Thus far, your first year in college has passed without a glitch.

You've made it through the late night study sessions, the hourly exams and the painfully long sections.

You've learned to loathe Loker but to crave caffeine. You've learned how to do your own laundry and select the best dryers. You've even managed to tolerate your smelly roommate.

Although you may have handled these first-year transitions effortlessly, all things considered, your biggest challenge still lies ahead: selecting a blocking group for next year.

Typically, choosing blockmates is one of the hardest decisions to make at Harvard. It can involve difficult conversations, hurt feelings and even broken friendships.

Although tension may be mounting in your common room, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Most first-years on campus have already thought about blocking, and many are beginning to panic.

"One of my students came to me after exams, really stressed-out" about choosing blockmates, says Ana K. Henderson, a proctor in Stoughton. "Later it was brought up at a study break and everyone began asking about it."

Raising the Subject

Despite the fact that blocking is on everyone's mind, it is difficult to discuss the subject.

Raising the issue is especially daunting for the person who first brings it up.

"We haven't really even talked about it yet," says Alison M. O'Neill '00. "I know that we have to hand in the forms soon, because I have a potential blockmate who keeps reminding me. I'm honestly more inclined to let her handle it."

Avoidance is typically not the best way to get around the pains of choosing a blocking group. False assumptions regarding blocking often lead to near-deadline arguments and blocking break-ups.

"Start talking about it early," advises Thayer proctor Mark A. McComiskey '94. "This prevents last minute misunderstandings and bitterness."

Although avoiding the topic altogether may be a dangerous policy, dropping not-so-subtle hints is probably an equally poor choice.

"My friends and I had planned to room together, but we knew this kid who kept hanging around us," recalls a Lowell House junior. "None of us really liked him and we didn't exactly know what to say."