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{shortcode-10c750ae53ce754385031bfc7faf29554c6b48da}Congratulations on your acceptance to Harvard! We know there’s so much information to take in about our wonderful institution, and it can be overwhelming. Well, we at Flyby, being the benevolent publication that we are, have decided to make things easier for you. Here are the top 10 things you need to know about Harvard.

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10. The Lowell Bells can go off whenever, so be ready.

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You never know when that resonant chime of doom will wake you from your slumber or stop you in the middle of a Zoom call. Be ready to be annoyed a lot.

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9. Bring your professor’s book to class on the first day, just in case.

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Sometimes they’ll sign it for you! Famous professors love to meet their fans.

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8. Everybody takes paper notes.

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At some schools, everybody gets out their laptop or iPad during class to take notes. We don’t do that here. The internet simply distracts from learning, which is, of course, the priority. And professors will dock participation points if you use technology. Invest in some good notebooks and pens.

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7. Cutting through the Yard is cringe.

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In the Yard, you look like a silly little student going to your silly little freshman dorm. On the streets surrounding the Yard, you look like a sophisticated metropolitan. So avoid the paths in the Yard as much as possible. You want to be a²+b², not c².

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6. Don’t touch Remy. He’s feral.

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Once, Remy (the campus cat) got in my dorm, and then I had to get a series of rabies shots from health services. Admire his orange fur from afar, but don’t you dare pet him.

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5. You absolutely have to be on time for everything.

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Nobody at Harvard is ever late, especially for extracurricular meetings. Things will start exactly on time, so you better be there.

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4. Annenberg has the best food on campus.

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Sometimes, upperclassmen will try to be nice and invite you to eat in the house dining halls. Don’t do it. Take advantage of Berg’s superior food while you can.

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3. When it’s warm out, everyone goes swimming in the river!

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We’re so lucky to have such a clean and refreshing body of water right here on campus. Make sure to pack a swimsuit, because when it’s hot in the dorms, we all follow the time-honored tradition of splashing around in the Charles.

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2. Every time people say “Flyby,” they’re referring to us, the blog.

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Yeah, the quick-service place under Annenberg is technically called “Fly By.” But nobody calls it that out loud. They’re talking about us, the most important publication on campus.

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1. Sometimes, Harvard students like to mess with prefrosh.

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Especially me. Sorry! Hazing is illegal. I have to get my kicks where I can.

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Anyway, welcome to Harvard, and remember, “veritas” means “gullible” in Latin!

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{shortcode-9f8ce5eef699d15e047805738c8c8b021b7398ad}Welcome to Harvard, Class of 2027! As you take your first few steps on campus, there's a lot awaiting you here, and it can honestly get very confusing very quickly. Here at Flyby, we offer you an important resource: our annual breakdown of Harvard lingo for the Class of 2027!

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The Yard

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Your one-stop shop for all things Harvard: the statue, freshman dorms, the President’s office, genetically-engineered grass and too many tourists.

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The Houses

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During their first year, students are randomly assigned to one of 12 upperclassman Houses, each equipped with a dining hall, gym, library, plenty of amenities and House spirit. But really, there’s no best house… (except for Mather ;))

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The Quad

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QUAAAAAAD.

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Located in Radcliffe College’s former residential campus, the Quad is home to three Houses: Cabot, Currier, and Pfoho, and is known for its amazing food, spirit, and Housing Day videos.

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The SEC

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Harvard’s secret partnership with Meta to sequester the CS concentrators. Also has been called “The Cheese Grater” due to its exterior. In reality, the Science and Engineering Complex is home to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, as well as some really cool amenities (did someone say Peloton bikes?).

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Dhall (dee-hall)

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Short for dining hall. That’s pretty much it.

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Berg

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An affectionate nickname for Annenberg Hall, the freshman-only Harry Potter-esque dhall that you’ve seen in all the promotional materials. Get ready for some of the highest highs (fried chicken sandwiches) and the lowest lows (molasses ???? chicken) of your first-year dining experience.

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Memorial Hall

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The big brick and stained glass building that contains practically all you need: Annenberg Hall; Sanders Theatre, a site for performances like Cultural Rhythms and CS50; multiple classrooms on upper and lower levels; grab-and-go dining options; and the Cambridge Queen’s Head Pub, a popular spot for trivia nights and wings.

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HUDS (hudds)

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Harvard University Dining Services. The 2023 HUDS revamp was an overhaul of the dining menus that showed just how little college students require to feel happiness.

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Cabot Science Library vs. Cabot House

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Cabot Science Library is a studying space within the big concrete-glass building in the Science Center Plaza and will be the site of many (many) late nights. Cabot House is 20 minutes away in the Quad. Read your emails carefully.

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Entryway

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Your first-year residential community which includes 20-30 freshmen in the same floor or area of the dorm.

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Proctor

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A graduate student or member of Harvard staff who is your live-in resource for all things Harvard, including emergencies, support, academic advice, and free food.

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PAF (paff)

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Short for Peer Advising Fellow, a PAF is an upperclassman who does not live with you but is a great resource for advice on classes, campus life, and extracurriculars.

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Rakesh / Dean Khurana

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Dean of the College and everyone’s favorite Instagram influencer / adopted dad. +10 if you can get on the ‘gram during Visitas.

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Concentration

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Our quirky little way of saying “major”.

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Secondary field

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Because we’re sometimes too quirky, this is how we say “minor”.

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Double vs. joint

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Both refer to studying two fields. Before Harvard approved double concentrations last year, joint concentrations were the only way to concentrate on two areas of study, culminating in a thesis that combines your two fields of choice. A double still allows you to study two fields but without the requirement of a thesis. It’s still new, we’re all figuring it out.

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Pset (pee-set)

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A pset, or problem set, is a collection of questions typically assigned by STEM classes that can take you anywhere from two hours to two weeks to complete.

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1363216

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Time outside of lecture to ask questions, get help on problem sets, and feedback on essays. If you take any math from Math M to 21B, we’ll be sure to see you in the Math Question Center (MQC) Sundays through Thursdays from 7:30-11 p.m.

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TF / PSL / CA

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TF: Teaching fellow. Usually a graduate student that will help teach the class or grade your coursework.PSL (peer study leader) and CAs (course assistants) are undergraduates who have previously taken the course and can help answer questions or clarify concepts

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Canvas

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Why reinvent the wheel when 2022 Ellen explained it so well? Canvas is the app that ruins your day when you find out your midterm scores have been released. Canvas is a central platform (both a website and a mobile app) where your instructor will post course-related documents including assignments and syllabi and where you turn in your homework (and find out how well you did on it).

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Q Guide

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With a more devout following than the Bible, the Q Guide publishes student rankings and evaluations of past and current courses. We took these classes so you… still have to, but at least you know what to expect going into it (and build your coping mechanisms now)!

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The T

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Our favorite-by-default transportation system. Extensive? Sort of. Functional? Sometimes. Cheap? Eh. At least it gets you where you need to go… usually.

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Jefe’s vs Felipes

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The age-old debate between two classic fast-casual Mexican establishments and the most-asked icebreaker question. If you’re stuck on what to order, we HIGHLY recommend the nachos from Felipe’s and the quesadillas from El Jefe’s.

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Comp

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Just when you thought applications were over… psych! Many (but not all!) extracurriculars have a process to join called “the comp”, which can stand for anything from “competitive” to “completion.” Don’t worry though; plenty of incredible extracurriculars have absolutely no barriers to entry!

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Women’s Center

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Located in the basement of Canaday, the Harvard College Women’s Center provides space and programming designed to explore gender and women’s issues and build community. Plus, there’s free tea!

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Quoffice

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The Office of BGLTQ Student Life, fondly dubbed “Quoffice”, is located in the lower level of Thayer and is a resource and community to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ students across campus.

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Flyby vs Fly By

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Flyby is us. We are Flyby, the blog of The Harvard Crimson. We are cool. So cool. Fly *SPACE* By is the grab-and-go lunch service provided under Annenberg Hall for those who only have 15 minutes to eat between classes. Flyby is for everyone <3.

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{shortcode-584a968e9aeb85a6de37e2aaaafe68b64e028cd5}If you’ve ever been on a Harvard tour, you’ve probably heard the tour guide refer to the John Harvard statue as “The Statue of 3 Lies.” (Bonus points to you if you know what these lies are). While Harvard is an exciting place to be, it also comes with its bulk of challenges to overcome and myths to debunk. Here, Flyby shares the real three lies of Harvard that we’ve learned over the course of our years here thus far.

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Lie #1: You need to commit your whole heart and soul to one passion.

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My friend says this all the time: “Normalize not having a passion.” As an incoming freshman, it’s okay to know what you want to study and have a four-year plan saved on your phone; it’s also just as okay to not have any idea whatsoever. The best part about Harvard is arguably the ability and opportunity to try new experiences that you probably wouldn’t have the chance to do so elsewhere. Want to take a random class in some obscure niche field? No time like the present! Not sure if you want to try a new extracurricular activity? Give it a try, you never know! And hey, so many students come to college intending to do one thing and then change their minds multiple times over the course of the next four years. No matter what you have planned — or don’t have planned — Harvard is a great place for you to pursue new adventures and explore new passions.

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Lie #2: You’re definitely going to meet your best friends and soulmate in your freshman fall semester.

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Freshman fall is an exciting but overwhelming time — you will be meeting new people every day, in classes and dhalls, at parties and events. You have probably heard from at least one upperclassman that they met their blocking group and person they are currently dating in their first week of college. For every person who says this, there is another who will say that they struggled to find their footing socially in freshman fall, and it took them a while to find their core group of friends. Remember that everyone’s experience is different, and focus on having a good time with your new peers. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and on every interaction you have. Be open to meeting new people in new situations. It will work out, even if it at first doesn’t feel like it!

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Lie #3: You’ll get to do everything you want to do at Harvard.

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Harvard offers incredible opportunities! From internships in Spain to clubs that host formals on islands and boats, there are things you can do at Harvard that you truly cannot do anywhere else. What they don’t tell you is that there are more things that you can sign up for — more clubs, more jobs, more courses — than you’ll ever be able to do during your short time in College. Don’t let this deter you from enrolling! Coming to Harvard will truly open the door to this excess of opportunities for the rest of your life. However, make sure you’re not too hard on yourself when you can’t join a hundred clubs in the first semester or go to the seven parties being thrown on a Saturday night.

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Now that you know the truth, will you still say yes to Harvard? We hope so! Want to learn more about this school and all of its quirks and perks — read more articles on our Guide to Visitas feature as well as on the rest of the blog!

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{shortcode-41f900c21966694d91c2ea6e76ab35e45f3c4015}Welcome to Harvard Class of 2027! Although I did not have an ~in-person~ Visitas, I imagine it’s the same packed schedule of back-to-back information sessions and clubs trying to bribe you to join them with too-good-to-be-true Patagonias or trips to Europe. When you start falling asleep at your fifth random consulting club information session, here’s what you should do that’s not in the ~scheduled programming~ during Visitas weekend.

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Take a stance in the Felipe’s vs Jefe’s debate

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Harvard students will debate about which Mexican restaurant is better for hours, and friendships *will* be broken over these conversations. So it is your duty as an incoming Harvard student to explore Harvard Square by trying out everyone’s favorite taquerias. Since Jefe’s recent relocation, the competitors are right across the street from each other making it even more convenient for you to make pros and cons lists for each of them. But be warned: whichever place you favor absolutely defines you, and the rest of your ~transformative~ Harvard experience.

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Explore Tasty Basty

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The center of the freshman social scene. Grab a burger, or “dance” in a crowded basement — the choice is truly yours. Tasty Burger will be there for you at your highest highs and for your lowest lows during your first 12 months at an ~Ivy League~ institution. You’d be surprised how much time you’re going to spend in the basement of a burger chain joint.

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Get over your fear of the MBTA

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Learning how to navigate the T your first weekend in Cambridge will make you an unstoppable force of nature within the Harvard community. And maybe visit Boston while you’re at it too! ~Escape the Harvard bubble.~

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Take a walk by the Charles River & romanticize your next four years

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Main character vibes, what more do I need to say? Bonus points if you get a picture with your Visitas friend group by the sunset.

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Break the Quad stigma

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After your glamorous walk by the River, start getting used to the idea of the Quad! Find the best things about it while you don’t have classes to rush to yet. It’ll make your housing day ~scaries~ nonexistent in the future.

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Visit Trader Joe’s

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I’m not just saying this because TJ’s is ingrained in Flyby culture, but you must visit the Trader Joe’s in Allston! When you want to quite literally *spice up* your meals or escape CVS’s climbing prices, this place will be your holy grail. As someone who overlooked TJs before coming to Harvard, not going earlier was the biggest mistake in my life.

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Try to find Remy

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Remy the cat is a local celebrity here. Everyone loves him and acts as paparazzi when he’s around. Jump on the bandwagon and grab a selfie with this campus icon! Rumor has it he lurks around the Barker Center…

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Go to Lamont basement, then go to the 10th floor of the Smith Campus Center

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Lamont will reveal Harvard’s gloomiest atmosphere, and if you can face that you can face anything. Then to get your spirits up after exposing yourself to the true darkness within Harvard, visit Smith for a breathtaking view and mellow music that will convince you everything will be okay. <3

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Start the Harvard traditions early

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Do a quick Google search and proceed at your own risk.

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Nonetheless these are just a handful of suggestions, and I hope whatever you choose to do with your weekend will be memorable and amazing. <3

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{shortcode-bd0e2456c3228cf7e800045d5df32ccf126c9f4d}As real spring weather is beginning to trickle into Cambridge, our lovely new prefrosh are as well! With Visitas approaching and time cracking down to make a college decision, it's important that your first impression of campus is the best that it can possibly be. Here are six tips to help you make the most of your Visitas experience!

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Don’t Come in with a Packed Schedule (the website is a suggestion)

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Yes, we know that you’re looking at the Visitas schedule, overwhelmed looking at how you’re going to be able to fit in an extracurricular fair, comedy show, and a jogging tour of campus all at once. But a quick piece of advice: Don’t! While it is good to have an idea of what you would like to do during your time visiting campus, it is much more worthwhile to come in with an open mind. Being lenient allows for spontaneity, which you will appreciate when trying to make plans with your new friends! Walk by the river, or even grab boba! (Seriously though there’s like five boba places in the square now)

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Know what different entryways mean (if you are in an upperclassman dorm!)

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This might be a personal one, but I think that everyone should learn from my experience. As someone who was hosted in Pfoho as a prefrosh, without even knowing what the Quad was, it was definitely a feat navigating to and from the yard (not to mention I didn’t even have swipe access into the building). Anywho, PLEASE pay attention to what entryway your host is in. There will be multiple dorms of the same number. Don’t knock on the wrong one — if the red lanyard isn’t enough to point you out among the other students, this definitely will be.

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Be Genuine!

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Lets face it, you are all incredible. You all got into Harvard, you’ve definitely got something under your belt that makes you incredibly unique and interesting among the rest. Key word is all. Don’t spend your time at Visitas flaunting how you’re still deciding between multiple Ivies or that you’re leaving early for Bulldog Days — nobody is asking nor does anyone care. The people that you are meeting are the ones that you will potentially spend the next four years of your life with, have fun and try to be yourself. There will be networking opportunities in the future, you have time to showcase your personality a little during this weekend.

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Take Advantage of the Free Stuff

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Okay, so I know that I mentioned the extracurricular fair earlier and said not to stress about making every event, but that is genuinely something that you should go to. The merch there? Like no other. There were bucket hats, drawstring bags, stickers, free coffee coupons, and even chewable coffee. (I still have these in my drawer at home, lowkey am too scared to try them.) Other events on the schedule will have free boba or other treats, and even the Harvard Shop had a little goodie bag for us to grab. You need to start your Harvard merch (and coffee?) collection somehow, this is obviously a wonderful place to start.

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Remember a Blanket/Pillow/Sleeping Bag

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Look, again maybe this was just a personal thing, but I didn’t realize that in being hosted we would literally be on someone’s floor. You’re going to be tired from walking all day, navigating a campus that you’re unfamiliar with and introducing yourself to a trillion new people. The last thing that you’re going to want is to have skin-to-floor contact with someone’s carpet that's overdue for a vacuum. It’s the core of midterms season, you can’t blame your hosts for their messes. Save yourself the trouble and make sure to come prepared!

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Make Dean Khurana’s Instagram

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This might not exactly make sense to you as a prefrosh now, but trust us. Soon it will.

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This list of pointers could truly go on and on, but at the end of the day only one thing really matters: You! Visitas will only be what you make of it, so we hope that you take the opportunity to explore your new possible home with open arms. Congratulations, and we cannot wait to see you (and your red lanyards) on campus soon!

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{shortcode-73db6c87f4e25995d34d742764921fcccd0ac7c9}Ready to visit and witness firsthand the transformative experience Harvard can offer but unsure of where to start? Worry not; fitting in is as easy as downloading these five apps on your phone.

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GroupMe

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If you’re not already juggling 10 different GroupMe chats, then you’re behind. Bring out the overachiever in you and start joining those group chats like your social life depends on it (because, let’s face it, it probably does).

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Passio GO!

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The true Harvard experience is whining about a 20-minute walk, so much so that this app was born. Harvard’s shuttle tracking app will save your calves if you decide to be adventurous and embark on a pilgrimage to the SEC or Quad. Perhaps you can go see for yourself if the Quad renaissance did, in fact, happen. Plus figuring out how to use the app will be an ego boost.

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Uber/Lyft

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If you fail to figure out the Passio GO! app, you will have no other options but to walk (eww) or order a rideshare. Rides can be pricey, so it is best to have both to compare prices. If you also have a fear of getting lost on the T, this is the best option to go explore more of the Boston area. The shuttles also don’t run through the night, so save yourself the trouble of downloading both these apps instead of desperately downloading at 2 a.m.

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LinkedIn

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The only way to reach 500+ connections is to start early, and Visitas is the perfect timing. Network with everyone who knows the next Zuckerberg could be in a sleeping bag sharing floor space with you. You can even become the next LinkedIn influencer and constantly annoy all your connections with essay-long posts.

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Gmail

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The perfect app to pretend you are busy while waiting for someone. Not only can you give off the impression that you're a busy and important person, but you can also be ~productive~ and finally respond to that email you’ve been avoiding for weeks. And if that wasn’t enough to make you want to download this app, you can also sign up for Harvard Today — dare I say, the funniest and most informative daily newsletter out there. Who needs to actually attend Harvard when you can stay up-to-date with everything happening here from the comfort of your own phone?

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On a more serious note, I hope you have a great time visiting Harvard, and remember that whatever decision you make, you should be proud of yourself for all that you've accomplished.

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{shortcode-8343bc7f23bc287e2176f165f1e76fff0661649d}Another year, another passing over of traditions and excitement. And this weekend, Harvard is gearing up to welcome the newly admitted class of 2027 to VISITAS 2023! If you're a Harvard undergraduate confused about how Visitas works because yours was online or if you're a pre-frosh looking forward to a weekend full of adventure, or if you're just here to ~vibe~ with Flyby, we have all you need with Flyby's Guide to Visitas 2023!

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4/18: To start off our Visitas Guide, we have all the how-to's for both Harvard undergraduates and pre-frosh alike! With our How-to: Visitas, read all about do's and don'ts of hosting, ways to not get lost on this campus, and all the fun things to do even if you can't physically come to campus.

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4/19: For Day 2 of Guide to Visitas 2023, we bring you all the secret tips, tricks, and hacks to make Visitas the best weekend yet. From advice on how to conquer Visitas to basics such as essential apps to have on your phone to hidden events that aren’t on the official program, Flyby brings you Visitas Hacks!

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4/20: Psst, did you know that…Flyby’s got another day of their Guide to Visitas 2023 feature? Day 3 brings you our annual dictionary of 27 Harvard lingo for the Class of 2027, a ~100% truthful~ list of things to know as a freshman and a debunking of some Harvard beliefs. Check out Don’t Believe Everything You Hear!

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{shortcode-683677757d5dc0410039cd56f44838f0f7ad8015}So you got accepted into Harvard but can’t make it to Visitas? You’ve got nothing to worry about! There are tons of amazing resources out there that will help you get a better idea of what life at Harvard looks like. Coming from someone whose first time on campus was quite literally her move-in day, here are a few things I found useful:

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   Following @flybyblog on Instagram, visit our wonderful webpage, subscribe to Harvard Today immediately. This is not even my usual Flyby propaganda. I genuinely did read up on blog articles as a prefrosh not only for amusement but also to get a feel for the school culture. Who wouldn’t want to go to school where the content that resonates most with the student population is either about midterms or being single and lonely? Just kidding! We are all really happy to be here.

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   Take a virtual tour of our wonderful campus. It truly will not matter whether you tour the school in-person or online because I promise you: everyone will be equally lost once they move in. Just remember, the Yard is grassless for the majority of the school year so take those pretty pictures with a little grain of salt ;(

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   Talk to current students. Not only is this an amazing way to make new friends, it is also undoubtedly the best way to get real insight into what life is like on campus. You can always DM someone on insta, too.

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   In the same vein, watch Harvard vlogs on YouTube, TikTok, etc. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the school if you don’t know any upperclassmen. Honestly speaking, Christine Lee ’23, who also happens to be a beloved member of Flyby, single-handedly made me excited for freshman year. Her YouTube channel is not only so aesthetic but it is such an amazing resource if you want to see what life at Harvard is like.

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   Check out the First-Year Experience website. This resource is probably best for logistical things like dorm life, programming, or campus resources, and you email them with any questions you may have.

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   Sit back and relax! You are going to learn everything you need to know about Harvard once you get to campus. So, take this time to relax, hang out with your hometown friends, and be proud of yourself for how far you've come.

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Sure, Visitas is a great time to explore Harvard, but it’s definitely not the only resource available to you. Remember, you’ll have the next four years to experience the wonders and struggles of college life so don’t worry at all if you aren’t able to visit campus before move-in. I can’t wait to welcome all of you next semester — get hyped for college but also make sure to spend some time enjoying the rest of your senior year of high school!

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{shortcode-08b44eeb5445e09a80c5d3111f010a1e29c12655}Calling all prefrosh: Do you want to minimize the number of annoyed upperclassmen zooming past you on their way to lectures while muttering “It’s bring your kid to school day again” because you were blocking their way? Do you want to avoid embarrassing calls to your Visitas host begging them to pick you up because all the red-brick buildings look the same? Would you like to not miss that one cool mixer with free pizza because you ended up in Cabot House instead of Cabot Library? As a notoriously navigationally challenged person (let’s just say that my friends typically assign someone to walk with me to places), I am the perfect person to tackle this struggle.

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Google Maps is a gift from the heavens and you should unapologetically embrace it

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Reality check: I recognize that I alone will not suffice in making you swallow your pride and use this life-saving app. You want to prove to yourself that you were always meant to be here by using your “natural instincts” to find Sanders Theatre. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: You are destined to fail. I have been attending this college for almost nine months and I still pull out Google Maps to get to the Northwest Building or Eliot House. It took me almost two months to memorize the locations of the Yard’s lecture halls and even longer to figure out the paths to them from different campus spots. You are not getting it in three days, no matter how many years you spent as a boy scout. The Internet Gods have graced us with a digitally mapped college for a reason. Take advantage of it.

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Make your host your designated guide

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All Visitas hosts voluntarily signed up to have you live with them with absolutely no bribing by the college. They were definitely not promised more extra credit and food. Chances are, they’re excited about serving as your temporary Harvard guardians (I know I am), so give them the opportunity to showcase it. The scheduled tours, while entertaining and worthwhile, serve more as overviews of the history of Harvard than orientation tools. Ask your host for an unofficial tour if you happen to have overlapping free time. It will be more condensed, they can take the time to help you establish mental shortcuts for all the buildings, you will get a taste of the Harvard community, and you will learn some not-admissions-office-approved facts about the fun shenanigans that make Harvard a not-so-typical smart people college. (Ask about the foot.)

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Don’t trust PassioGo to get to the Quad

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By Quad we refer to the upperclassmen houses of Pforzheimer, Cabot, and Currier, located on the former residential campus of Radcliffe College, a 15-minute walk from the Yard (hence the Quad Discourse). There are always some self-proclaimed Visitas connoisseurs (who spent too much time memorizing the Harvard website) that will suggest taking a brief stroll to the Quad to “get the full Harvard experience.” Besides the apparent lack of reasons to do so, given that unless students are housed there, they only go for parties, it is a guaranteed recipe for disaster, thanks to the numerous small and confusing alleys of Cambridge. PassioGo is an app that allows you to track the available Quad shuttles, which theoretically makes the trip easier — but its dysfunctionality is so notorious that it has been immortalized in many Harvard Sidechat memes.

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Seek the wisdom of the old and experienced

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This one bears the best results within the Yard and requires a short crash course in “How to Spot a Harvard Student and Avoid Tourists 101.” Let’s say you have just found some potential targets and are ready to intercept. How can you be sure that they aren’t as confused as you are? Some features that lead to immediate disqualification are: wearing one of the Harvard Tour stickers, carrying professional cameras, and touching the foot of the John Harvard statue. You are looking for young adults whose eyes are 75 percent dead and 25 percent counting on being in Forbes’ 30 Under 30. Upperclassmen can seem intimidating, but they have been in your place and understand your stress, so don’t be afraid to walk up to them and politely ask for directions. I would advise you to stay away from those that seem to be running while muttering curses because they are probably already 10 minutes late to their math section and not happy about it.

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Travel in groups

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Misery loves company, and embarrassment is more tolerable when it is shared with others. Once you manage to make your first friends on campus, set a meeting spot from which you will walk together to all the events you are interested in attending. This will ensure that even if you accidentally find yourself next to the Charles River instead of Annenberg, the memory will be saved as a fun moment of solidarity and laughter, rather than a traumatizing event. Also, two brains work better than one and if each member of your group remembers the location of one major Yard building, you might just be able to escape the need for Google Maps after all.

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Pray you don’t get Freshman-Quadded

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If your assigned host lives in Greenough, Pennypacker, or Hurlbut, you should receive financial compensation for emotional damages. They are often labeled the “Freshman Quad” because they are the only first-year residential buildings outside of the Yard and make the daily life of unsuspecting newbies a mini Odyssey. Even my teachings may not be sufficient to save you. May the Crimson Gods be on your side. And I would stay away from the trashcan next to Barker Center during the daily stroll to the yard. (Perhaps I am being slightly overdramatic, they are only two blocks away from the main campus.)

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Whether you decide to embrace your tourist-like appearance or choose to make the most of your disorientation by admiring the scenery, one thing is for sure: your Visitas experience will definitely elevate your survival skills. Armor yourself with a good sense of self-deprecating humor and channel your inner Dora the Explorer and you are guaranteed to have a good time. And remember: when in doubt, Google it!

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('

{shortcode-a25ec988398d094ebee8199c6ebef0ac6d251e8e}You signed up to host for Visitas, but how can you be the best host on campus? How do you make your prefrosh love Harvard? How do you make them commit? Here are Flyby’s dos and don’ts to accomplish all of the above and more:

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DON’T: Go MIA just when they arrive on campus.

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It’s easy to forget, but Harvard is a very confusing and very easy-to-get-lost-in place when it’s your first day on campus. Asking a prefrosh to go from the Science Center to Weld might very well have them asking Google if there’s a metalworking space on campus. You might think your prefrosh can find your dorm without a hitch, but chances are that they’ll need someone to walk them to your room or, at the very least, very detailed text instructions.

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DO: Coordinate with your guest before they get to campus.

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Contact your guest as soon as you can to discuss any details about their stay. When do they plan to arrive? Where will you be the morning of their arrival? Do you plan to spend any time with them? What should they bring? Will there be other guests in your suite? Surprises are fun, but not so much when it’s your first time in a new place.

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DON’T: “Forget” to throw out your trash for the third week in a row.

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Pretty please clean your room. An overflowing trash can and an unvacuumed floor might be a truer depiction of college life than anything your suite will look like after it’s cleaned, but your prefrosh deserves another few months before being scarred by that image. Pre-Visitas is also the perfect time to spring clean pre-reading period and finals, so unleash those cleaning supplies and pretend that your prefrosh’s decision about Harvard is resting on whether or not your floors are gleaming.

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DO: Plan to make your guest at home!

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Your guest should bring a sleeping bag and/or a few blankets with them, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared just in case. It’s likely that your guest will forget at least one item they’ll need during their stay, so put aside some extra blankets and chalk as well as some time in your schedule to take them by CVS for any forgotten toiletries. Also, be sure to decide where in your suite — on your floor? On the couch? — your prefrosh will be sleeping (as well as where their luggage will go) and plan accordingly. Planning ahead also has the bonus of helping you maintain the facade of a mature, totally entirely functional college student. (This bonus sadly does not apply if you know your guest personally.)

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DON’T: Leave your guest high and dry.

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It’s likely that your guest doesn’t know anyone else on campus, and many prefrosh travel alone for the first time for Visitas. Above all, your guest needs your support. You’re busy — your final paper due on Monday and a million for-prefrosh club events have made sure of that — but it’s their first time on campus, and you signed up to be there for them. You don’t have to babysit them, but make sure you’re still semi-available. Answer their questions. Set aside some time to spend with them. Be the host you would have wanted.

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DO: Give them a personalized tour of Harvard.

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Give them your unofficial (but totally, 100 percent better) tour of Harvard, complete with stops at your favorite study spot and the best BoardPlus location on campus. Take them places their Visitas IDs might not let them (within reason, though). Show them the parts of campus that make your experience unique; if you were matched as host and guest, it’s likely that you have at least a few things in common — your favorite parts of campus might well be their favorite parts in a few years’ time.

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DON’T: Monopolize all their time.

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This hardly needs to be said, but your guest visited campus to learn about Harvard, not become besties with you (unfortunately, because you’re amazing). Make sure your guest has the chance to meet other prefrosh and to participate in Visitas sans your influence. Weigh in where you can, but let them get their first true taste of independence, too.

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DO: Help your guest make the most of their Visitas experience.

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There are too many events on the calendar, too many places to be. If your prefrosh is unsure of where to go, help them out! Help them decide on a Visitas schedule that works well for them. Let them know that it’s okay to skip their 20th club event to hang out with other prefrosh. Help them discover the parts of Harvard that won’t show up on any schedule or map. Peer pressure them into committing. Be there for them when they’re confused or lost or distraught. The happier your guests are, the more satisfied you’ll be with yourself as a host.

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No matter how your hosting experience turns out, we can guarantee that your prefrosh is so, so grateful that you’ve given up some of your space and your time to make them a place on campus. Try to be the best host you can, but don’t overthink it; as soon as your guest settles in on campus, the hard part is over. Good luck, and Happy Visitas!

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{shortcode-8df2745203ecc63357406e55f70d95844f261060}Dear reader,

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Love is not real, happiness does not exist, and life has lost all its meaning.

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That’s right: Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn have officially broken up.

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How can we possibly go on? She wrote DAYLIGHT about THIS MAN. He was the 1 who made love golden??? He was the king of her heart?? HER LONDON BOY?? WHAT HAPPENED TAYLUH??

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If you are nearly as disoriented as I am by this news, please feel free to join me on my road to recovery.

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Step one: Deny, deny, deny.

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Did you ever hear about the girl who lives in delusion? Yeah, that’s me. It didn’t happen if I don’t believe it happened. Let’s think: how many times has Entertainment Tonight reported that they were engaged? Married? Pregnant? Too many for them to ever be reliable. Taylor and Joe have the privacy sign on their door!! Everyone is saying the end is coming, but she’s running home to his sweet nothings!

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Just like I refuse to accept Harvard men’s incapability of romance, I refused to even CONSIDER the reports.

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Then, People magazine confirmed it. Then, CNN. Then, Taylor cried performing Champagne Problems.

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*voice breaks* Maybe it is real then??

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Step two: Rationalize.

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Okay — she replaced “invisible string” with “the 1” on her tour. Either she’s messing with us, or she is fully confirming the news. Either way, I’ve come to the casually cruel realization that:

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  Cornelia street will never be walked again.

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  She can go anywhere she wants, just not home.

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  The story of them looks a lot like a tragedy now.

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Step 3: Prepare (mentally)

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We are officially going to be listening to Taylor Swift’s breakup songs to get over Taylor Swift’s breakup.

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In one aspect, this is a good thing. Not for her of course, but like… for me. Girl has been writing too many love songs lately. I just can’t relate. The entire Lover album has induced more of my tears than “Dear John” ever did.

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Is this a sad, beautiful tragedy … or inspiration? Call it what you want, but that next album is going to hit. Blondie wrote “Last Kiss” (aka the most gut-wrenching, soul-shattering song) about a man she dated for three months.

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This was SIX YEARS. SIX YEARS WORTH OF PAIN (& LYRICS).

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Step 4: Accept.

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Everything happens for a reason. People break up, people grow apart, and people move on. We know this all too well.

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At least now she won’t have to settle for paper rings or cheap-ass screw-top rosé (jokes!) (still love you joe!)

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Now grab your tissues, make her famous chai cookie recipe, and blast this playlist.

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Don’t worry, she will begin again. Love is not dead (right?)

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-8df2745203ecc63357406e55f70d95844f261060}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2023/04/16/211324_1363072.gif', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

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{shortcode-bef897bf173d98e9c785864995a08d456c61595c}

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Tired of your typical Starbucks caramel macchiato in the morning? Searching for a new Starbucks order especially with reading week around the corner? You’re in the right place. As a Starbucks enthusiast, I am constantly looking for recipes to spice up my daily Starbies. Luckily, the TikTok algorithm graced my FYP with the Secret Starbucks menu... I tried these trendy Starbucks drinks so you don’t have to. You’re welcome :)

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Chocolate-covered Strawberry Pink Drink with Chocolate Creme Cold Foam

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This secret menu item is rumored to taste like a chocolate-covered strawberry — shocking, right? The drink order is actually super simple which is great for someone (myself) who gets anxious ordering a drink with many alterations. My only grievance was paying an extra $1.25 for the chocolate cream cold foam on top. The presentation was… questionable, but it did taste like a chocolate-covered strawberry. Would I get it again? Probably not, but if you are a chocolate and/or strawberry lover, this is the drink for you!

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Dragon Fruit Refresher with Coconut Milk, Strawberry Puree, and Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam

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When I stumbled onto this drink on TikTok, I was initially drawn to it because of its vibrant color. This drink is perfect for the upcoming warmer weather: It’s aesthetically pleasing, refreshing, and has the perfect amount of sweetness. It literally tastes like melted strawberry ice cream. I didn’t even care that I had to pay extra for the strawberry puree and cold foam. 10/10 recommendation.

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Iced Chai Tea Latte with Blonde Espresso Roast, Oat Milk, Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam, and Cinnamon Powder

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If you’re looking for a Starbies drink with more caffeine, I totally recommend this drink, especially if you’re a chai tea latte lover. This drink has the perfect variety of flavors with every sip. The combination of the vanilla sweet cream cold foam with blonde espresso roast is truly superior. The addition of cinnamon powder adds a little kick to your first sip. This drink tends to be on the sweeter side, so if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, order this drink!

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After reviewing these Starbies drinks I will definitely be trying every drink on my TikTok FYP from now on. These drinks have spiced up my regular Starbuck orders and if you’re willing to venture beyond your normal iced latte, this is the place to start.

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('

{shortcode-0e13ff1e283d17c413f7d7a8b41d0f75977e39b6}

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Dear Seniors,

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As Harvard spray paints the Yard green once again to schmooze the Class of 2027, our own class seems to have moved firmly into an era of excitement and festivity. The time until graduation, now fewer than 50 days, continues to shrink — and so does lecture attendance. Unlike in years past, this spring brought us thesis photoshoots, freshman roommate reunions, and one last chance to romance longtime crushes. It’s a time of popping champagne and posting detailed LinkedIn updates, of reveling in the paradox of being simultaneously young to the world and wise elders in the eyes of underclassmen. While this space for celebration is certainly well-deserved, I also want to carve out a bit of space for something else: uncertainty.

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Four or five years ago, we were at a similar point of transition, saying goodbye to our classmates and teachers as we donned caps and gowns. For most of us, the path was crystal clear by April. We knew we would be moving to Cambridge, living in age-old dorms, and spending the next four years diving headfirst into a liberal arts education. Those who didn’t yet know Harvard was in their future were likely still certain higher education would be their next step. This time, though, the arrival of Commencement means we begin charting our own paths, and finding the right direction is not as straightforward.

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Of course, there are those among us who just buzz with anticipation for the fellowship or graduate school program or finance job they have lined up. But I promise more seniors than you might expect are still trying to figure it all out, whether that means looking for a job or deciding between offers or searching desperately for the right housing, the right roommate, the right way to maintain a relationship when “long-distance” comes to mean across the country instead of from the river to the Quad. There are so many decisions to be made right now, so many logistics to iron out, and there’s no guarantee that the grass will be greener on the other side — even a spray-painted green a la Harvard Yard.

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Moving from college to the real world can feel like running full speed around a corner with nothing but the hope you won’t crash immediately. “You’re a small fish in a big pond,” they told us when we got here freshman year. Now the pond is about to grow infinitely bigger, and if you’re not fully content with your plans or rock-solid in your optimism, you may be left wondering, “Am I doomed to the life of a smaller and smaller fish? Did I work this hard just to be swallowed up in a sea already brimming with near-replicas of me and my accomplishments?” Four years of college and plenty of knowledge, just to be swept aside, unseasoned, like a plate of Red’s Best Catch in the dining hall tray return. That can’t be right.

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It can be demoralizing to hold onto this uncertainty when it seems like everyone else is cruising down the collegiate home stretch. It can be even harder to admit it exists, pushing back against the fear of judgment or the worry of detracting from someone else’s well-earned spirit of celebration. But “semper veritas” requires a commitment to even the scariest of truths, and the truth is that change is uncomfortable and difficult to navigate.

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So maybe some of us will take a bit longer to work out exactly what life will be like post-college, and maybe I will keep looking like a deer caught in headlights whenever a well-meaning underclassman starts asking for specifics. That’s just the name of the game. Before we know it, the Yard will finally have its real summer grass again, and we’ll all be on our way, figuring it out as we go.

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('

{shortcode-9065386b3e8b9dfe44061bba4faaa617b8bbeca9} With the way that our student body is constantly simultaneously falling apart and chilling, we multitask more often than we think. For real, my brain — and my poor MacBook on the verge of imploding with its fan *screaming* in the middle of lecture — always has 1,636 tabs open at once. The weight of having five conflicting meetings, hundreds of pages of reading, and three papers due by 11:59 p.m. can be hard to bear, but it doesn’t have to be with flyby’s guide to multitasking!

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Go tan outside while doing your readings

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Spring is in the air, and that means that Harvard’s campus is going to come to life again with people soaking up the sunshine to melt their worries away (though when the spring weather will *actually* arrive is TBD…). You can lay out the iconic red picnic blanket you got on move-in day on the grass to get some sun while suffering through your readings. After all, if your brain is being fried, then your skin might as well get fried too. Harvard Yard may not be the same as the beach, but you can be a better tourist attraction than the John Harvard statue and photobomb all their pictures. Oh, class buildings are pretty close too, so it’s a great way to make use of the awkward gap between classes.

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Go to a fitness class (or Trader Joe’s!) with friends

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Squeeze in a cycling or yoga class while spending crucial quality time with your friends. Win, win. If the gym isn’t your thing, don’t you fret because you can still burn some calories running some SUPER necessary errands at Trader Joe’s with friends (a.k.a stocking up on their new spring must-haves, including strawberries and cream gelato, cheddar jalapeño bread, coffee and dark chocolate sandwich cookies, and ruby cacao figs). Their tulips are also beautiful and would make a great pop of color in your suite. Student by day, stellar decorator by night.

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Pregame and pset

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One thing that’s for sure is that everyone always has a growing pile of assignments. Try scheduling a block of time in your GCal for your friend group to get the best of both worlds by studying while enjoying some drinks and food. Then, you get to feel accomplished when you put away work for the day and see where the night takes you. Submitting a problem set is a fabulous reason to party hard ;).

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Call your family and long-distance friends while walking

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Wish you could talk to the people you love more? Great news: you can. Take advantage of the new and improved weather by calling your loved ones while heading to class (especially if it's at the SEC) or strolling along the Charles River. As a bonus, you get a much-needed boost of serotonin when you get to see dogs on walks. If that’s not self-care, I don’t know what is.

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Binge YouTube while folding laundry

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Folding laundry isn’t exactly entertaining and can be quite time-consuming, so it’s the ideal time to go down a YouTube rabbit hole guilt-free. Remember, it's not wasting time if you’re doing chores at the same time! My personal go-to side of YouTube is the world of dramatic The Bachelor and The Bachelorette clips because I have a hard time committing to watching the entire seasons :(. Another plus is that YouTube videos are short and sweet, so they are suitable for our shrinking attention spans. You deserve the mental break for a while, and I hope that you are able to find all of those socks gone astray.

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Multitasking more efficiently can help us work smarter, not harder (or just do a mediocre job at everything… but isn’t that a risk worth taking?!). As long as it’s not responding to a discussion post while riding a BlueBike, I don’t see the problem. We don’t condone texting and driving, but we do condone wise time management through multitasking.

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{shortcode-6a66d38181a34e4461fc0483ef119f99c1c0c0c6} It’s finally that time of year — you’re getting a little sick of waking up to your athlete roommate’s 7 a.m. MAC alarm and a call from your hometown bestie is all that you are looking forward to. Before you know it, they’re on their way to see if your red brick castle is the dark academia paradise they’ve been expecting. Here are the eight places to take them to meet (and maybe lower) their expectations.

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1. Lamont Library

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I know, I know, Widener is the stunning marble-crested dreamscape with sensible working hours and dashing upperclassmen… and your best friend (on campus) is probably waiting for you with an unfinished puzzle in Cabot Library. But let’s be real. When things get tough and you need to punch away at a pset for hours or grind out your expos draft, only one place feels like home. Take them to the REAL productivity zone on campus.

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2. Annenberg

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Like most Harvard students, your best friend from home is probably a nerd. Accept it. They stan Jar Jar Binks and think Lord of the Rings is the greatest work of fantasy of all time. More than anything else, they cried when a magical envelope didn’t welcome them to Hogwarts before puberty. Take them into HUDS paradise and watch them gawk at the stained glass windows and dark wood paneling. Smuggle them in with your friend’s ID and take them up that dingy elevator to give them a balcony overview of the ultimate Harry Potter fantasy land.

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3. Your Dorm

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This one is fairly straightforward, but your best friend probably thinks that you have a butler waiting on your every need and room service straight to your marble bathtub. Let them have their “Ohhhh! This is sooo cute!” moment.

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4. CS50 Lecture

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What’s more Harvard than taking them to the most popular lecture on campus. With your best friend added to David Malan’s fanbase, you won’t be able to get away with sleeping through lectures anymore. Even better, smuggle your friend the ultimate Harvard souvenir — an “I took CS50 shirt.”

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5. Tatte’s

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Introduce your BFF to hustle culture by fighting for a table at a popular cafe in Harvard Square. Some of the best tea ever spilled (quite literally when weaving through the crowd on a busy Saturday morning) was brewed on the first floor of this Harvard cult classic. Don’t be shy, climb those steps to the second floor and dish on your new college lives as you overlook Massachusetts Ave.

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6. El Jefe’s

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No, you are not taking your BFF to Felipe’s for dinner. I don’t care if you say the burritos are objectively more flavorful or cost-efficient, we both know that regardless of which restaurant you like better, when 3 a.m. rolls around after a long night of studying or socializing, your butt will be firmly planted in a Jefe’s booth. Don’t gatekeep the REAL Harvard experience.

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7. The Stacks

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Yes, I labeled Widener overrated, but there is an exception that makes this rule — the Stacks. What kind of hometown friend are we talking about? If they’re the right type of friend, this may be one Harvard tradition to show them before they leave.

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8. The Quad

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Field trip! Let’s reverse prejudices against this centerpiece of the Harvard community. Struggle to demonstrate an understanding of how Passio-Go works. The shuttle even doubles as a tour bus. Plus, there are many worse places to visit on campus… we highly recommend avoiding Mather at all costs during the shuttle ride.

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From beating a Karen to a Tatte’s table after her pilates session to converting your BFF to a computer science major, this guide is a sure-fire way to introduce Harvard to any hometown bestie. Don’t get me wrong, Harvard’s campus truly is one of the most exceptional and beautiful places to spend your four collegiate years… but not introducing your friend to its quirks is a grave injustice.

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Remember when we told you not to go to the Barker Cafe because the drinks were too yummy and the baristas were too nice? Well, I now have another place to add to the list of cute cafes and study spots for gatekeeping. So stop reading and pay attention to your lecture because trust me, you definitely don’t want to know about yet another cozy, student-run spot to spend your Board Plus.

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Well, good. Now that nobody is actually reading, what cafe am I referring to, you ask? Here’s the tl;dr.

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The What and The Where:

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Cafe Gato Rojo is a good vibes-only, student-run, board plus-taking cafe nestled into the basement of Lehman Hall (the mysterious and scary graduate school building at the corner of the Yard). It finally reopened its doors this semester for the first time post-pandemic and It. Is. Glorious.

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The Whys:

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Why does its name translate to “red cat”? I don’t know. But I’m inclined to think it’s a reference to our beloved yard cat Remy. And I guess “red cat” was an easier translation than “tabby.”

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Why is this cafe a Flyby Blog fave deserving of this whole article? A few reasons.

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1. They don’t charge for non-dairy milk. That’s right. For all the lactose intolerant folks who have come to terms with dropping an extra 70 cents for almond milk in exchange for a day without stomach problems, fear no more. Cafe Gato Rajo feels your pain. They will not charge you for your beloved dairy milk substitute.

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2. As a student-run blog with a loyal following, we at Flyby appreciate signature branding. And as a student-run coffee shop with a loyal following, Cafe Gato Rojo delivers on signature branding with their quirky branded mugs and merch for sale.

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3. If you subscribe to our newsletter, you’ll know that we at Flyby also love free stuff. Make note that Cafe Gato Rojo gives out punch cards to all their loyal fans. 10 visits and you’ve got a free drink. Don’t lie to me and yourself. You know it won’t take more than ten days for you to get there.

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The When:

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Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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The How:

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How are the good vibes consistently maintained in this space? As not a curator but a visitor in this liminal space, I cannot ever know for sure. But as I sit here right now, I can theorize that it’s the combination of the soft lighting, wall art from local artists, friendly baristas, audible but not distracting music volume, squishy armchairs, and most importantly, lots of OUTLETS. Charged laptops make for happy students.

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So yeah. I’m definitely not studying in this cafe three out of five days a week and I hope to NOT see many of you there.

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