"By the time I got through the second one, I was probably walking in puddles that had developed in my shoes," he quipped.

Because History and Literature requires its students to turn in their theses before any other department at Harvard, many seniors reported tension with roommates who either are not writing theses or have several more weeks before their deadlines.

"I've taken my thesis out to the theater and to bars; we've enjoyed ourselves. I don't really have other friends now. They sort of slipped away, but I'm sure they'll come back again soon," Shuffelton said.

Most of those present said they were looking forward to being able to go out tonight without guilt. Plans for the night included having dinner with friends, catching a movie and, of course, doing some heavy drinking.

Nicole M. Souffront '96, who has been wearing the same Argentina hat for the last week for luck in writing about Argentinian author Manuela Rosas, said she planned to stop by the University Wine Shop on the way home "to pick up a couple of things" for herself and her roommates.

Not everyone was capable of the sort of rational thought necessary to understand abstract concepts like "plans" and "future." Some seniors could express nothing but the desire for sleep.

Deborah L. Kozloff '96 said she hoped to celebrate but was afraid that when she got home, she would just fall flat on her face.

Kozloff said she knew the thesis experience had taken its toll on her when her roommates pointed out that she had been talking to herself for several days.

"I don't have any words left, honestly," she said