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{shortcode-751368b70c6ae72753ebaec81656a6dda563fd34}At the end of spring semester last year, I had used none of my BoardPlus — mainly because I had no idea what BoardPlus was and where I could spend it. And so, this semester, I decided to use my BoardPlus more consistently, as a way to treat myself during the semester. Because of this mission and my newfound love and discovery of the infinite dining/snack/beverage options at the Harvard Law School, my BoardPlus this semester is no more. So to all of you who are lucky enough to have some BoardPlus leftover: Go. To. The. Law. School. From sushi to blueberry scones, here is a quick run-down of the law school’s endless Board Plus options. Go forth and spruce up your otherwise HUDS-y week!

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The cafe

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As soon as you step into the main HLS building, take a right down the steps and enter the Hogwarts-esque cafe. Behold, a Peets coffee shop complete with seasonal drinks (especially convenient for all the Quadlings who would otherwise have to trek all the way to LISE for a pick-me-up latte) and baked goods that look like they could have been sold at Tatte. But the best part of this space is its ambiance. The erudite, old-fashioned vibe of this cafe is mainly a result of the fireplace (yes, there’s a REAL fireplace) that blazes throughout the day. I enjoyed a cappuccino by the fire here, watching the rain fall and feeling like I was in the Gryffindor Common Room — true main character moment.

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The first-floor cafeteria

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Sushi. I repeat. Sushi!!! Despite being cheap compared to other sushi options in Cambridge, the sushi in the HLS Cafeteria really hurt my BoardPlus stash. The ground-floor cafeteria is full of even more baked goods (not the mini-danishes in the dhall during breakfast but nice pastries), pizza, a wild range of refrigerated drinks, mac and cheese (with toppings!), and freshly prepared sandwiches. And, in case I didn’t make this clear enough, sushi!!

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The second-floor cafeteria

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Admittedly, I ran out of BoardPlus before I could make it here for a meal. But, this cafe is a huge space with a crazy number of stations. HUDS on sTeRoiDs of all kinds. I don’t know why HLS needs one cafe directly above another, but grab lunch here and tell me everything I missed out on.

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Maybe the delights of the Law School have always been common knowledge, and simply unfamiliar to me. In any case, this guide is for anyone who, like me, has been oblivious to the ultimate BoardPlus spending spot. Am I upset that I ran out of Board Plus? Yes. Do I regret any of my Law school food purchases? No. Will I still go to the Law school instead of HUDS? Most likely.

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In September 2022, I made the monumental decision to transcend my lowly status as a NARP by signing up for the Boston Half Marathon. Tired of people scootering around me, I decided I would in fact become the scooter itself — the scooter-ee would surpass the scooter. But beyond that and the general masochism that comes with being a Chemistry concentrator, this was also something my running-fanatic mother pressured me into doing with her.

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I wouldn’t call myself a running noob, having run casually by the river whenever I needed to forget my life whenever the weather is nice, but I’d never run more than five miles at a time before this. Despite my lack of experience, I finished happy and smiling this Sunday (yay!!). I know you didn’t ask, but here are 13.1 things I wish I knew before racing. I’m telling you so that you too have all the information you need to feel a sense of athleticism, testosterone, and moral superiority the next time section kid interrupts you.

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1. Following a training plan makes life easy.

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I’m cripplingly indecisive to the point that I’ll spend five minutes looking at the Barker Café menu which has a total of about six hot drinks on it. Training plans alleviate the stress of deciding your mileage for that day/week!

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2. Training requires a certain level of commitment.

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My class schedule didn’t allow for afternoon training, so early morning wakeups were necessary in order to get the requisite mileage in. Long runs require even more time plus recovery so be prepared to intentionally carve out time in your schedule to accommodate!

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3. But it’s also not over if you miss a day — listen to your body!

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If your body hurts in a way that’s deeper than muscle soreness, skip a day of training! Alternatively, if your body hurts in a way from going too hard at Tasty Basty the night before, skip a day of training! It’s not the end of the world and is ultimately beneficial in the long run.

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4. Cross-training

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To avoid injury, I braved the sweaty pits of the Mather gym to get my weekly lifts in. But the benefits of lifting didn’t mean the task was enjoyable.

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5. Podcasts are vibes

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During long runs, I listened to a lot of podcasts. Like a lot. Also a good way to listen to lectures that you definitely 100% did attend.

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*Note from the editor: it’s true — ESD listens to a lot of true crime, and then becomes truly scared.

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6. A watch is very, very helpful!

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I stole borrowed my sister’s watch where I could track my mileage and pace which was helpful for….

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7. Pacing yourself

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When racing, it’s easy to get caught up in the adrenaline. Especially since the Boston Half is so hilly, I found it important to maintain a steady pace in the downhills to preserve my legs for the literal six-mile uphill segment that closed out the race. Still easier than a physics pset.

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8. If it rains, let it rain.

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Sounds like a proverb but no. You’re going to get wet anyways, and wearing a shell on top of your running gear may lead to overheating.

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9. Soak in the crowd but also do bring earbuds

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Nothing can beat a crowd on race day, but also nothing can beat the pure rush of fear and adrenaline when a Pitbull song comes on. Choose your poison.

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10. Know your course

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I didn’t know how hilly the Boston course was until about three weeks before the actual race and had been training on flat ground up until that point. Then in sheer panic, I ran hills every single day until the race. 1/10 would not recommend. Do your research.

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11. Practice fueling

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Similar to common mantras heard on weekend evenings, my mantra after drinking the race Gatorade was a stream of “Don’tthrowupdon’tthrowupdon’tthrowup”s. Practice fueling during training runs to train your stomach to take in fuel.

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12. Carb loading

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Could be fake but could also be helpful. I used it mostly as an excuse to indulge in some good good bread but found myself surprisingly energized during the race.

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13. HAVE FUN!

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The most cliché of all clichés, but the race was genuinely so fun! Seeing all the spectators and running with friends made the experience one I’ll definitely remember forever :)

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13.1 Your pre-race poops are *probably* just out of excitement. Don’t poop.

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It’s that time of year again when we reflect on all the things we’re grateful for — and there’s a lot to be grateful for: friends, family, HUDS sweet potato fries, and even that section kid who mansplains talks all the time but also makes sure you’re never called on so you don’t have to pretend like you did the reading.

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Whether you’re looking for some casual listening to put yourself in a ~grateful~ mindset, or you just need something to blast in your airpods at Thanksgiving Dinner to tune out that relative who can’t stop talking about her secret casserole recipe, Flyby has you covered. Because, dear reader, we’re grateful for you too — so Thank U (Next).

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{shortcode-da59ea1e4f5218a9f8d546c6c81196b95ee2aa05}Goodbye 70-degree days (mostly) — fall has arrived in full force and, so it’s (finally?) time to spend our days trekking over a warm-colored mosaic of leaves and wondering when we’ll next slip on a pile of them. In case your impromptu slip-and-slide pushes you into a horde of tourists, Flyby’s got you covered with this bingo card to turn even the most awkward encounters into a win.

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{shortcode-be88180050bc96b20ea38074fddae89db3b30795}Exposed! The Notes app of a Harvard student is both a diverting and dark place full of entries that are unexplainable and questionable without context

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{shortcode-47fe5a7705a48d804ee5e6fccad469c2b8a86564}Couldn’t decide whether you hate love psets or readings more? Can’t figure out how to combine all of your niche interests in one class? Want to learn R semi-proficiently in multiple different contexts? Here in the social sciences, you CAN have it all! Home to some of the largest concentrations at Harvard, the social sciences offer a choose-your-own-interdisciplinary adventure — read on to find out why our sophomores chose these concentrations for their own academic adventure!

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Corinne E. Furey: I declared Social Studies because my hyperactive personality just. can’t. pick. one. This concentration’s interdisciplinary vibe allows me to bounce around various departments – now no one will ever get sick of me and I can always leave them wanting more <3. I eagerly await the thrill of sleepless nights spent thesis-ing senior year… and the party that will ensue upon my completion. I’ve truly loved my experience with the department thus far and am excited for so much more.

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Stephany Gutierrez: I declared Government because my suffering through the Gov 20 readings last year needed to be justified. Besides, being surrounded by aspiring politicians who simultaneously seem to be doing the most and the bare minimum is fascinating. In all seriousness, GOV combines several disciplines like history and sociology, and for someone as indecisive as me, this flexibility is a necessity.

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Hayeon “Rachel” Ok: I declared Economics after I took one look at my Stat 110 midterm and decided Stat was just not it, RIP. In semi-seriousness, I already had an interest in economics and I am already planning on becoming a finance gal/corporate girlie. Econ is just a good balance between writing (policy-related stuff) and dipping my toes into math/STEM. Although I will forever be shunned by my hard STEM blockmates for merely being in social sciences (and therefore cannot call myself a #WomanInSTEM), Econ is an interesting lens to view the world and provides a diversity of classes to explore my interests!

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Quincy B. Donley: I think I’m declaring Economics! After taking about every intro class possible (okay not really, but I’ve taken a few), Ec10 has reeled me in. I’ve never been 100% certain about what I want to do, but this seems applicable to the ~real world~. And my young entrepreneurial self would appreciate the things I’m learning. Optimization, anyone? I’m starting the track a tiny bit late, but from what I can tell, Ec is pretty flexible in the sense that I can still fit some other non-concentration courses in there (hello study abroad?).

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{shortcode-06fccd321af45e22069f9836c8d7e4549fe4da46}Yes, we know history is technically a social science. But let’s be real: you didn’t know that until you read that sentence. So bear with us, and read ahead to find out why these sophomores declared concentrations in and around the humanities!

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Elizabeth K. Roosevelt: I declared History because it makes me feel more justified when sneaking into the grad-student-only Robinson Library to live out my dark academia dreams. There’s nothing like the rush of standing with your ear glued to the door at 10p.m. to see if grad students are inside. But in all seriousness, I declared History the first day that declarations opened on my.Harvard because I felt at home in the department — growing up, my dream jobs were to be an archeologist or an author, and a historian is pretty much those two professions congealed into one. Ten-year-old (and twenty-year-old) Elizabeth is happy!

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Eve S. Jones: When I was eight years old, I decided I wanted to study English, and I haven’t had the energy to reconsider since. Honestly, the best thing about being an English concentrator is that your readings are works you’d want to read anyway. My Goodreads account has never been happier — I’m on track to have read 80 books this year! (PSA: Everybody stop what you’re doing and read Passing by Nella Larsen.) It can be tough to be consistently full of literary hot takes, but if it’s between this or a p-set? Yeah, I’ll do some close reading any day.

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Hana Rehman: I declared History and Science (concentration name: History and Science, department: History of Science — is it confusing? Yes. ) because I’m very indecisive. Do I want to cry at office hours every week while p-setting non-stop, or do I want to rewrite the same sentence five hundred times while writing an essay? Why not both <3? In all honesty, I’m a pre-med looking for a good ~interdisciplinary~ education that divides my studies in both STEM and the humanities so that my GPA doesn’t fall to the ground I can take a variety of classes in different departments and make the most of my Harvard academic experience.

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{shortcode-e286ac33c67ff0a7d40b9de3fc83d30f765e44d5}With frigid November weather and Starbucks’ holiday drinks comes every sophomore’s favorite existential crisis: declaring a concentration. For all the masochists incredibly hard-working sophomore Flyby writers who just can’t keep their distance from the Science Center (or even farther SEC) and definitely didn’t fall in love with their MQC course assistant, Flyby Blog is proud to present Why I Declared: STEM edition.

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Evangeline J. Gilmer: I declared Neuroscience because my nerves hate me and I want to know why! My chronic nerve pain is pretty much always tolerable without painkillers, but lots of people have more serious disorders. And regardless of which end of the pain spectrum people fall into, many unfortunately have one thing in common: the only existing treatments are physical therapy and painkillers. And neither of those are cures. I’m a pre-med life science lover, and I find neuroscience to be the most interesting Harvard life science major not only for the personal connection but also for how ~mysterious~ our own minds are. In other words, the nervous system is the Zayn Malik of the human body and I guess I’m Y/N…?

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Raymond Wu: I haven’t declared just yet, but I’m 99.9% sure I’m going to declare Computer Science. And before anyone says anything, yes, I am a victim of the tech propaganda pyramid scheme. But aside from that, I’ve found myself really enjoying programming and even the more theoretical side of computer science, so I’m excited to dig deeper and learn more about the subject. And also to retire at 35.

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Anjali Z. Mehta: I declared Applied Math, and I have been reconsidering my choice ever since. I know that I am in for a deeply humbling college experience, but I’ve come to accept the inevitably low GPA and constant late-night psetting. While this decision was certainly surprising to my friends and family, I chose AM as I have truly loved all the math classes I’ve taken so far, especially the ones that have involved literally no numbers. I am very excited to dive even deeper into the wonderful, collaborative, nerdy AM community!

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Hailey E. Krasnikov: Honestly, I declared Neuroscience and Economics because I couldn’t pick just one Harvard trope. Am I a finance bro?? Am I premed?? The world will simply never know because I am indeed both. Neuro is just science-y enough for me to feel like a #WomenInStem, while Econ activates my go-getter business persona that I use to convince myself to get up at 5 a.m. to finish my homework that’s due that day.

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Tali S. Wong: I declared ESE. Do I hear you asking what the heck is that? Yes, it is a veryyyy small concentration (think-I-know-almost-everyone-else-who-is-declaring small) with an excessively long name. ESE stands for Environmental Science and Engineering. Basically, I love trees, but I also love math. Yes, I have put myself through many painful intro STEM courses. No, I haven't gotten to take many classes in my concentration, but I’m telling myself that I will love it when I get there. Also, somebody has to save the planet.

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Annette Kim: I will most likely be declaring Neuroscience because I think it’s cool. I wish I had a more compelling story to tell on why I chose my concentration, but there’s really nothing else to it. I think brains are interesting, and I want to learn more about them. Are my interests prone to change? Most definitely. Am I having a crisis every other day on what to declare? Absolutely. I will simply continue to ~pursue my passions~.

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{shortcode-8a2c36918dee3684867371d72450b9b82e591310} We’ve all been there. It’s 9:02 a.m. You’re sprinting through the Yard to class, hoping to still beat the athlete who’s locking up their scooter. Then, you see it: a group of tourists posing for the cliche-yet-tasteful “Touching of John Harvard’s Shoe.” Forgetting about the hot section kid you’re trying to impress, you are forced to stop and shudder. While the visitors’ eyes light up as they touch the bronze beauty, you can only recall the ~other things~ you’ve heard about taking place there *shudders*.

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Here, Flyby breaks down four things we would rather touch than JoJo’s tainted toe:

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#4: 2 a.m. Jefe’s Toilet

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While standing in line to use Jefe’s toilet can feel like a nightmare, we can be comforted knowing that just that morning, Jefe’s’ crew was hard at work cleaning this majestic throne. On the other hand, the closest J-Harv gets to sanitation is his glistening “morning dew” following a Harvard student’s night out.

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#3: The Water Bottle You Haven’t Washed Since You Got Here

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Just wash it. Please, just wash it. And, despite popular opinion: No, the dhall’s Powerade-water synthesis does not count as soap. Alas, since we know you won’t, we will put your Hydroflask’s microbiome at #3.

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#2: A Canaday Carpet

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For you STEM girlies, what do 48 years multiplied by 250 first-years multiplied by an average of 3 stains per student produce? An amalgamation of stenches and smears that still remain less disturbing than Good ol’ Johnny’s boot.

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#1: Patient 0 of the Frat Flu

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You know who you are. Your hacking coughs and sniffling nose invoked a SideChat mask debate and caused every student to Google, “Did I pay the Harvard Student Health fee?” Yet, compared to John, we would still rather hug you (consensually, of course).

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Honorable Mentions:

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  The Memorial Church Rats

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  The Floor of Sigma Chi

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We understand that tourists’ traditions are rooted in Harvard Yard, but dear God, we hope you have alcohol-based hand sanitizer. And to the next Harvard daredevil looking for a story, perhaps just pass JH by at 3 a.m instead.

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{shortcode-5aad30a674a6b3cb713715d7b59f74a1f2bd327e}It’s officially November, folks, so say goodbye to Halloween and hello to Thanksgiving! As the seasons change from one to another, so do we. Motivation dwindles, fashion becomes weather oriented, and our cozy beds start to look a lot more enticing during the day. I know, it’s an exhausting time, which is why we’ve rounded up a list of what’s in and out during the last stretch of this seemingly endless semester. Enjoy!

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Out:

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The cobwebs in the corner of your room — No longer acceptable, Halloween is done

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Midterm Exams — Give it a rest, we’re past the time for those

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Kanye West — I feel like we can all agree on this one

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Not dressing for the weather — Put the salmon shorts away, buddy, it’s time

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Getting to class on time — Simply will not be happening this month

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Gened readings — unoriginal, long, boring. we can do better

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Frat flu — The cough has finally stopped, and it better stay away this time

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Candy corn — The only acceptable time to eat these is during October, okay

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Not carrying an umbrella when it rains — Don’t be that person who thinks it’s cool to get soaked walking to class

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Adhering to my attempted budget plan for the semester — not that I ever did

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In:

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Christmas/holiday music — I will take no hate on this

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Midterm Elections — Time to hot girl vote

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Hot totties — cozy and sophisticated

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Kicking Yale’s ass — Who’s ready for The Game?!

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Being fashionably late to everything — Or just plain late, that’s cool too

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Casual naps — We’re all tired, okay?

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Spending way too much on food to “treat myself” — it’s self-care, it doesn’t count

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Taylor Swift — We’re ALL meeting at midnight

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Movie nights with the squad — time to recuperate after Halloweekend

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Starbucks’ holiday cups — Honestly, they just make me irrationally happy

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The recognition that not all of my work will be getting done — What can ya do?

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New Month, New You! Carpe diem, my dears, and take this list (only semi) seriously as you take on this November.

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Here at Flyby, we believe you are never too old to do anything — this includes trick-or-treating. In fact, we believe it’s even more fun to go trick-or-treating as a full-fledged adult, because no one can stop you from eating too much candy and falling into a candy coma. #adulting. Thus, in the name of journalism, we donned our costumes, grabbed our tote bags (since we couldn’t find trick-or-treat baskets) and headed into the wonderful neighborhoods of Cambridge in pursuit of tricks and treats.

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To set the scene…

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6:18 p.m. - Tina leaves from Mather in her pirate costume to find Alex at Paine Hall

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6:38 p.m. - Tina arrives at Paine Hall; meets with Alex; starts trek to the Quad where Alex lives #quadlife <3

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6:40 p.m. - Tina thinks they are lost, but Alex reassures her that this is her usual daily commute back to the Quad

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6:48 p.m. - Tina and Alex arrive at the Quad; Alex starts to put on her cowboy costume

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6:57 p.m. - Tina and Alex head out and the trick-or-treating festivities begin

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At first, we were kind of nervous about ringing people’s doorbells. This was Alex’s first time trick-or-treating in the U.S., and Tina’s first time going door-to-door trick-or-treating, so there was somewhat of an ~activation barrier~ to overcome. The first house on our list was Dean Khurana’s — but all lights were off, and we chickened out. #missedconnections…or so we thought.

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We kept asking ourselves, What’s the worst that could happen? We were just two college kids, walking around in search of candy in the name of journalism. If people judge us, oh well, candy is candy. Tina lives in Mather, so she realized she didn’t care if people living near the Quad judged her anyways. With that mindset, we started ringing doorbells.

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7:03 p.m. - We ring the doorbell to our first house. Well, more like we grab a piece of candy from a bowl on the front porch and bolt away before anyone sees. But, a win is a win. First candy secured. Tina got a Kit-Kat, Alex got a Snickers.

\r\n\r\n

At this point, our activation barrier has been overcome and our adrenaline has kicked in. Nothing can stop us now. We zig-zag through the streets, hitting as many houses in a block as we can. We follow any children we see (not creepily), since they seem like a good indication of which houses to target. Alex yells at a rude driver who doesn’t stop at a crosswalk. As she should.

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7:06 p.m. - Someone asks Alex how old she is. She says 21 and gets embarrassed. Luckily, we find and merge with another group of Harvard students who are also out trick-or-treating. Great minds think alike. Their costumes are space bunny, snow bunny, and sailor. Shoutout to them.

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7:08 p.m. - Kind woman living in a well-decorated house gives us candy, is delighted to find out we are college kids from the area and welcomes us back for Christmas caroling. She lures us with the promise of hot cocoa and cookies. A new idea is born — Flyby Tries: Christmas Caroling???

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7:19 p.m. - We continue in pursuit of more sweets. One house just has a bowl of Hershey kisses and a pile of chocolate-covered pretzels on the stoup. Tina says, “Is this safe?” Alex cautiously advises, “We probably shouldn’t eat those…” But, it’s too late since Tina has already eaten one. It was very yummy.

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7:21 p.m. - We get slightly scared by a man sitting on his porch steps playing a reading of Dracula. But he shows us some beautiful pumpkins his kids carved, and lets us take 3 pieces of candy each, so we get over our fear pretty quickly.

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7:32 p.m. - You may be wondering, why did we choose to trick-or-treat around the Quad? Well, while there are many possible answers, but only one that is truly correct: Elizabeth Warren. Lives. Near. the. Quad. While we did have to wait in a line to walk up to her porch, Senator Warren not only gave us candy but agreed to take a photo with us all!

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{shortcode-49f5c025f4655660bf1378c91598fb68715dccd6}

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7:46 p.m. - The night did not end here. We decide to bring the night full-circle, and return to Dean Khurana’s house. Chocolate: secured. More importantly, Instagram feature: secured.

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{shortcode-345234aea5939af459fce6376da3f3119c81ef17}

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7:55 p.m. - We call the night a success, marking the end of our trick-or-treating adventure. Tina struggles to find the shuttle stop at the Quad. Sigh.

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Highlights of the night:

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\r\n\t
• \r\n\t

  Halloween stamps. No explanation needed.

  \r\n\t
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• \r\n\t

  One woman ran out of candy and gave out trinkets such as seashells and crystals. Not as tasty, but sooo pretty.

  \r\n\t
\r\n\t
• \r\n\t

  FULL SIZE CANDY BARS!! A man fully pulled out a platter of giant Hershey’s chocolate bars (think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory golden ticket chocolate bars) and insisted we all take one.

  \r\n\t
\r\n\t
• \r\n\t

  Elizabeth Warren. No explanation needed

  \r\n\t
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• \r\n\t

  Dean Khurana. No explanation needed.

  \r\n\t
\r\n

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Closing Thoughts:

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TC: Absolutely doing this again next year. It was so fun getting to relive this part of childhood, trick-or-treating should just be normalized for everyone, no matter the age. I freed up my entire evening for this, and it did not disappoint. Heck, I even walked all the way from Mather to the Quad for this. Absolutely no regrets, I have soooo much candy to last me through the rest of this semester. Maybe Cambridge isn’t so bad after all…

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AAK: Crazy amounts of free candy? Meeting cool people? Walking around spookily and beautifully decorated Cambridge mansions? Turns out I am a fan of all of these things. Trick-or-treating exceeded expectations – definitely doing this again next year and will not be embarrassed to admit how old I am again. Kudos to Tina for trekking to the Quad – ah, the things we do for Flyby.

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('

{shortcode-c8d28ee2d56fb6e8832dc2156b8e3f0e87865208}This Halloweekend, Harvard students showed up (we’re all try-hards after all). In case you were too drunk busy to pay attention to the costumes around you, Flyby crowdsourced the best Halloween costumes spotted this weekend, because we have eyes everywhere and gotta give credit where credit is due. Keep reading to see if you made the top costumes of 2022. And don’t cry if you didn’t.

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Nicole Kidman in the AMC Ad

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Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like the Advo party.

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Life Gives You Lemons

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Shoutout to the girl with the “Life” nametag who held a basket of lemons for the entire night — you rock.

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Sophia Grace and Rosie

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Relevant and up-to-date with the pregnancy belly!

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Tom Brady and the Divorce Papers

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Trading in his marriage for football… only to un-divorce forty days later?

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Ginger-Bread Man

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While low in effort, the elite creativity of a ginger man holding a loaf of HUDS bread puts this one on our list.

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The House from UP

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Repurposing an Amazon box + tasteful decor = cardboard house with balloons, also known as an excellent costume seen at the Crimween party.

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Fire and Ice Dance from Blades of Glory

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Whoever you two are, points for making us all want to rewatch this iconic film.

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Gluttony

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Many groups of seven deadly sins were to be spotted this spooky weekend. However perhaps the best was a (failed) attempt at wearing a Trader Joe’s bag. Flyby knows all too well that having a Trader Joe’s in walking distance is a sin as far as our wallets are concerned.

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Inflatable Shark Costumes

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Just to give you a sense of how iconic these were, here are some Overheards at Flyby:

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“One of them took their head off and looked back and my roommate gasped and said, ‘And they’re good-looking too!’”

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“Nothing tops the sharks.”

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-c8d28ee2d56fb6e8832dc2156b8e3f0e87865208}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2022/11/02/100724_1359177.gif', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

('

{shortcode-a6d00b16f829f5117944a7061614ddce1a947e28} Coming into sophomore year, I was extremely excited for house life and all the new experiences that would follow (intramural sports!). However, with the beginning-of-the-year craziness, I never got around to using my “over the normal limit of athleticness” to rack up points for Pfoho.

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That all changed when I resolved to attend a volleyball B game (volley B, if you will).

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The first step was to recruit others to come with me, which proved to be a more difficult task than anticipated. One friend went so far as to say, “there is quite literally nothing I’d rather do less than intramural volleyball right now.” I respected her honesty, though I was disappointed in her lack of Pfoho fervor (Pfervor, if I may). In the end, I successfully convinced one (one!) friend to join. June, you’re a trooper.

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The next step was deciding what to wear, which also proved to be a more difficult task than anticipated. The struggle mainly stemmed from the fact that I had no idea how legit this operation was. While I assumed intramural volleyball B, the lowest of the low, would be pretty chill, chill at Harvard is often actively not chill. Athletic shirt or tank top? Athletic shoes or air forces? Tracksuits for warm-up?? Sweatbands????

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After deciding on an outfit, my friend and I headed to the QRAC. Once we found the court and identified which team was ours (I vote jerseys for next year), the vibes were great.

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Until the game actually started, and I had the first serve. (I almost passed out from fear and had to serve underhand). Luckily, Pfoho had one active cheerleader: my mom. Yes, my mom, who was visiting for the week, attended my volleyball B game. It was a great thing too because we definitely, desperately needed a cheerleader, heckler, referee, and photographer. And maybe it was my mom’s cheering (or the undercover club volleyball player) that led us to victory. All I know is that it certainly wasn’t my spikes.

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Overall, intramural volleyball B was a fun break from psetting and a great way to meet more people in my house. There was a wide range of attire and ability, and everyone was extremely welcoming. I had tons of fun, saw some Cabot friends (and crushed them), and put on athletic clothes for the first time in weeks. I would certainly recommend, unless you are playing Pfoho, in which case, do not come. We need the forfeit points.

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-a6d00b16f829f5117944a7061614ddce1a947e28}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2022/10/31/183534_1359053.gif', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

('

{shortcode-bb5c4a6441bf050896eead31f18457976c9aa828} Midterm paper got you down? Me too, babe. But it’s Harvard’s world and we’re just living in it. Best get those essays in on time or else face the wrath of the Writing Gods (or a passive-aggressive email from your TF).

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Never fear, Flyby is here! With plenty of suggestions of varying absurdity to help you kick that writer’s block to the curb, let’s help you conquer that deadline!

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Word vomit

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Just write, you know? Whatever comes to mind, put it down. You could write pages and pages of random thoughts you have, I’m sure something will be of use. This works especially well if you already have a topic in mind, but feel free to try it freestyle, too. You can’t start editing until you at least write something!

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Trade phones

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Are you watching TikTok instead of writing and just can’t seem to put the phone down? We’ve all been there. Hand the phone to a roommate or study buddy and tell them to keep it safe while you suffer through this essay. Distraction: eliminated. Now just try not to get distracted by your friend. Or your computer. Or your surroundings.

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Consult your STEM friends

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They won’t be helpful, but you’ll realize that if you aren’t the one writing, then they’ll have to be, and we can’t have that happening, can we?

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Take a walk

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Fresh air really has the power to kick you into gear, especially now that it's nice and brisk outside. One step into the Cambridge wind will have you running back inside, ready to do anything so long as you don’t have to walk back out there.

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Perform a ritualistic sacrifice

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Take some candles, set them in a circle, and place an old essay or article in the center. You may burn it if you feel strongly. The Writing Gods will see this sacrifice and grant you new material to write in exchange. I will take no questions on the subject.

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Coffee break (!!!)

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Reward yourself: it's hard work staring at a blank paper while you desperately try to pull something insightful from the depths of your burnt-out brain. I’m totally more productive when I have a yummy Starbucks mocha in my hand (a lie I tell myself to justify the purchase).

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Give Up

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Can’t have writer's block if you’re not trying to write, simple as that (jk do your work please). But if you need something to procrastinate, just check @flybyblog on insta ;)

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Now that you’ve gotten over your writer’s block (because this article was so helpful, obviously), it's time to get out there and put some words on paper! And no, I will not be answering emails from angry proctors who want to know why their students are setting off the fire alarm with fifteen lit candles in their dorms. Happy writing, folks!

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-bb5c4a6441bf050896eead31f18457976c9aa828}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2022/10/31/092325_1359018.gif', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

('

{shortcode-b63a503ef77d970ad9f1b43a91aa4b321873ee14}Dear struggling Harvard students,

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Whether it’s the seasonal depression, mid-semester roommate beef, or a dreadful midterm for the class you barely go to, this time of year is always a bit rough. Even with holiday festivities (~spooky season~), it’s normal to be a bit gloomy this time of year. But don’t worry — whether you’re a first year or a senior, here are some words of encouragement from us here at Flyby because yes, you CAN get through this semester.

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Hot Take: Cramming is Normal — You CAN Bounce Back.

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Maybe you only have a few days before your midterm, and are feeling absolutely terrible because you understand -13949702 percent of the content, your time management skills are nonexistent, and you skipped section that one day. Take a deep breath. Harvard schedules are notoriously difficult to navigate and sometimes, no matter how organized you are, you end up having to skip club meetings, cancel shifts at work, and cram your studying. You’re allowed to slip up and cram — in fact, so many other students are in a similar situation. Now, do your best and study when you can, and you’ll be able to cross that midterm off your to-do list ;)

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Fake It ’Til You Make It

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Even if you feel like you can’t manifest a decent grade in that midterm — you gotta fake it ’til you make it! Go look in a mirror and tell yourself that you’re the smartest person in the world who is going to ace that assignment or exam (maybe don’t do this in the communal bathrooms if you don’t want people to think you’re crazy — or do, for a little drama ;)).

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You Come First!

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Drink water, sleep eight hours a day, eat ALL your meals. It doesn’t matter what you get on that exam if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Exams come and go, but your health will follow you. Take care of yourself and try your best — literally nothing else matters more than you.

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Reality Check: Life Goes On

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Take a deep breath and realize doing poorly on a midterm or assignment is not the end of the world. You will still get that internship, research position or acceptance to graduate school. You are still a Harvard student and will graduate on time (if you want to). Best of all, you can take a few gems and raise that GPA. There is never an end-all-be-all, we promise.

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Keep on trudging, Flyby readers — we believe in you! Before you know it, you’ll be getting ready with your friends for Halloween, Harvard-Yale, Thanksgiving, and formals season — our favorite parts of the semester are right around the corner.

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-b63a503ef77d970ad9f1b43a91aa4b321873ee14}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2022/10/28/100843_1358975.gif', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

('

{shortcode-39260d549a4063c05ab9d6d1a1a3177f31d1efdc}Here is my attempt to explain why October seems to universally be the emotional trough of the Harvard year. It’s like the February of the fall semester, but worse. At least February is consistent — dark, gloomy, cold as fuck. October is less predictable, and therefore more scary. BOO, it’s the ghost of your healthy mental state past.

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Midterms Season

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Midterms season never really ends here, but October is where it peaks in its most painful capacity. Right when you start feeling like you’re out of the woods — nope. One more MCB 63 test. Another Orgo exam on the horizon. A group project prospectus that is doing anything but coming together. Back into the thicket. Pure panic.

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Social Tensions are High

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It’s past the point in the start of the year where everyone has to be nice to each other. You probably have introduced yourself to everyone in your classes and are settled into your daily routines. And it’s before the time in the year where everyone decides to loosen up and just vibe. It’s hard to explain this phenomenon, but I do believe it exists. Expect a few extra “what’s your name again” questions this month. Don’t take it personally, it’s just part of the mental, emotional, and social trough!

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The Weather is Rogue

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I can’t decide what to wear. Do I wear a coat? Just a sweater? Do I need to wear a tank top underneath my sweater for when I inevitably start overheating due to midterms stress? It’s raining. Umbrellas are embarrassing to carry. It’s not cold enough to wear a coat. When I wear a hood, my head could be mistaken for Humpty Dumpty on his day off. Too many considerations.

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Cuffing Season

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Self-explanatory.

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It’s Getting Dark Out

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The sun is starting to set around the same time as the start of dhall dinner, and this is just no good. I think we, as a population, tend to do a lot better when we have our feeding time before it’s dark. On the flip side, there is one more comment to add to your routine small talk with your class acquaintances. Forget “I’m so tired” and “I have so much work,” and throw in a little “I can’t believe how early it’s getting dark out” for fun. You’re bound to get at least an “I know righttttt” back. Success.

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Friend Group Infighting Over Halloween Costumes

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Believe me, planning a group costume is no easy feat. Everyone has different ideas about what would be funny, what would be cute, and what would just be foul. Nobody is ever on the same page. Every time Halloween costume ideas are brought up, the decibel level of the conversation rises at least 30 percent. Lots of yelling, lots of failed polls, lots of panic Amazon orders, and lots of ~highly intellectual~ conflicts.

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With all those complaints now out, there are some pretty great things about October. Pumpkin carving, apple cider donuts, candy, dressing up (if everyone gets their act together). And, the best part about an emotional trough is that it can only go up! Expect some peaks coming soon, or at least some marginal improvement. I don’t know anything about astrology (I just Googled “what is astrology doing rn”), but it looks like there’s something about strengthening and a new phase coming, so make sure to put that on your gcal astrological calendar!

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