Academic & Intellectual Wellness
With Dartmouth’s short terms and challenging course work, academics can be a considerable source of stress and anxiety. In recognition of these demands, Dartmouth has several resources to help you get organized, manage your time, get coaching, and create your academic plan.
All Students (undergraduate, graduate, professional students)
The following resources are open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
Dartmouth has many centers and institutes that provide supplemental learning and networking opportunities, often via guest lectures and other events.
Some, like the Tucker Center for Spiritual and Ethical Living and the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact, are discussed in more detail under other areas of wellness (e.g., spiritual wellness page, social wellness page).
Some others with robust learning opportunities for students are noted below:
- Institute for Black Intellectual and Cultural Life. This institute highlights the expansive scholarship and artistry of the Black diaspora, offering opportunities for collaborations such as lectures, symposia, performances, and/or working groups focused on different thematic areas.
- Irving Institute for Energy and Society. With a mission to accelerate an affordable, reliable, and equitable clean energy transition for the benefit of society, this institute has a vision of creating a multidisciplinary community of researchers, experts, and citizens who will lead the decarbonization of the global economy.
- Leslie Center for the Humanities. The Leslie Center for the Humanities advances the study of meaning, purpose, and creativity in the human experience. It hosts scholarly events and offers funding for students, faculty, and staff projects in the Humanities.
- Neukom Institute for Computational Science. This institute supports a broad view of computational investigation across Dartmouth to catalyze creative thought throughout the Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, and Business.
- Rockefeller Center (“Rocky”). A catalyst for public policy research, teaching, and deliberation that is dedicated to providing an interdisciplinary perspective on policy-related topics and committed to ideas of public service and informed public debate.
- Additionally, the Montgomery Fellows Program brings distinguished, often world-renowned, individuals to Hanover for varying lengths of time, ranging from a few days up to a full term. These fellows often deliver guest lectures that are open to members of the Dartmouth community and the general public.
The Dartmouth Libraries empower students by unlocking individual potential with its many resources to support you with coursework and research.
For example:
- Citation Support. Learn about citation styles (including citations for Artificial Intelligence technology) and reference management software.
- Course Reserves. Access required readings and materials on your course’s Canvas site, or borrow physical items from a designated library.
- Publishing Resources. Learn about the possibilities for publishing your research and the platforms available to distribute your work.
- Research Data Services. A team of data specialists who can help you with tasks like finding, managing, analyzing, and visualizing data.
- Resource Guides. Library materials, databases, tools, and resources curated by subject librarians to aid you in getting started.
- Subject Librarians. Contact a subject librarian for specialized help in any discipline for research consultation, reference questions, or purchasing requests.
Other examples of resources available through the Dartmouth Libraries include:
- Equipment Loans. Computer and phone chargers; video, audio, photography, and lighting equipment; board and video games; computer programming equipment.
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software. Access software in the library, or learn how to access trial software to get started from your device.
- Large Format Scanning. Visit the Evans Map Room for assistance
- Poster Printing. Read about the printing process first, so that you submit the right material to get the results you are hoping for
- Reservable spaces. Search available spaces based on multiple features, including level of permissible noise.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider chatting with a librarian online or scheduling an appointment.
At all stages of study – be it undergraduate, graduate, or professional school – speaking with your faculty at their office hours or through other designated channels can be helpful.
Proactively communicating with faculty can often help students to:
- Understand the educational intent that underlies specific academic plans or programs
- Clarify faculty expectations and set reasonable expectations for oneself
- Anticipate possible challenges that are common in particular courses, research settings, or other educational environments
- Explore options particular to individual student circumstances (e.g., need for religious accommodations)
- Identify strategies for addressing concerns
- Gather information to make informed long-term decisions (e.g., undergraduate major selection, graduate or professional student internship or research selection)
Making time to connect with faculty can also strengthen your network of interpersonal relationships, adding meaning and satisfaction to your experience at Dartmouth. One way to meet more faculty in disciplines that interest you is to attend departmental events.
To help prepare you for conversations or other communications with faculty, consider reviewing these tips for engaging with faculty inside and outside of the classroom, compiled by Dartmouth’s Academic Skills Center.
Students enrolled in courses can typically find faculty contact information in the Canvas page for each course.
Also, faculty contact information can be found through these webpages:
- Arts and Sciences Departments and Programs for undergraduates and students in the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
- Geisel Faculty Listing
- Thayer Faculty Directory
- Tuck Faculty Directory
Most simply, mindfulness is curiously noticing what is happening right now, through a nonjudgmental lens.
There are many ways to practice mindfulness. Some mindfulness practices are calming. These practices can help to reduce feelings of anxiety or stress, which pose barriers to learning. Other mindfulness practices increase your energy and attention, helping you to focus on your aims. Learning processes and environments can be enhanced through these practices and their ability to cultivate greater resilience, perspective, connection, and compassionate leadership.
The Mindful Dartmouth Initiative (MDI) is a campus-wide movement committed to the promotion of mindfulness principles throughout the extended Dartmouth community. Campus-wide mindfulness resources, events, and practice opportunities are listed on the MDI website.
Some additional resources you might use include:
- Headspace App. Free for all Dartmouth students and employees
- Student Wellness Center Mindfulness Resources. Offerings vary in duration, frequency, and format. These include guided recordings that you can listen to at any time, meditation drop-ins with no prior experience or sign-up needed, and multi-session offerings like Mindfulness for Emerging Adults.
A wellness check-in is a private conversation with a trained lister, offered through the Student Wellness Center. As explained on the Student Wellness Center webpage, a wellness check-in is different from counseling or therapy.
You can schedule a wellness check-in to discuss decisions you are trying to make or other life challenges and growth opportunities. These might be about academics, time management, interpersonal relationships, or a completely different topic!
The Writing Center. A free peer tutoring service dedicated to helping students develop more effective strategies for generating and organizing their ideas, finding and evaluating research sources, and presenting and revising compositions in a variety of media.
The Writing Center also offers a writing guide for students with disabilities, which can be a useful starting point for students who prefer to try some self-guided approaches as a starting point.
Appointments are available seven days per week in-person in Berry 183 and online. Book an appointment at WCOnline.
Undergraduates
The following resources are available for undergraduate students.
Undergraduate Deans Office (UDO). The Undergraduate Deans Office is here to help you with:
- Understanding the and crafting a plan to meet graduation requirements
- Mapping out your D-Plan
- Exploring and declaring your major
- Considering changes to your courseload, D-plan, or other academic plans,
- Navigating academic, personal, and other challenges over the course of your time at Dartmouth, and
- Listening and making referrals when you’re not sure where to go for help.
Health Professions Program. Through one-on-one advising and group workshops, the Health Professions Program supports undergraduates (and alumni!) interested in careers in areas such as:
- Allopathic medicine (MD)
- Audiology
- Chiropractic
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Dentistry
- Midwifery osteopathic medicine
- Nursing
- Osteopathic medicine (DO)
- Pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Physicians assistant
- Public health
- Veterinary medicine
The Health Professions Program also:
- Offers the Intro to Pre-Health at Dartmouth course, available in the Fall and Winter terms for Wellness Education (WE) credit
- Oversees a Peer Mentoring Program discussed below under “Peer Mentoring” resources
It's normal to struggle and feel overwhelmed at times, especially when balancing multiple courses and other demands in a fast-paced quarter system. Regardless of your GPA, everyone can benefit from a supportive learning environment and can strengthen their academic skills.
The Academic Skills Center (ASC) offers many programs and resources that can support your academic success.
Examples of weekly community programs:
- MoTEAvational Mondays – interactive, experiential, community-building time with dedicated themes
- Get It Done sessions – timed, focussed intervals for getting work done in community, with reeks for mindfulness and mingling
- Vital Skills Workshops – for students wanting more techniques and strategies to improve their academic learning
Academic Coaching is a resource where you meet with an ASC staff member who is highly trained and well-versed in learning strategies and skills to discuss your learning. Sessions are available in multiple formats: scheduled one-on-one or bring-a-friend sessions and drop-ins during the week.
Learning at Dartmouth offers termly courses (with Wellness Education credit!), if you prefer a course that will guide you through academic skill building. Examples of courses:
- College 101
- The Mindful Academic
- Navigating Your College Journey
For self-guided approaches, be sure to to check out the Learning Resources on the ASC website.
Examples of resources and materials include:
- Organization and Time Management
- Reading and Notetaking
- Test Prep and Study SKills
- Habit-Building and Goal-Setting
The Academic Skills Center also offers course-specific support through their Peer Tutoring Program, which is discussed under “Peer Tutoring.”
For many undergraduate students, participating in an off-campus program is an opportunity of interest related to academic and/or personal development goals.
The Frank J. Guarini Institute offers over 70 programs to Dartmouth undergraduates, both in the United States and internationally.
With programs designed to promote disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship, foreign language acquisition, interaction with the natural environment, and intercultural agility, there are options to meet a wide variety of interests.
By taking time early on to learn about program options and the application processes and deadlines, you can make more informed decisions and reduce the stress associated with applying.
You can also use the Includifi learning platform to learn about personal and cultural considerations when participating in an off-campus program. Includifi has numerous videos on topics such as imposter syndrome, going abroad with a disability, and supporting your mental health during a global experience.
Mentoring can be a powerful resource for and understanding how to navigate many parts of college life and combating “imposter syndrome,” especially if Dartmouth’s system of education feels unfamiliar to you.
The Health Professions Program offers a Peer Mentoring Program in which first-year and second-year pre-health students are matched with trained upper-level pre-health students. These upper-level peer mentors can provide support, advice, and share their own experiences.
The Native American Program offers first-year mentoring and programming to create community and connection and help Indigenous students navigate their transition to Dartmouth. The opportunities include the:
In addition to faculty and staff, your peers are also great academic resources. Many departments offer peer tutoring. Tutors provide personalized, supportive instruction adapted to your own pace and learning style. Both subject-specific and general tutoring is available, both one-on-one and in groups.
- Biology and Chemistry support from teaching science fellows
- Dartmouth Emerging Engineers (DEE). Peer-led tutoring, support, and mentoring for early engineering students at Thayer School of Engineering
- Learning Fellows. Some courses offered at Dartmouth may have embedded Learning Fellows. Learning Fellows are undergraduate students who have previously done well in the discipline and help their peers to engage more deeply in the course material through small groups.
- Peer Tutoring Program small group, drop-ins, and individual support offered by the Academic Skills Center
Undergraduate freshmen and sophomores can login to Darthub or use the SVPP dashboard link to sign up for their required SVPP termly experiences and see the experiences that they have already completed.
Undergraduate students of all years who are interested in contributing to the development and/or delivery of the SVPP curriculum can also get involved as SVPP facilitators, interns, and/or Student Advisory Board members.
Sexual violence, as well as the norms and behaviors that perpetuate it, impact everyone's ability to thrive intellectually, socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. Dartmouth seeks to foster a community in which all members have the support of their peers and the institution to challenge the norms that allow power-based violence to persist. All members of the Dartmouth community should expect safety and accountability.
Graduate and Professional Students
The following resources are available for students from the specified graduate and professional schools.
Learning how to be an effective educator is a learning objective that some graduate and professional students bring to Dartmouth.
The Dartmouth Center for the Advancement of Learning (DCAL)works to improve teaching and learning by providing resources, removing barriers, promoting evidence-based practices, and building partnerships to cultivate a culture that values and rewards teaching for all members of Dartmouth’s scholar-educator community.
If you would like to learn about best practices in teaching, consider making use of DCAL resources such as: