRAT DADDY: Doesn’t everyone? ANARCHY: I don’t know, man. Like, imagine if you had to rush other things on campus. FOCO: Rush FOCO 2015!! We have the coolest people and tons of free stuff like jello! And baked sweet potatoes! ANARCHY: Does anyone ever eat your sweet potatoes? BEMA: Rush us, sophomores! Wear our letters! FRAT DADDY: What does BEMA even stand for? BEMA: More than Tri-Kap does. 1902: Tired of lines on table? Join 1902! We’ve always got table for you! ANARCHY: I was there last finals, and it definitely would have been easier to study in Psi U. 1902: That’s irrelevant! We’re here when you need us. No dues, no distractions, no problem. DIRT COWBOY: They’ve got it all wrong. When
you’re rushing, you want as many distractions as possible. Want a million drink choices? Want to hear a townie complaining about how we messed up her order? Want a baby? We’ve got it all. STARBUCKS: Please, only peons rush Dirt. If you want to maintain any social capital, you want to be walking to class each day with a Starbucks in your hand. DIRT COWBOY: *Mumbling* You would know about capital. STARBUCKS: What was that, you local scum? CO-OP: Whoa, whoa. Being local isn’t a bad thing. At the Co-op, we pride ourselves on offering the finest of ingredients without the pressure and cost of maintaining a national status. STARBUCKS: But your gear and networking sucks. CO-OP: You are oppressing me. STARBUCKS: Save it for the patriarchy, dirty hippy. DIRT COWBOY: God made dirt and dirt is how we make your coffee. STARBUCKS: Literally, ew. ANARCHY: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Guys. You all have good qualities and you can offer different things to different students. Why is it always a competition? Just let people make their own decisions and I bet you’ll find a class full of satisfied customers. CO-OP: But I want to be the best. DIRT COWBOY: As if. ANARCHY: You guys don’t get it, though. There’s no such thing as the best. There are places that are good for some things and other places that are better for others. Everywhere has something good to offer. CO-OP: Well what are you looking for? ANARCHY: I don’t really know. FRAT DADDY: Come on, we already made a decision. ANARCHY: That’s what I’m saying, though. Dartmouth is cool because even if you make a decision it’s not binding. Like, you can have friends in a lot of different places, people who study exclusively at Starbucks and those who are always at Jewel brunch on Sundays. Are these people making good choices? Not always. Are they good people regardless? Probably! And we’re not here to judge just because of where they like to hang out. We’re here to be together and hug each other and find new people in new places you didn’t know exist. FRAT DADDY: Yo, settle down, man. You’re talking crazy. ANARCHY: I’m thinking that I should maybe explore more options. FRAT DADDY: We already shook out! We’ve already spoken! ANARCHY: That’s the thing. You never have to do anything here. I think I might really like some other kinds of places, like restaurants off campus and maybe even gender inclusive spaces. FRAT DADDY: Come on, dude. Stay with me. We were gonna be bros! ANARCHY: Later. *He exits.* FRAT DADDY: I never thought he was a Sam Anarchist. BEMA: If you’re looking for something really alt, though… FRAT DADDY: I’m good, BEMA. Stay big and empty.
8// MIRROR ALISON GUH/THE DARTMOUTH SENIOR STAFF
Mirror Asks The Role of Music in Our Lives STORY
B y Mirror staff
“I sang from age five through high 1) What kind of music did you listen to to a bunch of music that my parents you do dance, because you just can’t not.” school, when I performed in an all-girl growing up? Why was this the kind of liked: The Beatles, Elton John, George — Mar y Liza Hartong ’16 music you While listened The Who and a bunch of other pop- pop rock band. My uncle plays the piano, the to? transition to college isn’t easyStrait, for anyone, so our favorite pastime is gathering 4) What does music mean to you?/What some students have a more difficult time adaptingular thanparent others songs. When we were little, around it and belting out Broadway bal“Growing up, Itrouble listened to ever ything. we always had dance parties in our living role has music played in your life? — some have handling the college workload or spendproud of me if I did well and asked questions if I didn’t,” Agwulads. Maybe one day I’ll pack up my life I didn’t quite own musical roomwhile after dinner and usually listened ing their first develop few weeksmy away from friends and family, nobi said. and my Dartmouth degree and pursue preferences later, someeting what I new listened CDs in the car, so I think we were just “Music was perpetually playing in my others often until struggle with people ortomaking time Yet, despite how independent some of us may feel, the stage. Until then, the shower remains tofor oneach a given occasionthey wastake largely house when I was a child, and that trend commitment on. depen- exposed to one type of music. I didn’t we are still young and learning how to be adults in this world. my captive audience.” dent oldies my rates, really listen has continued into my adulthood. I listen on whom We allI was adjustwith: and grow at with different but it’s unde-to the radio much Perkinsgrowing reiterated a similar point, and said he believes Even those of us who feel completely self-sufficient often need — Mar y Liza Hartong ’16 parents, Broadway and hip-hop with my plays upa because computer’ had him to learn to it when I read books, write papers, niable that each student’s unique upbringing significantour ‘family his freshman year forced to become intrinsically help from our parents at times, particularly in the competitive sisters friends.” one playlist and we walk to class, exercise, answer blitzes, role inand howpop theywith adaptmy to his or her new environment. After all,of oldies motivated. Notwould havingjust someone there to motivate him, he said, environment here on campus. Jack Kirsch ’17 was rejected from Has your for music —for Sarah ’19parents were the ones who spent listen that all was the detrimental time. So, needless to point3)average fold my laundr y — any time I’m not manyKovan of us, our 18 to years to his grade and preference overall academic a campus organization his freshman winter. changed when you came to college? say, when having mixers in speaking to someone, I’m usually listengrooming us to be responsible, trustworthy adults. Not all we started performance. “I had poured a large amount of energy as well as “Iparents grew up almost exclusively, middle school and to bat mitzvahs, ing to music. Misplacing or forgetting my arelistening, created equally, however, and some will play much I wentThis newfound independence that came with sepatime into the organization. I felt alone, worthless and thoroughly “My preference for music has not tomore Sarah McLachlan and The Corrs. I felt a little awkward that I earphones can be disastrous. From my active roles in the lives of their children than others. rating about oneselfthe fromfact highly-involved parents wasn’t, however, down on Dartmouth,” Kirsch said. “My dad was the ear into changed since coming to college, Sarah McLachlan’s albums “Surfacing” know any limited of the to fist-pumping songs perspective, music vastly enhances the Some experts see this overreaching ordidn’t overbearthe classroom. Along with it camemuch the responsibility which I poured many angry rants, and confessions.” but thetheir difference (1997) and “Afterglow” were phenomenon. coneverIn yone was able tohow one of my ever yday life — it can make ing parental situation as a(2003) generational an else did. andLuckily privilegeI of choosing spent free-timebetween and the the music Whilequality Kirsch ultimately faced rejection, its is someI choose to listen to on a daily basis stant fixtures in Aug. my life — playing up.” homework less miserable, books more interview for an 31 article for Thewhile Chroniclecatch of Higher ability to choose what activities they would be involved in. thing that almost everyone at here experiences at some point. thetomusic thatinmost want to my mom cooked dinner, of during roaddirector trips of— Hines ’19 compelling, can catalyze my creativity. I Education, “An Epidemic Anguish,” theLily counselGrowing up, Tran was and unable participate extra-peopleAs part of the transition to college, Agwunobi highlights that as togave on ahim Saturday night is becoming and the background family holidayDan Jones criticizes listen to a wide variety of genres dependingin center at AppalachianatState University curriculars or athletics unless hislisten parents permission. students we must learn to handle this independently. increasingly apparent, so I would say I parties. first concert for I ever went to “I grew southern mother, a mu- taking ing on my mood and the task at hand — studentsThe of our generation being less resilient and moreup with aHe spent most of his afternoons care of his brother, who “The truth is that each of us are alone when we get to more of opportunity a variety oftomusic now.” was Sarah McLachlan’s with my mom sic enthusiast father and a Tran professional ever ything from classical music to angsty dependent on others. has autism. looked forwardlisten to college as an college and we all have to figure out how to be self-reliant rather — Sarah Kovan ’19 time. when I was“They eighthaven’t or nine (amongskills a lotinofhow to actor uncle. spent my childhood activities rock to Taylor Swift to hip-hop. I would developed soothe them-Thus, getIinvolved in extracurricular during his own than relying on our parents,” Agwunobi said. older middle-aged couples). When sheall theirlistening hodgepodge of Soul and followed my interests and be completely lost without music — life selves, because their parents have solved problems to anda terrific “I joined Street not my sure I’ve been sang “Stupid” (2003) I covered ears, y music, classic rock and Broadwould be vastly more boring, I think.” removed the obstacles,” Jones saidmy in the article. countr passions,” Tran said. “I’ve learned“I’m to work activities into here my long enough for my music taste to have changed drasscandalized thatsay someone such their way musicals. Driving to school in the – Caroline Berens ’18 Some parents would are nowuse coddling children schedule.” I do love listening a mean word to and titlemany a song. The Corrs morning, to any- style istically. more than ever, do so with the hope that their ownwe could be jamming Each parenting different, though, and the to my friends’ Spotifyinplaylists, anddetail like of to follow a were a random, Irishspot band thing from the “Guys Dolls” (1955) “I love listening to music, especially when son or daughter lesser-known could win a coveted in an elite institution. idea ofand having parents who are involved nearly every bunch that my than parents had heard live fend on afor trip soundtrack this day, I go on a run, but I would definitely not Rather letting their children themselves and find or Dolly their Parton. child’s lifeTo isn’t necessarily the normoffordifferent everyone.genres Many of music, but I think preference tothe Dublin. My on dad was a particular fan want tomy iPod remainsofathose confusing and colorful consider myself an intense music curator. right path their own, some parents carefully interviewed whose parents took amy more hands-off has ap- evolved a bit since highearly school. Freshman ofcraft theirs, he would often play their landscape to all who probe it.”their children independence As I said above, I get a lot of my music theirand children to be the absolute best. The media has even proach or gave on believe the year of high school I was ver y into the songs atterms any time of day — when I sat at —— Mar y Liza Hartong ’16was fairly smooth — they preferences from what my friends are liscoined for these highly involved parents tiger parents transition had already established theJustin Bieber/ pop genre, but I have really always (ironithe doing homework, when tening to, and unfortunately I don’t play or kitchen helicoptertable parents. traits needed to be fairly autonomous. cally enough) loved the oldies rock music an instrument so I feel like I don’t spend my I were with Bar-students 2) Dotoyou play an instrument? Do people sister and While it mayplaying be difficult forour current reflect In many ways, Oscar Friedman ‘16 became indepenthat my parents us listen to growing bies or even they’re when he was fixing things in your family play as much time hunting for new bands on whether being pampered more than their parents dentinstruments? from his parents when he started high school. had He said his up, along with some countr y music as around the house. particularly that I like compared to somebody who is might have been asIchildren, manyassociate students felt the difference parents let him decided how to budget his time and determine well.Friedman I really love John Mellencamp and The withbeing my father because “I would regard his myown family as being verinto y college, around music and the making of music as thatCorrs came with a college studenthe without a parent around curfew. Coming said, he already Billy Joel, but also like more relevant and I often used to put on “shows” when un-musical in thehad sense that nobody in much. But music is definitely something I to motivate and push them. many of the skills necessary to live on his own. Friedman’s artistssee like Kygo and Mister wives. I I was little,Pete ballroom dancing my family plays parents an instrument. In middle put on when I want to relax.” Tran ’18 was onearound of thoseour students who felt that worked full-time, and he didn’t them often during definitely think my style living to their my momIn a similar schoolvein andtojunior high we were toughroom transition whenmusic, he firstwith matriculated. the summer beforerequired entering college. As a skier, he often spenthas changed, but — Lily Hines ’19 for me, it’stomostly stayed true to the old and toddler-aged to play in the orchestra for two what Jones wrote,sister he saidas hethe wassole usedaudito his parents helping time away at at skileast camps and was accustomed living with room80s classics.” ence. Oftentimes when I tired of twirling years so I playedmates the violin, but I for washimself. so “I have songs for ever y occasion. Pensive him solve problems. and cooking —skiing Lily Hines ’19 around, I would himused to sit down talking and a decision awful that stop afteractually the saw songs —Billy Joel’s “Vienna” (1977) — “Whenask you’re to always pro-my mom let meHis parents as a distraction from docess myout, ownindependence solo expressive dance to theat first,” required amountmusic of time. being break up songs (Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t was overwhelming Tran said. and That school— thissaid, drove him to prove them wrong. “I discovered this genre music for the three of them. Now, when I have so much respect for people who Make You Love Me If You Don’t” (1990) Tran’s sentiments were echoed by several students, “I resented them and took skiing very seriously to of music that I likesaid. to think of asiscar As in, teenI hear Sarah The Corrs how to play an instrument, I would — happy songs (Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t who said thatMcLachlan their parentsor had played a large roleknow in motivating show them I could do it,” Freidman “My family fullmusic. of agers obsessed listen to with this exercise music in their cars, as I’m almost transported toon a howreally like to take piano orand keyboard lesShe Lovely?” (1976) — what have you. them to tryalways new things and givingback advice they should professors scientists, and I became in Billboard 100 pop hits, as in cool kid specific timetime. in my childhood, especially sons sometime. and I definitely think being They’re there when I need ’em, when spend their athletics.” the kindinof thing you’d hear those dances with my dad.” tothe play an instrument is a his great life may music. friends are busy and poetr y just won’t cut Mike Perkins ’18, for example, said he able has felt While parents not haveIt’s intervened every and think,his ‘Am I supposed to dance? Oh —absence Caroline Berens ’18in both his academics andskill.” it.” of his parents extracurricular aspect of his life, Friedman said he respects parents for Godearly don’t mehe dance!’ but then “Growing — Lily Hines ’19letting him decide how to managedear — Mar y Liza Hartong ’16 activities. up, my siblings and I listened his time onmake because “My mom was a big proponent of getting involved. feels that it prepared him for college. We would take on projects like donating bagels to the homeless Several students who described their parents as havshelter,” Perkins said. “In college, I don’t have her around to ing a hands-on parenting style said they had to learn to develop push me.” independence after coming to college, but Jennifer Wray ’16, Sometimes parents are just there to motivate stulike Freidman, said she feels her parents helped shape her dents, but some also act as a resource for bouncing ideas off and independent work ethic as well. discussing ideas for new interests and ways to spend free time “They didn’t help me with my actual schoolwork. outside of the classroom. Alexa Green ’19 remembers brainThey definitely prepared me to be intrinsically motivated and storming ideas of activities to get involved in with her parents at independent,” Wray said. the dinner table. Thomas Cornew ’18 also describes his parents as “It’s definitely been overwhelming starting my freshhands-off in terms of letting him make his own decisions. man year juggling clubs and sports and deciding whether to try “My parents always gave me a lot of space,” Cornrew the new things versus doing the old activities,” Green said. said. “I grew up in a Mexican household, so they definitely com Finding themselves without parents or some other manded respect, but I never relied on them for help with my form of authority living in the same home, students found homework or activities.” various ways to fill in the gap left behind in trying to find a new, For many of us, both growing up more independent independent life. Tran found friends that acted as mentors for or having parents with a stronger influence on how we spend him because he was used to discussing his decisions with othout time, at the end of the day, our parents were still at home ers. when we came back from school. Even if they worked or spent The lack of guidance and authority in a parental time away from the house, we were almost guaranteed to see figure, however, can also lead to students feeling overwhelmed them at some point considering we shared the same house. and isolated at times. Without something there to motivate Abby Agwunobi ’18, however, had a different experithem, students said they had to find the ability to make decience. She attended boarding school. She said spending her sions and solve problems on their own. high school years living away from her parents prepared her for “I went with the crowd a lot last year, but now I’m a smooth transition to college both academically and socially. learning to make decisions for myself,” Tran said. “My parents only saw my report cards. They were