('

{shortcode-014c7e1c13105b07278f8d49ea49fbce187f026a}Last academic year, while I was sitting on my couch, bundled up in my pajamas and cueing the next episode of Tiger King, Lindsay W. Reed ’23 was changing the tequila game with KAWAMA Tequila & Soda, a company she conceived and founded from the ground-up during the Covid-19 pandemic. I know, #GirlBoss.

\r\n\r\n

To learn more about how she started Kawama and to *selfishly* gain tips on how to be an absolute legend, I chatted with Lindsay and am here to share her wisdom with you. Take notes.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: To get started, could you give the classic Harvard intro: your year, house, concentration, where you're from, and anything else you want to share?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: Yeah, sure. So I am now Harvard Class of ’23. I took all of last year off because of the Covid-19 pandemic to start this venture with Kawama. I am concentrating in Economics, and I'm associated with Kirkland House. I'm also on the women's Ice Hockey team.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: What inspired you to start your own business, Kawama, over your gap year?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: When the pandemic started, we kind of were all sitting at home...and I came up with this idea. I saw the RTD market, which stands for ready-to-drink cocktail market, was absolutely exploding. It was a pandemic: everyone started to drink at home. Bars were closing. And all these sales were shooting through the roof. And so I was thinking, “Hey, tequila's my favorite liquor of choice. Why not try and put this in a can and see what happens and see if we can make a company out of it?” Because there is that demand, and people will love it if it's a hit.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: Besides the fact that you were on a gap year at Harvard, was there anything else, like any class that you took, that made you feel prepared to start this endeavor? Or was it more the pandemic that encouraged you to do this?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: I would say more so the pandemic that encouraged me to do this. I still am Economics, but leading into the pandemic, it was just my freshman and sophomore year. And during those years, you're taking very standard Econ courses...Now in my junior and senior years, I have more freedom to take classes that'll help with the business, but I think it was more so seeing the pandemic, seeing the amount of time, and then seeing the vision for the brand that inspired me to do it.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: If you could have any celebrity sponsor Kawama, who would it be and why?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: Celebrity? Probably George Clooney. He started Casamigos, the regular tequila brand. He's always kind of been my favorite actor. One of my favorite movies is Ocean's 11...I love that movie. I think that'd be a really cool celebrity to sponsor Kwama.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: How would you describe the experience of owning your own business?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: It's a learning experience. You always have to be on your toes...I'm extremely grateful for it too, at the same time, just because there are things that I've learned that school can't teach you: dealing with real people and dealing with real businesses, and making real decisions with real money. That is something that an Econ class can't teach you, that a finance class can't teach you, because I'm dealing with the physical...and learning from mistakes, and getting better, which a classroom setting could not teach you.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: If Kawama was a music genre, what genre would it be? Would it be EDM? Would it be country? How would you capture the ~vibes~ of the brand?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: Definitely not EDM or country, probably going more so for tropical...I like the Beach Boys.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: Where do you see Kawama positioned in social culture? Is it something that's a little bit fancier? Something that's more casual? Who's the best consumer for Kawama?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: I think the flavor profile speaks to all age groups. When I was first starting out, the main focus of our target audience was college-aged kids bringing it to a party or bringing it to the beach with their friends – in a similar stance to High Noon, where it's a premium beverage, where it's real tequila, like High Noon is real vodka, whereas you have other malt liquors – and bringing a better tasting, better for you, beverage into that drinking culture with the other malt beverages that might not necessarily taste as good. But when I first started, the parents were saying, “Wow, I love this too.” So it really appeals to all age groups. And everyone.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: Since Harvard-Yale's coming up, would you say that you're a bigger fan of Harvard-Yale or Yardfest?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: That's definitely a tough question…I would say Harvard-Yale. I've never been able to go because of my athletic schedule, but I know that everyone loves it. And I'm much more of an athletic-space person. I love competition. I think Harvard-Yale is one of the best, if not THE best rivalry in the entire world. So it's gonna be awesome. And people are just going to be there to have a good time and support school spirit.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: Will Kawama be at Harvard-Yale?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: Kawama will be at Harvard-Yale to the fullest extent. I'm bringing a pickup truck, filling the bed with it. And I'll have flags, bucket hats, koozies, banners, and everything else. Everything out the wazoo. So we're going full force, and it's going to be a lot of fun.

\r\n\r\n

DMG: Do you have any final ~words of wisdom~ for the Harvard community, whether it's starting your own business, balancing your schedule, or making the most of your time at Harvard? Is there anything in particular that you learned over the years that you think is important to share?

\r\n\r\n

LWR: I think the most important thing is not being afraid to ask questions or ask for help. I think, you know, Harvard students, you're used to seeing the best...wherever you came from. And I found that during this entire process, the resources that we have here, and the connections, and the alumni network, just starting the conversation and asking questions, it's never going to do harm, and it's only going to open up doors for you.

', [])

('

{shortcode-60c57fa8bbb721a5246d448c53cd451663423f21}After a long semester of seeing the same masked faces from your lectures and sections, get ready for an exciting change of pace with the return of The Game this coming weekend. New city, new experiences, new friends… a new special someone? Read on for our tips on where, when, and how to engineer the perfect Harvard-Yale meet cute!

\r\n\r\n

Classic Coffee Shop Kismet: Blue State Coffee

\r\n\r\n

Call it old-school, but you can never beat a New England coffee shop meet cute. Blue State Coffee is a great place to not only fuel up before the Game, but scout out romantic Yalie potentials first thing in the morning (no judgement). Make eye contact with that cutie in the corner so they can witness your frighteningly dark yet charming eyebags after the long drive to New Haven, and bat your eyelashes over an $11 avocado toast. These classic moves can never serve you wrong.

\r\n\r\n

Climbing the Cell Towers for Phone Service

\r\n\r\n

If you haven’t been to the Game before, please believe EVERYTHING that everyone has told you about the Yale stadium being in the literal middle of nowhere. Just, in the deep woods of Connecticut. In other words: absolutely no cell service to be found, anywhere. But imagine how romantic a meet cute at the top of the New Haven cell towers would be as you’re desperately trying to use Find My Friends to track down your blockmates?

\r\n\r\n

Yale Student Section Invasion

\r\n\r\n

Just picture it: your bright, crimson sweater bobbing amongst a sea of bulldog blue. You lock eyes with a special someone over the crowd of Yalies inexplicably stripping en masse. They think, “Who is that incredibly hot, stunning, mysterious stranger in maroon?” You two slowly make your way over to each other, picking through the throng. Those first sweet, fateful introductions are finally exchanged as the band plays “All I Want for Christmas Is You” for the sixth time. It’s perfect.

\r\n\r\n

GHeav or A 2000’s Rom-Com?

\r\n\r\n

The affectionate colloquial name for Good Nature Market (think: Yale’s subpar analogue to late-night Noch’s), GHeav is the perfect place to run into a beautiful stranger and also chow down on overpriced sandwiches at 2 a.m.— the quintessential college experience everywhere. Workshop your best pick-up lines for this one; only time will tell what special magic the deli’s bright fluorescent lights and hordes of sweaty college students may provide for you this weekend.

\r\n\r\n

A Tender Toad’s Tale

\r\n\r\n

Ah yes, Toad’s. Part New Haven nightclub, part dimly lit purgatorial discotheque. In all honesty, you’ll just have to let fate run its course within the sticky walls of this infamous venue. Plus, cross your fingers that they play some decent songs so any serendipitous romantic run-in out on that crowded dance floor occurs with a backing soundtrack to make it the stuff of movies (one can only dream*).

\r\n\r\n

*Seriously… this is a reach. You are not going to meet your one true love in Toad’s. Snap out of it.

\r\n\r\n

Honestly, meeting new people at Yale is truly all in good fun, no matter your intentions. Just remember that if all else fails, you will very likely not see any of these people again (at least not for another year). After all, this is all about football! Right? Go Crimson!

', [])

('

{shortcode-ee22a784e18655ade5aca0fd3467e9065e290e4e}You could say this has been a long time coming. Well, at least since Wednesday morning, when I bought my Harvard-Y*le ticket. It says Y*LE across the top in these big letters, like Y*le needs to make sure that we all know that we were forced to make the trip to the middle of nowhere, Connecticut, just for the honor of seeing Harvard brutally crush their football team or being nice enough to let them win.

\r\n\r\n

So today, I would like to give you some ideas on how to look and act like a Y*le student. That way, they can believe nobody from Harvard chose to show up at their game and be humiliated forever. And hey, it might even make it easier for you to get yourself a Y*le cutie. Without further ado, here’s what you actually need to do.

\r\n\r\n

Dress up in navy blue

\r\n\r\n

This one might be easy enough, depending on the wardrobe that you’ve cultivated over the last few years of your life. Sure, it’s probably disproportionately crimson from all of the free merch you’ve gotten from the Student Involvement Fairs, but perhaps there’s just one piece of blue attire that you own simply for aesthetic reasons. No luck? Feel free to cut out a giant “Y” from white paper and paste it on the front of your Harvard merch, being sure to cover up anything that says the name of our beloved institution. Most Y*lies won’t be able to tell the difference!

\r\n\r\n

Manufacture a Y*le ID card (JK)

\r\n\r\n

This one’s for all of you that miss the simpler times in elementary school when we would have designated art periods. Print out a copy of a Y*le ID card, put your own personal info on it using an app like our beloved Canva, print it out, and then laminate it! That’s all you need. Once you get to New Haven you can flash it everywhere and tell the other people that it’s a temporary ID. Or better yet, just print it out and tape it to the front of your actual ID card. People will believe that you’re a real life student, just like them!

\r\n\r\n

Fawn over bulldogs

\r\n\r\n

Let’s be real, this task is the easiest of them all. We love bulldogs. They’re just so cute, even if they have trouble breathing from all that inbreeding. Maybe we can get Y*le cancelled for glorifying the inbreeding of puppies? I wonder how related Handsome Dan’s parents are...

\r\n\r\n

Ask your fellow students what they are majoring in

\r\n\r\n

What’s a concentration? Time to remove that word from your vocabulary. From this moment on, you are majoring in econ with a minor in being a snake. You also don’t live in a House, you live in a residential college. Don’t worry about remembering the names of all the residential colleges, if it sounds like it’s named for an old white person, that’s a residential college. Like Benjamin Franklin. That’s the only one you need to know.

\r\n\r\n

We’re unsure if Y*le has any other lingo, perhaps besides saying not-so-nice things about universities that are definitely superior to them. If someone says “the city,” they will probably mean New York. If someone says “fun,” they will probably mean avoiding certain death on a Friday night. We can learn together!

\r\n\r\n

Brainstorm some Toad’s stories

\r\n\r\n

Sources indicate that Toad’s is the only place Y*le students can go for a mediocre night out. Apparently stuff gets really crazy there between the unknown bands that sometimes perform and the sheer crowds caused by the fact that there is literally no other establishment in the entire vicinity of New Haven. Maybe you got stepped on at the last show. Maybe someone vomited on you. The sky’s the limit in terms of how crazy your story can get, but remember, this is still New Haven. Nothing too cool ever happens here.

\r\n\r\n

Cry about not attending Harvard

\r\n\r\n

Everybody knows this is the only thing that Y*le students do in their downtime. Who can blame them? They go to an extremely mediocre university while Harvard is well, Harvard. If you actually dedicate yourself to the ruse, make sure to cry at any mention of Harvard. Yes, Harvard, the school that brutally rejected you, forcing you to attend your safety, Y*le University. Everybody else will be doing the same thing!

\r\n\r\n

Even if you don’t go for the full deception, remember one thing: there’s a reason Yuck Fale rolls off the tongue so much easier than Huck Farvard. It’s almost as if Y*le recognizes how yucky it is. As long as you remember that, you’ll be fine.

', [])

('

{shortcode-59bff7fc551ca6eff995140ba89b7e39fe4cee2f}So, you finished all your midterms? You’re feeling extra liberated? So relaxed that you spent this entire past weekend… Having fun? Absolutely unacceptable! (Just kidding — relax and remember that school isn’t everything).

\r\n\r\n

It’s time to sit down and face reality. You have two papers, a capstone project, a presentation, and a final coming up, and I know what you want to do. I know you want to leave the papers to the last possible minute, because well, don’t we all.

\r\n\r\n

But if you want to have some peace of mind and enjoy Harvard-Yale, Thanksgiving Break, and Reading Week a little bit more so that every week before winter break isn’t yet another “Hell Week,” here’s your guide on how to not procrastinate on all those pages of writing.

\r\n\r\n

Step 1: Lie to yourself.

\r\n\r\n

The paper is due next Monday? No, the paper is due this Friday. You have another paper due Friday? That due date is now Wednesday. Fake it (earlier deadlines) till you make it (the real deadline). Get yourself to start early, no matter what it takes!

\r\n\r\n

Step 2: Make a schedule.

\r\n\r\n

Break up the work over a few days. Brainstorm your thesis today, do the outline tomorrow. But if you’re like me… then it’s time to put on your PJs & head to Lamont on Monday morning and not come out till the next day. If the paper is done early, does it really matter how you get it done? The answer is no. (Ok, it matters a little, but we’re not worrying about that right now.)

\r\n\r\n

Step 3: Set your alarm for 5 a.m. everyday (JK).

\r\n\r\n

Obviously, this is going to work especially after you went to bed at 3 a.m. and have a 9 a.m. I’m just kidding, please don’t try this at home. If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t get any productive work done. Eight hours of sleep is key.

\r\n\r\n

Step 4: Book out the Smith Campus Center meeting rooms.

\r\n\r\n

Lock yourself in there all day (or for the 2 hour max booking). Bring your phone, laptop, speakers, popcorn, soda… wait a second, Shang-Chi is on Disney Plus for free now? Don’t be like me and do this to yourself: make sure to be in a distraction-free environment every time you work on your paper. Motivate yourself by booking a room or scheduling a work date with yourself in Widener.

\r\n\r\n

Step 5: Work with friends? Maybe rethink that choice...

\r\n\r\n

Work with friends? Absolutely not. Not even your latest section crush. I don’t care how nice they are— they can edit the paper after it’s done.

\r\n\r\n

Step 6: Start beef.

\r\n\r\n

Who said you have to start the paper with the introduction? No one ever. Write your counter argument. Let it all out. Start with whatever concept you feel most confident about to really get the ball rolling. Just write. Don’t think.

\r\n\r\n

Step 7: Bonus: Reference “Should You Drink That Coffee At 4 a.m.”

\r\n\r\n

Energize. Write. Sleep. Repeat. Finish work. You got this! Get that paper done early.

\r\n\r\n

Honestly, if you can finish the paper two hours before the deadline — I’m proud of you and you should be too! It is not easy keeping up with deadlines and starting early can feel impossible. Hopefully, with these tips, Flyby can help you ace your final papers! Relax, take a deep breath, and get started.

', [])

('

{shortcode-145dc77acc4ed588419fcb3b001e776f287bdc02}College is hard! We’re not just talking about that midterm you barely passed, but the balancing act of academics, social life, and self-care. With the whirlwind of extracurriculars, classes, and new faces you deal with everyday, it’s easy to get overwhelmed at times. Especially to the introverts, we see you! In addition to carving pumpkins this fall, here’s Flyby’s guide to carving out time for yourself.

\r\n\r\n

Making self-care a task

\r\n\r\n

Yes, we know that scheduling in time for yourself on your g-cal may feel a bit cliche, but you know what, sometimes you just have to do it. That little hour blocked out on your Wednesday afternoon may seem small and irrelevant in comparison to all of the other actually important things you have to do, but it’s also a great way to actually take some time for yourself. Practice some meditation, go to the gym, or perhaps take a nice walk while looking for Remy.

\r\n\r\n

Riding around on the shuttle

\r\n\r\n

Sometimes all you really need is the rocking motion of a shuttle bus to feel a little more at peace. Listen to some music, wistfully look out the window, and convince yourself this actually is productive because you really couldn't walk from the Yard to Mather and instead needed to add an extra 30 minutes to your commute/break.

\r\n\r\n

Normalize eating alone…

\r\n\r\n

… but still pull out your laptop to be ~productive~

\r\n\r\n

In all seriousness, it’s okay to eat alone, no matter how weird it may feel. Contrary to popular belief, no one cares that you’re eating alone. Honestly.

\r\n\r\n

Saying no to friends and no to FOMO

\r\n\r\n

Sometimes saying no to friends is so hard because you get hit with that major FOMO. But when you’re sitting alone in your dorm while listening to laughter across the hall, just remember that you aren’t antisocial just because your *social battery is dead*. Anyway, who needs human company when you have a plethora of TV shows to catch up on? Which brings us to our next point...

\r\n\r\n

Curling up on your bed with a selection of comfort shows

\r\n\r\n

The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Gilmore Girls… Everyone has their favorite, sometimes basic, comfort show and watching it for the 10th time is a great way to take some time for yourself and decompress. Fluff up your pillows, turn on some mood lighting and settle in for two to seven episodes. (You are obviously not procrastinating, you are just practicing self-care.)

\r\n\r\n

Sleeping until 3 p.m.

\r\n\r\n

Everyone has those days where they just need to sleep for the next 14 hours and make up for the consecutive nights of getting three hours of sleep. Alone time can also mean sleep time, so pick a day (preferably on a weekend so you don’t skip class) to sleep to your heart’s content. PSA for the people living with roommates: remember to turn off your morning alarm the night before so you don’t wake your roommate up at 7 a.m. when you definitely aren’t going to wake up.

\r\n\r\n

So, to all you burnt-out college students, let this be a sign to take a break. As much as finishing that pset or going to that social gathering seems like the most important thing, evaluate your priorities and appreciate those precious moments of alone time. The semester’s almost over, so what better time to reconnect with yourself before the nightmare of finals?

', [])

('

{shortcode-44c2a1f281d8c8c530b39017f743c4b69c7d84f3}Has anyone ever skipped you in the dhall line? Do your neighbors play obnoxiously loud music at 2 a.m. every night? If so, here is a list of vaguely mean things you can tell them without feeling (completely) morally compromised.

\r\n\r\n

1. “I hope a turkey chases you off campus.”

\r\n\r\n

2. “I hope you grab a fork from the dhall and it has a little bit of food stuck on it.”

\r\n\r\n

3. “I hope there's a fire drill in the middle of your shower AND you’ve already lathered.”

\r\n\r\n

4. “I hope you never get featured on Dean Khurana’s Instagram.”

\r\n\r\n

5. “I hope you try to scan into your dorm building but your ID doesn’t work so you have to try for five minutes until you can finally enter.”

\r\n\r\n

6. “I hope you lose your dorm key over the weekend so you have to wait until a weekday to get another key.”

\r\n\r\n

7. “I hope you’re in the Widener reading room and you don’t plug in your earbuds properly so your music plays out loud.”

\r\n\r\n

8. “I hope only one piece of dessert is left but there are no small plates near the dessert so in the time it takes for you to go get a plate, the dessert is all gone.”

\r\n\r\n

9. “I hope you fill your water bottle without checking the filter status and you check after and it’s red (and you don’t have the Brita filter water bottle)”

\r\n\r\n

10. “I hope you request to follow a private Harvard-affiliated Instagram account but they don’t accept your follow request even though you have Harvard in your bio.”

\r\n\r\n

11. “I hope you make eye contact with someone as they piss on the John Harvard statue.”

\r\n\r\n

12. “I hope you buy a lot of snacks that you’re really excited about only to wake up the next morning and find that the rats have gotten to them first.”

\r\n\r\n

13. “I hope the T takes a really long time to come and you realize that it would have taken less time to just walk to your destination but you already paid the fare so you can’t just leave and are forced to wait instead.”

\r\n\r\n

14. “I hope you go to the Math Question Center because you’re really struggling on a p-set but the entire room is completely full and there are no places to sit so you’re forced to sit in the hallway outside the room.”

\r\n\r\n

15. “I hope a tourist stops you in the middle of campus to ask for directions but you don’t know where it is so you just shrug and they judge you.”

\r\n\r\n

16. “I hope you’re on your way to pick up your laundry from the dryer but you see someone taking your clothes out and putting them on the floor.”

\r\n\r\n

17. “I hope you post a Harvard-specific TikTok thinking it’ll go viral but then it doesn’t.”

\r\n\r\n

18. “I hope you have to take a midterm in one of the Science Center lecture halls on one of those really small desks and you get an especially flimsy one so whenever you erase your mistakes (which you make a lot of) the desk creaks and makes a horrible sound so everyone looks at you.”

\r\n\r\n

19. “I hope you go to The Coop to buy some merch and you try to use a coupon or your student discount but the cashier doesn’t hear you properly and you pay full price.”

\r\n\r\n

20. “I hope you get an email from the Harvard University Undergraduate Honor Council and you get really nervous because you think you accidentally plagiarized and you’re going to be expelled but it’s actually just a reminder not to cheat.”

', [])

('

{shortcode-7a9e788fb60a450b5a0a565e10bca114b1e5aaee}Need to finish that essay that you left to the last minute even though you had four weeks and seventeen hours to do it? Just found out there was a midterm tomorrow? Feelin’ like you deserve ~self care~ because you actually completed your essay on time? Before you jump to conclude that it’s always time to keep working in the true Harvard workaholic way, use this flowchart to let Flyby help decide your fate!

', [])

('

{shortcode-59beb8034349bda52790f223beae95bd2d6c6baa}13 inches. Yep, you heard that correctly! The last few weeks have been a series of unfortunate events for my roommates and I, all revolving around one 13-inch long menace of a rat. Let me start from the beginning.

\r\n\r\n

I woke up at 2 a.m. to one of my roommates screaming in the common room. “AHHHHHHH guys I think there’s a rat in our room!!” You get the image. During this first spotting, the rat was inside of a chip bag, munching away. When it heard my roommate, it got scared and ran across the top of the desk (it can climb!!) to some abyss in our common room.

\r\n\r\n

Now, the fact that this rat was eating the chips is quite humorous because, for the past few days, the owner of the chips had been vehemently accusing all of us of stealing her chips. Although I am known to be a stealer of snacks, it genuinely was not me that was eating her chips — it was our resident rat, who, according to building ops, had been living with us and sharing our food supply for around a week at this point. Upon closer inspection of our food, most of the apples that we had left on our windowsill had little rat bites on them, and one fallen soldier apple had been fully devoured behind the fridge.

\r\n\r\n

The fact that we had been actively sharing food with a RAT was already disturbing enough. Naturally, we started wondering if the mysterious illness that we had all come down with and were unable to get rid of was somehow related to our evil little pet and the unnaturally large feces that it had been leaving for us. The hantavirus, perhaps? The next bubonic plague, even?

\r\n\r\n

Upon our first urgent call to building ops, our dweller was able to slyly evade capture and was nowhere to be found. Apparently, the larger the rat, the larger its brain, meaning that the largest rats are frequently smart enough to identify and avoid traps. Isn’t that nice? Over the period of a few days when he was nowhere to be found, we grew fond of the idea of him and began calling him our little Remy.

\r\n\r\n

However, Remy was not too fond of us, and reappeared under the sink in our bathroom. Not only did he make his presence known, but he proceeded to run towards my roommate and try to climb the sink when she jumped on top of it. An unpleasant interaction, to say the least. Upon THIS urgent call to building ops, Remy was trapped in the bathroom with seemingly nowhere to run.

\r\n\r\n

Remy always has a trick up his sleeve, though. This time, it was pure girth. The building ops guy told us that he tried to pick him up, but he was simply “too heavy.” We now learned that Remy is 13 inches long and around the size of a cat. Furthermore, the building ops person took a video of Remy, but refused to send it to us, because “it would go viral.”

\r\n\r\n

HMMMMMM. Very interesting.

\r\n\r\n

So Remy escapes again. He somehow managed to work his way into the radiator, leaving everybody puzzled about what to do next. Finally, a zookeeper is sent our way. Yes, a zookeeper. Naturally, we had some questions for this zookeeper about how dangerous our new tenant was.

\r\n\r\n

“Should we be worried about getting bit by the rat?” someone asked.
\r\n“No no no don’t worry guys,” the zookeeper responds. “A rat bite is really no worse than a pig bite.”

\r\n\r\n

This one was a real head scratcher. A pig bite?? I literally have zero sense of what a pig bite would be like, and have absolutely no desire to further understand the concept. I feel like a pig bite would be extremely unpleasant, so I’m not sure if this response was really on the scale that I would have liked.

\r\n\r\n

Anyways, Remy managed to evade the zookeeper as well and died an honorable death in our ceiling. The absolute vile smell that he left made it seem like he really did have the last laugh. He was pulled out of the ceiling and hoisted out in a body bag of disturbing size.

\r\n\r\n

Goodbye Remy. Gone, but certainly not ever forgotten.

', [])

('

{shortcode-cafa2c666ee42c138882973aaa0e0919e1b65146}Whoop whoop! Grab your Oreos and Trader Joe’s Takis because it’s 8 p.m. on Tuesday night a.k.a the best hour of your life a.k.a Bachelorette time! And nothing is better than The Bachelorette ...except maybe The Bachelorette: Harvard Edition. Here’s everything around campus getting a rose tonight!

\r\n\r\n

Rose: The SciCenter’s Hidden Gem

\r\n\r\n

The first rose goes to Buckminster’s Cafe! It’s such a shame that it’s tucked away in the back of the Science Center because Buckminster’s absolutely steals the show. The chai latte is heaven, the baked goods are scrumptious, and they accept BoardPlus. What’s not to love? I know Buckminster’s Cafe is here for the right reasons, so let’s just skip the rose ceremony now and get straight to the wedding. Forget about the night trip to MQC. Close the endless Canvas tabs. Take a helicopter to the Bahamas. It’s time to tie the knot.

\r\n\r\n

Rose: Late Night HUDS Heroes

\r\n\r\n

Brain break HUDS workers receive my next rose. They are gems, working hard and late into the night. They deserve more recognition and appreciation for all that they do for us. They care for us and keep us fed when we’re working on our seventh pset of the day, so make sure to appreciate them the next time you see them. Plus, they might give you the last bit of apple pie leftover from dinner (unless the rats get to it first).

\r\n\r\n

Rose: The Coziest Chairs on Campus

\r\n\r\n

Widener looks grand on the outside, but it’s more than just that! Have you sat in the green-reading chairs in the reading room? They receive my rose 100%. After sitting in cramped lecture hall chairs and passing out on the hardwood floors of your dorm while working on your 1000th essay of the day, your tush will relish in the plushy cotton depths of the reading chairs. I don’t blame you if you sleep your whole day away in these incredible chairs. In fact, just don’t pay for your room in your term bill and live in the chairs. It’ll save you $3000 a semester.

\r\n\r\n

Of course, what’s Bachelorette without the losers? There’s more than a few things that I would send away from campus forever in a limo, but I’ll narrow it down to just three:

\r\n\r\n

Yeet: Crappy Yard Lamps

\r\n\r\n

Goodbye lamps in the Yard. They either don’t light up at all or have the strength of my night light from 3rd grade. This lack of light is not great for when it’s pitch black at 4 p.m. in the winter. I’ve gotten way too close to bumping into trees and people. It’s time to scrap all the lamps now and start anew – brand new, high-quality lights! Maybe they’ll make their debut in the Harvard edition of Bachelor in Paradise.

\r\n\r\n

Yeet: Less-Than-Functional Dryers

\r\n\r\n

The lamps are pretty bad, but so are the dryers. Sorry, dryers, but you don’t get my rose. You have one job... to dry clothes, but somehow you manage to spin around and around and make my clothes wetter. And the extra nineteen minutes of drying time? Doesn’t work. There’s no hope for anyone. Just start pinning up your clothes in your dorm now, preferably over the roasting hot heaters (what else are heaters for if not to dry your clothes?).

\r\n\r\n

Yeet: Writing Utensils

\r\n\r\n

I wish that paper and pencils would give me the old school feel of doing worksheets and homework in high school, but they just give me hand cramps. And don’t get me started on the eraser shavings pile when you start doing math. If you’re not erasing all of your work at least ten times and starting over from scratch, then you’re not doing math right. It’s time to part ways, paper and pencil. Farewell...I won’t miss you (And think about all the trees I’m saving!).

\r\n\r\n

Alas, I have no such power over campus, so I’ll have to settle for watching Michelle find true love. This season is just getting started, and it is the MOST DRAMATIC one yet... That is, until next season!

', [])

('

{shortcode-ee57d583478bd8bda8eca033db3bb2d497425bf8}

\r\n\r\n

Love It: PSLs Are Flowing Through My Veins - Salaidh Perez

\r\n\r\n

To quote my dear roommate on one cold Tuesday night: “Bitches see a drink named Count Frapula, and they immediately drop all their money — that’s a full week’s paycheck, bestie”.

\r\n\r\n

In case it wasn't obvious: bitches is me. I am bitches.

\r\n\r\n

In my defense, I’m from sunny Los Angeles—a true California girl if you will—and as stereotypical as it may be, Starbucks and the sorts are water to my body and poison to my bank account. I am that girl with the ever growing list of different coffee orders on her Notes apps and the one whose local baristas know by name. So when seasonal drinks finally hit the shelves again, it’s time to trade in my regular order of a grande iced Americano with 3 pumps of vanilla, 1 of Hazelnut, and 1 of Cinnamon Dolce (with sweet cream, of course), for an iced—or hot, depending on the day—pumpkin spice latte with almond milk and pumpkin cream cold foam.

\r\n\r\n

And why shouldn’t I?

\r\n\r\n

I’ve been told repeatedly now that living in California has deprived me of the chance to experience seasons. So, what better way to learn about and enjoy said seasons than through tasty drinks that put us in the mood and quite literally put the spirit inside us? Well rounded liberal education and transformative experience, anyone?

\r\n\r\n

Forget the leaves changing color; nothing feels more like fall than walking back to your dorm after classes as a light drizzle surrounds you and the warm PSL you’re holding in your hand. And once the winter really hits, I’ll be enjoying my first snowfall with a hot Peppermint Mocha (from inside my dorm, of course).

\r\n\r\n

And if coffee isn't your cup of tea, not to worry: I have reviews on other types of drinks too. Playa Bowls’ Pumpkin Spice Smoothie is definitely a must. Craving a sugar high to get you through that all nighter? Go ahead and try out one Bartley’s Count Frapula. Yes, cafés may really only be throwing in some maple sugar and pumpkin flavoring into their everyday drinks and calling it a day, but what about it? They’re good and won’t be around forever, so why wait for next year when you can get them today? You know what they say—don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today\u200b\u200b. Too bad I can’t apply that to my homework.

\r\n\r\n

Seasonal drinks are a way to stay in the seasonal spirit 24/7. Whether you’re psetting or romanticizing the walk to your dorm from the Science Center, as long as you have a PSL in your hand, you’ll never feel more fall-y or Rory Gilmore in your life.

\r\n\r\n

Hate It: We are Feeding into Capitalism - Rachel Ok

\r\n\r\n

One word: marketing. That’s all I think of when I see ads for a new seasonal drink. Cafés just ride on the wave of holiday festivities to sell another drink that tastes like sugar and highly appeals to sleep-deprived college students living each monotonous day with an endless stream of psets and essays. If you’re one of the people eagerly waiting for the time of the year when plain vanilla lattes switch to pumpkin spice lattes, I encourage you to step outside and take a walk. Enjoy the company of your friends and family instead of feeding into your caffeine addiction, I beg of you.

\r\n\r\n

The seasons come back around every year — no matter what that ad is saying about exclusive fall flavors. There’s really no need to celebrate the natural cycle of nature like it’s a baby that needs coddling. Instead, I invite you to celebrate the passage of time in other ways: completing that weekly Ec10a pset, having a crying session with your friends during midterm season (the superior season to celebrate), begging for dorm heating to turn on once winter starts rushing in.

\r\n\r\n

Secondly, can we please talk about the peppermint obsession? I’m fine with just candy canes and mints, but do we really need to include peppermint in everything during the winter? I know I’ve triggered a whole army of mint-chocolate-chip ice cream lovers, but I still cannot understand it. Why spend extra money on that minty-fresh flavor when your toothpaste is right there?

\r\n\r\n

Don’t get me wrong, I love celebrating holidays. Noticing the leaves change color as the air starts getting colder and seeing holiday decorations appearing in the dhalls gets me in such a festive mood. But is it necessary to throw money out in the name of capitalism just because Starbucks changed the name of a drink and added a bit more sugar and spice? (answer: it really isn’t).

', [])

('

{shortcode-cf34c124f675124decc61b81e34beda244c22bec}Cambridge has finally hit us with the notorious cool temperatures. (Why did it lowkey catch me off guard?) As I shuffled through all my packed coats from storage, I couldn’t help but wonder what everyone else was going to be wearing now that the temp has hit below 50. So, being the very observant person I am, I took note on a chilly day and created personalities for you based on your jacket!

\r\n\r\n

Pea/Trench Coat

\r\n\r\n

Come through, fashion icon! You care a lot about layering and love looking put-together. (You do it flawlessly btw). Your fit is probably on my pinterest board!

\r\n\r\n

Normal Puffer Coat

\r\n\r\n

You’re practical and love being warm. Winter and fall make very little difference to you. You also probably give people perplexed stares when they aren’t wearing a jacket!

\r\n\r\n

Short Puffer Coat

\r\n\r\n

Okay influencer! Extra points if it’s a really thick/puffy one! You also like being warm but feel like it’s just a little too early to bring out the winter puffer. Your pants are usually really cute and accentuate your outfit well.

\r\n\r\n

Shacket

\r\n\r\n

You’re not as practical or warm as the former jacket-wearers, however you look so stylish! This does not apply if your shacket is wool-lined. If that’s the case, then you are smarter than all of us. (Note: for those who do not know, a shacket is essentially a cross between a shirt and jacket. Think plaid shirt jacket and that’s the general vibe here.)

\r\n\r\n

Canada Goose

\r\n\r\n

It’s not time yet, guys. Nothing further to say.

\r\n\r\n

Leather Jacket

\r\n\r\n

I find you very cool. It’s hard to pull off but those who do, really do it well! You probably have on cute sneakers or docs and I may or may not have a crush on you.

\r\n\r\n

Hoodie

\r\n\r\n

Comfort is key for you and you just care about getting to class and coming back to nap. Gotta respect it!

\r\n\r\n

To those I left out, don’t feel unseen. You’re too hard to figure out and don’t fit in with the masses. Keep being original :)

', [])

('

{shortcode-1496203453e9d90fdfb5679ecc71d2e4926f8c97}After the last few months with classes back in-person and ~relatively~ normal, there are many things to feel hopeful about when looking toward the future. Whether that be anything from having a normal sleep schedule to making it onto Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana’s instagram — join Flyby in manifesting smooth sailing from here on out. Here are a few things that topped our list:

\r\n\r\n

Cuffing season actually living up to its name

\r\n\r\n

Ah yes, cuffing season. Happening annually during the pitch black, brutally freezing winter months between October and Valentine’s Day, this is the season to find that special someone to cuddle up with sheerly for the purpose of stealing their body heat. Come Valentine’s day, you can celebrate the culmination of a beautiful relationship built of 50% shared body heat and 50% seasonal depression-induced mental breakdowns. Now to actually find someone who mutually agrees to participate in such a deeply intimate relationship…Manifest, manifest.

\r\n\r\n

Becoming that person

\r\n\r\n

A tough one indeed…but manifesting that we truly can become the idyllic TikTok “day in the life” person who wakes up at 6 a.m., makes their perfect bed in their perfectly decorated 20th floor NYC apartment with a perfect view and makes a perfect avocado toast with a perfectly poached egg and…no we’re not jealous (or at least not about the 6 a.m. wake up time). Anyway, you get the point — fix that dicey sleep schedule, squeeze in a morning run, even buy yourself some avocados from Trader Joe’s, and craft a janky dorm avocado toast with hard boiled HUDS eggs. You gotta do what you gotta do.

\r\n\r\n

The beautification of HUDS

\r\n\r\n

Speaking of HUDS, let us manifest its *spicing up.* We love you HUDS, but sometimes a student needs their full cereal selection and a working hot chocolate machine. Not to mention an endless supply of brain break bagels. Or a hot breakfast that isn’t just ~water with a pinch of oats~. And since we’re on the topic — when are the house grilles coming back? Perhaps with some additional manifesting there may even be a fully functional ice cream machine...

\r\n\r\n

Cuffed…but summer job edition

\r\n\r\n

While some people actually have their lives together and have had a $100k summer job lined up as of January three years ago, the rest of us have yet to live out our dreams of corporate retreats in the Hamptons and purchasing $8 coffees on our way to work every morning. Fear not! With this manifestation, you’ll be the one making “a day in my life as an investment banker in NYC” TikToks in no time. Or, if that’s not your thing, you can live out the summer of your dreams — on a beach in Mexico, vibing in a castle somewhere in the French countryside, hibernating in your bed after (barely) surviving in-person final exams…you do you, boo.

\r\n\r\n

Hibernation

\r\n\r\n

On the topic of hibernation, there better be some r e j u v e n a t i n g breaks in our near future. Thanksgiving is time for family and friends, not for psets and papers. Being in person again and balancing academics against a dwindling social battery, coupled with extreme FOMO following every missed event, really takes it out of you. Whether you’re traveling home to see family or spending Thanksgiving cuddling with the turkeys that refuse to let you leave your dorm (ah, the sardonicism) let’s manifest some relaxing and very well-deserved time off.

\r\n\r\n

Good vibes at Harvard-Yale

\r\n\r\n

Even though it definitely won’t be the same as in past years, let’s manifest a festive Harvard-Yale that isn’t cancelled last-minute (Yardfest, we’re looking at you). Whatever a good time means for you, let’s keep the fantastic vibes going so that we all get to experience the joys of watching men tackle each other for a couple hours on a ~foreign~ campus. Let the rest be history.

\r\n\r\n

Survivable Weather

\r\n\r\n

While we’ve been blessed with relatively tame (and arguably beautiful) weather over the past few months, things are slowly starting to creep downhill. It’s always during that first bone-chillingly cold day of the fall when you’re hit with the realization that winter is very much a real thing, and this year it’s even worse because we actually have to *commute* to classes. Here’s to hoping that the snow isn’t too rough this year (or if it is...we’ll have a snow day), that the dorm heating system actually works, and that no one is attacked by swarms of Canada geese migrating South for the winter.

\r\n\r\n

Becoming Famous

\r\n\r\n

Finally, what may be the ultimate manifestation of them all…making it onto Dean Khurana’s Instagram. A select few have already made it to the top, and oh how badly we want to be them. To think we actually attend the same school as these people! Perhaps we’ll make it before our time here is up <3

\r\n\r\n

So there you have it, our specially curated Flyby manifestations to help us all make it through these next few weeks, or months, or even years here at our beloved H. It may be impossible to have it all, but honestly just one of these could be enough to satisfy (preferably Dean Khurana). Happy fall, and stay safe out there with the geese y’all.

', [])

('

{shortcode-2417de83d23c41ebe296a0ada32915cd1659af79}Yardfest been letting you down a bit the past few years? Me too, even though I’ve never experienced one. However, I do know exactly what type of Yardfest I want to experience. Stay tuned for the Yardfest of all of our dreams that I better see that $50 billion put toward.

\r\n\r\n

The Opening Acts

\r\n\r\n

Enter opener Olivia Rodrigo. (Damn, she’s just the opener? Yes. This is just the beginning.) Olivia gets the crazy vibes flowing. Everyone’s hype af. But the fun is just beginning.

\r\n\r\n

BOOM. There’s Harry Styles. He performs all of his “Fine Line” album (+ Kiwi, Sign of the Times, etc.) He’s finishing off with “Falling” and — just as we’re all breaking down sobbing – Liam, Niall, Zayn, and Louis come out on stage. THIS is the 1D reunion. RIGHT HERE IN HARVARD YARD. Our tears cease and screaming commences as we witness One Direction perform their biggest hits live.

\r\n\r\n

Our Juicy Headliners

\r\n\r\n

Next up, we have a highly, HIGHLY anticipated act. It’s a rap battle between Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana and University President Larry Bacow! It’s almost a tie, until at the very last possible moment Rakesh whips out a KILLER verse. We are all in awe! Are those tears in Larry’s eyes?

\r\n\r\n

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Taylor Swift rolls out. The crowd goes wild! She performs literally her entire discography, ending with the 10 minute version of “All Too Well.” Life feels too good to be true! Have you died and gone to heaven?

\r\n\r\n

The ~men~ in the crowd are feeling a little cheated after listening to all of Taylor’s discography. Just as they’re about to leave, Kanye comes out! Hooray? He performs some songs I guess. Kim is on drums. Life is good!

\r\n\r\n

Kanye’s followed by, you guessed it! Actually you probably didn’t. It’s a second Fifth Harmony! Members are Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Lizzo, Doja Cat, and Megan Thee Stallion. Wow, just wow. They perform some NEVER HEARD BEFORE songs. It KNOCKS. OUR. SOCKS. OFF.

\r\n\r\n

The Ultimate Finale

\r\n\r\n

We’re reaching the end, unfortunately. But we’ve saved the best for last! Enter the most hype finale of all time. The greatest concert of your life concludes with the greatest artist of all time.

\r\n\r\n

There he is!

\r\n\r\n

It’s… No, it can’t be!

\r\n\r\n

Is that who I think it is?

\r\n\r\n

It is! It’s him!

\r\n\r\n

The one and only…

\r\n\r\n

B. o. B.

\r\n\r\n

TEARS OF JOY FLOOD THE CROWD’S FACES. THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT OF ALL OF OUR LIVES. THERE ARE AIRPLANES IN THE NIGHT SKY. LIKE SHOOTING STARS. OR ARE THOSE OUR TEARS? We’ll never know. All we know is that B.o.B just gave us the grandest finale to the grandest Yardfest we will ever experience. College Events Board — you have your assignment.

', [])

('

{shortcode-e1539bb1972b7067d0d81b312a5564310ddcad2f}As a senior in the class of 2022, let me just say: I am afraid. Afraid of what, you may ask? Many, many things – finals, getting a job, where am I going to live, the list goes on – but above all, I am afraid of what on earth is happening with commencement. While our main man Bacow has assured us that they’re planning to hold an in-person commencement in the spring, somehow this fills me with little confidence.

\r\n\r\n

As we’ve come back to campus in person and braved the joys and pains of in-person classes again, truly the only thing keeping us going is that proverbial light at the end of the thesis-grind tunnel. That light is a real, not Zoom commencement full of hugs, tears, and Instagrammable grad pics. And for our dear friends from the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 who disappeared into the void, I miss you! Consider this my desperate plea for you too.

\r\n\r\n

Why Am I So Desperate, You Ask?

\r\n\r\n

Because I (will have) graduated from Harvard, dammit! It was difficult! It was memorable! I want to walk around in a swishy robe and get some external validation and cry with my friends. Maybe I’ve spent too much time on WitchTok lately, but I’m *this* close to burning some candles in my room and setting the fire alarms off in the name of manifestation if that’s what it takes. It is “ONE OF THE MOST ENDEARING SIGNS OF THE EVERLASTING HARVARD.” Please. Don’t make me beg.

\r\n\r\n

The Celebration of the Century

\r\n\r\n

So imagine we’ve manifested, and woohoo! Commencement is happening in person! Now the question remains: how do we make this the celebration to end all celebrations? Picture it with me: our Class Day speaker is announced, and they’re so cool your jaw physically drops. Cambridge blesses us with beautiful weather all Senior Week long. You get your Match 22 results back, and Everyone. Matched. You. Back. You reunite with that one girl you literally haven’t seen since freshman spring, and become best friends over a Felipe’s marg. You finally get that diploma, and your closest friends and family are there to see it happen.

\r\n\r\n

Essentially: it’s that grand finale we’ve truly all been waiting for. And sure, maybe things won’t shape out exactly like that, but we can dream.

\r\n\r\n

And An Accessible One Too ;)

\r\n\r\n

And while we’re imagining that dream scenario… Let’s make sure everyone can actually join in? The Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 are halfway across the world by now, (mostly) living Real Adult Lives (unless they’re still in a Netflix-filled post-grad haze, in which case, yeah, we feel that). As a now washed-up senior myself, I can’t help but miss all the upperclassmen whom I said goodbye to far too soon. There’s a little 2020 and 2021-shaped hole in my heart, and it can only be filled by a triple commencement party that quite literally opens a sinkhole in Tercentenary Theatre.

\r\n\r\n

Good thing we can totally depend on Daddy Harvard’s record-breaking endowment to sponsor such a party, right? I mean, what else is an endowment for if not for funding the celebration to end all celebrations – and making sure people outside Razor Scooter-distance from campus can actually attend???

\r\n\r\n

(Several Econ majors have told me in various levels of condescension that, no, that is not what the endowment is for, but I stopped listening. I’m on a manifestation grind. I attract what belongs to me, I cannot hear the haters, my Sketchers light up in the dark and they will light my path.)

\r\n\r\n

So. Let’s manifest. Classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022 – I’m calling upon the good vibes of every Bones Day from Noodle, every late-night appearance from Remy the Cat, and every good wifi day from HUIT for the commencements each class has been waiting for and deserves. Make them special, make them accessible, and make them the celebration we’ve been anticipating for (quite literally) years at this point. We know things may look different from the commencements of pre-pandemic – but Larry, please don’t let postponed become cancelled<3

', [])

('

{shortcode-c5adb1e316a6269ec36fe8d94c0589b6bbcc380c}Sometimes you just know it’s going to be a good day. Like when you walk into your local dhall and the aroma of Red Spiced Chicken wafts up to your nostrils. Or maybe your favorite is Friday Clam Chowder. Or perhaps you’ve finally been convinced to start having breakfast by the iconic Veritaffles that have found their ways to the House d-halls, now available seven days a week. Regardless, there is exactly one group of people to thank for these tiny bits of joy in our lives: HUDS workers.

\r\n\r\n

HUDS staff have been our rock as we came back to campus, and honestly, they have been giving 110% of their effort to make our return as ~flawless~ as possible. They have definitely had to adapt to some unique challenges: After a year of providing cold to-go meals and then grab-and-go dining, it has not been easy for anyone working for the university to come back to 100% full capacity, 100% in person. And we get to actually sit in the dhalls and enjoy our food with friends!

\r\n\r\n

And in case you needed more convincing, here are some of my favorite things about HUDS :)

\r\n\r\n

Oat Milk

\r\n\r\n

And soy milk, but mostly oat milk. Whether it’s dark chocolate, vanilla, or original flavored, pouring some in my cup with literally any meal just puts a huge smile on my face. And it’s all thanks to HUDS workers continuously resupplying the fridges in our d-halls. Anyone who can allow me to continue my love affair with oat milk is a winner in my book.

\r\n\r\n

Tea

\r\n\r\n

Hopefully, you don’t spill it in the dhall! Not only would it make the floor sticky and give HUDS workers something else to deal with as overworked as they already are, but it’s simply delicious! Go on a tea tour of all of the House dhalls to figure out once and for all what your favorite flavors are.

\r\n\r\n

The Grills

\r\n\r\n

Sure, some days, the HUDS options may not be to your liking. And let’s be real, with more than 6,000 students to feed, that is definitely fair. But never fear; your local grill is here to save the day. The fries are actually good, there are enough options to keep you going for a while if you need some variety, and it has simply blown my mind as a quarantine freshman who had no idea the grills existed.

\r\n\r\n

Whipped Cream

\r\n\r\n

Sometimes when I feel really tired or sad, I make myself a Veritaffle in the morning and top it with a ton of whipped cream before I head out to sit down with my little breakfast club. This is my face before putting whipped cream on my waffle: 😔. This is my face after: 😀.

\r\n\r\n

Always Being the Sweetest People Ever

\r\n\r\n

I am usually a monster in the mornings to the point that I will put my headphones in and pretend not to hear anyone. But somehow, HUDS workers are always there to greet me with a smile as I swipe, and I immediately feel the sunshine emitting from them. Honestly, seeing them is one of the best parts of my morning. My waffles are probably the best part.

\r\n\r\n

From washing all of our dishes (despite being understaffed most of the time) to planning events like enhanced dinners (Eliot House has featured salmon, pumpkin ravioli, and fresh apple pie 😉) and welcoming us home, HUDS has returned better than ever to remind us that we have a community in our Houses and Annenberg.

\r\n\r\n

Just. So much love.

', [])

('

{shortcode-9acae262a93c7cf5af9f6c6ab70d9a3990fa3fda}Housing is one of the least glamorous parts of being a college freshman. All of a sudden, you are forced to share an 80-square-foot dorm room – and chances are, a bunk bed – with someone you’ve never met before. This can be a big adjustment. This stranger, aka your new roommate, may end up being your best friend — or far from it. In any case, living in a double room with a roommate almost always means some awkward moments are inevitable (e.g. changing fails, snoring, or passive-aggressive “clean up your side of the room” interactions).

\r\n\r\n

Having a roommate was a rite of passage for college students in their first year. Then Covid-19 happened, and traditional rooming arrangements got jumbled up. Large upperclassman House singles replaced tiny double rooms in the Yard. Who doesn’t love their privacy and extra storage space? A good rooming arrangement was somewhat of a consolation for all that was missed by on-campus students last year.

\r\n\r\n

Fast forward to today, and everyone is finally back on campus. Not only are freshmen back to living in doubles, but so are sophomores and juniors. Even some sophomores and juniors living in the Quad are living in hallway doubles this year. Far from being frustrated with these rooming arrangements, though, I can honestly say that I enjoy living with my roommate in our double room. I (and hopefully others) appreciate having a roommate now more than I ever would because it represents something that would have been unimaginable and out-of-the-question a year ago.

\r\n\r\n

Having a roommate and sharing a living space with someone outside of your immediate family means so much more than late-night conversations and always having someone to go to the dhall with (as great as these two things are). It means a return to normalcy, where blockmates are no longer socially distanced or separated by time zones. College students are finally getting to live the way they had in the past and are meant to, within a physical space and community that gives them a sense of belonging and connection to others like them. A roommate means something in the fall of 2021 that it never did in the past.

\r\n\r\n

Yes, maybe my take on having a roommate is a little cheesy. After all, does hearing them snooze their alarm clock 10 times every morning get annoying? Yes. Does having to leave the room when your roommate is on a call become a little inconvenient? Definitely. Would you be as close to your roommate if you lived in a suite rather than a double? Most likely.

\r\n\r\n

But there’s nothing wrong with appreciating things like having a roommate a little more this year. So, that being said, buy your roommate a cupcake or give them a hug – or at least offer to take out the trash.

', [])