“Handing out signs in New Hampshire is not for everyone...working at phone banks is not for everyone,” he says. “If you’re not going to do it well or with enthusiasm, you’re better off not doing it.”

However, he emphasizes that there are many ways to get involved in politics beyond these traditional activities.

“I feel that Harvard students are reluctant to get involved in politics unless it’s electing the next president of the United States, but there’s a lot of [local] opportunities out there,” he said. “If you get involved in campaigns at a local level, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more of politics and see how it plays out on a day in and day out basis. Don’t be afraid to help out.”

For the many students who are uncertain about their future paths, Chideya emphasizes the importance of simply making decisions and taking risks.

“If you don’t know what you want to do, experiment,” she says. “Get a job you think you’ll like...make decisions, and realize they won’t always be perfect. It’s a hard thing for Harvard students to hear, but it’s okay to be not perfect.”

—Staff writer David Song can be reached at davidsong@college.harvard.edu.