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Quirks & Perks

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“I can’t see myself living anywhere else,” said Flyby Blog editor and Winthrop House resident Annette Kim ‘25. Considering all of Winthrop’s amenities and opportunities for community building, it’s not hard to understand why.

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Winthrop House boasts amenities that turn Winthrop House into Winthrop Home. Seemingly everywhere you turn, there’s a foosball table where Winthrop residents can show off their competitive spirit. Thropians can also be found working out in the house gym, socializing in the Lion’s Den, finding their zen in the meditation room, or creating new projects in the art room.

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However, what makes Winthrop special is not limited to its hotel vibes and top-notch amenities. This year, Winthrop House is hosting scholar-in-residence Jonathan L. Kemper ’75. In this role, Kemper gives tours of John F. Kennedy’s suite, and can often be found socializing and networking with students in the d-hall.

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The d-hall is a hub for student activity at Winthrop House. At any time of day, students there can be found grabbing a meal, doing school work, or catching up with friends. One major perk of Winthrop House is that weekly “CS nights” — office hours for all CS courses — are held in the d-hall. So, if you’ve missed dinner on a Wednesday night, never fear; you can always grab a pizza slice from CS night.

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The d-hall is just one area that brings Winthropians together. After all, community is central to Winthrop House. Winthrop’s faculty deans know their residents by name and are helpful resources for everything under the sun. Additionally, Winthrop hosts paw-ffice hours every Friday, where students can relax with puppies after a long week of classes.

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If a puppy doesn’t do the trick to resolve stress, mozzarella sticks might. The student-operated Winthrop Grille is open every week from Thursday through Sunday and is the perfect place for an Oreo milkshake funded by BoardPlus. Winthrop truly has it all!

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All About Housing

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When it comes to sophomore housing, fear not! Winthrop is notably lacking in the miniscule hallway doubles that everyone fears will define their sophomore year. Any doubles tend to be found in mid-sized or larger suites, with a common room for added space. Even within suites, the doubles are decently sized, but for those who are bad with sharing space, don’t worry, there’s a place for you too! In fact, Housing Committee (HoCo) Co-Chair Adrian E. Guzman ‘25 commented that “sophomores tend to get singles if they want them.”

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Not only is Winthrop full of spacious suites, but it is one of the most recently renovated houses, which means the dorms are pristine and the vermin stay away! Sophomores also have the added benefit of having almost guaranteed housing within the House itself, rather than being sent off to overflow housing until their junior year. While Fairfax is a decent space for Winthrop’s overflow housing above JP Licks on Mass Ave., it is relatively small, so very few people end up outside of the three main buildings of Winthrop.

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If you are lucky enough to end up in lovely Winthrop, be prepared to spend warm spring days in one of the house’s three courtyards (I know, three!), and be sure to give the tire swing a try on Housing Day!

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Your Questions Answered

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Here’s what Winthrop’s HoCo chairs have to say about the house!

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What would you like freshmen to know about Winthrop?

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AEG: I would want them to know that their involvement is super highly, deeply appreciate. Once that letter is given, everything the light touches is yours.

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What do you think is the most special part about the house?

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Paurakh Rijal ‘25 (PR): I think everybody in this House cares about this House very deeply. And that also means our tutors and our faculty Deans, [they] really care about the people in the house. You’re able to forge better and more meaningful relationships with people in this house.

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AEG: Yeah, our tutor put his body on the line for the football win. (Editor’s note: …what?)

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What are some of your favorite house or community events?

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PR: Our steins are really fun. I think it’s just a great time for students to get together and socialize. And then I would say, spring formal is really cool, too. That’s like our thing, we like to rent out a yacht, but this year, we’re hoping to try something different.

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If your House was a potato, how would it be prepared?

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PR: We’re trying to establish that our house is classy—swagger and nonchalance. If [the house] is a potato, it would be like waffle fries, but the way it was presented on the plate — like fancy garnish and maybe a little bit of seasoning on top. And it would come with a side of boom boom sauce.

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AEG: I could also see some people in the House just eating a potato (editor’s note: as in… straight out of the ground?)

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There’s a lot to love about Winthrop — from trivia nights, to paw-ffice hours, to the rumored Winthrop trampoline that nobody can seem to locate (seriously, let us know if you find it). So here’s to hoping the Housing gods smile down upon you this Housing Day and you find yourself joining the ranks of Winthrop!

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Correction: March 6, 2024

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A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Winthrop Grille is open Tuesday through Sunday. In fact, the grille is open Thursday through Sunday.

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A previous version of this article misspelled Jonathan L. Kempner’s middle initial.

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Pfantastic Pros

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Pforzheimer House is truly one of the best places to be on campus and it will quickly become pfohome in no time. No matter what talents a resident has, Pfoho is sure to be an escape away from the hustle and bustle of Harvard life. From the numerous practice rooms to satisfy a musician to the “Pfojo” dance studio for all dancers and the Pfoho art room, Pfoho residents have more than enough to show off their talents. Oh and, of course, who could forget about the Pfarcade? With its grand air hockey table to its endless pinball machines and gaming consoles, the Pfarcade is a place full of joy and the pferfect chance to interact with new people. And did I mention that all of these games are free (read: definitely not contributing to Harvard’s endowment). Finally, Pfoho’s basketball court and gym ensure that you don’t have to travel far to maintain your gains during the stressful midterm season (although you might find that their gym equipment is a little outdated).

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While the infamous Quad Grille has been closed in recent months, the Pfoho community is still strong. Residents can enjoy an upperclassmen communal gathering of sorts called the “Hygge,” a Sunday kickback hosted by faculty deans that seeks to rejuvenate residents for the upcoming week ahead. Within these weekly socials are Steins, which are more organized. The faculty deans and homecoming committee recently coordinated a “Valenstein”, inspired by Valentine’s Day.

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Another spot for socializing is the Igloo, a space residents can book in advance to host parties. Parties are also thrown in the Pfoho Belltower Suite where it is rumored that Mark Zuckerberg met his wife. Beyond this, not much is known about what goes on in the Belltower, but if you’re a resident here, you can consider giving Flyby the inside scoop ;). The tunnels connecting all of these amenities together further add to the community Pfoho residents hold dear.

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Pfamous Vibes: Inside and Outside

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Pfoho has a bustling outdoor pfibe no matter what time of day. Many residents love spending time outdoors playing volleyball, and other recreational sports or relaxing on the lawn chairs in the afternoon. Pfoho’s residents love their staff, with one of the managers, Mario, being particularly well known. Everyone seems to know everyone in the Quad, and the residents of Pfoho play an integral part in this family. With the incredible housing in Pfoho, it’s a miracle that residents don’t always stay indoors. Even sophomores are content with their living situation. HoCo Co-Chair Derek Hu ‘25 believes that the uniqueness of Pfoho is in the idea that they treat each class equally. Even though seniors get priority housing, the amenities in Pfoho are so great that everyone essentially gets what they desire. This might be due to Pfoho’s recent construction by the Radcliffe Institute. Pfoho has four main halls: Comstock, Wolbach, Moors, and Holmes, as well as a fifth hall: Jordan. It’s relatively common for residents — even sophomores to get a single and have an in-suite bathroom and Pfoho’s common rooms are spacious compared to other houses. Even with a house size of approximately 400 students, privacy and community lie within the heart of Pfoho living, and Pfoho truly distinguishes itself from the other houses.

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Pfun Answers to Pfun Questions

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Hu answered some of these pfun questions about Pfoho:

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Are there any suites that are known for being a party suite or a suite where everybody kicks back and kind of hangs out?

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DH: Yeah, for sure. So the Pfoho Bell tower… we’re known for, it’s where Mark Zuckerberg met his wife. And I think there’s a lot of people [who] like to throw parties there. And I think it’s a nice, really cool special area where people meet one another and just hang out and have fun.

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And what do you think is the biggest misconception people have about Pfoho?

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DH: I think that just because it’s far. Freshmen might think that it’s very inaccessible and very hard to get here. But in my personal experience and from other people, I think it’s very accessible. Especially as a computer science student, I’m always in the SEC. If you’re trying to go there, you’re gonna have to take a shuttle at some point. We have very frequent bus schedules.

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What do you think freshmen should be looking forward to when they come when they get Pfoho on housing day?

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DH: We have a very cool dining hall staff. I think those guys are super nice. I love talking to them. They’re also sort of like your second parents. I think the faculty deans here, Erica and Zoe, they’re doing a fantastic job. I think they’re really trying to listen to everyone here, trying to make sure their needs are heard.

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Cozy and Cool Cabot

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According to Cabot resident and Flyby Editor J.J. Moore ’26, “We all say that [Cabot] gives retirement home. But as my roommate says best, ‘it’s the best place to walk in your pajamas.’ It feels really comfortable. It feels like home. And I feel like I wouldn't meet a lot of the people that I know now if I wasn’t living here.”

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Cabot House is one of three houses located in the Radcliffe Quadrangle (or “the Quad”). It has about 400 residents, with a cool fish mascot named Cory the Codfish. The House’s motto is “Semper Cor,” which means “always heart.”

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And Cabot residents certainly take this motto to their hearts. “I love the community. We all have insanely strong pride, and I think we have some of the best-looking dorms,” said Moore. “We have a lot of fish pride.”

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Notably, even Dean Khurana calls Cabot home, residing right across from the Aquarium, a party space in Cabot facing Walker Street.

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Located to the right of the Student Organization Center at Hilles (SOCH), large dorm buildings surround a huge lawn. “Everything you see [on the Lawn] is basically Cabot, so any building that touches the Quad Lawn is Cabot. I don’t think a lot of people know that. I didn’t know that until I got into Cabot,” added Moore.

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Now that you know a little bit more about Cabot, let’s take a dive into some specifics!

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Diving Into Housing

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If you want a single, then you’re in luck! Sophomores are not confined to one part of the house and most likely will get a single. (A slightly longer walk for a single doesn’t sound too bad, am I right?).

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If you’re worried about not being able to reach your friends on the other side of Cabot without braving the icy winds, don’t worry! “We’ve got this underground tunnel, so even if you're in one dorm and your friends are in another dorm, you can easily get to them without having to step outside,” said Cabot HoCo Co-Chair Gabe J. LeBlanc ’25. The only parts of Cabot that are not connected are the two “islands”: Bertram Hall and Eliot Hall.

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Navigating the Depths

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Yeah, you read that right. Cabot has underground tunnels!

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Walking through the tunnels is like opening a portal to another world. From small dining halls and common spaces to murals of fish painted on the walls, there’s far more to explore in Cabot than is visible on the lawn above.

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Cabot residents can unleash their inner creativity in the tunnels. “We have a lot of murals within our tunnels. Whenever some graduating classes want to doodle something, they can. The most recent one is a fish on your way to our gym. It’s made through handprints [of] our 2023 grads. So I think we’re going to try to do something a bit more [similar]. I bet each class can sort of have something behind,” said HoCo Co-Chair Christopher Hidalgo ’25.

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Feasting on the Finest

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Okay, cool murals and drawings in a cool underground tunnel. What about the food, though?

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If you think Cabot doesn’t have a lot of great food options because it isn’t near the Square, or if you think it’s going to be a repeat of Annenberg, well, we’re happy to tell you that you’re dead wrong.

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“Nobody’s ever gonna agree with me, but I think the food here is better than anywhere. I think I have really great relationships with the people that work here. I think the food is great,” Moore said. “We have actual spices, which is even better.”

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Cabot also has a completely student-run cafe called Cabot Café. And of course, fish is on the menu (why wouldn’t it be?). It is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., and is a popular and chill place to study and talk to friends. There’s a game room with table tennis and a pool table right outside if you need to merge the talking into a game!

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Cabot Café is also the site for many popular events, including open mic nights where you can take the stand and talk about anything your semper cor heart desires.

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Reeling in the Good Times

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Cabot also has a vibrant party scene with places such as The Aquarium and Cabot Café being the most popular spots where parties are hosted. There’s also a library suite (yes, people live in a library) where you can find residents partying even more than they are reading.

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The access to Quad-wide parties and events that happen is another perk of Cabot’s party scene. The Quad Formal is the go-to event for all Cabot (and Quad) residents. Semper Corpse is also a popular event during Halloween, and musicals are planned and held every spring semester.

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The Cabot and Quad communities are strongly connected and super tight-knit. “There’s no competition amongst the Quad Houses. There’s a strong sense of solidarity, and so when we come together for giant Quad events with Currier and Pfoho, there’s a sense that we have a really, really strong community here. Cabot’s house spirit extends far beyond Cabot,” explained LeBlanc.

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There’s a special Cabot community within the Quad too! There are many events in Cabot where you can just socialize, meet new people, and participate in various interactive activities without music blowing your eardrums out.

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“I’ll generally say that our house staff is really, really supportive of making the house what students want it to be. And so when students have ideas for large scale and small scale events, there’s a lot of opportunity to make it happen,” LeBlanc said.

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Some events are Tea N’ Tea (tea-spilling sessions), Dutch Auction (where you can auction off items from the house, like the naming rights for the gym), Festivus (an annual, non-denominational event in December where everyone eats international holiday dishes and participates in competitions like who can do the most push-ups).

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There are also spaces where you can hang out with friends, like H101 (a kitchen where you can cook and make anything you want!), Third Space (an art studio where you can also take free pottery classes) and the d-hall!

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Cozy and Comfort Studying

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Apart from party and event spaces, Cabot holds multiple great places to study and chat with friends.

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According to Moore, if you want a Cabot Library vibe (i.e. you want to be distracted by great conversations), then head on over to Cabot Dining Hall. If you want a Lamont Library vibe (i.e. you want to study without distractions), then head to the Eliot Hall Library. The study rooms in the underground tunnels are also another great place whether you want to study alone or with friends. Many study spaces have a mini projector or TV that you can mirror your screen on or use to practice for a presentation or even have movie nights!

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If you thought the constant studying was aging you, well, welcome to Cabot — your retirement home. :)

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Your Questions, Answered

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Still hesitant about Cabot and the Quad? Well, fret not! We asked the Cabot House Committee Co-Chairs, Gabe J. LeBlanc ‘25 and Christopher Hidalgo ‘25, about their favorite parts of living in Cabot!

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What would you say to the freshman worried about the longer walk?

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CH: I love the walk. I also think it gives me time to see more of Cambridge. [There’s] lots of mobility options and there’s also the buses.

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GJL: My personal philosophy on the walk to the Quad is it’s one of the best things that's happened to me because I get 10 minutes to myself, to listen to music, to get exercise, to think about life without having to worry about everything else going on. But yes, in the case of the snow, I’m a big proponent of the shuttle buses, and people have scooters.

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If your house was a fruit, which one would it be and why?

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GJL: A kiwi because when you peel off the layers and dive inside, you’ll find so much wonderful goodness.

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Which superhero best describes the faculty deans at Cabot?

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CH: Deadpool. They’re kind of funny like that, but they also do get the job done. Whatever is needed of them, the task will follow through.

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What should freshmen who get Cabot look forward to?

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CH: Cabot’s a fun place to explore, so if you don’t know what to do, just go to a basement, whether that’s in the islands or a different room that’s connected. We have lots of cool, cozy spaces where you can just go and study. Cabot is cool and cozy. People say, oh, it reminds me here of a retirement home because of the carpet. Which is true, but I think that’s fun. Like I wear slippers and I’ve just come down [to the dining hall] in my PJs.

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GJL: I’d say that Cabot really cares about you. I think I’ve had so many wonderful interactions with all the people that make Cabot what it is from our dining hall staff, to our custodial staff, to our administrative staff. Everyone really comes together to make Cabot feel like a home. Also, the walk is not that bad.

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And that wraps up the Housing Market for Cabot House! We hope you get excited about Housing Day (especially for Cabot!). Don’t let getting Quadded get to you. A little extra walk is worth it to have this cozy home with a wonderful, supportive community.

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Quirks and Perks

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The rumors are true: Currier revolves around good food. The debate over the best Harvard House may never truly be resolved, but the closest we’ll get is the general consensus that Currier spotlights HUDS at its full potential. Besides the atmosphere and layout of the d-hall, both extremely conducive to fostering and deepening community, Currier is home to the one and only: Food Drops. Every Sunday evening, Currier’s HoCo orders a ton of food. Sometimes the orders are without rhyme or reason, like huge orders from McDonald’s or Dominoes. But sometimes, it’s to a theme, like Nigerian food or Super Bowl themed food. Think, the ultimate brain break to chase away the Sunday Scaries and be at peak dietary fulfillment!

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On top of its amazing food, Currier is the proud host of many go-to events such as the yearly Halloween party “Heaven and Hell” and Currioke, which as the name suggests, is Currier’s karaoke night where residents can put the songs that they’ve only practiced in the shower to good use in the back of the Fishbowl. The fun doesn’t stop here, though, since Currier also throws a variety of “steins” or events during the year such as the Easter Stein that Currier’s HoCo Chairs Sam R. Vitale ’25 and Necati O. Unsal ’26 called “crazy competitive,” as well as a party for Currier’s beloved security guard Bill who works the 4 PM to 12 AM shift and sees everyone come back home <3.

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We can already assume that Currier is the birthplace of power, being pretty much the most feminist House of them all. People including Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, Yo-Yo Ma, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and even Boston’s own Michelle Wu, among others, also once walked the same hallways and worked in the same spacious 165 square-foot rooms that only Currier offers.

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This seems to extend to the present too. “Look around you! Future famous alumni!” exclaimed Unsal, pointing to the many people seated around the d-hall, ranging from floaters to first-years, to actual Currier residents. And while Currier has these big names to broadcast and possesses this sense of power, it is evident that the true strength comes from the tightly knit community, found in the Quad, but more realistically, rooted in Currier, who also happens to be a leader of the so-called Quad-renaissance (iykyk).

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Though not as well known as their steins or food drops, Currier has recently adopted the house tradition of rubber ducks being placed throughout the house. What started with tiny ducks being randomly scattered throughout the house soon evolved into something bigger - quite literally. “I remember walking into the d-hall my sophomore year, and there was a huge duck just in the fountain,” explains Vitale. The origins of this tradition remain unknown, yet it seems they have plans to expand this year, plans that seem to be sealed tightly under wraps as Vitale and Unsal soon fell to a hush and began giggling. Perhaps current and incoming Currier residents should expect to see some ducks in their future, and no, not the CS50 ones.

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In reference to this Curri-ky tradition, Vitale posits, “Is it giving old money Harvard? Probably not. It’s giving home,” which as a Currierite, will come to mean more to you than anything else. And, as Unsal points out, cultivating a sense of home and belonging is “really what we want to create with the new generation.”

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All About Housing

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Like the other two Quad houses, Currier is all about community, but not just because it’s a 17-minute walk (according to Google Maps) from your classes in the Science Center. Currier’s unique layout naturally lends itself to a “wholesome community,” as Currier resident and Crimson Flyby editor Katie E. Hennessey ’24 said.

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With only one main entrance that is conveniently located directly across the street from the shuttle station and leads straight down to the dining hall and Fishbowl (a common room with a large projector screen that recently held a massive showing of the LVIII Super Bowl!), you are bound to run into your fellow Currierites 24/7. Even the layout of the dining hall with only one entrance and exit – and a glorious fountain in the middle with plants that create the dining space of any feng shui Pinterester’s dreams – make it a vibrant and welcoming place to spot friendly faces and strike up those unexpected “you just made my day” conversations.

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However, on the slight chance that you don’t see a familiar face grabbing Oatly ice cream at 2 am or stationing themselves next to the d-hall’s fountain as background noise for their PSET grind, you can stop to admire your friends’ beautiful faces on wall monitors that rotate through a cycle of self-submitted photos. According to Hennessey, “[Currier] always asks us to submit pictures of ourselves or things you’ve done” for all residents to see what everyone has been up to, or even get a boost of serotonin from looking at a picture of someone’s cute dog before your 8:30 a.m. trek to the Yard for section.

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Moving on from the Lower Main, there are elevators that lead to dorms in each of Currier’s four towers – Bingham, Daniels, Gilbert, and Tuchman – which also happen to be named after notable Radcliffe College alumnae (another day, another slay for women!). The dorms in these towers can be either two singles connected by a bathroom or a typical suite layout that can include a kitchen and even a balcony if you are fortunate enough to be placed into one of the fifth-floor penthouse suites. These special suites even have private access to their very own solarium, which Hennessey says she is lucky enough to have as a resident of one of the penthouses since it is “nice to also have a space that’s separate from your room where you can just come and hang out.”

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However, if you do not get placed into one of the penthouses or the infamous “Ten Man” suite that houses ten people and contains a huge common room that is used for Currier parties, do not fret. Currier boasts a plethora of other rooms in which to hang out and spend time perfecting new hobbies. Whether that looks like whipping up a Gordon Ramsay-level meal in one of the 52 kitchens, learning Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” on the guitar in the music rooms, taking time to yourself in the meditation and prayer room, letting out your midterms stress by chucking paint onto a canvas in the art room, getting a quick workout in the in-house gym and dance studio (and saying hi to your AADT friends who often use the space for practices), or beating your friends in a not so friendly game of pool in the lounge area near the d-hall, you will never, ever be bored.

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Your Questions, Answered

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Slowly becoming a Quad convert because of Currier? We get it. Still a little bit Currie(r)ous about what makes Currier the place to be? We also get it. But don’t worry, these questions truly capture its magic:

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What’s your favorite Currier memory?

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NOU: So many of them revolve around the d-hall. The fact that I can sit in one place and people that I’m friends with whether it’s directly through my blocking group or tangentially just having seen them in the hallway, we’ll all just sit at the same table.

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SRV: Last year’s housing day, because as you guys may know, Currier had a very successful Housing Day video. Just walking to the Yard on Housing Day, we were stopping traffic in the road and it was so fun. I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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NOU: Energy was crazy – electric, you could say.

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If you had to compare your Faculty Dean to a certain superhero, which one would you choose and why?

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NOU: I mean does she need to be compared to another one?

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SRV: [She is] the embodiment of the word girlboss.

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NOU: Girlboss energy. I don’t think other houses can say they have that. I think you can ask other superheroes instead how they embody her spirit.

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Since much of Currier’s reputation revolves around its dining and food scene, it begs the question, what kitchen utensil would Currier be and why?

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NOU: Tongs.

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SRV: I was going to say spatula.

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NOU: Tongs are for group scenarios, right? Like when you are in a group setting, or when you’re grilling? Spatula. Spork does embody the accessibility that we represent as a house.

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SRV: Also ladle. A sense of community.

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What is the “Quad Renaissance” we’re hearing rumors of?

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NOU: People mentioned the Quad Renaissance last year. I think Currier is like the Florence or nexus of this movement.

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If you’re lucky enough to be placed into Currier, make sure to learn its unofficial anthems: “Currier vs. the World” Housing Day Video 2023 and “Can’t Catch Me Now” by our teen angst queen Olivia Rodrigo. Come Housing Day, you will all be belting “QUAAAAAAAAAAD THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT” or “I’m in the trees, I’m in the breeze, my footsteps on the ground.”

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{shortcode-e75d306c2165f9b19cbe726dc6e14cffdd45c2be} Are you a first-year who's about to be sorted, or an upperclassman filled with house pride? Either way, Flyby is here to give you all the information you need to be completely informed about Harvard's ~housing market~.

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Find all the houses HERE!

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Check out a behind-the-scenes exclusive of the production of Currier's Housing Day video:

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3/4: As is tradition, the first day of Housing Day week is QUAD DAY! Get retro, get singles, get feminist. #Womenshistorymonth. And for extra insight in what everyone not in the quad is missing, check out this love letter from a writer who transferred from the Quad to the River.

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3/5: Next up is River West! Featuring beautiful courtyards alongside the Charles, elegant House events, and impressive alumni, River West is truly the best, #notbiased. And what better way to prep for Housing Day than learning about the most notable House scandals at Harvard? Stay educated.

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3/6: Day three of Housing Market brings us River East! As the river curves, we find a beautiful dome, majestic towers, and more bunnies than we previously thought possible in an urban area. What more could you want? And for the truly most important scoop in Crimson history, take a look at our very objective and scientific house laundry room tier list.

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3/7: 3/7: Happy housing day, and more importantly, happy River Central day! Featuring breakfast, bells, and brand-new dorm rooms, these three houses can’t be beat. Plus, they’re close to the yard! And for some real perspective on every house, check out our house gym ranking and house library ranking!

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{shortcode-6b23de96f10009bc01603b6c78518950bb9a9b02} Dear Quad,

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I miss you. I didn’t think I would, but I do. I miss you and the million little things that make you everything that you are.

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I miss you in slumber. I miss the silence hanging heavy in the air, so absolute I could hear the crickets chirping and the stars twinkling. I miss waking late in the morning to my alarm instead of at 7 a.m., on a weekend, to the sound of a garbage truck.

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I miss coming home to you. I miss the walks back with friends or by myself, music or my parent’s voices curling into my ears. I miss the feeling of escaping the Harvard bubble, of coming home to a place that was not an extension of school. I miss feeling like a person, not a student.

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I miss the feeling of belonging to a community larger than a single House. I miss the connection with other Quadlings, the immediate solidarity and its solidification on a (not that) long walk home. I miss the happily contrarian feeling that settled in my stomach as I defended you to your detractors. I miss walking into buildings with women’s names over their entryways, of feeling a connection to a definite moment in history rather than the hefty weight of more problematic years.

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I miss studying in Currier d-hall in my pajamas, a blanket around my shoulders. I miss falling asleep on the table, waking up to speedwrite my essay just as HUDS starts cooking breakfast. Now, I visit in pants just a hair too uncomfortable to sleep in (the River’s made me self-conscious about wearing pajamas in public) and work with one eye on the clock, too concerned with shuttle schedules now that I don’t live a minute away.

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I miss you more when it’s raining. I miss the scent of the Quad Lawn, its grass greener than any of the patches of turf found by the river, the reminder that life follows the rain. In the River, rain brings with it the stench of sewage brought a little closer to the surface and cars that race through puddles, showering me with liquids of questionable composition. They were the same storms, but you had a way of making them better, somehow.

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My dreams of you are nightmares, but the nightmares themselves are peaceful. I dream of happiness and friends and normalcy, and when I wake it is with a smile on my face. A smile on my face but a hole in my heart, left when the dream dissolves with only the destabilizing sensation that, when I left, I missed out on something great. I worry, sometimes, that I’ve missed out on you and that my life is worse for it.

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I visit sometimes — all the time, actually — more in a week than I did during the entirety of my freshman year. (You used to barely exist to me, but now that I know you, I can’t stay away.) I visit to see my friends (because some of my favorite people still live in the Quad), to spend at least a few nights a week somewhere other than my room, but perhaps a few of my visits are about seeing you. We were something, and as much as I cried on Housing Day last year, I don’t know if I can ever see us as nothing. I miss you in a million little ways, and as much as I complained about the distance or the mascots or any number of silly things, I love you for everything that makes you you.

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This year, another set of freshmen will learn that they’ll spend the next three years of their lives with you. Some will probably cry. Some will probably fume. But they’ll come around. You tend to grow on people. (I love you for that, too.)

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Much Quadlove,

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SMY

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{shortcode-787703897c5653dd4b0bc1b512c53707ef711a7a}Spring at Harvard comes with many joys – Housing Day, afternoons above 30 degrees, and a much-needed Spring Break.

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Spring Break is supposed to promote rest and relaxation from the college grind, a time to pretend you don’t have three midterms and two papers coming up in March. However, all too often, Spring Break brings additional stress. How should I spend my week off? Where, with whom, and with what money? For college freshmen like myself, Spring Break is often the first break we have complete control over, so we’re determined to make the most of it. After all, what’s a better way to show your high school classmates that you’re thriving in college than going on a tropical vacation with all your new besties?

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At the beginning of my second semester, pondering Spring Break options left me uninspired. When I thought of my perfect week off, all that came to mind was going home, sleeping in my own bed, and eating my parents’ home cooking. So, that’s exactly what I will be doing.

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One of my 2024 New Year’s resolutions was to reject FOMO and instead embrace JOMO – the joy of missing out. This semester, I have developed a more balanced and fulfilling life by being intentional with how I spend my time, attending events because I want to, rather than because I think I should. The JOMO mindset is highly applicable to my Spring Break dilemma.

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In my eyes, Spring Break at home is the ultimate college getaway. For one – not to be understated – the home-cooked meals. I know I don’t just speak for myself when I say that one of the things I look forward to most over break is the break from HUDS (and my coding p-sets, of course). Second, there’s nothing quite like sleeping in your bed at home. The twin XL in my cramped double will never measure up.

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But, you may say, spending break at home is just so boring. To this, I offer a solution: the complete and utter romanticization of your life. Wake up well-rested in the morning, blast “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall, and be a tourist in your own hometown. Go to your local farmers market. Check out all the books on your TBR (to be read) list from the library and actually read them. Watch your not-so-little brother’s baseball game. Catch up with your hometown friends. Do all the things you said you would do if you had the time – now you do. I can almost guarantee that you won’t regret the extra time you spend with your loved ones, fully removing yourself from the college atmosphere.

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If you’re like me and you’re spending your first college Spring Break at home, I encourage you to make the most of it and appreciate where you are, even though it may not be Punta Cana. Take Spring Break at home to reconnect with yourself and find new hobbies. Slow down and enjoy it, while welcoming the joy of missing out. Are you even really missing out?

', [])

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{shortcode-80e126cd8db86bc083668dc1695526663b09470c}Yeah, the houses all have names, but they’re so formal. Why am I calling my TF who holds my entire GPA in their hands by their first name, but the building that literally just exists so 18-22 year olds can live in it by a fancy last name? Luckily, Flyby has rectified this. Here are the names we decided each house deserves.

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Lowell: Catherine, Cathy for short

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We thought the C-spelling Catherines needed some representation.

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Quincy: Terry, short for Terrence

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It just felt right.

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Adams: Adam (and Steve)

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Steve is the Inn. (Oaktel, if you’re one of those people.)

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Winthrop: Chad

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This one was unanimous.

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Eliot: Elliott

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What if we made the most pretentious house just a little more so?

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Kirkland: Brittany

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“Cause she’s so crazy, you can’t take her anywhere.”

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Cabot: Carleigh

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She’s just a little quirky like that.

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Currier: Dianne

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Classy ‘70’s vibes.

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Pfoho: Phyllis

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You can’t tell us you disagree with this one.

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Dunster: Will but it’s short for Wilhelm III

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It seems normal but is secretly very fancy.

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Mather: Dale, short for Fort Lauderdale

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Mather has a bit of a militaristic vibe, and so does Dale.

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Leverett: Kyle

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Ok, we know a Kyle in Leverett. But isn’t every person in Leverett, in a way, Kyle?

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{shortcode-71f70af444c2a16b395fa6c67ad701264b66b8d5} One of the freshmen in Flyby recently informed us — much to our horror — that linking would not be an option for the Class of 2027’s sophomore housing lottery. “Linking” guaranteed two blocking groups to be placed in the same neighborhood (ex. one group in Eliot and the other group in Kirkland — both in River West). Apparently, this change in the lottery system, which has been implemented for previous classes since 2006, was announced to the freshman class and reflected on the College’s website in early November, but someone (really, several someones) neglected to tell us upperclassmen. (Maybe we should just read the rest of The Crimson more often, but I already have 200 pages of readings to do every week. Asking me to educate myself about current events on top of that is just cruel.) Perhaps part of the reason for this lapse in communication is the freshmen’s lack of emotional investment in the change — after all, you can’t miss what you never had — but, regardless of their appallingly blasé attitudes, we cannot abide by this transgression in silence. Here’s why.

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I Asked for Less Drama, Not More
\r\nBack in the day, linking provided a built-in solution for the problem of having too many friends to fit in a single blocking group. Have three contenders for the last spot in your blocking group? No worries; just split into two groups and call it a day. Now, however, you really do have to choose your (eight) friends wisely. (Let’s not even talk about what an arbitrary number eight is, especially when they apparently used to allow blocking groups of up 16.) Luckily, Flyby does have some strategies for you to select your last blockmate, but do we really need more toxicity in our lives when we’re already subsisting on HUDS? We say, no thank you.

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What About My House Away From My House?
\r\nOne of the oft-neglected benefits of having a linking group is having what I affectionately dub a “bonus house.” Whenever I’m tired of staring at the same four walls (or just really don’t want to actually concentrate on my work), I hop on over to my linkmate’s house to spend the night (read: the hours of 10p.m. to 4a.m.) relishing in a new atmosphere, my home away from my home away from home. Think of it as a low-commitment way of bursting the Harvard bubble. But alas, without linking groups, laying claim to a house other than your own lacks the same… je ne sais quoi. Now, the Class of 2027, and all the classes to follow, will have to compress their love for Winthrop basement or Currier d-hall into the paltry phrases of appreciation in the English language rather than just remarking, “Oh, it’s my linking group’s house.”

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Linkmates, My Loves
\r\nHaving a linkmate is an experience unlike any other. It’s not quite like having a blockmate, but it’s not quite like having a friend you have not ascribed odd Harvard lingo to either. My linkmates are people I sprint to hug after breaks, the first people I text with romantic updates (because, let’s face it, they take my problems much more seriously than my blockmates do), and people I must contact at least two weeks in advance to arrange a meet up. They’re beautiful and amazing and precious, and some of them have been living in my camera roll since Visitas. I quite literally cannot imagine my “transformative” Harvard experience without them, and I wouldn’t want to. We would still be friends without the label of linkmateship, but you can’t tell me that the labels don’t carry weight. DTRs mean something for friendships, too.

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The Greatest Travesty of Them All
\r\nQuite clearly, the worst consequence of this change is that, some day — perhaps a day much closer than you’d expect — some poor, unsuspecting reader will come across one of our old articles and come away confused rather amused. How would that even be possible, you ask? The answer’s simple: the phrase “sneaky link.” Now that linking groups are no longer a reality, it will not be long before any reference to linking groups, linkmates, and sneaky links is met with blank stares, as the memory of linking fades into oblivion as did the House personalities following the institution of a random lottery. An entire genre of Flyby Blog content will lose its relevance to new generations of Harvard students, excluding an uncountable number of students to come from the tradition that is spending ten hours going down a Flyby rabbit hole. Flyby’s never existed in a world without linking groups; these are uncharted waters, and we’re not sure we like them.

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Whoever thought discontinuing linking was a good idea, we’re sure you meant well, but we really do need you to know: dude, that’s rude.

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{shortcode-47db5bceb8361d30fc56a0221b86517957cdd678}There are many ways to procrastinate in Harvard Square. You could get overpriced coffee, go on a walk, buy Harvard merch for your family, heckle tourists… the list goes on. But we at Flyby are humanists, which means we enjoy the highest form of procrastination: people-watching. Ever wonder how we get so many “overheards?” We always have an eye out. And I love eavesdropping — that’s why they call me Eve. So if you want to get the most possible entertainment value out of our glorious campus, read on for the best people-watching spots on campus.

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The front of the Smith Center

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If you like getting stuff done or can’t live without lo-fi covers of Disney songs, you may tend to head straight for the student commons in Smith. But since everyone’s on task, there’s nobody to look at! So next time, try sitting in the very front of Smith, near Pavement. You’ll see groups of French-Canadian tourists, prospective pre-frosh, and people wrestling with Blue Bikes.

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The street side of Cabot Library

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If you find exactly the right spot in the center of the short end of Cabot library, you can watch the most underrated difficult intersection in Cambridge. Two crosswalks + food trucks + Annenberg + shuttles + parallel parking spots = chaos. And I’m team jaywalker any day of the week, but some of us (I’m looking at you, blue backpack who is currently standing exactly where the Penske truck needs to go) need to improve our spatial awareness. I love watching us all have our “I’m walkin’ here!” moments.

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The Mather Express shuttle

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I stumbled upon this one by accident on a day when I started feeling carsick on the shuttle. Not my proudest moment. But because I had to look up from my phone and out the window while taking slow, steady breaths, I realized that this mobile window-heavy seat was perfect for watching the pedestrians go by! It’s especially fun when the traffic is so bad that you end up going exactly the same speed as the people on the sidewalk. Plus, you’re getting somewhere!

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The Leverett d-hall during brain break

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I don’t know why, but every time I’ve stumbled my way into Lev brain break, I’ve seen both everyone I know and about 40 people I’ve never seen before in my life. I’ve had epic highs and lows at Lev brain break. But watching everyone else also have epic highs and lows always makes my night better. (I’m not even in Lev, by the way.)

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Lamcaf

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Oh, Lamcaf. A unique vibe. A humbling experience. A fuel for my increasingly problematic caffeine addiction. But at least when you sit by the window, you can watch every tourist ignore interesting things (the Alice in Wonderland-inspired gate, Houghton library, the tree that is literally growing underground) to make a beeline for Widener. Sometimes, though, they’re wearing fun outfits.

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Make sure to try all these spots to remember that you are, in fact, just one person among basically infinite people. We live in a society. WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY. (Maybe think about that as you choose your career?)

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{shortcode-492ed9de929afd2efeae1ff910fa4422bb04f60e}A few weeks ago, Flyby received top secret intel alerting them to tunnels connecting the entirety of Harvard Business School, linking dorms to lecture halls. Imagine waking up five minutes before class and only having to “take the tunnel” to get to class — this was the alleged reality for HBS students. Much, much cooler than sprinting across the Yard at 9 a.m. and risking the hazard of running into a tourist, or worse, someone speeding on their scooter.

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It became apparent that validating the existence of these tunnels for the rest of the Harvard community was of the utmost importance. After a super important and super fancy (we had Papa John’s instead of Domino’s!) Friday night dinner, we departed from the Quad to explore the deep, dark depths below HBS. We were energized by the prospect of a groundbreaking scoop, but little did we know that we were about to discover something much, much more serious.

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Once we made it onto the HBS grounds, we ran into a few HBS students and begged them for details about the tunnel system, but they seemed merely bemused. They could not comprehend why the tunnels were so important to us and were perplexed by our enthusiasm. They even encouraged us to “live a little more” and return to Cambridge. Disappointed by this reaction, we made a pact to not be boring adults if/when we grow up. In hindsight, perhaps we shouldn’t have discarded their advice so easily.

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After wandering the Business School lawn for what felt like an hour (read: only 15 minutes), we finally found our way into a building connected to the tunnels. (If we had been more wary, we might have interpreted our difficulty in finding the tunnels as the warning it was.) As we traipsed through the seemingly endless hallways of the lower level, Sneha got spooked by a vacuum in a random lecture hall and phoned a friend (read: her dad).

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After seeing a sign pointing towards the tunnels, we rushed to explore our surroundings. Truthfully, we didn’t know where we were going, but we were willing to go wherever the tunnels took us. Immediately upon entering, we were transported back in time to a 1980’s diner. Checkerboard floor tiles, slightly suspicious yellowed lighting, and the strange slowing of time all added to the aesthetic. Several signs and displays adorned the walls of the tunnels, detailing the Business School’s history. We took photos of basically everything (we’ll spare you the details for now, but feel free to ask us for the 316 photos of the tunnel walls living in our camera rolls). At this point, we were around 15 minutes into our expedition, but it felt like we had been in the tunnels for hours. Mirika’s and Sneha’s phone battery percentages lingered at six and four percent, respectively.

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Wandering past a fake entrance to Baker Library, we found ourselves in a corridor lined with newspaper front pages that towered over us, hanging at odd angles. Political cartoons studded each front page, spanning the 1950s to the early 2000s, with inscriptions highlighting significant moments in economic history. After the 2000s display, the tunnel’s path forked, one arm featuring a similar art installment and a set of heavy double doors, and the other curling around a turn, its end out of sight. We raced towards the double doors in the first arm, excited to infiltrate the HBS dorms, but they wouldn’t budge, even when we repeatedly slapped our HUIDs against the scanner.

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We were stuck with the newspapers of decades past. We followed the other path, watching as the tunnels transformed from clean tile to something more industrial, with exposed pipes and wiring. At the sound of water running through the pipes, Sneha speed-dialed her dad and forced him to stay on the line until Mirika finished exploring the rest of the tunnel system’s (available) forks, successfully making it into two more buildings.

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Having explored as much of the tunnel system as possible, it was nearly midnight, and we were anxious to emerge from the tunnel’s depths (...so Sneha’s dad could go back to sleep). Perhaps it would have been most logical to just go back the way we came, but that would have been the boring choice. Instead, as true journalists, we used all the tools at our disposal to find a more innovative escape, leveraging our natural charisma (the art of “please” and “thank you”) and ten collective years of Spanish education (“gracias, gracias, gracias,” plus “somos estudiantes”) to convince a very nice employee to let us out through a swipe access-only exit.

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This left us on the level directly below the Baker Library, which we tried to enter to no avail. To our dismay, the library apparently closed at 5 p.m., a discovery which made us seriously question the work schedules of HBS students. Do they somehow have work-life balance? Do they even have work to do if they have no 24/7 libraries? Are they really partying all the time, as the stereotype suggests? It really put the Business School students we saw socializing into perspective. Eventually, after an impromptu photoshoot outside Baker Library (and another round of photos in front of the infamous HBS sign), we called it a night and trekked back to Cambridge.

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As we left the business school campus, we (to our horror) found our attitude towards the tunnels mirroring that of the HBS students. Sure, the tunnels are there, but what’s the point? It felt like we had spent hours in the HBS basement, traveling a distance that would have taken us less than two minutes to walk aboveground. Maybe they weren’t the time-saving godsend we had thought they were.

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But, as we sit in Lamont Library, revising our notes, we see that we could not have been further from the truth. While we felt lifetimes pass as we wandered through the tunnels, our meticulous records show that we spent less than 30 minutes underground. It took us three times longer to make it from HBS back to our dorms as it did to explore the accessible portion of the tunnels. The tunnels are not just a mundane feature of the HBS campus; they are pivotal to understanding the true nature of the Business School campus itself.

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We’ll speak in circles no longer. It is time to reveal the truth we discovered in the tunnels’ depths. The tunnels are part of a parallel universe with a time warp; this peculiarity is probably why Harvard chose to build the Business School in Allston. Once we realized this, all the pieces started falling into place. The Business School students’ seemingly infinite span of free time, the lack of 24/7 libraries, the ‘80s diner aesthetic, the relative quality of the facilities, and the surprising lack of tourists all suddenly started to make sense. And the tilted hallway with its timeline from the 1950s to the 2000s, a reminder (or a map, for those in the know) of the tunnel system’s time travel capacities.

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We were lucky enough to escape the tunnel’s clutches before it was too late. Four hours in the tunnels equated to half an hour in our world — we tremble to think of the consequences of a longer stay. We wrote this article against our better judgment, disregarding our own safety and wellbeing, to warn the Harvard community of the dangers that lurk beneath the business school and Allston. We believe that the SEC is next; it’s only a matter of time before the top floor’s construction is complete.

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If you don’t hear from us again…we’re probably in the Barker Center’s witness protection program.

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Signing off,

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MJJ and SMY

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{shortcode-55393fd3200afc5eedf941a2e2bf3a2ec985cd9c} No criticism allowed! And before you ask, my qualifications are: yard resident, Leo sun.

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CRIMSON YARD

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GREENOUGH / HURLBUT: CAPRICORN

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Residents of these two dorms have to put in so much more effort to go to classes or walk literally anywhere on the yard. For that, Greenough and Hurlbut get the hardest-working earth sign!

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PENNYPACKER: VIRGO

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En-suite bathrooms. Practical! There’s not much else to say about Pennypacker, or Virgos for that matter.

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WIGGLESWORTH: PISCES

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Unstable, sensitive, and easily shaken; Wigg’s unfortunate placement directly above the rattling T makes it a perfect example of piscean traits.

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ELM YARD

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GRAYS: SCORPIO

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Grays’ architecture is strong, independent and a little intense. Traits that mirror those of everyone’s favorite sign to hate on!

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MATTHEWS: SAGITTARIUS

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Sagittarians are said to draw admiration from anyone who interacts with them, just like how Matthews draws in photo ops for every tourist who passes by. Sagittarians are also known to take risks, and whoever designed Matthews certainly did that with its unique and confusing layout.

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WELD: CANCER

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Cancers, like Weld’s huge rooms, have a lot of space inside to keep their emotions. Their many windows are perfect for gazing out of as you partake in some inner reflection. So water sign of them!

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IVY YARD

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APLEY COURT / HOLWORTHY : LEO

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Like a Leo’s natural tendency to be drawn toward luxury, Apley Court is known for having the most lavish first year rooms. It’s only fitting to sort the best sign with the best dorm!

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Holworthy definitely has a social and celebrity-like reputation, as residents can claim past alumni such as Conan O’Brien. They also have nice windows and big common rooms, perfect for entertaining guests, like the most slayful fire sign tends to do!

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Xoxo, a Leo <3

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HOLLIS / MASS HALL : GEMINI

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Hollis has huge doubles, so obviously it has to be matched with the sign represented by the twin symbol. Alternatively, the juxtaposition between Mass Hall’s heated, beautifully furnished office space and Mass Hall’s cold, ugly living space is so Gemini personality crisis.

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LIONEL: CANCER

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Like a Cancer crab retreating inside its own shell, Lionel hides behind Harvard Hall. Lionel residents are cool, I guess, but you never hear much about them.

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MOWER / STOUGHTON: AQUARIUS

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An irrelevant sign for irrelevant dorms. Sorry, Stoughton and Mower. (Aquarian editor’s note: rude, but we at Flyby support authorial freedom… And we Aquarians support freedom of intellect… supposedly…)

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STRAUS: LIBRA

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Libras are known for great communication, and Straus is known for the fact that you can hear everything, even at a whisper, in the halls, rooms and around the entryways.

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OAK YARD

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CANADAY: ARIES

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Here at Flyby, we hate Aries AND Canaday Hall. (Editor’s note: not ALL Aries’. Don’t come for us.) Not only is Canaday possibly the ugliest part of the yard, deeply infested with rats, vermin, insects, and other undesirables, but it is also riot proof (aw man!). What’s more Aries, the sign closely associated with aggression, than anti-riot architecture?

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Xoxo, a Canaday Resident <3

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THAYER: TAURUS

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Green and practical, Thayerites claim ownership of an objectively perfect spot in the yard. Thayer is characterized by its stability (unlike Wigglesworth) and lack of drama, similar to the Taurean tendencies to avoid conflict and stick to their own path.

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\r\nBe sure to really attach your identity to your first-year dorm before Housing Day comes and you can finally introduce yourself with a real dorm! Then you can check this one out…

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{shortcode-0e1b16b36d2a3a4c2e1665d4358a0a051e8b4daf} As I come into my second semester at our small liberal arts college just outside of Boston, I feel as though I’m taking part in a modern-day renaissance. With concentrations ranging from the more established field of Folklore and Mythology to the rather-rare Econ concentrator, Harvard seems to really embrace a holistic approach to higher education. However, after hours of skimming my.Harvard, I’ve come to understand that our administration has failed. Harvard doesn’t teach a necessary life skill — bush jumping.

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John Harvard’s Dictionary defines this action, a verb, as the ancient, and simple, art of running full speed towards a bush and just jumping into it. On his deathbed, John Harvard gave a share of his estate to the mission of founding a new university in Cambridge; however, I think history has lost the second part of his oral will, which was his desire for all students to appreciate (really appreciate) the nature of the area. It’s also believed to be one of the greatest things to happen to students since grapes on pizza (a breakthrough for Harvard’s culinary history). While you all may be thinking that this is 202-4-the plot, I’m a firm believer that it is 202-4-the bush jump.

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Now, you all might think I’m crazy based on everything I’ve said so far, but I think bush jumping just may be the answer to your problems. Side quests are in in 2024, and bush jumping is 1) a way of connecting with nature (be thankful, ESPP Majors, I’m helping you out), 2) it takes your stress away (a primal scream adjacent feeling), and 3) it is a caffeine alternative (Cabot Cafe is stealing all my money, and my tolerance is scary high). Are you stressed because you’re Pre-Med? Jump! Mad about wasting time on a situationship? Jump! Are you really happy about your teacher canceling class? Jump! What’s to lose?!

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When I hopefully enter the workforce one day (consulting like every other person, obviously), I will undoubtedly still have a crippling caffeine addiction, be expected to know how to color code in Excel, and how to add an animation on a PowerPoint slide. But, I will have something that the average Yalie doesn’t have — my bush jumping skills. It has brought me to unimaginable heights thus far, and it continues to make me who I am, and if you want to make the most of your college experience, experimentation with the limits of nature are essential.

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Now that I’ve filled you in on my latest craze, let me tell you where to bush jump on campus (make sure to BUNDLE UP to avoid any injury, please):

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1. Cabot House

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Now listen, folks, I'm not usually one to sing praises about the Quad, BUT there's a hidden gem tucked far away from the prying eyes of tourists – the bushes! While Currier may flaunt its tree mascot, the best bush on campus is right in front of Cabot Entryway E — it's something of legend. With the perfect stick-to-leaf ratio, it offers a little bounce upon impact, and it is large enough for you to jump into it with friends. I mean COME ON, it doesn’t get better.

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2. Eliot

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On the corner of JFK and Memorial, Eliot doesn’t just have a great green dome, they have a top two bush to jump into on campus. Nestled right on the corner of the intersection (just outside their backdoor access), this bush clearly hasn’t received enough attention in its lifetime. Though this area is heavily trafficked, this jump isn’t for the faint of heart, and a “can do” attitude is necessary. I believe that if the Quad hadn’t come into the picture, this would be the number one pick.

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3. The Freshman Quad

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While some people may have never seen this mythical area that contains Greenough, Hurlbut, and Pennypacker, they have some serious hedges. They are lower to the ground than the average bush on campus, and the stick-to-leaf ratio of the bushes isn’t to be questioned. This is the only time I’d recommend possibly switching up jumping form due to the level of the bushes — face-first might not be the move. The first-years may be in the trenches work-wise, but they definitely have ample potential due to the bushes they have on their side.

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4. The Kennedy School

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I’m going to put the bushes in the HKS Courtyard on the list because they were very impressive, and as someone who never really ventured to explore the space, I was really impressed. The bush, located towards the center of the park, really gave a graduate school aesthetic — it had gusto and a good stick-to-leaf ratio, which really cemented itself on this list. A friend described this bush, which was her first jump ever, as “enlightening.”

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5. Honorable Mention: Leverett

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I’m going to be honest, this is a pity add for those down by the river. Behind the G-Hutch of the towers, there are some wispy bushes that were the best thing I could find, which was the best reflection of the bush jumping culture of the nine river Houses — disappointing to say the least. I recommend channeling your inner football player and running full speed to tackle the bush, which hardly counts as a jump. Freshmen, take some time to seriously consider if you want the river lifestyle — the access to jumpable bushes is limited.

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I highly recommend that you find the time to try this enlightening practice out around campus and make the most of your second semester, and nature — jump into the bush for truth.

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{shortcode-8b47bd878a527a7a22d7832831717c0990f29967} Mid-semester blues are hitting everyone hard. Whether it’s burnout, never-ending midterms, or an excessive amount of 9 a.m. classes, there is always something that will make you forget what day it is. When did the week start and when did it end? Is this even worth it? This flowchart might not fix most of those problems, but at least you will know what day it is.

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{shortcode-5417ed66ba07743a8584ed255d1de3411bcfc95f} Lunchtime is a sacred ritual for many Harvard students (if it fits into your schedule, at least). It’s the only time of the day when you can enjoy the wonders of the sandwich station and the panini press, the most advanced piece of technology on campus. You can create your own masterpiece with endless combinations of bread, cheese, meat, veggies, and sauces. The world is your oyster, and you are the master of your fate (for the next three minutes while you wait for your sandwich to be grilled to perfection).

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Classic Grilled Cheese

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You can never go wrong with a classic grilled cheese sandwich. It’s the ultimate comfort food for when you’re feeling stressed, homesick, or just hungry. All you need is two slices of bread (whole wheat if you’re feeling healthy) and some cheddar cheese (or whatever cheese slices you manage to find). That’s it. Pop it in the panini press, and watch the magic happen. Bonus: If you’re lucky enough to find some tomato or minestrone soup at lunch, grab a bowl and dip your sandwich in it. Note: do not try to make grilled cheese in the toaster! It will really mess up the toaster!

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A Fancy Caprese

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If you want to impress your friends or your crush with your culinary skills, try making a caprese sandwich. It sounds fancy, but it’s actually pretty easy. Just get some tomato, pesto, and mozzarella cheese, and layer them on your bread of choice. Put it in the panini press, and wait for the cheese to melt and the flavors to blend. Trust me, this one is a winner.

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Hummus and Cucumbers

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If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try something different and make a hummus and cucumber sandwich. It might sound weird, but it’s actually delicious. I discovered this combo in third grade, and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s also super quick and easy to make, which is perfect when you’re running late for class. Just spread some hummus on your slice of bread, and add some cucumber slices. Panini press it if you desire. That’s it. You’re done.

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Disclaimer: you don’t actually need to panini press this one, but this is just a life hack from someone who has a schedule with no time for lunch.

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Veggie Overload

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If you’re feeling guilty for not having touched a vegetable or fruit in weeks, you can make up for it by making a veggie overload sandwich. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a sandwich with as many vegetables as you can fit. You can add cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickle, onion, and anything else you can find at the sandwich station. Adding a protein like turkey or ham to your sandwich can top things off. For the finishing touches — you can sauce up your sandwich however you want — mayo and ketchup are always great options. It’s super healthy and nutritious, and it will make you feel good about yourself. Especially when you are running on four hours of sleep and sheer willpower to make it through two back-to-back lab sections (#premed).

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Panini Pressing Questions (haha get it?)

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But does any of this matter when half the time my sandwich gets fused to the paper? Never fear, Flyby can help you solve that problem too, sparing you from any paper-in-your-mouth-related travesties. Here are a few of our suggestions:

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1. You can steal butter from the bagel/toaster area and spread it on the outside of the bread before adding the panini paper. (I believe this is the most efficient method.)

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2. Alternatively, you can place your sandwich in the panini press with only dry ingredients (protein, cheeses, most vegetables) first and then add the rest of your toppings afterward.

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3. Another method that has been suggested to me is toasting the bread first and then using the panini press, but frankly, I lack the time and patience to do that.

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There are so many different ways to make your own sandwich and thus avoid the main lunch offerings (like grape pizza or Beef ForTaco). The possibilities are endless, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Just make sure you don’t go to Berg between 11:45 to 12:00 p.m. because that’s when I’ll be using the panini press.

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{shortcode-4a2d2713033707ead4110858fa5aa85908c6eac1}Let’s cut to the chase — we are going to end your essay-writing imposter syndrome right here and now. I’m an English concentrator, and I am NOT going to mess around with telling you to use words like “ergo” and “audacious.” Child’s play. No, I’m going to give you words that would send a 16-year-old studying for their SAT into a coma. I’ve spent years combing through Victorian novels, overwritten biographies and obscure theory to bring you, yes you, a cheat code for making your Histories, Societies, Individuals Gened TF somehow give YOU an “Excellent” on the Q guide.

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All definitions are quoted from the Oxford English Dictionary. All example sentences were composed by yours truly.

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Rebarbative: Repellent; unattractive; objectionable.

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The first lecture was so rebarbative that I logged into my.harvard within the first ten minutes to drop the class.

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Quiddity: The inherent nature or essence of a person or thing; what makes a thing what it is.

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The quiddity of the Science Center is that its population is, at any given time, at least 75 percent freshmen.

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Truculent: Characterized by or exhibiting ferocity or cruelty; fierce, cruel, savage, barbarous.

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I rapidly become truculent when there are no seats in the d-hall. No, your backpack does not need its own chair.

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Anodyne: Unlikely to provoke a strong response; innocuous, inoffensive; vapid, bland.

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HUDS three bean chili is anodyne. HUDS quinoa and sweet potato chili, however, is rebarbative.

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Opprobrium: An occasion, object, or cause of reproach, criticism, shame, or disgrace; shameful or disgraceful conduct.

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Constant construction is the opprobrium of Harvard’s campus. Can’t a person use a sidewalk in peace?

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Panoply: A splendid or impressive array; fine or magnificent display; splendor; pomp.

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Each semester I wonder at the panoply of intriguing classes offered; then I realize that they’re all MW 1:30-2:45 p.m.

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Soporific: Inducing or tending to induce sleep; causing a person to sleep or slumber.

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I sometimes find lectures more soporific than my dorm bed. (Not yours, if you’re my professor and reading this.)

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Labile: Prone to undergo change in position, nature, form, etc.; unstable; variable.

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We were told Cambridge weather would be labile. We did not take this to mean 40 degrees and cloudy every day from October to April.

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Risible: Capable of provoking laughter; laughable, ludicrous, comical.

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Flyby is extremely risible. Wait, not like that. We’re risible on purpose. As in comical, not as in ludicrous. Maybe I should have done a different example for this one. But I simply can’t think of another campus publication that anyone ever laughs at… Well, maybe one that’s risible in the ludicrous sense…

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Include this panoply of vocabulary words in your next paper and watch your GPA prosper. Chat GPT could never. And it shouldn’t. Stay academically honest out there.

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