I see Flyby as, in a sense, a source of upperclassman advice. I don’t mean this in terms of the age of our staff writers, but in the sense of our authenticity. Flyby will tell it to you how it is – however raw it might be. But now, as a senior, here I am as the actual upperclassman. So, naturally, I am all the more certified to offer some more unsolicited advice.
You might be thinking – slow your roll, the semester just started. And yes, you’d be right. I don’t deny being preemptively nostalgic, nor can many of my classmates (I mean, I genuinely visited Widener steps five times on the first day of classes to take as many pictures with my friends as I could (as if we don’t also have the spring semester… LFDOC, LFWOC? Now we’re just throwing letters together)). Looking past this, though, I’ve truly had many jump scares formative realizations despite my short tenure as a senior this year.
- Turnover is Rapid
While Harvard has a strong institutional memory (She is OLD. Like before the United States old), the turnover of ideas on campus runs more quickly than you’d imagine. Take the new Adams buildings, for instance. While I, too, am impressed by the fact that the new Adams buildings are beautiful, I am more taken aback that this is everyone's, besides the Class of 2026’s, first time in these buildings at all. And, next year, there will be two classes that only know The Inn as The Dome. Things move fast, so it’s truly not worth getting hung up over something from the past. People won’t remember– that embarrassing moment from your freshman year is probably about as relevant as the old Adams dhall.
- Classes are Cool!!
Even though I understand the gem-hunting expedition, I honestly think that there are so many awesome classes at the college that so many people miss. Yes, having gemmier classes would be in my interest this semester – I actually have to write my thesis rather than just tell people “I’m thesising!” and the MCAT will still not study for itself (unfortunately). But, even if a class is “easier” per se, being bored will make the work feel just as long. Take something for funsies, even if you have no business being there, because after eight quick semesters, you won't be able to anymore.
- Everyone Somehow Gets Old?
Somewhere along the line, you and all of your teenage peers morph into fully fledged adults. You’ll end up in your twenties, and discussions about what clubs you’re excited to comp will morph into ones regarding return offers, recruitment, fellowships, and everything in between. Senior year is a ticking time bomb to a dispersion of all of the people you’ve grown to love over the last four years. So savor every moment along the way! Embracing the nights in Holworthy Basement is a rite of passage that should not be skipped for “cooler” upperclassmen spots (looking at you, Grensdays).
So yes, I may only be three days into senior year, but if Harvard time has taught me anything, it’s that three days is basically three months, which is basically three years (into a fourth!). If nothing else, take my few days of wisdom, five Widener photo ops, and a million different acronyms as a reminder that nothing is truly ever that deep. And if that sounds like unsolicited advice — well, that’s what Flyby is for.