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{shortcode-3019c17684ef280a6c635dbaa881e474419ff99d}Let’s be honest, living situations can make or break a college experience. Having a loud roommate, a messy one, or maybe even one who is too clean can make you feel like no space on campus is truly and completely your own. And who doesn’t need somewhere to unwind after their 9-5(a.m.) in Lamont? On the other hand, if you love your roommates, your life at Harvard could become exponentially better. But what about that roommate who isn’t actually your roommate? What about that person your friend is dating who apparently now lives with you? Where do they fall? The extra roommate is a unique yet universal experience that significantly alters the dynamic of the suite — for better or for worse.

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The Bathroom

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The first thing that comes to mind when I think about having a lovely extra roommate is the bathroom scene. A bathroom designed for three can become crowded by four, five, or even six people. One sink being shared in the morning, one shower being used at night, the extra toothbrushes littered around create chaos. The feeling of impending doom when they’ve been in there for 15 minutes, and your class starts in 10, and you still haven’t brushed your teeth can really take a toll on your mental health. A relaxing morning quickly turns into a stressful one, and you’re transported back to your childhood, when sharing the bathroom with your siblings was a monstrous and never-ending problem. Even if you might love the extra roommate as you do your siblings, sharing things that are supposed to be yours can make you dislike them intensely.

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Clutter

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Even if the extra roommate is neat, it’s inevitable that there will be some clutter due to the extra items in the confines of a small space (shoutout to the rooms where you can reach out between beds and hold hands). Extra clothes that don’t fit in the dressers are bound to be found where they aren’t supposed to be in the suite (a coat on my bed and sweatshirt on my chair, really?). Extra shoes that don’t fit on the rack will be scattered about. Due to no fault of the extra roommates, there is sometimes just not enough space to fit double the amount of people meant to stay in a room. Or maybe it really is just because your extra roommate is a messy king/queen. Either way, tensions may be high when the extra roommate’s clutter takes over your life.

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Another Bestie?

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A (potential) positive to having an extra roommate is that you are gifted (hopefully) with another bestie! If you love your roommate, and your roommate loves them, who’s to say you won’t get along too! They’re likely to be cool… as long as your roommate has good taste. For example, let’s say someone just broke your heart. You get home and want the comfort of your roomie to get through it. Alas, your extra roommate is with her! What to do? Well, another ear to hear your sorrows never hurts, and getting another perspective might just be what tips you off that you deserve better. Thanks, extra roommate! I’m over them!

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An extra roommate might be annoying at times. Having someone in your space when it isn’t your choice can be hard. But as long as you are open and honest, and can tell them to get the f out sometimes, all will be well! Plus, you might even like the extra roommate and make another great friend (until they break up).

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-3019c17684ef280a6c635dbaa881e474419ff99d}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/23/003554_1372905.jpg.1500x1047_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

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{shortcode-7415ef3b886b9d1d3724f0036f4c80a81c76ffef}

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Cambridge has been blessing us with beautiful weather lately, and I don’t know whether to be happy or feel an eerie foreboding of the surely inevitable bone-withering, soul-sucking winter. Nonetheless, I endeavored to take advantage of the pleasant remnants of the summer by kayaking on the Charles! I admit, this was partially motivated by my curiosities watching Head of the Charles and wondering what it is like to be a rower.

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It was truly a beautiful day, with a sparkling sun and some breeze. My two friends and I were originally planning on riding a three-person canoe, but we were warned that it would be dangerous due to high winds that day. Disappointing because I had fully planned on being a passenger princess. Alas, I rowed.

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But first, we ran into a student working at the kayak place who apparently took Math 21a, which my friend is a CA for. The 21a network runs deep! I say this as a past victim student. Three days a week of psets was not for the weak, but it makes for great trauma bonding.

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We started in the area of the river near the SEC, and then rowed downstream towards John Weeks bridge. I don’t claim to be an athletically inclined person, but that day I discovered one of my fatal flaws. I was crashing us into the shoreline, into other kayakers, and almost into a passing boat, to the chagrin or terror of my friend on the same kayak as me. Luckily, he had better athletic intuition than I did, so we lived to tell the tale.

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{shortcode-1edd94533f35ffb38ef583e7011a3bc93a3966d0}

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The trick to kayaking is to lift the paddle higher than you think you need to, and gliding it through the water deeper than you think you need to. I was not aware of this fact! So it was only halfway through the whole experience, after my skirt had become completely soaked that I realized that none of my other friends were having the same struggles.

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{shortcode-077b7e69dcdf140cb81e843ff3e8a18d1cc643d8}

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The good thing is that I’ve become quite accustomed to having river water splashing at my face now, so alleged flesh eating bacteria does not scare me anymore. If you see someone partaking in a certain Harvard tradition involving swimming in the Charles, it may or may not be me. I am invincible now.

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The experience ended with karaoke in the middle of the river, which I hope no one had the unfortunate experience of hearing. Floating in the middle of quasi-wilderness just gives you bursts of (probably false) confidence that you are incognito to the world. Good stress relief.

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Overall, I would rate the experience as “would do it again.” To all my rowers out there, y’all are doing great. I’m happy to have touched some dirty river water and to have sung my heart out while floating downstream, ahead of this gruesome fall semester.

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-7415ef3b886b9d1d3724f0036f4c80a81c76ffef}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/19/233441_1372861.jpeg.1500x1410_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-1edd94533f35ffb38ef583e7011a3bc93a3966d0}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/19/233518_1372862.jpeg.1500x1125_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption='Pure joy on our faces!', hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-077b7e69dcdf140cb81e843ff3e8a18d1cc643d8}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/19/233555_1372863.jpeg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption='The consequences of the wrong rowing technique.', hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

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{shortcode-dcec6dd767c4e4593c0a7f87e4b87d60653bd297}

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Dear Olympia Moving & Storage,

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First and foremost, let me just start off by saying how truly grateful I am for all of your hard work these past few weeks. Your commitment to students on this campus does not go unnoticed. It’s no easy feat to deal with the Amazon Prime addictions of thousands of Harvard students, or the consequences of a late night of Edikted retail therapy after a hard FDOC (...not speaking from personal experience).

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Also, I can’t lie — having my very heavy mini fridge and enormous laundry hamper delivered right to my dorm is as convenient as it gets. Especially at the beginning of the year, when I would’ve been dripping in sweat from heaving it up four flights of stairs. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice surprise when I open my door sometimes to see my packages ready for me to unwrap like presents on Christmas morning. No trekking to the mailroom, no begging people over the house email list to help me carry it up stairs, and most importantly, no social interaction!

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With that being said, sometimes it feels as though your company focuses on its commitment to storage rather than moving. I wonder if my package is being held for 36 hours in a mysterious Olympia Moving & Storage jail cell. Not to fret, though, because like any other Harvard student, my best virtue is my patience. So I will wait those 36 hours. After all, good things come to those who wait.

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And while I very much appreciate the convenience, the loud door bangs that alert me to my – or my suitemates’ – packages has arrived can be quite a jumpscare. The sometimes awkward interactions with the movers as I run to the door to appease the banging make for sweet Spiderman meme interactions.

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Honestly, it’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me; I need to stop ordering stuff. As if waiting 36 hours wasn’t already enough, I’m anticipating the end of this month, so I can finally pick up my packages right when I see the HUMS email without the extra wait. But until that happens, I’d really like to access my 12-pack of Celsisus and face wash. I can hear my future all-nighters calling for their help.

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Sincerely,

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Someone who just wants her package-induced serotonin boost

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-dcec6dd767c4e4593c0a7f87e4b87d60653bd297}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2020/08/27/020916_1345343.jpg.1500x844_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

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{shortcode-661e7195ed36582b633c246676ed08c7d7b791dd}

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Senior fall is a crazy time, with each member of the graduating class juggling different commitments. From applying for post-graduate jobs and fellowships to finishing degree requirements or even writing a thesis, there can be a lot on your plate. While we know you’re busy, there’s one more thing you need to add to your to-do list: voting for your 2025 Class Marshals.

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So… What’s a Class Marshal? What’s a Class Committee?

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The Harvard Alumni Association explains that the priority of a Class Committee is “to bring the class together as a whole, connecting members of the class to each other and Harvard College.” There are several roles on the committee, ranging from Program Marshals to the various House Representatives. The First and Second Marshal as well as the six Program Marshals are elected by the senior class. The two highest vote earners will become the First and Second Marshal and are responsible for leading the Class Committee.

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So… What do they really do?

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They plan our senior week, ensuring we make the most memories we possibly can as a class, and commit to making sure that our commencement week activities are not going to bore us to death. They orchestrate the Class Day Exercises, planning everything from the guest speakers to exactly how long you’ll be sitting on those chairs in the Harvard Yard. After Commencement, they’ll also be in charge of planning our class reunions.

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So… How do I pick?

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When deciding who to vote for, out of the many candidates claiming to make this year the best year yet…you actually don’t have to pick just one. When you cast your vote, you can vote for up to eight people to serve as one of the marshals. The candidate with the most votes will become the class marshal (and inevitably, the cover of The Harvard Crimson’s Commencement edition). When making your selections, make sure you vote based on the candidates that gave you pset answers freshman year, respond to your DMs within seconds, and people who you won’t get bored listening to as they do their speech in the Cambridge summer heat. And, ~for legal reasons~ Flyby Blog does not endorse any of the candidates.

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Make sure to vote before midnight!

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-661e7195ed36582b633c246676ed08c7d7b791dd}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/17/230530_1372814.png', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

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{shortcode-644e908d1930bafaf179e2ca6a6ba16c17865596}

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Ah, house mailing lists. The perfect place to complain, to discourse, to beg people to sign up for things because the people who organized those things asked you to do so. But it’s also the perfect place to crowdsource people who will give you things. So here are the top ten of those things… maybe you’ll find yourself in need of them!

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1. A corkscrew

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Yes, it makes sense that people don’t have corkscrews. If it’s not boxed, I’m not drinking it! But some of us suddenly acquire a taste for the finer things in life and need to ask for a way to get to that sweet, sweet nectar.

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2. Extra furniture

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It’s one thing to try to pawn it off, but I don’t know if anyone is going to see your email and go, “you know what? I don’t need my bed after all!”

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3. Tape

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This one is a multipurpose fave. Posters! String lights! Um… I can’t think of any other uses right now but they definitely exist.

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4. An internship

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Manifesting a nepo baby housemate… Especially if you’re looking to hire some #relatable #tryingtoohard #listiclewriters

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5. Your key

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Anybody see it around? What does it look like? Oh, you know… a key…

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6. One egg

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You don’t want to buy a dozen when you only need one! (Unfortunately, that’s what everyone is thinking.)

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7. A Netflix password

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Netflix’s new family plan restrictions didn’t account for four hundred people living in one house… just saying…

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8. Votes for class marshal

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My vote is SECRET and SACRED. And so is my inbox.

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9. LOWERCASE LETTERS

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[MOOSE] [URGENT] [ACTION REQUIRED] [DUE TONIGHT] [MY CAPS LOCK KEY IS STUCK]

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10. People to comp Flyby ;)

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There’s still time…

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{shortcode-d50c54719cc659f764d042c84f3c11aedbcd25fc}

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It’s the first day of class. You haven’t opened my.harvard and don’t know where your classes are, so you log in again to figure out how early you need to leave your dorm, only to find….

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Vanserg?

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I had many questions upon seeing that I had not one, but two sections in Vanserg this semester. I thought, “What is Vanserg?” I thought, “Where is Vanserg?” But most importantly, I thought, “Why is Vanserg?”

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Seriously. Why is Vanserg? And why do I have to be in Vanserg? I’ve complained about having classes in William James Hall, the Harvard Art Museums and Biolabs, but Vanserg is a new distance from the Yard that my legs (fueled solely by Red Spiced Chicken) might not be able to handle.

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It turns out that you and I aren’t the only students asking “Why is Vanserg?” In fact, back in October 1982 — before Michael Jackson released Thriller and before Rick Astley promised never to give us up — a Harvard student wrote about this very question. The gist of it is that the government built Vanserg as a radar laboratory during World War II, and Harvard bought the building after the war. Pretty cool, right?

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Well, that’s all nice and good, but why do I specifically have to be in Vanserg? I’ve heard of language courses offered in Vanserg, but I’m not even taking any language courses this year! Why are so many other departments suddenly holding classes in Vanserg?

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Unfortunately, my friends, I have no clue. I certainly can’t think of many good answers. Biolabs is already a hidden building - now we have to have class in a building hidden behind Biolabs? On top of that, Vanserg is so warm. Even on a late summer’s day, I feel warmer inside Vanserg than outside. I can literally see AC units in the classrooms and nobody is turning them on. Also, why did construction on Vanserg have to be scheduled to perfectly coincide with the fall semester? There is just no reason I should need to enter a building from the basement to reach the second floor. None at all. Also, some sections of the building (including parts of the stairwell) have a weird smell that I don’t quite like. Like a mix of a 1700's historical building and wet dog.

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I’ll acknowledge that I do like the aesthetics of Vanserg classrooms. I like the swivel chairs and the amount of desk space attached to them. The second floor classrooms have big, translucent portions of their walls that give the space a more modern feel. And its ability to trap heat will come in handy during wintertime. Truly, if the spirit of John Harvard picked Vanserg up and dropped it in the middle of the Yard, I would look forward to coming to Vanserg twice a week.

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But alas, that is not possible. And as long as Vanserg remains on the far outskirts of Harvard’s campus, I will complain.

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-d50c54719cc659f764d042c84f3c11aedbcd25fc}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/15/233819_1372739.png', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

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{shortcode-0df84bb34efd80cff21857aa6b1a89c7af054e51}It's the beginning of the school year and although many of us are getting deeper and deeper into psets and papers, some of us are still trying to hold on to the positive summer vibes for as long as possible. Cambridge (for once in forever) is having abnormally nice weather, and you want to make the most of it through your summer wardrobe before it comes time to pull out the cozy fall sweaters and UGG minis. Not sure what to wear? This alignment chart will (probably) have you looking like you've walked straight out of Taylor Swift's "august."

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{shortcode-0847662d450a805fa12fe71ec335b7c778e98e13}I spent my Saturday night with a bunch of 40-year-olds south of Boston. What about you?

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I really remember looking around the room and thinking, I sure have burst my bubble, alright — way to kick off my senior year. Seriously, I took “senior citizen” to a new level.

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I often go down the TikTok rabbit hole of stand-up comedians doing crowd work. (Anyone else? Maybe not. Maybe TikTok really said ~For You Page~.) So, believe it or not, I was happy to be there despite being the youngest person in the room.

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I traveled to the beautiful waterfront venue of Boston Harbor Distillery, ready for a good time. Thanks to being fashionably late because a girl’s gotta work around dhall hours, I found myself front and center in the first row. It was certainly intimate and made for several one-on-one chats throughout the show because these comedians really did not miss a single microexpression of mine.

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I would say that within the first five minutes, everyone there picked up on me and my friends being from Harvard, and I received several eyebrow raises when I verified that yes, that indeed means I am from Cambridge. The performer blatantly asked, “What are you doing here?” One thing about comedians is, they give it to you straight.

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Toto, I don’t think we’re in Cambridge anymore.

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Venturing all the way to Dorchester was worth it, though, because I got to hear from three performers and the comedian Ray Harrington, all with a $15 ticket. They had a talent for interacting with the audience, and I enjoyed the completely unscripted jokes and how they poked fun at us for sticking out like a sore thumb in the audience, as “a bunch of 20-somethings in our best years.”

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I would say that perhaps, the next time I come up with a spontaneous plan like going to a comedy show, I should do more research on the vibe check. But, let’s be real, I will be doing no such thing. Part of what made this experience memorable was how clearly we didn’t fit in. I fear that some of the other audience members were not too pleased by a bunch of young people attending because some of the strained laughter and lack of enthusiasm took me back to being in Science Center Hall B, not a distillery. I would like to apologize to Mr. Ray Harrington who named this one of his most tense shows, second to when he had to perform to a bunch of distraught, crying people at a conference for rare diseases.

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It's amazing how therapeutic and healing laughter can be. Maybe I’ll have better luck getting a six-pack with this than I have at the MAC. Attending this show was such a nice break from routine. Let improv comedy remind us not to take everything so seriously. Embrace the uncertainty. Yes, even the uncertainty of not knowing what is on the menu because you are digging through your email inbox unable to find Harvard Today. I challenge you, improvise your way through Harvard, in situations from bumping into your TF at CVS to forgetting someone’s name.

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After a laughably unusual experience, I would definitely burst the bubble to attend another improv comedy performance. Shoutout to South Shore Comedy Show for a good night. I encourage you to check it out. Maybe it can become a Harvard takeover. Now that I have popped the bubble, I know that I will definitely be exploring other comedy shows. Send your recommendations my way!

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('

{shortcode-36ad0cea6fbb1da68f0ad3dfb9c552a018ab709e}I was having lunch with my friends in the Dunster dhall when I took the liberty of reading the HUDS newsletter placed upon each table. I noticed that BoardPlus was still $65 per semester this year, and I began to think: how long has that been the amount of BoardPlus each student has received each semester? After failing to find a Crimson article about the BoardPlus rate being raised (an oversight that would NEVER occur today), I decided to visit my trusty friend, the Wayback Machine.

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I started by looking at February 2003, the month I was born. At the moment of my entrance into the world, the HUDS BoardPlus rate was $50 a month. Side note, this website layout is very fun.

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{shortcode-a325dd94de342f5dbd33fc14ff6aa6460ccff681}

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The value of this today, according to the first website I found, is $85. And this is BEFORE the increase.

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{shortcode-66dd70380cacd4171589c576c239ce66400612c9}

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So, I looked for when the change occurred. In 2006, the BoardPlus rate was still $50 a semester.

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{shortcode-1e693e0a85560cf71a400573a283582ff4a55cda}

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This is the equivalent of $78 in today’s money.

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{shortcode-60ad2cfbdee864faaa503e580d20ae21da6990cb}

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But between 2006 and 2007, something changed. HUDS BoardPlus became $65, the rate we know and love today.

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{shortcode-6541dc8edd42101ea81955d66be30e5bbe8597af}

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This was the equivalent of… Can you believe it?!

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{shortcode-1231e414f72e03cf3727541be4160ae7817c5c06}

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Ninety-eight dollars! That is almost exactly 150 percent of our current BoardPlus rate. Our BoardPlus allowance has been the same through several financial crises and a pandemic. Coffee and mozz sticks are more expensive than ever, and HUDS turns a blind eye. Not to mention that the price of board as an undergraduate has almost doubled since 2007.

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So, basically, I should be getting 150 percent of the free coffee I am now… just saying…

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-36ad0cea6fbb1da68f0ad3dfb9c552a018ab709e}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/11/015557_1372651.png.1500x1125_q95_crop-smart_upscale.png', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-a325dd94de342f5dbd33fc14ff6aa6460ccff681}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/11/014832_1372645.jpg.1500x843_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption='BoardPlus Rate in 2003', hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-66dd70380cacd4171589c576c239ce66400612c9}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/11/014958_1372646.jpg.1500x843_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption="BoardPlus from 2003 with today's inflation", hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-1e693e0a85560cf71a400573a283582ff4a55cda}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/11/015057_1372647.jpg.1500x843_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption='BoardPlus in 2006', hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-60ad2cfbdee864faaa503e580d20ae21da6990cb}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/11/015158_1372648.jpg.1500x843_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption="BoardPlus from 2006 with today's inflation", hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-6541dc8edd42101ea81955d66be30e5bbe8597af}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/11/015244_1372649.jpg.1500x843_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption='BoardPlus in 2007', hovertext=None, contributors=]>), ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-1231e414f72e03cf3727541be4160ae7817c5c06}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/thumbnails.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/09/11/015326_1372650.jpg.1500x843_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption="BoardPlus from 2007 with today's inflation", hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

('

{shortcode-f5de13670a9dc702b8ccc18fb1e2251f804f7ea2}Dear Class of 2025,

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With 260 or so days left to go until graduation (I mean who’s counting…), it’s natural to feel both excited and perhaps a bit anxious about what comes next. While it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of applications, psets and future plans — take a moment to breathe and take some notes because Flyby Blog is back with some unsolicited advice. To help you navigate this year with a bit more ease, here are things you should and shouldn’t do during your senior year. So, grab a coffee, get comfy, and let’s dive into this year.

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DON’T: Go to Lecture

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Or section. Or lab. Or office hours. It’s senior year — why bother? Sorry y’all but this one’s #false. It might seem like a logical choice to start slacking off and put all your attention into post-grad plans, but skipping out on your (very expensive) education may lead to some unintended consequences. Stay engaged and maybe you’ll even learn something new. Also, while you still have time — take some courses that you’ve been dying to take since freshman year if you finally have space for an elective. That one film class? Take it. The WGS class you’ve had your eye on? Take it. CS50? Um…

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DO: Visit All The Libraries, Eat In All The Dhalls…

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From Harvard Yenching Library to the Frances Loeb Library, plan a trip to the various Harvard libraries and check out their unique archives and collections. It won’t be long before you lose access… With only 12 upperclassmen dining halls, we have no doubt you can also plan a dinner at each of the dining halls before you graduate. This year, spend less on UberEats and enjoy your free meals while you still don’t need to cook for yourself. Also, finish that boardplus.

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DON’T: Compare Yourself

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Easier said than done I know… While some people may look like they have it all figured out with their BCG return offers or JDP acceptance letters, remember to focus on your own goals and achievements. Senior year is a time to focus on yourself and figure out what works best for you. Embrace your path and trust that your own experiences will get you exactly where you need to be in a year’s time.

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DO: Look for Meaningful Post Grad Plans

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I am once again asking you all to be delusional about life and romanticize your future. While you should still remain practical (to a certain extent), find something that truly excites and motivates you! When you’re considering your post-grad plans, aim for something that aligns with your passions and long-term goals rather than just what seems most practical or convenient. And please, do not base your decisions solely on where your significant other may end up post-grad. Relationships are important, but your career and personal growth should also be a priority. So dream big, think creatively, and choose a path that feels right for you.

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DON’T: Waste the Year Thinking About June 2025

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Unless it’s about your amazing vacation plans, don’t let this year pass you by focused only on what comes next. Take some time to hang out with friends, attend the free study breaks, and maybe even go to an IM game.

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DO: House Traditions & Harvard Traditions

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Go all out for Housing Day, ring the Lowell Bells, attend Drag Night at Adams House — do everything you can while you’re still here. Pee on John Harvard’s Statue, participate in Primal Scream, swim in the Charles, or even do Reverse River Run as a senior and go to each undergraduate house the night of Housing Day (for legal reasons, Flyby Blog does #not endorse any of these actions).

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DON’T: Ask People About Post-Grad Plans…

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September is too early to be doing all this. So is October and maybe even April. Don’t ask people about the status of their Rhodes application or if they were endorsed for Marshalls, I can guarantee it won’t help you or them. In due time, you’ll find out once they tell you… or you’ll see it on LinkedIn.

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DO: Leave Your Dorm & Be Cringe.

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Do all of the things you haven’t had a chance to do yet. Kayak on the Charles river with your blocking group, coordinate grad photos at the bridge and let the tears flow during senior sunset. Scream loud and proud at Harvard-Yale and fight your way into Crimween. Senior year of college is a major milestone — do everything your heart desires and embrace the quirks of college life.

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As you embark on this final year, remember to balance ambition with enjoyment, and cherish every moment of your time at Harvard.

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Warmest wishes,

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Flyby Blog

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P.S. Don’t forget to book those hotels/Airbnb for graduation!

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('

{shortcode-912756350acffb90b846e338681f5ca18893614c}As a freshly minted sophomore (who still sometimes says freshman accidentally), this new school year has been quite different. Whether you’ve been upgraded to a great suite on the river or exiled to Cronck, starting your second year at the college has its quirks. Life outside the yard is quite a different experience! If you’re an upperclassman reading this, hopefully, you can relate to and lament the loss of the most iconic freshman moments. If you happen to be a member of the class of 2028, perhaps take this list as an opportunity to remind yourself what you should be grateful for before you too are shipped off into house life.

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Cabot Science Library (is no more)

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Oh, Cabot Science Library, you were there for me at my worst. When the Sunday Scaries kicked in, I could always count on finding pset answers friends under the stunning fluorescent lights. How I miss the MQC → Cabot → Brain Break pipeline. Although I will never feel nostalgic about the *INSANE NOISE LEVELS* on the 2nd floor, I am sad that my Remy sightings will dramatically decrease.

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FlyBy (the meal service)

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The takeout rush in Berg between classes was the one thing getting me through not having a lunch break last year. Unfortunately, I have now been relegated to eating a soggy FlyBy sandwich instead of the ~scrumptious~ grape pizza. I’m left staring, full of jealousy, at the white takeout container of the freshman beside me in Math 21A.

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Being the old one in the class

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Speaking of the freshmen in Math 21A, I am NOT used to being the oldest student in the class. The talk of pre-orientations, convocation, and comping consulting clubs is not for the faint of heart. Despite still being in the younger half of students at the college, I feel like a dinosaur compared to the freshmen wearing the “ONE CRIMSON” sweaters.

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Having to *actually* pick your concentration

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As someone who chose to go to a ~liberal arts college~ to push off decisions, having to actually declare a concentration is a day I never thought I would see. But the “you have so much time” days are over, now is THE time to choose. Although knowing me this declaration will be far from permanent (catch me changing my mind AGAIN), the lack of freedom is really being felt.

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Not knowing everyone’s classes

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Gone are the days of hearing about “Econ 10A, Math 1A, LS 1A, and Freshman Seminars.” Now everyone is in such an array of courses, and I feel like I learn about a new one each day! This is kind of cool because I don’t have the same conversation over and over again but also leaves me with a sense of dread that I will never be able to explore all these different classes!

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Being (somewhat) on time

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This is fairly self-explanatory but despite living outside the yard, I still somehow assume nothing is more than a five-minute walk. Lateness ensues.

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All in all, being a sophomore is weird. It feels like just yesterday I was sweating through my own convocation, and now the class of 2029 (that year feels fake) is working on their college apps!! At least I don’t have to deal with the struggle of freshman housing anymore, but I do sometimes still miss life in the yard.

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{shortcode-630795f75e2724a63d60f20dfd5d8f4609fb8084}

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If you’re like most people, you’ve entered this semester with a resolution to live life to the fullest while simultaneously not sacrificing any other element of your goals and ambitions. Okay, easy enough — sike! It’s actually really hard. But luckily, Flyby Blog has your back. Here are some ways to make sure your grades don’t suffer while you methodically tick off boxes on a test some random Rice students made in 1924.

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Study Parties

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“But I have my pset group already,” you say. What a hilarious joke. No, we mean throw a study rager. Try an essay power hour darty or a final exam pregame. Invite the whole class and also everyone else you know. Have actual fun, not depressing “I’m so going to fail” chats between practice problems. Dance as a study break! Make out as a study break! Any ~activity~ can be a study break if you’re not studying!

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Don’t Procrastinate

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There is no concentration at Harvard that is so difficult that you must be working on it between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on a Friday or Saturday. If you are working then, it is simply a skill issue. Doing your work a few days before it’s strictly due won’t kill you, but it will make it a lot easier to accept invitations.

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Never Take More Than Four Graded Classes at Once

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Do not take more classes than there are letters in BORG. This feels like it should be common sense but apparently it is not. Your GPA will suffer if you are taking more classes than recommended! (Side note: for this reason, secondaries seem like a trap, but that’s another article.)

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Break Laws and Get Caught by the Police on Purpose

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This is a great way to tick off a couple of purity test items, and since you’re a Harvard student, you basically get purge-lite rules until you graduate anyway. I suggest grand larceny but do whatever. For legal reasons, this is a joke.

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The Utilitarian Approach

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Any effective altruist will tell you, it’s not about how hard you try but what you do with your effort. Thus, instead of attempting to experience life organically and at the pace at which it comes, optimize your every free moment to do specifically the activities on the test. If you’re not picky and can gather a few friends who have the same goal, you can knock out a good half of them in 24 hours. More, if you know a guy.

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Just Use the Harvard Purity Test Instead

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That’s right: if you want to forgo a list of more activities than many people would actually like to accomplish, you can use the list we made which is composed of things Harvard students actually do.

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Remember: it’s possible to have it all, as long as you define “it all” by two arbitrary numerical metrics. Just please, please, never attempt numbers 99 and 100.

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('

{shortcode-185bfe6f7fa30d58b5faecd5dd17abcf64773086}

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As I enter my final year of college, one piece of advice I shall offer you is that you should talk to your professors. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found out some hidden lore about my professors or read up on their extensive biography that reminds me that they’re not just people that make me suffer through my psets. And guess what? Office hours are the perfect excuse to get to know the people you will be dozing off to for the rest of the semester. But office hours are intimidating! Office hours are boring! Don’t worry, I got you covered on how you can be prepared.

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1. Initiate deep conversation

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Every single student in office hours asks the same questions and initiates the same conversation. Harvard intro, research background, oh I love this topic, can you tell me more about this specific thing you mentioned in class? Make a real impression by digging deep, not into the course material but into their psyche. What are their greatest fears and desires? How do they define love? Did they truly choose this career path or does the concept of choice not exist?

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2. Take notes on everything they say

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Like the name of their fourth cousin, once removed, who recently had their appendix removed. You never know when that information will be valuable. How flattering would it be if a student remembers that specific information and asks you how that family member is when you run into them later? Creepy and caring are a fine line. But of course, also take notes on things they say relevant to their class so you can actually pass.

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3. Have a game plan

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Office hours can be a great time to get to know other students and the professor. But it is a war zone. There is limited time and no one likes having their time wasted. Come in with a game plan, timestamps included, and bulldoze your way to a potential recommendation letter.

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4. Take a buddy with you

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You are never, ever alone. There are no stupid questions until there are. Take a friend with you to office hours to ease the tension, and so they can kick you under the table when you start asking irrelevant questions that will make everyone hate you. But also, two brains are better than one, right?

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Good luck out there. Attend office hours. Pass that class.

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('

{shortcode-bc48d516b20647441322c53c93d63b4ebc86db1a} It’s September, which means that Brat summer has unfortunately… shall I say it? Come to a close.

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But that doesn’t mean we need to say goodbye forever. Why not bring some of Brat summer into the fall? Brat summer was messy. It was hot. It was all about saying “yes” and having the time of our lives and embracing the unknown. Why should we let such a good thing go?

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We won’t. That’s why we, Flyby, are encouraging YOU to bring Brat summer into the fall. Keep living unpredictably. Keep Harvard on its toes. We know you want to.

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Below, find some ways to continue embracing Brat summer, even as the leaves change.

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1. Only bring mysterious colored drinks to class

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Are you drinking a Celsius? Funnily-colored coffee? A White Claw? Some sort of homemade cocktail creation? Straight vodka? The world will never know. And if someone asks you… you have plausible deniability.

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2. Pregame your Thursday night during your dhall dinner

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I’m not saying I haven’t brought my own cocktail to the Eliot dhall. Literally no one cares. It looks like lemonade.

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3. Instead of “let’s get a meal sometime,” invite them on a mission.

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“It was awesome running into you! Want to wander through the Adams basement with a bottle of Peach Andre and count how many acorns we find on the wall?”

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“So glad to see you! Want to sneak into the Lowell bell tower on Friday?”

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4. When someone asks “how was your summer?” answer with food or obscure similes.

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“It was great, a lot of good cacio e pepe and chocolate milkshakes from Shake Shack, what about you?”

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“Lovely! I honestly felt like I was on Jupiter half the time!”

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5. Rollerblade to class

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Why are we still walking? YOU’RE THE MAIN CHARACTER. Rollerblade through the Yard to your 10:30 a.m. in Sever and all eyes will be on you.

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6. DO THE HARVARD TRADITIONS

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Seniors, looking at you. I’ve heard something about the stacks… maybe something about a certain Weeks bridge at night…a specific statue in the Yard…

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With this, we have all the faith you’ll successfully keep Brat summer alive well into the fall. Keep Harvard funky.

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('

{shortcode-5e1f64cc2deb93dabd94a01525ae41fa9128a5a5}

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Welcome, class of 2028! We're Flyby Blog, your source for campus hacks, local tips, and general Harvard commiseration. To help you transition from sad high schooler to self-actualized Harvard student, we've provided a few articles so you can catch up:

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How To: Maximize Your Harvard Freshman Year

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Basically, start here to learn how to navigate the next few weeks.

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A Guide to Harvard Campus References
\r\nGo from social class of 2028 to social class of 2025 with this ~campus cultural context~!

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Guess the Annenberg Conversation

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You'll hear a lot of weird conversations in the next few weeks. We'll help you figure out what's what.

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A Guide to Harvard’s Passive Aggression

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Do you feel like nobody is saying what they mean? We have a guide for that.

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Awkward Freshman Moments

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Life won't always be perfect. Brace yourself for these... unfortunate instances.

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Fill-In-the-Blank for a Last-Minute Extension Email

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Accidentally on purpose missing a deadline will happen faster than you think. Prepare with this ready-made email!

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Enjoy these articles, and have a great first week of the rest of your life!

', [ShortcodeImageGQL(key='{shortcode-5e1f64cc2deb93dabd94a01525ae41fa9128a5a5}', image_url='https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.thecrimson.com/photos/2024/04/11/225716_1370443.jpeg', nofilm=False, pos='center', size='large', byline=True, quote=False, quotebyline=False, theme='light', caption=None, hovertext=None, contributors=]>)])

('

{shortcode-0f618443fd838e6de813c8d5284101f15229a4e5}

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Welcome to Harvard and to some, welcome back! As the new semester encroaches upon us, we would like to take a moment of reflection and pass on to the next generation the campus lore from the past few years.

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1. Obama’s footsteps

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We are always manifesting our favorite alum and former POTUS Barack Obama to grace our campus with his presence. Particularly up for debate… was he there for former President Claudine Gay’s inauguration?

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2. Tasty Burger Crash

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A cautionary tale. The next time you think about jay-walking, remember that an Electric Harvard Shuttle crashed into Tasty Burger one night. Nobody was hurt! Except, well, the bus.

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3. Grapes on Pizza

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That one time HUDS blew everyone’s mind by putting grapes (yes, that’s right, not grape tomatoes, actual grapes) on pizza. Everybody’s new favorite topping and the epitome of creativity. Long live grapes on pizza.

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4. Yard chairs

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Any time you are asked about Harvard’s incredibly large endowment and tuition costs that increase each year, your go-to explanation will be the yard chairs. That’s right, $700 for a colorful metal chair… is it just us, or is inflation getting out of hand?

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5. Lamonster

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Your friends who you haven’t seen for days that are usually just living in Lamont Library. Some people bring mattresses and blankets during finals. You’ve been warned!

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6. Tasty Basty

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Tasty Burger has a bar and party area in its basement that clubs rent out. It is typically the center of freshmen social life (besides MIT).

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7. The UC

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Our former form of student government. We (those of us who voted, anyway) decided to get rid of them and just rebrand to HUA. How is it different? Good question!

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8. Color/Crimson Clear

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Back in the day of Covid tests, we had to use this little website to prove to Harvard we were healthy! Go shove a stick up your nose, for old time’s sake.

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9. Winthrop Grille

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As we are both Winthrop Residents, we are saddened to inform you that the Grille was open for a brief period of time, but has once again been shut down. Hopefully you can enjoy the wonders and mozzarella sticks of the Grille during at least one semester of your four years at Harvard. Until then, you have the Eliot, Dunster, Quincy, and Quad Grilles.

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10. Red’s Best Fresh Catch

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Once upon a time, the locally caught fish HUDS now serves was called Red’s Best Fresh Catch. We still wonder… What happened to Red? Where are his best catches? Perhaps the best catch are the friends we made along the way.

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That’s all the wisdom we have to offer for now Class of 2028! Good luck figuring out the rest of the Harvard Bubble.

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