While this week marks the beginning of a new term and a new season, it simultaneously marks the halfway point in our Dartmouth careers. No longer wide-eyed freshmen searching for Dartmouth Hall, many of us now eagerly begin the long-awaited summer term, which promises long sunny days and carefree relaxation before the stresses of corporate recruiting, medical school applications and job hunting begin.

But some of us do not share this same anticipation for sophomore Summer. In fact, more than a few of my pre-term conversations involved people expressing anxiety rather than excitement for the upcoming term. I remember arriving at Dartmouth freshman year thinking that everyone here looked forward to every term, especially sophomore Summer. Several people I have met in the past two years, however, have told me that they are actually dreading the time they have left and just want to leave Dartmouth, burned out from the fast-paced courses and pressure to excel.

Last year, I wouldn’t have been able to relate to this at all. In fact, I remember thinking during my freshman Spring that four years wasn’t enough, and wishing that I could spend even more time so that I could delve into all of the different opportunities that Dartmouth offers. Then, this past Winter term, something changed. There was one week when I wanted to do nothing but escape Dartmouth, tired from my busy, high-pressure routine and unsure if I was taking classes that I was truly passionate about.

It was over the Winter-Spring interim that I realized Dartmouth wasn’t specifically responsible for my problems. The college years are a transition time that are difficult for everyone as it’s hard to define your values and passions and discover the things that you truly like. Many of the criticisms I hear about Dartmouth could probably be said about any college—it is not this place that is really the problem, but rather the age of the people in this place. However, the uncertainty and rollercoaster feelings that more and more people seem to have about Dartmouth as the terms go by is worsened by a certain attitude that is prominent here.

That attitude is the tendency to display an exaggeratedly happy demeanor at all times, especially in areas with high visibility. We’ve all witnessed Collis at a popular lunchtime, when it seems that everyone is smiling, greeting every person who walks in the door and talking excitedly about weekend plans. Several times while speaking on the phone with my dad in the midst of a crowded Collis, he has observed that it sounds as though I’m calling from cheerleading camp. While it’s great that many have upbeat attitudes that contribute to a generally positive atmosphere, at times it can be overwhelming, leaving people afraid that they are alone in their fears about the future or stress from the competitive academic and social scene at this school.

It’s important to remember that everyone experiences the same feelings at college. The great thing about sophomore Summer is that everyone in our class is together, which provides an opportunity for people at the same point in their lives to relate to one another honestly.

While it would be naïve to expect our culture of artificially exaggerated happiness to suddenly change this summer, it’s important to simply acknowledge that this culture is superficial and transient. As much as I love sitting in Novack (like I am as I write this article) having two-minute, giggling conversations with 20 people in an hour, I am aware that these exchanges lack substance and depth. Sophomore Summer will be great for meeting new ‘12s—the kind you briefly exchange greetings with while crossing the Green—the real benefit will come not from acquiring more acquaintances to say hi to, but rather from solidifying friendships and getting to know people on a deeper level than you would during a pong game or on the line at Collis. These deeper bonds will not only improve class unity and create a stronger community, but they might also help people struggling with the challenges of Dartmouth life in silence to realize that everyone here has the same feelings and insecurities.