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{shortcode-a58ac487baa41130fb7ad57ba8a57652ded5c598}It’s 1:20 p.m. on a Wednesday. I’m only five minutes into my lecture, and I’m already bored out of my mind. I also happen to feel a bit peckish. My next move? Pulling up the HUDS online menu. Oh, HUDS menu, which I love just enough that I type you into Google two times a day but not enough to actually bookmark, how I could ramble on about your wonderfulness. And so I will!

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Its Reliability

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Hungry late at night and want to know what Brain Break has to offer? The HUDS menu is there for you. Feeling cold and a little sick and wanting soup? The HUDS menu is there for you. Want to pretend you’re busy on your phone as you avoid a semi-stranger semi-acquaintance’s gaze? The HUDS menu is there for you. The HUDS menu never fails you, and it should be applauded for that.

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How it Fosters Exploration

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Sometimes, knowing what I’m going to have for dinner that day isn’t enough. Sometimes, I want to know what I’m going to have for dinner in six days. And the HUDS menu lets me do that. The HUDS website always has the answers, and the answers are (usually) delicious.

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Plus, when I do my obligatory daily browse, I often find food options that I wouldn’t otherwise know were available — or even existed. I’m not ashamed to admit that the HUDS website is the only reason I know what “gremolata” is (for you non-HUDS-ites it’s a green sauce made of parsley). Those days, I end up trying something new and with another thing to thank the HUDS menu for.

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Its Morale-raising Abilities

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Integral to my love of the HUDS menu is of course its ability to literally act as a menu — which means it’s the messenger of my favorite type of news! The reminder that there’ll be smoked salmon and ice cream on Sundays? It’s enough to instantly raise a girl’s mood. The HUDS menu is essentially my mood ring.

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Plus, I mean, how could I love anything more than something that tells me that chicken and dumpling soup is being served that day?

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Honorable Mention: The HUDS website

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Although my love for the HUDS menu is everlasting and limitless, I do want to give a special shout-out to the rest of the HUDS website! Tons of useful information on there, like BoardPlus-eligible cafes and dining halls, hours of operation, and information about interhouse restrictions.

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I don’t know when exactly this habit-turned-compulsion-turned-love began. Perhaps it was the first month of freshman year, when I had to strategically plan for the days when Annenberg was no longer even passably edible. It also could have been around winter, when the fear of finals forced me to look to do literally anything except study. Nonetheless, no matter how this love began, it will regardless live forever. I love you, HUDS menu.

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('

{shortcode-023fd97386b13b74b48a3769b0cf8abc8550013f}Annenberg offers a fair variety of beverages, including its classic soft drink fountain (Root Beer, Sprite, Ginger Ale and the like), Fogbuster coffee and Bigelow’s tea array, juice and milk options (low fat 1 percent, anyone?), and the slightly ominous sparkling water station. Yet, even with such vast possibilities, the drink scene of Berg can get old quickly. Every now and then, you need to refresh your flavor palette with a creative, sometimes unsettling drink combination. Thus, I set out to try a few of the combinations I’ve witnessed and discovered in the first-year dining hall.

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Sprite + Cranberry Juice

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This combination has to be one of my all-time favorites. I mean, Sprite Cranberry exists for a reason, right? This drink is bright, flavorful, and suitable for any meal. The Sprite balances out the cranberry juice so you can appreciate the cranberry flavor without its intense bitterness. This may just be me, but the drink also feels a little fancy, somewhat sophisticated (it was my drink of choice at the student-faculty dinner). I will be making this combination time and time again.

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Powerade + Lemonade + Sprite

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This drink is very customizable and very popular. I’ve seen Powerade combined with lemonade, Sprite, or both. I guess it’s a versatile base. In a single sip, I feel like I can appreciate each individual flavor as well as how they blend together. Drinking this stark blue combination makes me feel like a student-athlete for a moment, but unfortunately, even Powerade can’t improve my athletic ability.

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Lemonade + Gold Peak Green Tea

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It’s a DIY Arnold Palmer. These two drinks were meant to be together. The combination of sweet, tart, and bitter flavors is simply delightful. Plus, since you’re creating it yourself, you can determine the ratio of lemonade to green tea that best suits your tastes – customization at its finest. This combo is a good go-to for any time of the day, and it almost tastes like you didn’t get it from a dining hall! Just pretend it’s in a can and imagine yourself sunbathing. Maybe this drink is your escape from the frigid winter air.

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Pomegranate-Blueberry Sparkling Water + Orange Juice

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Alright, I was skeptical, too. I watched, in awe and wonder, as a classmate ahead of me in line created this oddity. I just had to try it. Although, it took some courage to create the drink. I suppose citrus and sparkling water is a well-received recipe, but something about this combination didn’t sit right with me, and I cringed as I pressed the dispenser buttons. Once I got over that initial discomfort… It wasn’t bad. I couldn’t taste the pomegranate and blueberry, but maybe my ratio was faulty. Regardless, all I tasted was orange juice. But the real overpowering factor was the bubbles. If you need a fizzy wake-up drink in the morning, try this. It should get the job done. Those bubbles certainly awakened my taste buds.

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Sunday Sundaes + Soda

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Don’t overlook the potential of Sunday Sundaes. If you’ve exhausted the sprinkles, hot fudge, and caramel sauce or just want to switch things up, consider making an ice cream float. The soft drink fountain is just a few steps away, lying in wait. A scoop of ice cream and a cup of Root Beer, for example, is always a solid option. I can confirm the Root Beer float is a reliable source of nostalgia and deliciousness. Especially when the soda makes the ice cream ~crusty~ and you can enjoy a more textured, vanilla-heavy bite. Ok, that description may sound a bit gross. But you know what I mean… right?

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The drink combinations at Annenberg are endless, so keep exploring! Try these ones or make your own Frankenstein drink. Who knows, maybe hot chocolate and grapefruit juice will be the next big thing!

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{shortcode-4cde0ec26396f19a9838b3cacd9e5e82f82f7b2c}The CVS in Harvard Square, which is a mere 30-second walk from the Yard and open 24 hours, is certainly a convenience for Harvard students. But does this convenience come at a cost? After a certain experience where I walked out of CVS with $30 less in my pocket and only a box of Cheerios, bag of pretzels, and pack of medical face masks in my hand, I started wondering.

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CVS reportedly stands for Consumer Value Store (I knew you were wondering!), and after this experience, I wondered whether the Harvard Square CVS lives up to the name. I burst the Harvard bubble by taking my bike as far as I felt I could: to two other CVS stores in Cambridge. I compared their pricing to the JFK Street CVS for some basic college necessities: Cheez-its, Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner, Pilot G2 Fine Point Rolling Ball Gel Pens Black, and Trojan Pleasure Pack Lubricated Latex Condoms.

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The locations investigated were the Harvard Square CVS (6 JFK St., Open 24 Hours), Central Square CVS (624 Massachusetts Ave., Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and the Porter Square CVS (36 White St., Open 24 Hours).

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The Results:

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Family Size Original Cheez-It

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Harvard Square: $8.99

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Central Square $8.79

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Porter Square: $8.99

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CVS.com: $8.99

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Pilot G2 Fine Point Rolling Ball Gel Pens Black Ink 5 Pack

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Harvard Square: $8.99

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Central Square: $8.99

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Porter Square: $8.99

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CVS.com: $8.99

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Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo 12 FL OZ

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Harvard Square: $6.29, 3 for $15 Deal

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Central Square: $5.99, 3 for $15 Deal

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Porter Square: $6.29, 3 for $15 Deal

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CVS.com: $5.99, On Sale for $5.29 and 3 for $15

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Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Conditioner 10.4 FL OZ

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Harvard Square: $5.99, 3 for $15 Deal

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Central Square: $6.29, 3 for $15 Deal

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Porter Square: $5.99, 3 for $15 Deal

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CVS.com: $5.99, On Sale for $5.29 and 3 for $15

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Trojan Pleasure Pack 12 Condoms

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Harvard Square: $18.79

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Central Square: $19.49

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Porter Square: $18.79

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CVS.com: $18.79

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My complete findings are presented above, but in summary, I spent 42 minutes and biked 4.53 miles for minimal results. If I were to expand this investigation, I’d trek farther outside the Harvard bubble. Since Central Square and Porter Square are still relatively close to college campuses (MIT and Lesley, respectively), the prices at these CVSes, too, could be higher than average. However, as seen below, the prices are nearly equivalent to the prices on the CVS website (which even has a disclaimer… “Prices may vary from online to in store”). Apparently, they kind of do.

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A noticeable finding is that the Central Square CVS is quirky. Maybe it’s due to its slightly reduced hours, but who honestly knows. This isn’t an Econ final project. But, I can tell you that a box of Family Size Original Cheez-Its is 20 cents less, and the Pantene shampoo and conditioner inexplicably swap prices compared to the other locations. The Central Square condoms, however, are a whole 70 cents more than the other locations and online. Demand drives up price, so… MIT?

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To my relatively naive consumer eyes, the prices do seem high. Nearly $9 for Cheez-Its? The good news is that CVS has a lot of savings and rewards options. Signing up for Extra Care might not be a bad idea (this is not an ad, but I actually signed up for it yesterday). Be like me and save money! Or save money by buying your conditioner locally, and shampoo in Central Square, it’s up to you. My 4.53 mile escapade was refreshing, if not too insightful, but I wouldn’t recommend it for the everyday.

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{shortcode-97da87e7f399b8aa06f14d8775da3438113a4401}Oh soup, the peak of any HUDS culinary experience. From hearty stews to clear broths, its soupy goodness has the power to transcend our differences and bring the Harvard community together like the Jefe’s line at 1 a.m. on a Saturday night. As a self-described soup connoisseur, I believe the soup is worth the awkwardly slow walk as you try to ferry your bowl to your seat without it spilling or slightly burning your tongue after digging in too soon. With a diverse lineup of HUDS soups to feed the hungry masses, no matter what oddly specific Harvard experience you’re going through, there’s always a soup for you.

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When You’re Homesick: New England Clam Chowder

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Are the washing machines always broken in your dorm and you miss doing your laundry at home? Do you have a meeting in the Quad in 10 minutes and PassioGo! is malfunctioning again? Did the 10th person this week say: “We should grab a meal sometime?” Are the closest thing you have to pets at school the rats in the River Houses? The stretch before Thanksgiving break can feel unending, and, with the amount of nuisances that Harvard has to offer, we all miss home sometimes. New England Clam Chowder, however, is the perfect HUDS soup to get you through your homesickness. Nothing makes you forget your troubles and embrace fall quite like some pumpkin spice donuts, a Gilmore Girls marathon, and a steaming bowl of soup. Have some New England Clam Chowder (PSA: it’s always on Fridays) to start your weekend off right.

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Feeling Bougie: Lobster Bisque

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Mr. “I sleep in business casual attire,” this one’s for you. Did Dean Khurana post you (at a weird angle that did you dirty) on his Instagram? Did your campus celebrity randomly say hi to you? Are you wearing your mom’s blazer and your roommate’s shoes en route to your first recruiting event? Did you just strut past the tourists outside of Widener to go procrastinate on your EXPOS 20 essay? A creamy lobster bisque and a dash of superiority complex are the perfect complements to your new main character era. Though a little funky tasting at times, the bisque offers a certain HUDS-flavored charm to it.

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Feeling Sassy: White Bean Escarole

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We’ve all had those days where everything seems to piss you off, and you’ve had it. Maybe the section kid was being a little too talkative in class, your roommates made you fill up the Brita like always, your TF wrote you a passive-aggressive email, or a kid from Yale opened their mouth at Harvard-Yale. Have a bowl of white bean escarole at lunch, and I promise you’ll be equipped with the snarkiest comebacks imaginable for your 3 p.m. Ec10a section. The flavor of the soup packs a perfect punch, just as you will too.

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About to Pull an All-Nighter for Computer Science 120: Broccoli Cheddar

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Did you just find out that each question on your three-question Math1b pset is actually 7 parts? Do you have your HCCG final presentation due in the morning? Did you use up all your extensions on the first essay for your GenEd? Does your flight tomorrow leave from Logan at 5 a.m. because it was the cheapest option? The Sunday Scaries are back this week in full force. You’re going to need as much sustenance as you can if you’re going to lock in and survive the night. Luckily for you, HUDS is serving Broccoli Cheddar soup at dinner. After consuming this delectable cheesy concoction, maybe you’ll start to feel as smart as your 11th-grade self again.

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‘Does my Comp Director hate me?’: Roasted Vegetable Soup

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For this next soup, a certain amount of self-pity is required. Maybe you just came out of your Chem 17 midterm and everyone you’ve talked to got different answers, your Datamatch never messaged you back (they weren’t even that cute), your friend ignored you at a punch event, or the national boyfriend day IG stories were too much for you to stomach. Regardless of the reason for your sour mood, HUDS has got just the soup to match: their Roasted Vegetable Soup. This constant, yet always disappointing, presence in the weekly soup lineup is sure to sit untouched meal-after-meal, student-after-student. After all, you have to hate yourself (even just a little) to eat it.

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In the Trenches: Chicken Noodle Soup

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Got Frat Flu? It’s the end of November and you still have that pesky flu you caught from a MIT frat party you were talked into trekking to on the first night of orientation. Everything in that frat was weirdly sticky, including this cough. Or maybe Cabot (Science Library) is a little too cold but your whole FAP friend group hangs out there and you refuse to wear a sweatshirt because you don’t fear the cold, it fears you. No need to fret, the age-old cure for sickness also happens to be a hot commodity at HUDS. Get yourself a nice bowl of chicken noodle — after all, it’s good for the soul, and for your sinuses. The chicken noodle soup always goes fast, though, so you have to get there early.

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Feeling Bold: Thai Chicken Soup

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Has Sidechat been feeding your delusions lately? You sat next to your section crush today (you’ve never talked before, but this is the first step in your 20-step marriage plan). The dhall chicken was looking really pink, but you still ate it (what’s salmonella anyways?). You skipped your 10-person seminar the day before your midterm. The Thai Chicken Soup from HUDS has a slight spicy kick to it that’s sure to get you in the mood to take risks. Plus, it’s okay to be a little delulu sometimes. You have Flyby’s approval.

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Feeling Grateful: Lentil Soup

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The classic lentil soup is the perfect backdrop to self-reflect on your “transformative educational experience” at Harvard. Whether you’re biking along the Charles on a Sunday morning, saying hi to your favorite HUDS workers, sleeping in because your professor canceled your 9 a.m., or spotting the elusive Remy in the Yard, lentil soup has got you covered for life’s most serendipitous moments. This hearty, fan-favorite soup is a reliable staple of HUDS, even more reliable than your sneaky link over winter break.

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All jokes aside, mealtime is truly the best part of the day. Whether you’re making a Veritaffle in Annenberg, waiting in the Fly By (not flyby — that’s us) line between classes, grimly cutting into a dry slab of chicken, or slurping up a nice bowl of soup, take some time to appreciate the people and things around you. After all, mealtime (and HUDS soup) has a magical ability to bring people together.

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{shortcode-7952c145be42d931af92a9d053e8de58f402f626}After procrastinating once again on my Math 1a pset (to no one’s surprise), I take my walk of shame down the sterile halls of the Science Center third floor into MQC. After greeting myself to the busy herd of confused students crowded around tables, my friends ask me, “What question are you on?”

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“Question 1,” I respond with seemingly too much pride.

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Despite my initial setback, I (thankfully) end up completing my pset before the center closes at 11 p.m. Simply put, I owe my life and soul to the MQC, and here are some reasons why this seemingly dark and stressful place is one of my favorites on campus.

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The MQC enforces collaboration

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Teamwork really does make the dream work at the MQC. This place enforces collaboration with my fellow Math 1a peers and with the Course Assistants (CAs). And while sometimes it is embarrassing to ask questions (I once asked what 12 times 13 was, so don’t worry, your question cannot be worse), I know that MQC will always be there to help ~unstick~ me. In the land of MQC, there really are no dumb questions. Everyone’s in the same boat. Did someone say trauma bonding????

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The MQC makes me feel like I am doing groundbreaking work

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One of my favorite things about the MQC is the chalkboards. Every time I confidently stride to the board to solve a problem, I channel my inner Oppenheimer and pretend I’m solving a new theorem to be named after myself. The L’eon James Principle. Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it? Although my Math 1a pset isn’t as groundbreaking as the Math 55 psets, this chalkboard empowerment gives me the extra motivation to complete my pset and not resort to using a pset drop.

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The MQC is controlled chaos

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I can think of very few places where the idea of “controlled chaos” is more prevalent than in the MQC. The endless line of students flagging down CAs to coax the answer out of them ask insightful questions, the messiness of the chalkboards (not to mention the stained pants that you always wipe the excess chalk from your hands on), and the loudness of the room all contribute to a perfect storm of chaos. Yet, all of us students have one goal in mind: complete the pset as fast as possible so we can go to Brain Break and munch on Marshmallow Mateys. This environment is so Harvard-core and makes me proud to be a Crimson.

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Dear MQC, I cannot thank you enough for the hours you have saved me throughout the week. Please never change your collaborative, stimulating, and chaotic self. I love you and all you have to offer, and the day Harvard gets rid of you is the day my GPA tanks.

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{shortcode-45501502991ca4066c94e1d6e4b5e456f3123de4}As a freshman at Harvard, I have often been told that some of the best moments of my undergraduate experience would come at Harvard-Yale. I couldn’t wait to don my crimson H sweater and see our esteemed institution battle Yale on the field. So, here’s the expectations versus reality for “The Game.”

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Expectation:

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The Game! If you don’t attend this event that gives off the biggest #yuckfale vibes each fall semester, I don’t think you can graduate from Harvard (I’m not joking). I expect this to be the pinnacle of my Harvard transformative experience, perhaps with an Obama sighting or Yardfest close behind it. The New Haven School for the Gifted against the small liberal arts institution J.O.B. (just outside of Boston) is always the culmination of the football season and boasts two former NCAA champions (the year doesn’t matter…).

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To begin, I don’t think that any team at Harvard could lose to any school in Connecticut — I mean, what even is in that state? Harvard football has had a great season thus far, and one little hiccup at a safety school in New Jersey shouldn’t stop us from achieving our solo Ivy League title. The Crimson are rolling, and no Yale student-athletes, pranks, or stadium will stop our team.

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Once in New Haven, I must decide which school city has better pizza (Frank Pepe’s can’t possibly be better than Noch’s). Then, when I get to Yale’s campus, I’m basing all of my weekend shenanigans off solely the Gossip Girl and Gilmore Girls episodes I’ve seen occur at Yale. Yes, this means I want to see people (maybe my TF who keeps grading my paper too harshly?) snatched up by a Yale secret society or find my Serena van der Woodsen. I’d also expect little coffee carts in the campus courtyards, proud alums who can’t close the yearbook from 30 years ago, and RVs decked out with food and private chefs. C’mon, this is the Ivy League.

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I have, however, heard that the festivities revolving around the game at Yale are epic. Whether people are going to the frats or hitting up Toad’s, the 3 a.m. bedtime to 4 a.m. tailgate rally is going to be something that every Harvard student might come back telling mythical stories about to everyone willing to hear at their Thanksgiving table.

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This is going to be a great, fun Harvard tradition….

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Reality:

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First off, I’m very disappointed in the Crimson faithful. If you looked across the gridiron (another term for the field, btw), Yale’s section was filled to the brim, while we failed even to fill two sections with students (yes, I’m calling out all you students who sat on the Yale side — be better). They made us look like fools, and the only chant we could come up with in our Ivy League brains was “safety school!” I mean, c’mon peeps, I’ve seen Sidechat; we can come up with better crap than that. Harvard State needs to step up its game.

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Now, to the Yale Bowl… the entrance situation was chaotic, and there was no way to avoid waiting at least 20 minutes behind some Yalies, many of whom tend to cut the line. Whenever I tried to check my phone to text friends about where they were, zero bars of wireless connection made for complete and utter chaos, and I will never wish that kind of chaos on anyone.

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I will, however, rate the party scene there as a great time! Though New Haven might be close to the worst town to go to school in, this was the only thing every student seemed to get behind, and I’m all for forging community. Friday night and Saturday morning, the Yale students seemed to fully support the integration of Harvard nerds and we all danced the night away.

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As I like to remind myself daily regarding the Bullpups from New Haven — it’s all right, it’s okay; they’ll all work for us one day. I can’t wait to see next year’s game on home turf, and even though we lost in heartbreaking fashion, I know that the 10,000 men (and women) of Harvard will gain victory today, tomorrow, and for as long as New Haven School for the Smart and Gifted is open.

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{shortcode-18e560f6fd6895a6c97c4721434beb3245f3c4db}Dear Sundae Sunday,

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Every Sunday night, the Sunday Scaries start to creep in, perhaps foreshadowing a long night in Lamont of psets and essays. After pushing snooze on my alarm one too many times and panicking over a morning of procrastination, I spent my entire Sunday afternoon running between comp meetings and cranking out assignments in between. Then, I realized that I forgot to clean the en suite bathroom, and groaned at the thought of spending yet another night at MQC. Not a single white space is left in my GCal for the week.

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Then, a glimmer of hope returns when I remember: it’s Sundae Sunday.

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Even though I spent dinner wondering how much pink is too pink for a piece of chicken, or constructing the same HUDS salad for the 100th time because “Red’s Best Catch” doesn’t look very appealing, I know that an ice cream sundae will be there to save me. With so many toppings to choose from — sprinkles, hot fudge, chocolate chips, M&Ms, whipped cream — what more could turn one’s Sunday around? With the 4:30 p.m. sunsets nowadays, I need a sundae to brighten up the night ahead.

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There are a few… downsides to Sundae Sunday. For one, there’s always a long line. You’re guaranteed to see everyone you’ve ever met in that line, from that one Visitas friend to the elusive suitemate you only see huddled in Lamont at 1 a.m. grinding on their pset. Second, there’s that interesting water and ice cream concoction to “clean” the scooper that looks like sewer water. There’s also the chance that your bowl will be piping hot and turn your Sunday Sundae into Soup Sunday, which is kind of counterintuitive for a frozen dessert. However, these minor details just add to the charm of our beloved Sunday Sundae. It’s not an event for broke college students without some added mishaps.

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Whether Berg dinner was enjoyable or not, Sundae Sunday never fails to bring me joy. I love debriefing the weekend with my friends and gearing up for the week ahead over a nice bowl of free (ish) ice cream. Who doesn’t love a sweet treat?

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I am eternally grateful for Sundae Sunday.

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With love, gratitude, (and much anticipation for next Sunday),
\r\nAAM

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{shortcode-08fa32c5e487f4897a0563ff81a24e7b197a88f4}

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My freshman year, I made the (admittedly questionable) decision to stay on campus over Thanksgiving for the express purpose of not feeling extra homesick after break. (I ended up feeling homesick during break instead!) Whether you’ve chosen to stay on campus for a similar reason or for a much more legitimate one, here are a few tips to make your on-campus Thanksgiving an enjoyable one!

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Enjoy the quintessential Harvard Thanksgiving — emphasis on Harvard.

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If you must enjoy Thanksgiving on Harvard’s campus (or chose to do so), you might as well experience Thanksgiving the way you only can on campus. Hop in line for Berg’s Thanksgiving dinner (or, honestly, any HUDS meal for the five-ish days of break) and alternately revel and sob at the fact that HUDS can create delicious food when it actually tries. When you’re done feasting, camp out in the Yard (with an appropriate number of layers) to watch the turkeys and snap artfully composed photographs that’ll make all your friends regret not staying on campus with you. (If you can’t find any turkeys, locate an empty common room whiteboard to start devising conspiracy theories about the source of Berg’s Thanksgiving meal.)

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…Get your life together.

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Let’s face it: sometimes there’s just not enough time during the school year to be a fully functional person. Letting a few tasks fall to the wayside — like sleeping a reasonable amount, or not treating your dorm room floor like a trash can — while not always healthy, is perfectly understandable. That said, you probably don’t want to charge into finals period with your life in (mild) disrepair, so take advantage of the extra free time over break to get your affairs in order. Let yourself sleep a full eight hours (or twelve hours) every day! Finally use the cleaning supplies that have been living under your bed! And if you still have some time left after catching up on chores — give yourself a chance to rest, too! — you can ensure that your life doesn’t fall into disrepair again by working ahead on psets due next week or planning for the summer.

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Escape the Harvard bubble!

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Even if you can’t make it home for Thanksgiving, you don’t have to spend all of break on campus. Accompany a friend to their family’s Thanksgiving dinner. Catch a train to New York! Or rent a Zipcar with some friends and venture down to Plymouth to visit a holiday-appropriate museum. Failing that, venture out into Boston to explore all the local haunts or to partake in the free (or discounted) opportunities that you haven’t found the time to visit while courses are in session.

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Know you’re not alone.

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While it can feel a little bit lonely staying on campus during a holiday centered around togetherness, you are absolutely not alone in staying close to school for the break. Given the shortness of the break, plenty of people stay on campus for Thanksgiving; it’s likely that more people in your social circle will stay for the break than you’ll reasonably be able to hang out with before Sunday. Even if no one in your current social circle is staying for the break, you can always make some new friends! The holiday season is all about gratitude and connection, so there’s no reason to restrict that togetherness to people you already know. Beyond those present on campus, you can also spend time (virtually) with your loved ones located far from Harvard! Schedule some video chats to ensure that you don’t have to travel home to feel those you love around you.

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Hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy your break, even sans the opportunity to actually go home for a few days. Regardless, keep in mind that your break is meant to be just that: a break — so even if it’s not the most fun experience in the world, your focus should be on resting and recovering, anyway. Plus, there’s always winter break!!

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We know you’ve missed us. We’re back with our weekly, super credible, and professional advice column — Dear Flyby. This week, we all finally get a bit of a break. In an ideal world, we would all be full couch potatoes during these few days of freedom. However, some of us have no excuse but to finally tackle all the work we put off until Thanksgiving break. Here’s how we’re going to get it all done.

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Q: How do I get work done during Thanksgiving break?

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A: If you’re like us, maybe you left the entirety of your 25-page paper to write during Thanksgiving break because what’s more #thankful than stressing about school when you don’t even have classes? Or maybe, you have to catch up on three Canvas discussion posts that were due a month ago. Perhaps, you’ve got 10 lectures to watch for your midterm that’s right after the break. (Or was it 12? You’ve lost track of how many lectures you’ve skipped.) But without the pressure of having to get your attendance point from filling out the Poll Everywhere quiz or the Learning Catalytics questionnaire, what will get you out of bed?

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Set an alarm (or 10) and get up early. Extra points if it’s the siren iPhone alarm sound that wakes up everyone around you as well. Rise and shine to the whole family! With the sun setting at 4 p.m., try to do the bulk of your work in the morning. If you’re a night owl, sleep until 4 p.m. and then work until midnight. Make sure to stock up on snacks (check out our fall Trader Joe’s snack roundup!) and if you’re not too busy watching lectures, play some Netflix in the background to make work time more relaxing. Unless you’re an iPad kid, in which case you should put on Subway Surfers. During your study breaks, fantasize about Thanksgiving dinner and sing along to Christmas carols to celebrate the fact that winter break is only a few weeks away (!!!). You got this, we believe in you!

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Xoxo,

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Flyby Blog

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{shortcode-5d754de21163364f0672ec063ecd7ed24f366600}Before coming to Harvard, you may have heard about the athletics-oriented nature of the school, aka the only time you might not be able to get a game ticket is to Harvard-Yale. Now that The Game is finally upon us, it’s time to dust off that football knowledge buried deep within you. If you expect to find great food, a packed crowd, and an exciting game, you might not be entirely in the right place, but hey — you can still have fun! For instance, try to see if you can spot these five types of Harvard students in the game crowd this weekend…

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The Obnoxious Ultra Fan

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You know that kid that’s standing in front of everyone else, cheering as loud as possible, and making it known that they love football? The obnoxious ultra fan might block your view of the game for 55 of the 60 minutes, but they’re there to watch (unlike you), so why shouldn’t they be able to? As annoying as it might be to sit behind an obnoxious ultra fan, it’s likely equally annoying to sit beside them. You will know way more about football than when you did before, whether you want to or not. Hence, the correlation with the mansplainer (see below).

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The Student Who’s Only There for Pictures

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There’s always that one person that you see at tailgate and hope to catch a glimpse of during the game but never end up doing so. It’s likely because they didn’t even attend the actual game. As long as they got a couple pictures, it happened. If they do make it to the game, you can always spot them by their fit vlog camera and perfect outfit. These people are often the opposite of the ultra fans: they don’t care about the game, nor do they care about learning. They look good and the pics came out cute. They came, they saw, they conquered. Slay.

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The Mansplainer

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The mansplainer is often in correlation with the ultra fan, but there are a few key differences. The first is that they come to the game not to show that they love football, but that they know football. You can find them intentionally hunting down poor clueless spectators who just want to enjoy themselves, forcing lingo, rules, and league-happenings down their throats. If you try to talk football with them because you do know the sport, you’ll definitely hear “Well, who’s your favorite team?” followed by “Oh, you like them? Name five players.” They need to prove that even if you are familiar with football, you don’t know it like they do.

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The International Student That Finds It Ridiculous

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The international students are always the first to point out the faults of the game. If you find them at the game, you might hear the term “American football” thrown around frequently. They will constantly be at odds with the ultra fan, pointing out that the obsession with football is in some way or another way worse than any form of obsession with soccer (real football?).

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The Student Who Isn’t There

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You really thought that there would be five students at a Harvard athletic event? While Brown’s section at the first Harvard home game was packed, the Harvard student section emptied out pretty quickly. Where is everyone, might you ask? Probably in Cabot, crying about an essay due next Sunday, or maybe about the upcoming midterms. There is always some kind of work to be done, and Harvard students are set on doing it, even if that means sacrificing a fun night of football for a slightly less fun night of psetting.

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Harvard football games are not something that the school promotes as a high point of its offerings, but it can be fun if you put in the work. Enjoying the game is all about surrounding yourself with people who make any situation fun, cheering whenever something happens, even if you don’t know exactly whether it was good or bad, and making sure to avoid some of the less appealing people on this list. We challenge you to try to spot each of these people at Harvard-Yale! Go Crimson!

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{shortcode-03611426eaf42e1aacbba656ccbf12519c8c192b}Congrats, you have made it past midterms to the final stretch of school before Thanksgiving break, Harvard-Yale! Only problem is, you’re stuck in New Haven. While New Haven might just ring bells of deeply rooted rivalry and “Gilmore Girls” in your mind, I, as a seasoned Connecticut local, am here to tell you that there is more to this quaint city than meets the eye. Here are some spots to check out during your time in everyone’s favorite drive-through state!

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Little Italy!! (Pizza)

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Surprise! While New Haven might be on the tinier size, it is still just as mighty — so mighty that there is a whole section within the city that is designated Little Italy! Here, you can find some of the best pizza spots in the state. If you’re bored of the Jefe’s vs. Felipe’s saga, you can take a CT turn on the food rivalry and put your taste buds to the test between Pepe’s and Sally’s Apizza, two of the best pizza spots in the state. Trust me, neither will disappoint.

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Mew Haven (Cat Cafe)

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This cafe is not only adorable just because of its punny name, but because of the furry guests that are there waiting for you inside! Lucky for you, Connecticut’s first cat cafe is located in the beloved city of New Haven. Enjoy a sweet, caffeinated drink with the company of some precious feline friends — and hey, if you really end up enjoying their companionship, you can even sign up to adopt them! If you’re planning on making this stop, just make sure to get a ticket in advance to avoid a long wait time — the kittens are in high demand!

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IT Ropes Course (and furniture?)

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If typical tourist activities are too boring for you and you don’t feel like walking the city anymore, why not zipline? New Haven, of all places, is home to the largest indoor ropes course in the WORLD (yes, the world apparently). And where is this ropes course located, you might be asking? In the local Jordan’s Furniture store, obviously. So, make sure to make your way on over to check out some couches, mattresses, and the 200-foot zipline while you’re in the area!

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The Massive Ikea/Food Truck Wharf (more furniture! But add food!)

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Bored of Jordan’s Furniture? Looking for something a little more… Swedish? Well look no further — literally, it’s across the parking lot — New Haven also houses a massive Ikea! While this location might not seem as exciting to you, as a Connecticut native, this Ikea is where dreams came true. Ordering a warm cinnamon bun while begging my parents to buy me a DJUNGELSKOG is a nostalgic experience like no other. If you’re not totally into Ikea cuisine, there is also a herd of food trucks just across the highway on the side of Long Wharf. Here, in what has fancily been labeled “Food Truck Paradise,” you can satisfy your Tex-Mex, Asian, and American food cravings all at once!

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Explore Neighboring Town Attractions!

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This might just be a shameless plug on my part, but the towns surrounding New Haven are just as much worth visiting! You can make your way to Orange to visit the Pez Factory and see how your favorite candy is created! Or, if you’re tired of the city and want to reconnect with nature, make your way to Milford and see Silver Sands State Park, a beautiful boardwalk beach that extends for three-quarters of a mile! Both of these towns are no more than 15 minutes away from the New Haven hub — catch your breath from the city and make your way over outside!

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Go Home!!

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Did you not just read thing No. 5 — I’m all out of ideas. As much as I am a Connecticut enthusiast, it just might be true that it is a drive-through state. But that’s okay because you only have to spend Harvard-Yale weekend here. Congrats!

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Okay, maybe these points decreased in appeal as they progressed, but considering what I was given to work with, I think I did pretty well. Make sure to savor your time while you visit New Haven this football season. Hopefully, at the very least, it’ll respark your appreciation for Cambridge!

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{shortcode-5746a33fe54249fffce59ed619e5c401e184c363}If you are the reluctant owner of a @college.harvard.edu email address, you received a poll from the HUA about whether we should have a turkey mascot and what it should be named. Putting aside the general absurdity of this event — A turkey? Linking is gone, course registration is in November, and we have to deal with a turkey? — Flyby is doing what we do best and telling you which of these options you can align yourself with, in ~quiz form~.

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What is your favorite HUDS brunch item?

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A. Veritaffles

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B. Bagels and smoked salmon

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C. Scrambled eggs

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D. Frittatas

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E. Bacon

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F. Pancakes

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How do you feel about football?

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A. Neutral

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B. Somewhat positively — Yay running!

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C. Very negatively — Too much tackle, not enough run

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D. Not enough women but otherwise fine

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E. Very positively — Get em!!!

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F. Somewhat negatively — It’s boring :(

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A turkey is crossing your path on the sidewalk. What do you do?

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A. Wait for it to pass

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B. Sprint past it and hope it doesn’t bother you

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C. Try to pet it

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D. Stare into its eyes as you pass

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E. Fight it

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F. Take the shuttle around it

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Ten thousand men of Harvard want…

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A. Victory today

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B. Ongoing general victory

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C. To pet a cat

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D. Equal rights

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E. To go? You wanna go?!

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F. Total control of the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area

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Which Harvard building name is also a name you would give to your child?

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A. Winthrop

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B. Holden

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C. Lamont

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D. Emerson

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E. Canaday

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F. Science and Engineering Complex

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How would you feel if (and of course this won’t happen so don’t even worry about it) we lost The Game?

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A. Devastated

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B. Restless

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C. Teary-eyed

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D. Freezing, probably

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E. Vengeful

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F. Anxious about Harvard’s continued standing on the world stage

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Mostly A’s: John

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You’re into classic Harvard. John Harvard, John Turkey. John Turkeyvard? A no-brainer. Actually. No brains were involved in the making of this option.

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Mostly B’s: Trottie

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Like Trottie Turkey, you are a go-getter. You’re always on the move. You’re a big fan of an unnecessary “ie” rather than “y.” You go, Trottie.

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Mostly C’s: Remy

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Like Remy Turkey, you’re shortsighted (Remy is not immortal, unfortunately) and/or you like cats too much. Tinder is free and easy to use <3

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Mostly D’s: Tami

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If you’re into Tami Turkey, the only overtly feminine turkey name on the roster (hmm…), you are a STAUNCH FEMINIST. Thanks for your support, queen.

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Mostly E’s: Talon

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Like Talon Turkey, you are very literal and very vicious. If people disagree with you about the best name for the turkey, you’ll slash them with your claws. Or just sort of glare at them.

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Mostly F’s: Allston

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Like Allston Turkey, you’re a visionary! You’re passionate about gentrification urban planning and you aren’t afraid to show it. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for Allston Turkey next time you’re on the shuttle to the SEC.

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{shortcode-f888ac033211c12bf579ef781e062730c82e6af6}Love It: The Turkey Mascot Brings Spirit and Authenticity to Harvard — Tehle E. Ross

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With Thanksgiving around the corner, we know what’s on everybody’s mind: finally going home turkey! At the end of October, the Harvard Undergraduate Association sent out a newsletter addressing all the issues that the College faces — which include, most importantly, the Harvard mascot. Is our mascot the Crimson? Is it John Harvard the Pilgrim? Not even Google seems to know. Implementing a turkey mascot is the best way to end this confusion once and for all.

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The turkey mascot encapsulates the Harvard student experience. After all, who hasn’t encountered an all-too-domineering turkey when heading to class? The turkey mascot also represents a win for conservationists across the country. One hundred years ago, turkeys were facing extinction until organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation intervened to revitalize the turkey population so they could terrorize us on campus for years to come. The turkey mascot truly sums up what we as Harvard students strive to be. Turkeys are social, intelligent, curious, inquisitive, and loyal. Turkeys would help you with your pset and get your whole section an extension on that paper no one had started (if they could).

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What’s even more exciting than the implementation of the turkey mascot are the endless naming opportunities. The Harvard Undergraduate Association released a list of potential names for the turkey mascot on which the student body could vote. Are you Team Trottie or Team John? Team Tami, perhaps?! These lively debates spark more school spirit than the color red ever did.

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Although we may never reach the level of iconicness of Dartmouth’s Keggy the Keg mascot or Y*le’s Dan the Bulldog, the turkey mascot is certainly a step in the right direction. I am hopeful for the years to come when we finally have a mascot to rally behind, proudly and loudly.

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Hate It: Gobble Gobble: Do We Really Need Another Reason to Be Mocked? — Stephany Gutierrez

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Imagine this: you’re walking through the Yard, and out of nowhere, you’re ambushed by a gang of rather unattractive oversized birds. Sure, they may be frightening, but unlike a tiger or bear, a turkey’s fear factor is dismissed by the fact that they are consumed in the dhall every single day in the form of a sandwich. And if that weren’t enough every single year, we’d endure the neverending chorus of the same old joke: “Just here to pick up my Thanksgiving turkey!” That’s right, our proposed mascot is the star of the Thanksgiving menu, devoured by the millions in the days following The Game. We’re not just talking about one or two birds here — we’re talking about a nationwide poultry phenomenon.

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What’s worse is that Y*le’s mascot is a bulldog. Bulldogs are loved by many throughout the country rather than raised to be eaten at perhaps the most American holiday after the Fourth of July. Lovable pet > meal. The least we could do is try to find a mascot that isn’t food.

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The proposed names are equally as bad. Let’s be real — Tami, Talon, Allston, John?!? Most disrespectful of all: Remy. Not only did we choose not to make Remy the cat our mascot, but to steal his name? Shame is what you all should feel.

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Now, why on Earth would we choose these feathered fowls as our mascots? Another important question is, who thought the turkey was a good idea? I am convinced that they may be the most unhinged person on this campus. Out of all options, a TURKEY? Now, will I be fake and don turkey merch if the proposal becomes a reality? Most likely. But I beg for all of our sakes that we reconsider this decision. (I really don’t want to wear a fake beak or feathers.)

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{shortcode-ca558a0024830778da1db02b029a0489830cf776}Are you excited to wander the streets of New Haven, desperately searching for a place to rest your weary and perhaps inebriated head before the big game? No? Then try these tips.

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Open a dating app

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If you’re down bad, imagine being the same general type of person but living in New Haven, where there’s only a couple other universities for several miles. We have Lesley, MIT, Northeastern, Tufts, BU, BC, Emerson, Suffolk, the list goes on. They basically only have visiting Harvard students. Find someone desperate and con them into letting you sleep on their floor… or in their bed ;)

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Pickpocket a key

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Follow this script.

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You (at a party): Wow, Yale is so cool. Which residential college did you say you were in, again?

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Them: [Answers]

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You: Oh man, is that one of the tall ones? Which floor are you on?

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Them: [Answers]

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You: Woah, crazy. And do they do the thing where they put your name on the door?

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Them: [Answers in the affirmative]

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You (flirtatiously): What did you say your name was?

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Them: [Answers, flustered by your forwardness]

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And this is when you go in for the ‘hug,’ getting their key from their pocket. Foolproof. For legal reasons, this is a joke.

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Challenge them to a battle of wits

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No Yalie backs down from a challenge. Suggest a game of chess, typing speed test, or trivia contest. Since you have the superior education (and probably IQ), you’ll win. Then demand as your prize that you sleep in their bed while they sleep on the floor.

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Appeal to their sense of superiority

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This is a last resort, but if you find somebody slightly less drunk than all of their friends (which is how you can tell they think they’re better than everyone), just hit them with the “I don’t know what to do :( Can you help me?” And they’ll feel obligated. But use this with caution, because you can’t allow a Yalie to feel better than you forever. Maybe steal something expensive from their room? For legal reasons, this is also a joke.

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Gaslight somebody that you went to their high school

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First, find somebody on Instagram (or LinkedIn) to get their name and high school, then approach them. “Oh my god, [name]?! I haven’t seen you since senior year at [high school]! Wow, this is crazy. Anyway, I’m in a tough spot tonight and don’t have anywhere to sleep yet, so would it be insane for me to ask you? Omg thanks! You definitely remember me, right? You can trust me!”

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And then steal something expensive from their room. FOR LEGAL REASONS THIS IS A—

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With these tips, you’ll have a great sleep and be completely refreshed so that you can fully enjoy it when Harvard wins the next day. See you in New Haven!

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{shortcode-efc069cac39abcb12002030c542ae0a8e673a22c}As Yalies love to remind us, we don’t have the three days before Thanksgiving weekend off, rendering the idea of a fall break totally unreachable in the hearts and minds of Harvard students. Unless… we get creative. For this week’s Monday advice column, Flyby is here to help you figure out how you can miss the full week of Nov. 20-24 and get off scot-free. Hint, it involves Flyby’s favorite activity: gaslighting!

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Q: How do I get a full week off for Thanksgiving?

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A: Step one is to set the scene for an excused absence early. In your last classes before the weekend, wear a mask and cough a bit. Complain loudly to a friend (who’s in on it) about how you’re not feeling well. Make sure your professor, or, let’s be real, your TF hears you.

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Step two is to go to Harvard-Yale. This one isn’t necessary for skipping the next week, it’s just fun. And maybe with all the crowds, you’ll actually get sick!

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Step three is to remember to send an email about your absence at a crucial moment. Gmail schedule-send is your friend, so you can actually sleep late in your childhood bedroom/Airbnb/youth hostel/Amtrak seat. Aim for a time that would be reasonable to have woken up from an alarm, realized the extent of your illness, and had time to draft a hasty but respectful email, like 8:37 a.m. on the day of the class.

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Copy-paste the following:

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Dear [Prof/TF name],

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I hope you’re doing well this morning. I just woke up and I’m really not feeling well, so I think it’s not the best idea for me to come into class today. I’m sorry, I know this is already probably a low-attendance day, but I don’t think I’d be a productive addition to class.

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I’ll ask [friend who is a sucker dedicated student and not skipping] for the notes. Have a great holiday this week!

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Best,

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[Your name]

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Of course, this whole rigamarole is only necessary if it’s a class that’s small enough that it’ll notice you’re gone, or if your lecture takes attendance. Otherwise, just skip. Who’s gonna know? How would they know?

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Happy gaslighting and happy holidays <3

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xoxo,

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Flyby Blog

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{shortcode-3f0f067346dd159f7de342559339152cef5e64ce}

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I fall in love with fall and the season’s staples of enchanting walks in the Mount Auburn Cemetery, charming study dates at cafes, drinks like the dirty chai from Faro Café, cozy movie nights with the roomies, and lit Marshmallow Fireside or Sweater Weather candles. At the same time, I fall victim to the new trends that it brings every year. I don’t mind in the slightest, though, so I’m not complaining! These trends are living rent-free in my mind and manifesting as my autumnal glow-up.

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Cherry red nails

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Is it really a new season if you don’t change your nails to celebrate? This fall, cherry red seems to be the diamond of the season. We’re being freed from the shackles of the neutrals! Need help justifying getting your nails done? You can consider a cute cherry red manicure an investment in your education because you’re going to look undeniably good holding that apple pencil. Plus, it gives you something pretty to stare at when you zone out during office hours. I may or may not be speaking from experience. It’s me, hi. I’m the problem. It’s me. Just saying, it would be a power move to listen to Maroon with these dark nails.

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Leather.

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That’s it. Just leather. Leather everything. Leather jackets, pants, bags, shoes. Don’t get me wrong, being at this college is a dream come true, but you’re also winning in life when you find the perfect leather jacket. A slouchy leather bag could be the tote bag that you fixate on this semester your new favorite tote bag.

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Knee-high boots

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Throwing on some knee-high boots, or fighting your way into them, is a foolproof way to upgrade an outfit. The knee-high boots and skirt combo will never fail you. You get to stay warm while being stylish. Win, win! They make you seem like you have your life together more than you actually do. I don’t make the rules. I just automatically assume that someone with knee-high boots means business. I know those end-of-semester presentations are coming up, so buying some knee-highs might be something to consider doing!

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Cowgirl copper hair

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Enter the hair color sensation of this fall: cowgirl copper hair, a bold but versatile blend of caramel, brunette, and red. Full transparency, this one is a little too permanent for me to immediately adopt, but a girl can dream. The urge gets stronger with each passing moment, so stay tuned to see if I commit to the bit. We have to ask the important questions here. Does cowgirl copper clash with crimson or not? We can’t be caught lacking at Harvard-Yale.

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Lectures feeling optional

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Fall is falling, and so is attendance. Trying to bounce back after Halloweekend is no joke, but now it’s that point of the semester when all of a sudden, the future debates, and papers are no longer in the future. They’re in the present, and we’re in the trenches and fighting to make it to lecture. If you needed a sign to dial back in, here it is. Poll Everywhere waits for no one. :(

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As heartbreaking as it is when the temperatures drop again after 70-degree days of sunshine, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of being able to add some of fall’s trendiest pieces to your cart. Fall is a state of mind as much as it is a season, so let’s crush it, shall we?

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