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As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate and venture out into the world (yikes), campus is filled with nostalgia, anticipation, and a healthy dose of disbelief at how quickly four years can fly by. For many, graduation is a time to reflect on memories like late-night study-turned-yap sessions with friends, spontaneous adventures to CVS (is this really what we consider a night out?), and $7 Tatte coffees. It’s also a time to reflect on lessons learned — both inside and outside the classroom — that they will carry with them for a lifetime.

I talked to a handful of seniors to capture their infinite wisdom on navigating this institution. While there truly is no one way to do college “right,” perhaps some mindsets are more helpful than others in finding fulfillment amidst the psets, papers, and midterms held nowhere near the middle of the term. Whether you’re just starting your Harvard journey or about to close this chapter, here’s some sage advice gleaned from conversations with members of the Class of 2025 before they head out into the world – don’t worry, it’s in good hands.

1. Say yes to new things.

Every semester at Harvard can, and should, feel different. Show up to random events: talks at the Institute of Politics, ArtsThursdays at the Harvard Art Museums, or IMs for your House. Spend a semester in the beekeeping club, the next on the ballroom dance team. Be spontaneous, and pick up new skills that go beyond the classroom. Yes, whistling counts.

2. People will come and go.

Some friendships will last a lifetime; others will be brief but meaningful. And some may just be brief and unmeaningful. Your first-year roommate or a close friend from a section may not be in your life by senior year, and that’s okay. Treasure the relationships you have, and if some run their course, be grateful for the moments you shared.

3. Go beyond Harvard Square for meals.

Boston’s food scene is incredible; don’t limit yourself to Harvard Square or the North End when you’re craving something beyond HUDS. Hop on the T and explore Porter Square, Kendall, Davis, Allston, and Somerville. These neighborhoods are just a short ride away and are full of hidden gems that are often overlooked by the rushed (and stressed) undergraduate. Your belly — and Beli account — will thank you.

4. Optimize for quality over quantity.

Freshmen often focus on quantity: trying to comp as many clubs, meet as many people, and take as many classes as possible. But college should be about optimizing depth, not breadth, focusing on quality over quantity. If you graduate with a handful of lifelong friends, strong connections with a couple of professors, and a few activities you truly care about, then you’ll have had a rich and meaningful Harvard experience. Bonus points if you make it onto the Khuranagram along the way.

5. Hold onto your support system.

No one gets through Harvard alone. Lean on your friends, TFs, professors, and mentors. Be open and ask for help when you need it. When life gets tough — breakups, rejections, or just the daily grind — make sure you have friends to call, friends to commiserate with over classes, and friends to cry and laugh with over anything and everything.

6. Explore gems around campus.

There are so many hidden spots on campus. Check out the koi pond at the business school, or explore lesser-known libraries like Yenching, Schlesinger, or the Music Library. Visit the SEC and its REEF Makerspace (even if you’re not a STEM concentrator), spend time in Radcliffe Yard, and stargaze from the Loomis-Michael Observatory.

7. Extend a hand to someone new.

Everyone wants to make new friends, but after the first few weeks of freshman year and Annenberg, people worry about seeming awkward about interacting with people they don’t know. But good vibes attract good vibes. Don’t let fear of rejection stop you from saying hello to someone new.

8. Don’t do situationships (period).

If someone wants to be with you, you won’t be stuck in a situationship. Don’t waste your time waiting for someone who won’t reciprocate your feelings. A good person will say what they want (define. the. relationship.) and make their intentions clear — they won’t leave you guessing.

9. Travel on Harvard’s dime.

From the Harvard Summer School to internships abroad, there are so many cool travel opportunities available to students, even without accounting for the many clubs that host conferences or teaching programs overseas. These travel opportunities are the perfect chance to meet new people across the College, venture beyond your comfort zone, and explore new countries – all while putting more stress on Harvard’s wallet than your own.

10. Senior year flies by.

Don’t be fooled: Senior year isn’t always the “chill” victory lap you expect, especially if you’re writing a thesis. Responsibilities like classes and extracurricular will remain and continue to monopolize your time just like any other semester. But senior year is special because it’s your last chance to finally make time for everything that you’ve been postponing for some point when you thought you’d have “more time.” (Sorry, but if that day hasn’t come yet, it’s never gonna come.) Go on a crazy day trip to New York, spend a Saturday at Six Flags, sign up for an Outing Club trip, and venture into Boston. Cherish the small moments, step outside your comfort zone, and invest in your communities.

So, as the Class of 2025 takes their last stroll through the Yard and their final photos with John Harvard, remember this: Harvard is less about the lines added to your résumé and more about the late-night conversations, the random side quests, and the people who make the chaos worthwhile.