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After spending the past few weeks suffering through a bleak New England winter, it seems like things are finally starting to warm up. The sun doesn’t set at 3 p.m. anymore, I can hear birds chirping in the morning, and best of all, summer is near!

It’s a welcome reprieve from midterm season, which I spent in concrete boxes of varying size (read: Lamont, my dorm room, etc.) doing practice problems and trying to stuff information into my brain like a second load of laundry into the washing machine. This aspiring academic weapon was worn down by the grind, and from overheard dining hall conversations, I’m sure many of you dear readers share this sentiment.

Well, if you still want to salvage the latter half of the semester, what better solution is there than to “touch grass”?

I present to you: my opinions on which locations on (and off) campus are the best for reconnecting with nature and safer than bush jumping, after visiting (almost) every Harvard-affiliated green space in one-and-a-half days.

The Arnold Arboretum

If there’s anywhere to touch grass, this is the place to do it.

About 281 acres of not only grass, but shrubs, bushes, and trees as well! It’s a beautiful bit of nature removed from the hustle and bustle of campus culture. The moment you step inside its gates, you’re transported to another place — a better place, a place where you don’t have to think about the pset, essay, or project you have due in less than two weeks’ time.

The only catch is that it’s not the most convenient grass to get to (20 minutes away by car and 50 minutes by public transportation). Still, if you ever get the chance to go, I could not recommend it enough!

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The Harvard Business School Campus

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Yes, it’s in Allston, and so yes, you have to go across the river, but if you’re a stressed-out engineering student or swamped student-athlete, you’re probably spending a lot of time nearby anyway.

There’s so much green space to enjoy, and you’re surrounded by pretty classic *Harvard* architecture. There are tons of options for seating and shade, and the open lawn in front of Baker Library has a lovely view of the Charles (though the sound of cars driving by disrupts the vibe just a tad).

Plus, there are vanishingly few tourists, and I assume the Business School students are all inside busy working on cases or something, so you’ll have plenty of space to yourself.

Also, if you’re up for a treat, check out the Class of 1959 Chapel. There’s a koi pond in there!

The Harvard Law School Campus

Other than serving as the site of countless Instagram posts with the caption “What, like it’s hard?” the Law School also has a ton of nice, quiet green spaces to enjoy. The lawn in front of Langdell is lovely, of course, but I personally enjoy the smaller courtyards behind Hauser.

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For some more specific options actually on the College campus, we have:

The Radcliffe Quadrangle

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As much as it pains me to say this, I have to admit that the Quad is the best place to physically touch grass amongst all of the undergraduate Houses. The Quad Lawn is expansive and surrounded by the beautiful brick buildings that make up Pfoho and Cabot. You’re located in the platonic ideal of suburbia, so the only noise you’ll hear is from your fellow students also enjoying the experience of touching grass.

Radcliffe Yard (which is different… crazy, I know)

Do you want to enjoy a somewhat park-like setting but feel unsettled by the haunting flatness and lowkey sterile vibes of Cambridge Common? Your solution is one street away, nestled in the Radcliffe Institute’s flovely yard.

It’s secluded but convenient to get to, and earlier this week, a bird made direct, unbroken eye contact with me as it ripped a worm in two. So, if you want an oddly profound yet ineffable experience, you know where to go.

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The Courtyards at the end of Divinity Avenue

When you hit the Herbaria at the end of Divinity Avenue, turn left or right to enter my new favorite spots on campus. On one side, you’ll be surrounded by stately brick museum buildings. It’s a cozy, shady place with a large tree to sit under, and you’ll feel very academic there, especially as the weather warms up.

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On the other side, you’ll be surrounded by the Biological Laboratories. Personally, I think it’s one of the more whimsical places on campus, with carvings of various animals decorating the top edge of the surrounding building’s face and a pair of bronze rhinoceros statues guarding its main entrance. There’s also a volleyball court in the middle, which is fun.

The Yard around Holden Chapel

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When you’re a first-year, it’s hard to get any privacy away from the camera-wielding hordes, who are somehow always ready to catch you at your worst angle. I mean, you’re probably never going to see the photos, but it’s the principle of the matter.

There are unfortunately few places within the Yard where you can escape them, but the best place I found is the Ivy Yard “courtyard” (the one with Holden Chapel smack dab in the middle). I saw the least tourists there, and it’s got a nice, peaceful vibe.

The Eliot Courtyard (not taking renovations into account)

Probably the largest of the River House courtyards, Eliot’s has a fun triangular shape and allows one to appreciate the outdoor seating patio that acts as a transitory space from the dining hall to the courtyard. People are always playing volleyball (on the grass) when it’s warm out; plus, you’ve still got a view of the Charles without feeling too exposed.

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The Mather Courtyard

CAUSE I’M CONCREEEETEEEE. Even if I weren’t a Matherite, I’d still have immense gratitude for the grass in the courtyard of Mather. What can I say — it’s a Good House! The courtyard is minimalistic, the trees are well-placed, and there’s always enough people passing by that you feel a connection to the community (but not so many that it’s annoying). And if you get hungry, there’s a dining hall with no restrictions right there (except for Thursday’s Community Night dinner, of course).

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Here are a couple honorable mentions:

- The lawn behind CGIS Knafel

- The lawn in front of Leverett Towers

- The sunken courtyard in Quincy, when it’s not a slipping hazard

- One of Lowell’s two courtyards, but you have to be with a friend or you’ll feel like you’re going to slip into the Backrooms

- Any one of the parks by the Charles

- The lawn in front of Harvard Medical School

- Harvard Forest

Hopefully, this comprehensive guide was helpful. I wish all of you dear readers a lovely rest of the semester and the opportunity to touch grass like I did.