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As Visitas finally rolls around, we are so excited to have you (prefrosh) all on campus! That being said, you shouldn’t make it obvious that you’re new here. Here are some notes to keep things cool and casual on campus — spark up your alter ego and convince everyone that you’ve been around the Yard once or twice!
If You’re Wearing Your Lanyard…
Take it off.
If Someone Asks You to Touch the Foot…
Don’t do it. Just don’t.
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If This Man Asks You to Take a Photo…
Say yes!! (Only to this man though.)
If You’re Going to Bulldog Days After This…
We don’t care. (We all got in too.)
If Someone Mentions That They Live in the Quad…
If You See Someone in a (Dashing) Red Sweatshirt Giving a Tour…
Wish them a happy birthday! (They’ll appreciate the extra tips it gets them.)
If Someone Mentions Alix Earle…
Say you were so sad to have missed her Harvard Business School talk because you had class, but you LOVED her pink suit. After all, you’re a cultured member of campus and stay updated with all campus events and visitors.
If Someone Asks You to Coffee…
Your favorite spots are Faro, Pavement, and Blue Bottle. (The Blank Street line is too long.)
If Someone Asks You How Datamatch Went…
Say you enjoyed your free Playa Bowl, but that’s about it.
If Someone Asks You How Your Yardfest Was…
Say that you didn’t realize that Prince and Natasha Bedingfield were the same person. (Have you ever seen them both in the same room? Just saying.)
If Someone Asks You For Boston Recommendations…
Ask them if they’ve been to the Common, Newbury, or Seaport (basic but effective).
If They’re Not Satisfied by That Response…
Invite them to explore their future job prospects in the city. (The McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group offices are across the street from each other!)
If They Ask Which T To Take…
Ashmont/Braintree.
If They Ask You if You Have Plans This Weekend…
Say you’re bogged down by your Ec10 pset but have your favorite TFs office hours on Sunday.
If They Ask You Your Favorite Class…
Honestly, anything besides Expos is a valid, believable response.
If They Ask You Your Opinion on the Harvard Mascot Debate
Turkey or Remy (the cat) are your options, so choose wisely.
If Someone Asks For Food Past 10 p.m.…
Your options are Jefes, Felipes, or Achilitos. Same beans, same rice, different tortilla. Take your pick!
If Someone Mentions Tasty Basty…
Go. This won’t up your sophistication — but it’s a rite of passage.
If Someone Asks What the Best House Is…
Leverett House. (I may or may not live in Leverett House.)
If Someone Asks You If You Saw Joe Biden…
Say no, but you did snag a ticket to see Bill Gates earlier in the semester. Build those IOP friendships early.
If Someone Tells You They Want to Study CS…
Remind them that there are showers in the SEC.
If You Don’t Have Visitas Plans…
Try something new! The Harvard Ballet Company hosts a Visitas workshop, or the Harvard University Consulting Group pre-pre-pre-intro comp meeting is always an option too!
If Someone Tells You to Comp Flyby…
Do it! Best decision you will make during your time on campus <333
If there is one thing to take away from this article, it is that there is so much on this campus waiting for you to understand and explore (especially Flyby, we are very serious about that last tip)! Over the course of the next four years, all of these lines will become second nature to you. Get excited, the best is yet to come!
Read the rest of our Visitas 2025 feature here!