Freshman Life
‘Feels Like Christmas’: Freshmen Revel in Annual Housing Day Festivities
Freshman received their house assignments Thursday as part of Housing Day 2025. One freshman described River Run as “Halloween” and Housing Day as “Christmas.”
Harvard To End Faculty Pre-Concentration Advising Program After Two-Year Pilot
The Harvard Advising Programs Office will end the faculty pre-concentration advising program at the end of 2025 after a two-year trial run, according to a university spokesperson.
‘It’s Honestly Not That Serious’: Peer Advisors Help Freshmen Navigate Blocking Decisions
Freshmen annually learn of their housing assignments when upperclassmen boisterously storm into their dorms on Housing Day — a tradition that dates back to 1995. But tension builds in the weeks leading up to the reveal when freshmen must select up to eight other students to “block” with, forming blocking groups that are guaranteed to be assigned the same House.
Harvard Freshmen Face Continued ‘Pervasive’ Rodent Problem
When Harvard freshmen moved back into their Harvard Yard dorms last month after winter break, several students returned to evidence of unwelcome visitors: mouse droppings and chewed-through belongings.