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If you’re a Harvard sibling, this is your chance to finally romanticize our historic red brick campus and take advantage of your sibling’s exclusive swipe access. Live out your dark academia dream for the week — who actually cares about graduation, right? The real priority should be for you to explore as much of Harvard’s campus as humanly possible in the next few days.

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The Loeb Music Library

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This is hands-down my favorite study spot on campus. It’s beautiful, and if you have any homework to do (shoutout public-schoolers from September-June states!) this is where you should camp out. The second floor of this library has a beautiful room with stained glass windows.

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The one thing I will warn you about with this hidden gem is that it is very small, meaning that it is extremely quiet. Keep your airpods connected to your electronic device and expect to talk at a whisper. But who knows, it could be empty — private photoshoot time!

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Their Favorite Student Organization’s Building

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Whether this is a final club, The Crimson, The Advocate, or WHRB in the basement of Pennypacker, it’ll give you a glimpse of your sibling’s Harvard experience. One of coolest things about being a student here is that student-run organizations are rich enough to own their own spaces and have a long, complex history of their own. Hang out where Theodore Roosevelt, Class of 1880, probably hung out at some point — man, that guy was in a lot of clubs.

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Widener Library

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She is the moment. This is the magnificent library Harvard is known for, and HUID holders can bring in up to four guests with them on a visit. Come see the trenches where your sibling probably sat during finals, and ask them if they have any embarrassing Widener horror stories of breaking the piercing silence in the reading room. Also, be sure to snap some Instagram stories here. You won’t regret it, and if you want to be annoying, you can recreate your sibling’s thesis photos.

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The 10th Floor of the Smith Campus Center

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Visit the 10th floor to see the views and perhaps rest your eyes on one of the many soft couches. Your nap is not your fault (despite it being a “stay-awake space”). The low-fi music definitely hypnotized you.

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The Science Center Observatory

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Hopefully your sibling has swipe access to the observatory, or knows the right people to get you up there. This is one of the most exclusive hang out spots you can find on campus. If you get yourself up here, you’ll have bragging rights over 90 percent of Harvard students.

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Make sure to force your sibling to let you check out the hidden gems on our campus before they lose swipe access forever…

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Let’s face it, graduation season is expensive. If you’re a Harvard sibling looking to get brownie points with your soon-to-be rich consultant sibling but don’t want to burn a hole in your wallet, this one’s for you.

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The Harvard Bookstore

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This wonderful storefront has everything from actual books to stationary you can buy as a present. Their workers also have amazing recommendations and will help you pick out the right read for your sibling.

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But let’s be real, books are expensive. Don’t worry, they have a sale section at the front left corner of the store (just turn right when you walk in), and the unique selection requires me to resist buying a new eight dollar book on a daily basis.

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Almost Any Restaurant in Harvard Square

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Hear me out: food can be pricey in The Square. But this method allows you to pick your desired price point and spend time with your sibling at the same time.

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Ask your siblings what places they frequent when they are in the trenches and take a peek at their menus. Once you have scoped out the price points you have to work with, you can be the generous sibling that offers your graduating sibling to have one more nostalgic meal in the red brick city of Cambridge. The best part is that the cost is on you!

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Leavitt and Pierce

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This store has a little bit of everything! It is known as a Harvard Square staple that alumni often return to, but I honestly have never bought anything from here. I would recommend walking around for twenty minutes, and seeing if anything reminds you of your sibling.

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This gift has the potential to go many different routes. Will you find a gag gift or will you discover an item with a sentimental connection that makes your sibling tear up at dinner? The choice is yours.

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Zinnia

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This cute jewelry store has a wide range of prices and is located conveniently on Massachusetts Avenue. If your sibling is addicted to expanding their accessory collection — like I am — you should run here as soon as you step foot on campus.

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Write them an IOU

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If you’re truly in a crunch for cash, give them a coupon to redeem for in the future. This could be for a legit present, hug, chore, or literally anything your heart desires.

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In the end, I promise (although this gesture should mean nothing to you because I am a total stranger) your sibling will love anything that you get for them. Honestly, they probably aren’t even expecting a gift. You got this!

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{shortcode-b8ba556851a4ed9ee1aa5e1a03090f21bc35ff23}

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Yeah, your sibling is graduating from Harvard. Big whoop. They’re taking photos, hanging out with friends, hogging your parents… but what is there for you to do? Well, you’re in luck, because I have a Bostonian fifteen-year-old sister and have been secretly observing where she and the other Teens like to hang out in Harvard Square. Sneak away to one of these spots and luxuriate in your youthful coolness.

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Gong Cha

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This is arguably the best boba in the square, both for taste and coolness. Get “half sugar” if you really want to flex on the haters.

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The Attic

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Ok, this place is pretty expensive for a thrift store. But if you like thrifting, you can kill about forty-five minutes here. They have an extensive sweater collection if you’re shocked by how cold it is here, even in May.

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Taiyaki NYC

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The ice cream is both excellent and Instagram-worthy here, plus it has NYC (a patently cool place) in the name. I highly recommend the black sesame flavor, but my sister (again, down with the youth) prefers matcha.

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LA Burdick

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The chocolate here is (a) ethical and (b) soooooo good. Everything is too expensive, so just go for the hot milk chocolate. Sit inside and enjoy the lightly Parisian vibes.

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CVS

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I’m being genuinely so for real right now: CVS is consistently the hottest spot in Harvard Square. Buy a little snack and bev and go sit in one of the many fields around campus. Film a TikTok dance. Be free.

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Hopefully these spots will keep you from being bored to tears while everybody else fawns over your sibling. Hang in there — your time will come soon enough!

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Hello! Are you a parent of a Harvard senior who is graduating on Thursday morning? First of all, congratulations! And second of all, maybe you'd like some assistance from Harvard students/Cambridge residents/the creators of the most premium scrolling fodder on campus. Check out these three articles for some ~parent friendly~ content.

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Where Parents Should Hang Out in Harvard Square

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Never been to Cambridge? Don't know where to put yourself in between brunch and dinner? Have no fear. Flyby Blog is here.

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Where on Campus You Should Make Your Senior Show You

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Your child only has swipe access for four more days. Now is your last chance to view the most iconic architecture Harvard has to offer.

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What Your Harvard Parent Merch Says About You

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For a taste of classic Flyby Blog content, see what we have to say about what your t-shirt reveals about your inner self.

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{shortcode-23f822338b797fa397854e9c0caa03f50fe62aec}

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Parents of seniors, you aren’t thanked enough.

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You raised a child who got into Harvard, passed all their classes, and then brought you to Cambridge. And now they want to hang out with their friends who they may never see again instead of spending time with you, their precious life-givers and caretakers? Unheard of! The least they can do is show you around campus in a way that requires a fancy Harvard ID and the know-how to get inside. So, here’s where you should force your senior to show you before they graduate.

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Annenberg Hall

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This is the classic. This neo-gothic freshman dining hall is not only architecturally significant, but also has the largest collection of secular stained glass in… America? The world? I don’t feel like Googling it. I’m sure your senior, with their completed education, will know. Plus, you need their ID to get in.

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Widener Library Memorial Room & John Singer Sargent Murals

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Supposedly, the memorial room looks like Harry Elkins Widener’s old study. But it definitely has a Gutenberg Bible on display, which your kid has probably never looked at. But now they will! Something else they probably have never observed but will because you make them? The two John Singer Sargent murals in the stairwell that commemorate WWI. He’s famous! Take a look! Again, you can’t get in without your student.

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Straus Common Room

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Is this room significant at all? No. Is it the most collegiate-looking room you’ve ever seen? Probably. Your kid can take an excellent photo of you here for your Facebook. And they have to swipe you in anyway.

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Harvard Art Museums

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Anyone can get in here for free, but isn’t it better to drag your kid along? Ask them about the giant Pollock painting.

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John Harvard Statue

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Do. Not. Touch. The. Foot.

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Enjoy the forced tour! And congratulations to both your senior and you!

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Hello Harvard parents and welcome to the thing your child reads in lecture instead of paying attention our quirky student life blog. Have you been abandoned by your child even though you came all the way to Cambridge to see them? Here’s some places you should visit in the Square while your soon-to-be college graduate is busy taking graduation photos or catching up with their freshmen year best friends.

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Harvard Art Museums

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Out of all the places on this list, this may be the one you can tell your kid about rather than the other way around. This museum is free to the public, very aesthetic for family pictures, and has five levels of exhibits to explore. I have no idea how many hours it might take you to go through all of this art, but it’s definitely a way to kill time and make your camera roll look more cultured. The cafe is definitely more popular among Harvard students, so be sure to grab a vanilla cardamom latte on your way out!

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The River / The Quad

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If your student lives at The River, go visit The Quad or vice versa.

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The Charles River is beautiful in the summer and your student probably has sent you pictures they took standing on Weeks Bridge or on Memorial Drive. You may even be able to recreate pictures you have been sent by your kid, and show them you can take better photos than they can. You can make them jealous of the free time they gave you by choosing not to spend them with you.

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And Elizabeth Warren lives near the Quad, so maybe you’ll see her taking a stroll around the Cambridge Commons. The area also has a myriad of restaurants, a Starbucks, and an ice cream place which are all much more peaceful than any location within Harvard Square. If you want a break from the city atmosphere of the Square, head to the Quad for a more suburban environment.

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Friendly Toast

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This place took absolutely forever to officially open up its Harvard Square location, but it’s the best brunch you can get in the Square. Whether you’re in the mood for sweet or savory, Friendly Toast will have your fix. It is also decorated as a cool 90’s diner and has a quick table turnaround. Come to this brunch spot for both the food and the experience!

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The Harvard Bookstore

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I could spend hours here if I had no responsibilities to tend to. In fact, when I have spare time, you’ll usually find me here. The staff recommendations are constantly changing, and you’ll always find a new paperback on sale you have to talk yourself out of buying. Parents, come here if you have 15 minutes to multiple hours to kill.

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Hopefully these spots reveal to you some aspects of the reality your student(s) experienced the last four years in the brick city of Cambridge. As you walk around and notice the hustle and bustle of Massachusetts Avenue, maybe you’ll recognize some of the spots your child has told you about!

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Now that the semester’s over, hot girl summer is in full swing, and there’s no better time than Commencement to start serving. It’s time to make note of the serves and flops of Harvard Parent fashion. I gathered my “reads” for the most iconic Harvard merch worn by you, the #1 supporters of Harvard seniors, and what that says about you!

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“Harvard Mom”, “Harvard Dad” etc. T-Shirts

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If you are sporting one of these t-shirts this week, then you are either a cool parent who is “on vacation,” or you are 13-years-old, actually a sibling, and think you are cool (an emphasis on think).

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Harvard Dri-Fit Nike Wear

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Spotted! A golf dad, NCAA university athlete, another 13-year-old child, or a young parent that prioritizes comfortability over “Ready to Wear” chic. That’s ok! Athleisure is a definite “in” for 2024.

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Crimson Colors as “Merch” Without a Harvard Mention

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This choice for Commencement week wear probably means you are an alum! Congratulations! If you know how to subtly serve “Legacy Crimson Couture” then I will gladly give you your flowers. Now please come to the reunion and offer me an internship at your firm.

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No Merch at All

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You didn’t wear any parent merch or colors to Commencement week? Well. I have to say. That might be the most distinguished Harvard merch of them all. People who don’t care to make their connection to the school visually clear might be the most Harvardian of all. Your kid goes to a “small school just outside Boston.”

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Whatever you’re wearing this week, strut your stuff! Parents, be proud of your child’s accomplishments as well as your surely impeccable outfit.

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{shortcode-dafa97f09eb9b98cc41845c6f8800ddd80214d5f}

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One of the highlights of writing a senior thesis is getting the chance to acknowledge all those that helped you along the way. Of course, most students start with thanking their advisers (and I actually meant it when I did), their departments (shoutout to ESPP), and their friends and family. But, it’s difficult to include everything and everyone you want to thank, because doing so would not sound very thesis-esque. Luckily, Flyby is giving me the perfect platform to share an unabridged version of my senior thesis acknowledgments.

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So, thank you to:

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Noah Kahan’s Stick Season (Forever) Album

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This one was vital for locking into thesis writing in the Pfoho Library. All too often, I would forget to connect my laptop to my airpods before clicking play, so everyone had to listen to the intro of Northern Attitude.

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Cabot Cafe’s Iced Matcha

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(Although they ran out of matcha for a bit, which definitely was a rough period for me).

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Harvard Center for the Environment Free Espresso

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Made even better when extra creamy oat milk was made available in the mini fridge.

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Danahey Park

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For all those mid-afternoon mental health study breaks.

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Cabot Cafe’s Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte

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Kudos to one of the amazing baristas for recommending this.

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My Parents

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For answering my panicked messages in a time zone seven hours ahead of Boston time. They made it onto my actual thesis acknowledgements too (obviously).

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My Cord Headphones

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For when my Airpods were dead.

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HUDS Oatmeal

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Yup, you read that correctly. Curating an aesthetically pleasing oatmeal bowl was key to getting me out of bed all throughout the month of February.

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Cabot Cafe’s Nutella Me More

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Yep.

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My One Friend from the River

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Who made our Quad-River friendship easier by actually coming to Pfoho for dinner!!!

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Jordan North Study Breaks

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For the random sushi and Berry-Line food drops.

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My Electric Heating Pad

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For making my naps extra cozy.

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Champagne

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For the perfect post-thesis celebration.

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Zotero

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Because who knew citing things could be easy?

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Flyby Blog

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For providing daily quality content and keeping me up to date with what was happening on campus even as I spent days locked in Widener. And for being the greatest, most creative and fun space on campus that I am lucky to have been a part of for the last four years. Words can’t express how much I will miss Sundays in the sanctum and coming up with slightly unhinged new, fun and fresh content. I’ll always be grateful for Flyby and my fly-fam <3

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{shortcode-2cdbd1befbab1a266b9b1926b6478a9f77be5424}

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Ah, finals. The time when you split your time worrying about your exams and stressing about your summer. While some people have the luxury of procrastinating studying by making packing lists for study abroad or frantically acquiring business casual clothes for internships, others worry instead about sending follow-up emails to all the internships and research opportunities that ghosted them. If you’re watching summer rapidly approach without any idea of an impressive way you’ll spend it, never fear! Harvard is all about optics, and we can help you figure out how to ~spin~ your minimal plans to make all your friends weep with envy.

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Living at home: “Reconnecting with my heritage”

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When some people say this, they mean they’re going to the country of their ancestry. But who’s to say your ancestry doesn’t include your hometown? The Costco of your youth is basically as relevant to you as your DNA.

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Going to the beach as often as possible: “Geological research”

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Sand teaches you a lot about rocks — namely, that they’re annoying when they’re small.

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Working at the mall: “Shadowing management at a Fortune 500 company”

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I worked retail the summer after my freshman year, and now I know Uniqlo restocks on Monday afternoons. This surely is a marketable skill. And I definitely shadowed the management — especially when they forgot to tell me I could take lunch.

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Buying ice cream: “Working to provide affordable education to the new generation in my community”

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Make sure to tip in the little jar that says “tuition!” and you’ll be all set.

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Sleeping until 5 p.m.: “Engaging with work-life culture abroad”

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You’re already following an international time zone.

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Scrolling on dating apps: “Interviewing peers in local area on topics related to generational connection”

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Extra points if you actually set your location to a major city to raise your chances.

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In all seriousness, it’s completely fine if your plan for the next three months is just to chill and recharge. We’ve all been there, and sometimes you just need a moment to yourself. Good luck with finals — the end is in sight!

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{shortcode-5d509690701b59ff87854196c0bef0f78acdaf85}Before you say anything, yes. We know that Friendly Toast at Harvard Square has been open for a while now. Nonetheless, sometimes we all need a classic, not insanely expensive all-American breakfast and Friendly Toast simply provides that at a very convenient location. So, we at Flyby decided to give you the review that you never asked for. You’re welcome.

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Donut Stop Believin - $16

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A donut-breakfast-sandwich that is embarrassing to order. But a great ratio of salty to sweet! The strawberry habanero jam was sweet and spicy (delectable). Also ask for the Maple Tumeric hot sauce, it’s a game changer.

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Cookie Monster Pancakes - $16

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Amazing for anyone who has a sweet tooth and loves Oreos, but it technically could be two meals (and probably has enough sugar to cover both meals) so come with an empty stomach.

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Sam’s Garden Omelet and Jumbo Cheddar Tater Tots - $17 (+$2 for tater tots upgrade)

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Somehow the veggies just tasted like eggs? Not the best omelet I've had, but it was okay! I could feel my lactose intolerance being awoken by the tater tots, but they were delicious! We’re here for a good time, not a long time.

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Breakfast Burrito - $16

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A classic and delightful mix of flavors and ingredients wrapped in a soft tortilla and tied together by the avocado-cilantro sauce, perfect for starting the day with a satisfying meal. They do say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

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Philly Mac - $21

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It was pretty good mac and cheese, and it was basically a disassembled burger. I was a little confused by the chimichurri sauce paired with the rest of it, but overall a solid comfort meal.

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Hash Quiche - $18

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A good amount of bacon, red peppers and cheese. It was quite filling and a great remix of the average American breakfast. The Maple Turmeric hot sauce is a must add, completing my meal.

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Fruit Salad (Side) - $6

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It was fruit and was sweet. Was it a salad? That’s a debate for another time. It could have had more honey dew melon, but it was delicious nonetheless!

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Rainbow Sherbet Mocktail - $7

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Refreshing. Sugary. It has a maraschino cherry in it. If you want to start off your day with a sugar rush, this is the perfect drink for you.

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We hope you enjoyed this noncomprehensive review of Friendly Toast menu items! Maybe you can grab a bite with your family and friends before you move out for the semester. HAGS :)

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{shortcode-d1f8687acbdd09d8b37b837d51a6085ce09b04c2}Is your last final on May 5, but you’re staying for commencement? Did you make it a New Years Resolution to get off campus this semester but now the semester’s basically over and you haven’t yet? Have you already done Flyby’s Boston Walking Tour and our Commuter Rail Adventures and want more to explore? Look no further — Flyby’s got your back with fun activities where you can drag hang out with your friends.

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May 5: Mayfair at Harvard Square

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Ok, this one will be hard to miss. Enjoy live music, try the food, and maybe take Mt. Auburn instead if you need to get anywhere.

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May 12: Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum

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For FREE, you can see so many lilacs. Take it from me — it’s pretty romantic. And a great place for a picnic with a beautiful view, especially at the top of the hill. Just make sure you take some Zyrtec that morning.

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Any time: Take the Red Line to Green Line to Blue Line to Revere Beach

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Ok, Revere Beach may not be the world’s most beautiful. But consider: you can get there just for round-trip train fare, at any time of day. There’s great ice cream nearby, and what else do you really need for an impromptu beach day? It’s safe to swim in, I PROMISE. And yes, it’s pronounced Rah-vee-ah.

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Any time: By-the-pound at the Garment District

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It is with a heavy heart that I spill the beans about this wonderful and underrated experience. Every morning, the Garment District (a store, not a district, by M.I.T.) dumps several bushels of random clothing for all ages and genders all over the floor. Anything in the pile is $2/lb. Last time I went, there was a big barrel of at least 300 Mario promotional hats. I also got my raincoat there for, you guessed it, $2. Get loaded up with hand sanitizer and form-fitting clothes (there are no changing rooms) and have at it!

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May 24-26: Boston Calling (Music Festival)

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“But Flyby Blog,” you say, “I don’t want to pay several hundred dollars for festival tickets!” Well, here is the benefit of the outdoor venue being in an urban area. Simply sit anywhere even remotely nearby and you will hear the music. Pack yourself a picnic, sit by the river, and enjoy hearing, though not seeing, your favorite musicians perform live! Hozier and Chappell Roan will both be there on the Sunday, if you take your whiskey neat and your pony club pink.

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Try these and thank us later. And happy summer!

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{shortcode-18c91f1e16be37be42e0e4ea45584df6d29a5483}As Boston finally embraces the concept of spring, with days over 60 degrees and sun flooding the Yard, Harvard students are forced to face a reality harsher than winter: finals season. After enduring months of cold, dreary weather, it feels criminal to hole up in Lamont to study for a silly little exam, missing out on all that spring in Boston has to offer. So, do you really need to study for that final? After all, the content on the exam is intuitive…right?

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If it’s worth 10 percent of your final grade…

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Final exam? More like a weekly quiz! All you need to do is skim your notes for a solid five minutes the morning of the exam, and you’re good to go.

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If it’s worth 20 percent of your final grade…

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Sure, 20 percent may feel like a significant chunk of your final grade, but, if you think about it, you’ve already put in all the hard work this semester to succeed. Surely, one exam, especially one worth only a fifth of your final grade, cannot make or break you.

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If it’s worth 50 percent of your final grade…

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Let’s be real, stressing over a final exam worth 50 percent of your grade is bound to drain every ounce of mental energy you possess. Chances are, your time is better spent taking a stroll by the river or connecting with as many Harvard grads on LinkedIn as humanly possible. Priorities, people!

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If it’s worth 100 percent of your final grade…

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So…maybe you should study for this final. Just kidding! There are really only two options here: your professor is either the most relaxed person you’ll ever meet, or the craziest. Either way, in this case, it’s important to remember that life is all about balance. This final may feel like it’s the be-all and end-all, but it’s really just another stepping stone to your future. You’ll crush it! (And if you don’t, just remember that it’s all your professor’s fault).

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If these tactics fail, and your compulsive Harvard tendencies to study override your system, never fear. In just a few short weeks, finals will be a thing of the distant past, only to recur in a few short months!

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{shortcode-75313c254f3fe8ae724aa0b83829c15706e45e64}The week before the solar eclipse, my phone’s notifications center was inundated with somewhat ominous messages. “Give us a call.” “We need to talk about your plans for Monday.” “Please be careful.” The source of these vaguely terrifying missives? My loving (and perhaps overly protective) parents. While a near-total solar eclipse had graced my hometown’s skies as recently as 2017 with little to no fussing from my parents, this year’s eclipse placed my parents squarely within its path of totality, inciting a weeks-long obsession with the eclipse and eclipse-related safety precautions. And, like the loving daughter that I am, I tried to listen. (Emphasis on tried.) My parents’ constant stream of messages and frantic phone calls invited mostly eye rolls and free exercise of my ability to decline their calls, but in the end I did follow most of their instructions on surviving the eclipse…and they worked as far as I can tell, considering that I’m alive enough to write this article. So, in case you’re worried about surviving the next eclipse, I’m here to share my generational wisdom. You can thank me later (read: in 20 years).

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Do not look at the sun without eclipse glasses.

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You’ve probably heard this one before, but it is worth repeating. As my mother reminded me at least five times, eclipse-related blindness is permanent. Telling your friends that you looked at the eclipse sans protective eyewear isn’t worth losing your ability to see, especially since that means that you won’t be able to (re)read this article in anticipation of the next solar eclipse. That said, based on this advice, you might think that I’ve exaggerated my parents’ neuroticism about this eclipse, but then you’d be ignorant to them advising me to…

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Never look at anything without eclipse glasses.

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My two-pack of eclipse glasses arrived in the mail three days prior to the eclipse, sans any effort on my part. I promptly gave away my second pair of glasses to a friend and ignored my parents’ comments about saving the second pair in case I damaged the first. (What do they think I’m doing with these?) I initially thought my parents’ advice to wear eclipse glasses all Monday seemed reasonable, at least while outdoors, but the minute I placed my glasses on my face for the first time, I realized that it was a bit misguided…mainly because you can’t see anything but the eclipse through the glasses. Thankfully, I did survive crossing the street while following this advice, but please don’t ask me how that was managed.

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Stay inside during the eclipse.

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This advice was entirely hypocritical considering that my parents and little sister were planning on watching the eclipse outside, but apparently I’m held to a higher standard. I followed this advice by watching the eclipse through a window (and my glasses), but I can tell you for a fact that at least 50 percent of eclipse-watchers did not and still seem to be breathing.

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Do not ride the shuttle during the eclipse.

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This piece of advice received the most objections from me, considering that I had to commute from the Square to Allston at 2:30 p.m. the afternoon of the eclipse, and considering my parents’ prior stipulation that I not be outside during the eclipse. However, my dad was awfully insistent that the mirrors on the shuttle would reflect the eclipse and wreak havoc on my eyesight, so I was instead directed to take an Uber. My dad was skeptical that Ubers would even be running during the eclipse — “you don’t understand, everyone drops everything for the eclipse” — but thankfully his doubts were for naught, and I made it to Allston, no shuttle required.

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Skip any and all classes scheduled for eclipse day.

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This was the one piece of advice that I made no effort to follow, considering that I had seven hours of class and no desire to navigate the consequences of skipping them later that week. When my dad mentioned that he thought that everyone should abandon all their responsibilities to watch the Sun hide behind the Moon, I briefly wondered if my parents had been replaced by aliens, but they answered all the stranger-danger questions correctly, so I guess that my dad just considers the eclipse a much more valid excuse for absenteeism than respiratory illness…

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Do not eat during the eclipse.

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I cannot provide any scientific justification for this one. My mom will tell you that she can, but I’m not so sure. My conversation with her went a little something like this: “Several scientists are saying that you shouldn’t eat during the eclipse.” “Which scientists?” “Several scientists.” I did follow this piece of advice, but I’m still waiting for the citations on these “scientists.” (Disclaimer: A quick Google search informed me that this piece of advice might be grounded in my family’s religious practices. However, I’m still not sure why my mom didn’t just say that outright, considering that I navigated the entire college admissions cycle according to the lunar calendar without objection.)

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For legal reasons, I cannot guarantee that following these tips will save you from an untimely demise (at the hands of the sun???) during the next eclipse, but I have no evidence to the contrary. Several students endured seven hours (or more) in cramped cars to see the Moon overlap a little bit more perfectly with the Sun; what’s a little bit of suffering inconvenience to see the eclipse and live to tell the tale?

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{shortcode-1be89e0d89c8505ff7c384c86ac16cab0b380069}I was casually browsing through my email when I saw something from Student Astronomers at Harvard-Radcliffe (STAHR) about an open telescope night. Ignoring the three psets I had due the next day, I headed in the exact opposite direction of Lamont and set out in search of the Loomis-Michael Observatory.

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The Observatory is Cool

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Located on the top floor of the Science Center, the observatory is hidden away from the rest of campus, serving as one of Harvard’s best-kept secrets. Its location helps visitors escape as much light pollution as possible in a sprawling city. After getting lost and missing the extra flight of stairs to the observatory from the eighth floor, I finally found the observatory.

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The Telescope is Cool

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As I walked into the room after trying to push the clearly-designated pull door, I was met with the Loomis-Michael telescope, the room’s pièce de résistance. Seeing the telescope lit up in dark hues of red (to preserve night vision), I was quite sure that I had found the eighth wonder of the world (or of Cambridge, at least). At over 100 feet tall, the telescope is absolutely massive and honestly way more powerful than I had expected for a student-run telescope that dates back to 1954.

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The Planets Are Cool

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Within that first night, I was able to see Jupiter! And Saturn! After spending an hour — or three — up in the observatory talking to other students and taking in the vibes, I was so starstruck (pun intended) that I downloaded no less than three stargazing apps onto my phone. I also learned some cool facts about the planets, like how Jupiter has 79 moons and how Saturn’s rings are made of ice and dust. I felt like a real astronomer…except without the physics.

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{shortcode-f1d5cd433f9cf85c6e53c5bd450d3d314ada2e7e}

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Now, I Am Cool

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Throughout the semester, I ended up taking telescope classes offered by STAHR to learn how to operate the telescope. The observatory is super cool, and so are the people who know how to use it! And you too can learn about the stars, the planets, and the mysteries of the universe. What a flex to one-up your peers with when you can point out Orion’s Belt faster than you can say “networking.” Highly recommend checking out the observatory on an open telescope night — trust me, you won’t regret it. Unless you have a midterm and two psets due the next day, in which case you might regret it a little. But hey, it’s worth it for the views and the thrill of having the universe at your fingertips.

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{shortcode-2a9d92d877206657aa7bae410de5c028aebfbc2a}

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Reading period has us all in varying degrees of being unhinged. Try to stay in Lawful Good instead of Chaotic Evil!

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{shortcode-ace5cf95045d0a16df8dab96bb22bbdc85b613e4}

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I cry, you cry, we all cry because Harvard is actually really hard. I can’t possibly manage my 10-month long delusionship, three group projects, and the state of the world without a good cry session — with a go-to crying spot in every corner of campus. In case you’re crying as much as we are, Flyby’s got you covered with this bingo card to transform even the saddest of experiences into a #win.

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