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Believe it or not, we live right next to a city with way more to do than Cambridge (sorry, Cambridge). And if you want to be able to say you went to “a small liberal arts college outside of Boston,” you should at least know the bare minimum of Boston. Since we know you’re busy reconfiguring your schedule so you’ll be in the same section as Hot Lecture Kid, we’ve put together a quick crash course tour of Boston with *modules* you can pick and choose from. By the end of this, plus a six-month winter, you’ll be able to call yourself a true Bostonian (and I would know — I’ve been one my whole life).

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Mass. Ave. and the Charles River — 2 hours

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Starting with the least interesting but most necessary step for a walking tour, we have the casual stroll down Massachusetts Avenue to get to the Harvard Bridge. If you’re nervous about staying on track, set the destination on your phone to the Hynes Convention Center T Station. Some places of interest you’ll pass on your way are Goodwill for some good old-fashioned thrifting, Flour Bakery + Cafe for a coffee/pastry moment, and MIT, where you can bask in how much prettier our campus is than theirs.

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To skip this step, take the 1 Bus (Nubian) from Mass. Ave. @ Holyoke to Mass. Ave. @ Marlborough, then walk across Commonwealth Ave.

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Newbury Street/Back Bay — 2 hours

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For a slightly less tourist-swarmed experience than everything listed further down, check out Back Bay. The beauty of being a pedestrian is that you can go the wrong way down a one-way street, so we recommend walking up Newbury Street from where you entered toward the Public Garden. The majority of Newbury is lined with shops: chains, like Uniqlo, Muji, and Urban Outfitters, as well as local businesses like Trident Booksellers and the boutiques you’ll see further up the street. You can go to the nearby Prudential Center (just put that into your GPS) for a more mall-y experience — we’re talking Aritzia, Eataly, Barnes & Noble — and a great view if you take the elevator all the way up. If shopping’s not your thing, you can turn right on Exeter Street to see the famed Boston Public Library and walk toward the Commons on Boylston Street for better sights.

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To skip this step, take the Green Line (any letter) from Hynes Convention Center to Park Street. To skip this step and the step before, take the Red Line to Park Street.

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Downtown Crossing and Faneuil Hall — 2 hours

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When people say “downtown Boston,” this is what they’re talking about, and there’s a lot to do there. This area can be a bit tricky to navigate, so put Faneuil Hall into your GPS if you’re nervous. First, make sure to take a walk through the Public Gardens and Boston Common, which are right next to each other. You can catch a glimpse of the gold-topped State House up the hill from the parks. This area is a bit of a choose-your-own adventure: for people into history, check out the Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street to see the graves of notable figures such as Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and John Hancock. For book lovers, Brattle Book Shop on West Street has a great collection of used books, including the discount area in the outdoor lot next to the shop. If you want to shop, try visiting nearby Downtown Crossing for shops like Primark, Macy’s, Old Navy, and a lot of relatively cheap food. If you’re feeling tired after exploring so much of Boston already, we recommend hanging out in Downtown Crossing’s Caffè Nero, a European coffee chain, for great coffee and pastries and a cozy atmosphere that usually has ample seating.

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Once you’re ready for more, you can go up Washington Street to find the Old State House, which looks like a slightly more ornate version of Massachusetts Hall. Then, turn right onto Court Street to pass the ugliest building in all of Boston, City Hall, and wave hi to Michelle Wu. You can then pass between City Hall and the Starbucks with a giant kettle hanging off the front to get to Faneuil Hall. Even if you don’t feel like shopping, we recommend at least taking a stroll through to take in the *vibes.* Don’t skip Quincy Market, the building in the middle, but also don’t buy anything there — it’s super overpriced.

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To skip this step… I don’t know, just walk fast, I guess? There’s no convenient route using public transit to get from one end to the other, and it’s not that far of a walk.

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Aquarium and North End — 2 Hours

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If you want to see the ocean and eat some good food, this is the portion of the tour you’ll really enjoy. Cross the Greenway (that big strip of parks) and go vaguely left to reach the Aquarium. Unless you’re really into marine life, don’t pay the $32. You can see the seals outside for free. Then, stare at the ocean for at least 20 minutes. It’s good for the soul.

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When you’re done marveling at the sea, double back the way you came and go the opposite direction on the Greenway to get to the North End, Boston’s Little Italy. Just follow the signs to get there, and definitely eat something while you’re there. Get a cannoli, or pizza, or at least coffee. Tip: one Bricco sandwich can feed two people. Take a look at Paul Revere’s house on N Square Street if you want — it’s more the kind of thing you see so you can say you saw it than an actual thing that’s cool to see.

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From here you can either take the Green Line or walk back to Park Street, where you can take the Red Line back to Cambridge and feel the stress of Harvard slowly descend upon you.

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Honorable Mentions — Museums

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Boston is home to so many museums, and absolutely none of them are conveniently located, so if you’re more interested in *culture* than anything else, you might get more out of these than the regular tour.

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Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — For the classic art museum experience that totally isn’t motivated by taking a cute picture for Instagram, take the Green E Line Southbound from Park Street to these museums. You can get into both for free with a Harvard ID.

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Museum of Science — Take the Green D or E Lines Northbound from Park Street to explore science without having to do a p-set after. Unfortunately, there’s no student discount for Harvard students.

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Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and Institute of Contemporary Art — Take the Red Line straight from Harvard to South Station, then watch actors play Revolutionary War-era Bostonians while you throw imitation tea into the harbor as many times as you could ever possibly want. While you’re over there, you can see some modern art at the ICA, which is free for Harvard students who present their student ID.

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It’s Saturday night, and you’re a STEM major. You know what that means: it’s pset party time! You’re going to be alone in your room with one stuffed animal and your sad, dented can of Red Bull! But for some odd reason, some students might not find this to be thrilling enough. If you count yourself among them, you can invite more people to your little pset party. Simply open your window and scream to the pedestrians below. Here’s a list of ideas to get you started:

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“Look at all those chickens!”

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First, your victims will probably look around, thinking that there are actual chickens around. Then, they’ll start looking for turkeys, thinking you might have confused the two. Maybe they’ll think you’ve never seen a turkey or a chicken, or that you’re drunk, or that you have terrible eyesight. Finally, after seeing no turkeys or chickens, a look of shame will come over their faces as they realize that they are the chickens.

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“HEE HEE!”

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You can never go wrong with loudly belting “HEE HEE” into the Cambridge air. You will probably sound like you’re trying to imitate your squeaky door hinge, but it’s fine. Hee Hee, after all, is a state of mind.

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Point at people’s shoes and yell “What are those?”

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We all want to go back to 2014 Vine, and let’s face it: Boston/Cambridge shoe game is genuinely kind of depressing. Nine times out of 10, when you point at a stranger and yell “What are those?” you will be asking a perfectly valid question. Seriously, there are real people under thirty just casually walking around in loafers. What in the world is going on?

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The entirety of Never Gonna Give You Up

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Nothing like a good lung exercise as you single-handedly rickroll all of Harvard. Or maybe someone is having a horrible night and needs to hear that you’re never gonna give them up, never gonna let them down, and never gonna run around and desert them. With the start of the new semester, I think all of us need to hear that, actually.

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“Does anyone know how to do [insert entire pset question]?”

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Hey, I mean, if you’re really desperate, might as well give it a shot, you know? You’re literally at Harvard. If there’s any place in the world where you could scream a math problem into the air and actually get an answer screamed back to you, it’s here.

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And there you have it, a far spicier Saturday night. Best of luck to you on that pset!

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With the frigid temperatures making Shopping Week — I mean, the first week of classes — even less fun, classic fixtures of the Yard (re: dog-sized squirrels, most of the tourists, that one group of guys playing spikeball by Holworthy) have gone into hibernation, including our favorite source of controversy. No, not the foot or the hole in the ground, but the iconic, vibrant, exorbitantly-priced chairs.

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The chairs were a 2009 addition from architect Fermob’s Luxembourg Collection. Although they’re priced at only $381 per chair (still a ridiculous amount of money to pay for a chair that could easily be replicated by Ikea), they must be purchased in pairs, bringing the sum to $700+ for just two.

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While the chairs add a nice touch of modernity and a pop of color to Harvard’s traditional, old-white-man-with-a-white-colonial-wig, red-bricked undergraduate campus, here’s what else Harvard could have spent the $14,000+ on.

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Whiteboards

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Besides maintaining the Ivy League aesthetic, why does Harvard still have blackboards? Are we still in the ’80s? I feel like I’m six years old again drawing chalk butterflies on the pavement. There’s nothing like leaving class with white, powdery stains on your black pants that you accidentally wiped your hands on. You don’t want people to think you’re coming from a final club.

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Pest Control

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With cockroaches abounding in Canaday and rats galore in Eliot House, Harvard housing could use some serious pest control to keep these uninvited critters from making themselves at home within our walls and munching on our socks and snacks. We already have two freshmen in a room meant to be a single, and now we have to add a third roommate?

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A New Toaster for Annenberg

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The ancient, industrial-looking contraption desperately needs an upgrade. It never fails to tack an extra five minutes onto my already rushed Annenberg breakfast routine as I wait for my multigrain toast to be ready. It achieves the bare minimum of toasting only one side at a time, and the left dial is always broken. The yummy Annenberg peanut butter I spread on it somewhat makes up for its turtle-like speed.

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Electric Scooters for Everyone

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While the athletes zoom around, the rest of the student body is relegated to peasants on foot. Yeah, I might not have practice across the river twice a day, but it would sure make waking up ten minutes before class a lot easier.

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Abolish All Private Property. Redistribute!

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If Harvard dropped roughly $14,000 on the chairs, each student could’ve received $2 instead. It might not cover my peppermint latte from Starbucks (rip), but, gosh, do I want my money. You could use it to cover one load of laundry in the washing machine, with an extra $0.50 left over to put towards the dryer fee!

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Although the $700 chairs served as a great place to socialize at the beginning of the semester, perhaps Harvard will consider some of the above before investing in expensive outdoor furniture. And if not, I certainly will not be keeping a chair for ransom in my dorm.

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Love It: It’s Pretty and I’m Shallow — Raymond Wu

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Picture this: You’re walking to Sever having just gotten up 30 minutes ago, still groggy and cursing life. But then the sight of the trees framing the concrete path ahead of you makes your sad dreary life just a little less sad and dreary. You get a beautiful view of Memorial Church, of Widener Library, and of Sever Hall itself, that large formidable classroom building chock full of history. I have math in Sever Hall this semester, so maybe not the most invigorating class, but after a year of virtual learning, it’s so nice to be back in a classroom with actual blackboards. It’s comforting. And as a first-year, it’s the moments when I’m in Sever that it really, truly feels like I’m in college. Plus, if I’m ever feeling a ‘lil sleepy during math, I have the church bells to wake me up every hour. Sever also has conference rooms with large, rounded tables that I admittedly have not been in very often, but when I have, I feel like I’m about to eat a very fancy dinner. It’s a nice feeling.

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And that’s why I love Sever: the impeccable vibes.

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Hate It: Looks Can Be Deceiving — Annette Kim

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If there is any class building on campus that needs renovating, it is Sever Hall. Despite being called an architectural masterpiece from the outside, Sever is just an inconvenient experience from the inside. As someone who has two of my four classes in Sever, my main complaint is its horrendous bathroom situation. Whoever thought that two bathrooms were sufficient for a building of four floors was seriously mistaken. Imagine you are in the middle of class on the second floor when you’re hit with the sudden urge to relieve yourself. You run down the stairs to the basement where a long line of jumpy students separate you and the two—stalled monstrosity that Sever offers as the bathroom. You’re disappointed and in pain as you are forced to trudge all five flights of stairs to the fourth floor bathroom just to see that there is yet another line at the only other teeny tiny bathroom. There is no reason why a building that is meant to imprison hold 200 students at a time should only have two bathrooms. Bathroom issues aside, the classrooms are extremely stuffy since half the windows don’t open, the chairs are the most uncomfortable pieces of plastic and metal to exist, AND why is the elevator so hard to find? Sever’s only saving grace is that it’s near Memorial Church from which you can hear the beautiful chimes of the bells assuring you that class is almost over and you can leave the building soon.

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With shopping week long gone (for now at least, rip) and me having no idea how to choose my classes, we’ve got to get CREATIVE here. Why add classes based on Q Guide comments, professor Q&A’s, or concentration requirements when you can conduct a professional vibe check off of their name alone? If your first week of classes goes wrong and you need some back-ups, move these up to the top of your Crimson Cart.

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FRSEMR 50V: Sea Monsters

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No, I’m not a freshman. But I’ll 100% pretend to be one if that means I can call my mom and tell her I’m taking a class at Harvard called “Sea Monsters.” Yes, Mom, I promise I’m investing in my education. No, Mom, I’m not gaining any marketable skills. I’m learning about SEA MONSTERS AND PROUD OF IT.

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ENGLISH 177AM: American Horrors

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You mean my entire existence? 😋

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GENED 1168: Tragedy Today

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Me on the first day of classes, wandering every building in the Yard looking for a warm place to eat my sad, cold FlyBy lunch. So maybe this is weirdly niche, but try and tell me you’ve never had a day on this campus you can only describe as a tragedy. No. You can’t. At least there’s a class to find others to commiserate with?

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GENED 1099: Pyramid Schemes: What Can Ancient Egyptian Civilization Teach Us?

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Learning about pyramid schemes, what better way to connect with that one girl from your high school that slides into your DMs every winter break! It’s called networking, people.

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GENED 1162: Science of Stress

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Please. I’m begging you. Tell me why I’m so stressed. Sure, I sleep five hours per day, never eat breakfast, haven’t been to the gym in months, procrastinate all of my homework, spend all my time watching crime shows, am constantly dehydrated… How will I ever know if I don’t take this class!!!

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TDM 167B: Performing for the Internet

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Me, on Twitter every day <3

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WOMGEN 1413: \u200b\u200bFriendship as Way of Life

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This one has got to get the award for most wholesome class, right? Just grab some friends to join in on the fun, and you’ve basically got a guaranteed A! Probably!

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ECON 1745: Corporate Finance

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If “Friendship as Way of Life” is the most wholesome class, then this must be the most Harvard class, right? Please, teach me how to achieve my final evolution of becoming a big shot corporate executive at McKinsey.

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SOCIOL 1165: Online Dating and the Transformation of Intimacy

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Listen, I’m ready to exploit my online dating trauma for an A if I must. There’s endless material to work with! Who decided voice prompts on Hinge were a good idea? What’s with all the fish? Why can’t I find love? You know. Normal stuff. And if this class isn’t enough, at least we’ve got Datamatch coming up.

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While I can verify quite literally zero information about these classes, at least all your future employers can say “Man. What an interesting course schedule” every time they look at your transcript! And that’s a far better win than a “good GPA” or “intellectual challenge” or “transformational experience” anyway.

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Ever seen a super fit and athletic-looking person? That was me for 50 days. Well, 50 days minus a few, due to a slight snafu with my NCAA eligibility clearance. What prompted me to sign up for Novice Crew? I’m still not entirely sure. However, as soon as I got added to the Varsity Club email list (and got kicked out of practice due to said NCAA eligibility issues), I realized that I was actually somewhat legit. Since the Novice Crew season has come to a close, here are some of the things I learned during my time as a D1 athlete.

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Physical activity is not fun. Don’t let them convince you otherwise.

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Working out until I’m almost throwing up and passing out sounds so much fun! Said no one ever. There were several moments during practice when I seriously questioned why I was voluntarily there. And our workouts were objectively not difficult. Not to feed into anyone’s superiority complex, but I have a serious newfound respect for athletes — their mental and physical strength is off the charts.

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In a sense, scooters are actually necessary.

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Walking back and forth from the boathouse actually did eat up a decent amount of time. I can’t even imagine how long it would take to walk to the athletic complex in Allston every day. While I hate to admit it, scooters are a pretty practical item. I do still think we need to institute a scooter competency test to help people learn common decency traffic laws (I was once *almost* run over by a scooter, and I haven’t fully emotionally recovered).

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Mixers are difficult to plan.

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For the entire three-month season, we tried to plan a Novice Crew mixer. It never happened. For some reason, coordinating three hours of free time among four teams was too difficult a task for us NARPs. While I resent the *real* athletes for their weekly functions and colonization of Tasty Burger, honestly props to them for their organizational prowess.

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Drama. Oooooo.

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Sports are stressful. And just like sibling relationships, there is little to no way one can spend that much time with the same group of people without a little light drama. I would now like to take a moment to propose a Cheer-like reality TV show following Harvard athletes.

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Most importantly, teams are fun! I loved all my teammates and looked forward to practice everyday. Harvard can certainly be overwhelming, but being on Novice Crew provided me with an incredibly supportive community as I transitioned into college life. While the Varsity Lifestyle wasn’t for me, I’m so grateful for the opportunity to cosplay as one of the greats for a couple of months.

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{shortcode-a7729b3e47bdf1659ea10c0deccd9736b0ccd189}Believe it or not, winter break is almost upon us. You might be looking forward to going home and relaxing, but if you’re like me, you’re probably very worried about how to not let the ABUNDANT romantic options you’ve found this semester fizzle out during winter break. I’ve come up with a few resourceful ways to keep those romantic sparks lit throughout the month we’re apart.

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Subtle Online Communication

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Like their instagram posts. Maybe leave a fun comment (eyeball emoji? Or a “nice post!”) If you’re feeling really bold (or desperate) maybe add them to your private story so they can see all the crazy fun you’re having with your family.

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Wrong Person Texts

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These are one of my personal favorites! Text your romantic interest something along the lines of “Just met up with [high school ex] for coffee!” and hurriedly follow it with an “Omg oops wrong person.” This is a surefire method to get your crush thinking about you again, whether it’s in a jealous way or just a weirded out way.

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A Startup!

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This may be my most solid idea in this whole list, especially if your romantic interest is a man or an econ major or both. Approach your crush just before break with an absolutely killer startup idea that would make your peers’ LinkedIns PALE in comparison. He won’t be able to resist! You two will be forced to work on the startup over break and you can revel in Zoom and shared Google Doc sexual tension.

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Hometown Fling

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Sick and tired of the fairly intolerable Harvard dating pool? Unwilling to even TRY to maintain any romantic options from this place? Do I have the solution for you! Snap that guy you always thought was cute from AP US History. Pay a visit to your local coffee shop and see if that hot barista still works there! Maybe crack open a dating app and cringe every time you swipe by someone from high school. A hometown fling this winter may be the perfect way to keep your life flirty AND start relating to “tis the damn season” by Taylor Swift. Two birds with one stone!

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Seriously though, the volleyball player you always see in the dining hall who doesn’t know your name or that pset buddy you swear you have more than one type of chemistry with probably aren’t pursuits worth putting a ton of effort into. So just chill and focus on yourself this winter break! Maybe read a novel for pleasure like you used to. The shitty romantic options will be here waiting for you after break.

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{shortcode-fa1970fef8271c00067e7c68d45357f09960409a}We all love the holiday season! Whether it’s for the everpresent festive spirit or the unavoidable family drama with finals season thrown in somewhere, the end of November through January 1 has a special place in every heart. And during this time of emotional rollercoaster riding, who doesn’t turn to the wondrous escape of holiday snacking?! Enter Trader Joe’s winter items! Horrifically, I’ve somehow spent the last twenty years of my life without ever stepping foot into the magical, life changing grocer known to its familiars as TJ’s. So, this year as part of my season of self-growth, I decided to change the game. I threw on my backpack, jumped on my bike, and secured my mask. It was the day I would finally lose my Trader Joe’s virginity. All for the noble cause of reviewing some festive winter foods!

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Cranberry Chevre: It’s good, but not as good as the blueberry addition

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As you know, before this adventure I’d never tripped to TJ’s, BUT I was lucky enough to have roommates who enabled me to enjoy the blueberry chevre. I must say, in comparison, the cranberry is yummy and is encrusted with crimson berries, but it’s just sooo sweet. The Harvard spirit in a cheese is great, and super sweet Harvard cheese in a salad might actually be delicious, but if you’re out here just trying to enjoy some stellar goat cheese, this might not be your first choice.

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Rating: 6.5/10, would eat again probably

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Winter Wake-up Tea: Absolutely delicious

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Loved! This tea is spicy and packed with flavor. Side note: Being of 100 percent Northern European descent, I likely found this tea extra ~spicy~. Anyway, this purchase was a win, and it’s worked its way into my daily routine. Not saying I’ve been able to transition away from a fat coffee before my 9 a.m’s, but this cinnamon tea definitely has me feeling cozy. Winter Wake-Up Tea for the win! Seriously, go buy some before finals suck out your will to live let alone your ability to wake up. And, for all you chemistry concentrators out there, I bet this would be the perfect addition to Gregg’s “Tea, Tucci, Tuesday, at Two” advising office hours!

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Rating: 9/10, would definitely drink again

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Almond Nog: It’s very almondy

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If you’re going for a nog that’s both dairy free AND alcohol free (as I’m sure many of you are because if you’re a Harvard student under the age of 21, you obviously don’t drink), this is a solid choice. TJ’s almond nog has a good base of traditional spice flavors and a pretty thick consistency considering the almond milk base. The sipping experience was soothing, and I can imagine consuming this after a stress-packed exam or during a lively family holiday dinner might bring me some inner peace. My only criticism is that this almond nog is more almond tasting than other brands I’ve tried. Still would suggest this as a great addition to your next upcoming on-campus holiday gathering, but alas…

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Rating: 7/10, a solid beverage choice

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Hot Chocolate Sticks: Most. Disappointing. By far.

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Honestly, I’m not sure how this product made it on the shelves. Idk if I’m incapable of reading directions (which I suspect isn’t the case), or if the directions apply to a thing that simply sucks, but I would not call the endgame of this adventure hot chocolate. I heated up some milk, stirred away with the “hot chocolate stick”, and waited for the clumpy mess in a mug to turn into a lovely winter drink. It did not, NOT, not even kind of happen. The taste wasn’t horrible at first—like shopping a required class you don’t want to take—but the more I drank, the less I wanted to be there. At least with those classes you know they’re going to rip out your soul. First-time TJer me, on the other hand, picked up the “hot chocolate sticks” expecting a gem... Now, I am only a husk of my former self :’(

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Rating: 1/10, would passionately lobby for its removal from all TJ’s nationwide

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Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s: #1 Best Snack

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These beauties came in number one for most delicious snack from this selection of winter items. I’ve always been an avid supporter of the Oreo, but the Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s have stolen my heart. They are the perfect mix of chocolate sandwich cookie and pepperminty goodness. The cream filling contains little flecks of candy cane crunch, elevating the texture above that of the traditional Oreo. Even my roommate, who scrapes the filling out of her Oreos, thoroughly enjoyed the ENTIRE Candy Cane Joe-Joe experience. Whether you're looking to stress eat through reading period or your next family political debate, go get yourself a crimson-striped box and eat away your suffering!

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Rating: 10/10, would marry?

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Clearly, losing my Trader Joe’s virginity was a life changing experience. I have discovered both my passion for holiday Joe-Joe’s and my seething anger for hot chocolate sticks. Overall, I’d say I learned a lot about myself. Now that I’m at home in the middle of the North Carolina mountains where TJ’s is only a glittering memory of my past, I will treasure the moments we spent together, and I’m already counting down the days until we can be reunited<3. I truly don't know how I’m going to survive the holidays without all these snacks. Wow, panic is starting to set in as I type. I’ll just have to depend on our trusty Veritas to get me through.
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{shortcode-be955ad00e01b05a50024468bf58c489394d3592}If Starbucks had to be sacrificed, it better be good. While HSA may be taking over the location with The Harvard Shop, it still left us wondering... what could be a cool new addition to the collection of stores & restaurants in the Square? Never fear — Flyby has you covered with a list of options that students ~actually~ want to see in the Square.

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An 18+ Club — It’s Time.

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No more catching the train to Boston or MIT, have all your fun in the Square. Yes, that’s right, you’ll only have to wobble in your heels across the Yard.

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Apple Store

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You cracked your iPhone? You realize you actually do ~need~ that iPad to do your PSETs? You lost your Apple pen? Seeing how I found three pens just yesterday at Cabot, an Apple store is a must to bring to Harvard. While you’re there, buy some noise cancelling Airpods if you’re feeling unprepared for one of Harvard’s three traditions: the primal scream — coming to you this Wednesday! Mark your calendars ;)

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Competition For That Pricey Pharmacy

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Since when did we resort to a pharmacy for our groceries? They don’t even sell brown sugar. They sell milk for $5. They have a monopoly (no, I did not take Ec10a: Introduction to Microeconomics) on our groceries. So… it’s time to introduce some competition. Costco? H Mart? Walmart? TARGET >>>. Heck, I’d settle for Trader Joe’s.

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Grab & Go Breakfast

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Just one shop that opens at 5 a.m., please. It’s almost finals season and I need to be able to satisfy my early morning (or all nighter mid study break) cravings. I don’t want to wait until 7:30 a.m. for my yogurt, and I also don’t want to miss another breakfast because I slept in. It’s time to have a grab & go in the Square filled with pastries, warm breakfast and fruit other than melons — pre-packaged and affordable.

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Cute Bookstore Cafes for Your Upcoming Meet Cute

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Can there ever be enough places to study and grab coffee? For cute Instagrammable photos? For the beginning of a real life cute rom-com? The answer is no, especially when there are unique cafe ideas from around the world to steal borrow ideas from. Cafes with sticky notes covering the walls with supportive messages, cafes covered in pink, cafes with puppies to pet or cafes inspired by comics — the options are endless. Add in a bookstore and the ambience is even more perfect.

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Special Mention: Border Cafe

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Class of 2025 and 2024, it’s okay to be confused. I am too. But according to alumni and upperclassmen, Border Cafe used to sit on Church Street. From winning Flyby’s guac competition to being a hub for social events, it is clear that Border held a special place in everyone’s heart. Unfortunately, it closed its doors after 34 years in the Square when a two alarm fire broke out — leaving future generations of Harvard students to never experience the iconic experience of eating at Border. No, Harvard did not ~buy~ out Border Cafe, but it needs to bring it back asap.

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Not Another Merch Store

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Was the Coop, the Harvard Shop, and the dozen other Harvard Shirt Stores not enough? Even H&M is selling Harvard merchandise. It’s time for the merch stores and the Square to take a break. My wallet simply cannot handle it.

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While the shock of Starbucks closing hasn’t completely worn off, it’s time to forgive HSA for their (crime) completely (not) okay shutting down of our (favorite) coffee shop. The convenience of Starbucks being located next to the Smith Campus Center and the Yard will be ~missed~ but I suppose it’s time to try ~something new~. Anyone want to go get Peet’s?

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{shortcode-08592216d1b7b24a165a1ddcf5882f25d90db141}Oh, Harvard Square Starbucks, it has been 12 days since you closed your door forever and still, my broken heart is not yet healed. How do you say goodbye to the one constant part of your college experience, even if that experience included seeing my bank account getting depleted every four or five days when I added more funds to my Starbucks card? I had taken you for granted, oh Harvard Square Starbucks. You can’t go. You had so much business that the thought of your closing never crossed my mind. Please forgive me. Therefore, Harvard Square Starbucks, please know that even though you’re gone, you are never forgotten.

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I will always remember our good times together. How I religiously ordered the venti Caramel Frappuccino despite acknowledging that there is no caffeine in that drink to keep me awake. How I frequented you more often than I did Annenberg during my first year on campus. How the Internet would always stop working as soon as I entered the store because the Starbucks Wi-Fi was never connected fast enough. How easily I was tricked into going to the store every day for more Starbucks stars despite knowing that I would be spending more money. How I would try to avoid the looks of concern in the baristas’ eyes whenever I ordered that venti Caramel Frappe in the middle of Boston winter.

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{shortcode-0616e90aab44d1010fa71eb51b5e0b0f71e82018}You may not notice, but you have carried me through countless 10:30 a.m. lectures, 2-hour-long seminars, and late evening study sessions. I loved you despite all your flaws. For example, closing at the ungodly early hours of 8 p.m. even though you’re a coffee shop located literally on a college full of procrastinating, over-achieving perfectionists who desperately need that sugar and caffeinated rush for the semi-regular all-nighter, or the long straw shortage earlier this semester.

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In the whirlwind years of 2020 and 2021, you were my rock and my anchor. Now that you are gone, there seems to be a venti Frappuccino-shaped hole in my heart. I don’t know what to do anymore. No where else can make a Caramel Frappuccino like you did. And your sister coffee shop — Broadway Market Starbucks — is too far away for the quick trip to get coffee during my shift at work or in between my classes.

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Harvard Square Starbucks, did you know that you were on my pro-con list when I made my decision to come to Harvard? There is no Starbucks at my state school, the Starbucks on MIT campus does not have the Caramel Frappuccino, and the nearest Starbucks from Columbia’s campus is located two blocks away. Of course, I was not vain enough to base my college decisions solely on you, but know that your proximity to Harvard Yard did not go unnoticed. Yet now, you are gone. 😭

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I know that you will return soon next fall. But I don’t know if I am strong enough for an entire semester without you. I might just take a gap semester, to be honest. I don’t want to end this obituary on a sad note though. So let’s raise our plastic (or paper) cup and wish for a new future when you grace us with your presence once more next fall. Hopefully this time, the Starbucks Wi-Fi will be better and most importantly, the store will be opened later. Either way, I cannot wait to see you again, Starbucks.

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xoxo,

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Your biggest fan.

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{shortcode-cbb0dc8d03650e6bb3be140c136d5a3698d83251}As someone not native to the East Coast (yes, finally someone not from New York), fall has a different meaning. As a Southern Californian, fall used to mean pulling on a light cardigan and sipping on an iced pumpkin spice latte. So the start of the New England fall was a rude awakening — WHY IS IT ALREADY COLD?!? As the weather just gets colder and colder, here are some tips to get us through this weather.

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Manifest that you are in California.

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Close your eyes in your roach-infested dorm room and pretend that you are back in Southern California. Take out your Amethyst crystal, and rub it maybe? Not too sure how the whole TikTok crystal thing works... Perhaps forget your hatred for Zoom, and try a virtual background.

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Bring out the 5-pound coat early.

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Don't be ashamed. Bring out the thick winter coat (or dare I say Canada Goose) and the never-ending layers. You bought it for this reason. Pro tip: don’t stop until your body is completely hidden under a mountain of clothes. Maybe you’ll be the sore thumb in a sea of shorts and Birkenstocks. But hey, embrace your inner girlboss and keep warm.

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Stand next to the warm spot by Canaday.

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Have a class in the Science Center? If so, plug your nose and enjoy the gust of warm wind from the vent by Canaday on the way. This is the perfect place to stop right after or before a meal at Berg and contemplate life. Go ahead, make it official and put it in your G-Cal:

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1:30-2 p.m. Stand in Front of Vent.

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Complain to anyone that will hear it.

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The tourists in the yard, the rat in your room, the “influencer” filming a day in the life, your mirror — the options are endless. In true Californian fashion, you can’t let anyone forget you are from California. Extra points if you can mention L.A. or the beach in your rant.

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Think of the positives.

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You’re not a Yale student.

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While real cold weather is daunting, at least it calls for pumpkin-spiced everything and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing a Canada Goose every 5 feet from now on. And don’t forget that you now have something to brag about every time you call friends and family back home — the aggressive winter is just another part of the ~transformative experience~ here at Harvard!

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{shortcode-b8b2574e19ec08a8407bbb91b2a77a0fe17ca4c6}With reading period and final exams around the corner, the academic workload for most students has been peaking quite a bit. Here are a few friendly reminders from Flyby on using campus resources to make life a little more manageable.

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Academic Resource Center

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For those of us elders on campus, you may be wondering what happened to the Bureau of Study Counsel. Since 2019, it’s found new life as the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and continues to be one of the best support systems for succeeding in your classes. Most students use the ARC to receive one-on-one tutoring for a course, but the center can also help reshape your study habits, diversify your learning environments, and direct you to additional resources. And it hosts a ton of workshops on time management, reading and taking notes more quickly, and how to tackle psets more efficiently!

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Writing Center

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Whether you’re brainstorming your last Expos paper topic or you need suggestions on your latest senior thesis chapter, the Harvard College Writing Center is the go-to resource to get guidance on writing assignments at any stage, even when all you have are bare minimum notes. Pro tip: check when your next essay deadline is and book an appointment ahead of time to save yourself a long wait time at drop-in hours. Every procrastinator on campus likely has the same idea as you during midterms and finals seasons, so the Writing Center’s services are in especially high demand this time of year.

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House-Specific Office Hours

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You may see House tutors as reliable emotional support systems and constantly ready to cheer you on, but they are also incredibly helpful academic resources. Depending on your House, tutors often host regular STEM office hours, language tables, economics tables, and senior thesis power-writing hours. For those considering a career in medicine or law, tutors also hold pre-med and pre-law office hours, where they can give advice on your application and share their experiences in their respective fields.

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Lamont Multimedia Lab

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The infamous Lamont Library is the hub of stress-ridden late-night grinders, but it is also a useful place for media production. If your class requires you to make a podcast, video, or 3D model, the media lab located in the main reading room of Lamont’s basement is one of the best resources to borrow equipment and bring your ideas to life. Not only are Lamont librarians willing to help you with these materials, but they are also amazing resources for teaching you how to use other academic tools such as Hollis, Zotero, and more!

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Whether you’re a freshman fumbling through this semester or a senior trying to re-learn college life, there are several resources on campus to help you with your classes. The end of the semester is in sight — we believe in you!

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{shortcode-6526a0f9bdeae78909854f5d6292bb07ec063015}We can all agree that daylight savings is screwed up — after that time change, I literally don’t see the sun on some days by the time I’m done with class. But we need to fight back and show it who’s boss. A Vitamin D-deficiency can’t be the only thing we are getting. So, here are a couple of things that you can do to take advantage of the night!

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Seize more sleep or study time

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A classic response would be to either call it a day and finally catch up on all the sleep that Harvard has been preventing you from getting. Or, maybe you’re so behind on your work that now you have more time to study. If neither of these options feels like something you would do, we hate to break it to ya, but you’ve been deprived of a proper college experience. Seek help?

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Make LiGhT

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If you refuse to accept that the sun sets so early and are adamant about having your daily dose of light in your life, then you can try to make your OWN light. We stan being the light in your own life. For one, you can buy a SAD lamp to simulate sunlight, and even try to get a spray tan while you’re at it. Did someone say a hot girl winter? Alternatively, start a bonfire with all your homework and papers past. Harvard Yard would be the perfect place to begin this cathartic journey.

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Start your passion project

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It’s time to finally get started on that weird project you’ve been wanting to start — whether it’s working on that super unique start-up idea of yours or finally putting an end to the rat infestation on campus. Choose your passion!

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Become nocturnal

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The night is longer now anyway, so might as well become nocturnal. There are so many options here: joining Remy in his midnight rendezvous, completing one of the notorious Harvard traditions, or having deep late night conversations with questionable strangers. The night is your oyster!

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We can’t let the early sunset take our life away. The night is young, we’re in college, it’s time to live it up before that reality check hits.

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{shortcode-b4f858fe8edad1de5d5e666b3a9a5b9f465203a2}Expectations

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Harvard-Yale. The game of the year. A must-attend event. The ultimate showdown between age-old rivals. Or, at least that’s what I’ve heard the Office of Student Engagement continually sends me emails about. As a freshman, the pro-Harvard, #yuckfale mentality runs deep, and I simply can’t wait to experience my first heavily attended college football game.

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First and foremost, I expect Harvard to win. That’s a given. I’ve already come up with five jokes shitting on Yale to tell to my Yalie friends, so it would be pretty embarrassing for me if we lost. I also hope that I see a heated argument between a Harvard and Yale student (bonus points if they are two guys with J names). I’m not sure how deep the Harvard/Yale rivalry actually is, but I personally wouldn’t trust any Yalie after the 2004 Harvard-Yale prank.

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On the other hand, I’ve heard that Yale students are pretty attractive and have great style. Only since you definitely asked, I wouldn’t mind finding myself a Yale guy. We would have the best meet-cute and could live out an eternal Harvard-Yale rivalry that’s simultaneously very serious and very charming.

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Unfortunately, the weather reports indicate we will be in jacket territory, but I’m excited to wear my Harvard merch on the one day when it’s socially acceptable to have school pride.

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I’ve already started preparing myself for the ultimate rally from the party at Toads up until the 9 a.m. pregame. And while I have a couple lodging options, I think it could be fun to spice it up a bit and sleep in an unplanned location for a night. Why not?

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While I’m confident there will be a substantial amount of chaos and disorganization, Harvard-Yale will be a great opportunity to bond with my Harvard friends <3 and kick some Bulldog butt.

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Reality

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The Yale Bowl has absolutely no service. Someone did warn me about this, but I didn’t fully believe them. While this did contribute to a 50 minute Uber wait, it also forced me to be very present during the nail-biting game. By the top of the fourth (is that baseball? That’s definitely baseball), my friends thought we had no chance. I told them not to lose hope because Tom Brady wins most of his games in the last quarter, and I think that obscure sports reference (that may or may not be actually correct) definitely garnered me some respect.

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Winning was a great feeling. Although, I will admit the Yalies had better roasts (“Harvard is just one big red flag!” “They’re called majors, bro” “Harvard not good school”). Someone even yelled “You guys smelled bad.” And yes, that is what happens when a school forces its students to pay for laundry. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the energy of our student section; it was definitely all those “safety school” chants that brought us to victory.

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There’s a lot to unpack regarding the Yale party scene. From athletic houses and frats to Toads and live music in random basements (don’t ask), Yale does hypothetically have more options for a fun night out. Compared to Harvard, though, the quality of these functions was lacking (in this writer’s humble opinion).

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Picture the lax house, for instance: A thin layer of a mud-like substance covers the floor. You look around only to see everyone dancing the “shopping cart” or “imaginary DJ.” One guy is passionately singing, but it’s painfully clear that he doesn’t actually know the lyrics. The music stops and an ad plays; this, unfortunately, will happen several times throughout the night.

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Even with these twilight zone parties, I had such an incredible experience and can’t wait for next year’s game. And, while I didn’t find the perfect Yale man, I did get a great selfie with a random football player!

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{shortcode-29ffa1a76e11bd0ee3524bf5847c4ed7567e428c}Love It: My Entertainment on the Way to the Writing Center - Hailey Krasnikov

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Listen, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about the turkeys attacking me. I will also admit that I wait for them to waddle at least 10 feet away before walking through the gate into the Yard. But the turkeys are also free entertainment. My walks to the Writing Center would be gloomy without them. Nothing more incredible seeing a turkey standing in the road, unphased, while a car is honking at it. Anything brave enough to stand up to a Boston driver has my utmost respect. And it’s impossible not to find bikers having to swerve around the turkeys at least a little funny. They own Mass. Ave. — no question about it.

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But the entertainment isn’t all the turkeys have to offer. You know that awkward moment when someone is walking in the opposite direction as you and you have that help-which-direction-do-I-go-in face off and then stare at them in panic? Enter the turkeys: a welcome distraction giving you something to look at, so you can quickly break eye contact and pass by that person!

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It happened to me just last week. Imagine this: You’re walking back from the Writing Center after the tutor just tore up your entire paper (not literally, but it hurt just as much) and now you’re a little sad. And now there’s a stranger that you keep making eye contact with walking towards you. Fear not! The turkeys that have no common sense are here! And just like that you see a turkey fan its feathers out. You forget about your paper and avoid awkward eye contact with the person walking by you because you’re too busy appreciating your turkey in all its glory. Blessed be the turkeys. But, hey, edit that paper ASAP.

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Hate It: Getting Chased on my Way to the Writing Center - Hayeon “Rachel” Ok

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My worst nightmare is getting chased by a turkey. Imagine casually walking down Mass. Ave. when a gobbling figure comes speeding towards you (not unlike the deadline on your CS pset, get that done!!). I once had a scarring experience of seeing a turkey chase down a tourist despite their best efforts to scare it off. Perhaps turkeys are good for controlling the number of tourists on campus, but I still shudder to imagine myself in that situation. It’s especially frightening when a crowd of turkeys is wandering about, seemingly conspiring on how best to choose their next victim.

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Imagine the Writing Center scenario again: you are walking back to your dorm after hearing harsh criticism about your paper when you see a turkey heading in your direction. In addition to fearing for your grade, you now have to fear for your life.

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Also, there’s something disturbing about seeing a turkey walk by on your way to the dhall and then seeing one again on your plate during lunch. Of course, that’s not a true reason to hate turkeys (maybe they’re so fast because they’ve had practice running from HUDS…), but a strange feeling arises from seeing a live and deceased turkey within minutes from each other.

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{shortcode-163452593466ad2598fdf48bb00d8aaba6eb076a}With Thanksgiving Break just around the corner and the end of the semester a block or two past that, Flyby wanted to share what this semester has made us thankful for at Harvard.

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Being on Campus

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In 2019, living in Cambridge would be a given for a Harvard student. But after doing more than a year of college, high school, or gap years virtually, we know that even something as simple as being here merits appreciation. We see now that there’s something so special about the spontaneity and genuineness that come with on-campus interactions, even if we can’t Zoom into 9 a.m.’s from bed anymore.

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Our Community

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Perhaps the best part of being on campus has been the proximity that we have to everyone. Even though communal bathrooms and bunk beds can sometimes be ~less than ideal~, we’re grateful for the friends in our dorm we can come to at 1 a.m. when we need a tea bag, someone to pset with, or just a hug. We appreciate our classmates who share in our confusion during lecture and who’ll proofread our essays an hour before the deadline. And we’re thankful for all the TFs and professors who come in every day to share their knowledge and love of learning with us, who listen to our never-ending questions during office hours, and who don’t judge us for our constant requests for extensions.

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The Weather

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Weather may be more of a con than a pro for Cambridge, but we are thankful that it’s been a little gentle to us this year, with November seeing more 60-degree weather days than snow days. And even if Cambridge weather is still quite unpredictable, hey, at least it lets us show off a wide range of items from our closets.

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HUDS

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Whether with a bowl of chili, a fresh Veritaffle, or a sundae on Sunday, HUDS does its best to fill our stomachs and warm our hearts. We’re grateful to the HUDS workers who are always ready to find an extra takeout box, help us clean up broken plates after unfortunate lunch line crashes, or even just share smiles with us. And when we’re sick, HUDS’ never-ending supply of tea is the next best thing to our moms’ TLC back home.

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Handling of Covid-19

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The pandemic is still very much impacting everyday life across the globe, so in the midst of all this, we’re thankful for the precautions Harvard has put in place to keep all of us safe. We’re also thankful for how proactive the community has been at following those precautions. We know testing twice a week and having to attend lectures and midterms in masks is not anyone’s ideal college experience, so we appreciate the contributions that each member of the Harvard community makes every day to keep us all safe.

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That We Don’t Go to Y*le

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Imagine going to a school that not only studies for Covid-19 tests but loses in the last 30 seconds of a football game. We’re grateful that’s not us. All we do is win, while all the bulldogs can do is bark.

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Be it the fruit flies in Adams, needing to actually budget time to commute to classes, or relearning how to socialize after a year of isolation, this first fully on-campus semester comes with its own set of challenges. Still, we’re thankful for you and proud that you’ve made it this far.

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