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{shortcode-c49124855c0bab20db077a7f04d56ca8b091f80a}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.

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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!

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

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Oat Milk

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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.

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Tea

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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.

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The Grills

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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.

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Whipped Cream

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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: 😀.

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Always Being the Sweetest People Ever

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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.

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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.

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Just. So much love.

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{shortcode-eb2d4802e121477daf7bf8482df1d0bfe6a83298}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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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{shortcode-41a4e5d2e400f46e88a29b1a9fab24b9482e00df}Let’s set the scene: It’s almost midnight, and you just left a club meeting. God knows why they’re scheduled that late anyways, but you happen to be in the Quad and live in Leverett House. The walk — which during the day is a grand old time enjoying the nature of Cambridge Common and scientifically has been proven to reduce stress — looks very different at night.

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Alternatively: It’s a Saturday night, and you’ve just left a dorm at 2:17 a.m. The Evening Van has just stopped running for the evening. The Massachusetts weather doesn’t help the situation, especially as winter kicks into gear. What is a Harvard student to do?

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Come to the rescue: the Overnight Shuttle Drivers <3

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For all the quadlings across campus or those of us staying out late for academic and ~non-academic~ purposes alike, the shuttle has become a staple of our Harvard experiences. We’ve learned to navigate the morning rush and walk the afternoon desert in the heat of late August. But at night is when the overnight shuttle drivers go nocturnal for our own safety and comfort.

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With the overnight service running from around 12-4 a.m., they drive a loop around Harvard’s campus from the Quad to the Law School to the Yard and back again for hours on end. They carry their own snacks and coffee to keep them energized through the night. And after a certain hour, access to bathrooms drops as places like Smith close up for the night. The overnight drivers make sacrifices in their comfort and their operating hours, becoming practically nocturnal, to keep our community running at all hours.

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Hopping on the shuttle one of the first weeks of class, one overnight shuttle driver checked in on how my classes were going. He’d seen me on the overnight a few times that week. We started chatting and lo-and-behold, we were born at the same hospital – granted a good 50 years apart! Our conversations range from club drama to UMiami college football to Harvard’s Outings and Innings, but it’s a friendship.

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Fellow Flyby writer Kelsey J. Griffin and another overnight shuttle driver always chat about U.S. history. Last I heard, they were in the New Deal Era.

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The overnight shuttle drivers, as selfless as they are, are incredibly interesting people with lives outside their Harvard shifts. Some have family across the U.S. and will tell stories about visiting their nieces and nephews. Others have pipe-dreams of being history teachers. Across the board, they’re truly wonderful people in and out of their nights spent looking out for Harvard’s night owl population.

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Winter is coming. You’ll find yourself opening up Passio GO! more than you’d like. But if you’re hopping on a late night shuttle, check in on your shuttle driver. How was their day? What are they interested in? What radio station do they always play?

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And when you hop off, make sure to say thank you!

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We love you, Overnight Shuttle Drivers<3

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{shortcode-98b47b91065d23a8bec11afcfa0d3ee68857498c}Our vocabulary on campus has changed quite a bit since before the pandemic. For better or for worse, here are some of the new things we say these days that were never really a thing before.

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On Class Years

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“I’m a social junior!”

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Look, I know you’re sick of hearing this. AND I’M SORRY these four words have become a part of my daily vocabulary. Can you blame me, though? I can’t say I’m ~really~ a junior because that’s basically telling people “Hey! I’m more than halfway through college!” and we definitely can’t have that — I’m far from being a real adult. My mind is youthful. My possibilities are endless. So I’m telling myself.

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“Okay, fair. So why don’t you just say you’re a sophomore then?”

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Because I am a sOciAL junioR!! I am not officially in the Class of 2024. I was here before the pandemic. I don’t need directions to Sanders Theater. Yeah, I’ve been to Pfoho Igloo. I am super cool.

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On Public Health

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“Oops, I forgot to do my Covid test.”

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You miss your mom. You miss the shuttle to class. You miss your Covid-19 test every week and now Color harasses you like the Duolingo Owl. You don’t remember the last time you were up-to-date with your testing schedule (because you never were). Get it together, man. Call your mom. Stop using the app and be better at guessing when the shuttle arrives. Shove that plastic swab in your nose. Sneeze five times. Submit your Covid-19 test.

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I know that being a Harvard student didn't always involve a biweekly Covid-19 test. I know you could roll up to your midterm cocooned in a blanket with an entire Kleenex box, blow your nose loudly in the back, and not have your classmates wonder “Is this midterm really testing my knowledge of macroeconomics or the strength of my Covid-19 vaccine?”

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Being a sOciAL jUnioR, I, too, remember the way things were. But things have changed. So do your Covid-19 test and don’t go to your midterm in a sickness cocoon.

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On Dhall Meals

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“I’m grabbing a to-go container from the dhall.”

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Remember the days before the plastic to-go containers? The bring-your-own-tupperware days? The how-many-disposable-coffee-cups-filled-with-food-can-I-stack days? I do. So thank you, to-go containers. Thank you for making it possible to leave the dhall with my food as often as I want — zero judgment.

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We don’t love that it took a whole a** pandemic for to-go containers to become available. But, hey, it’s finally normal to walk out of the dhall with a mountain of tater tots, and I’m here for it.

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On Fashion and Section Crushes

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“Cool mask.”

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It’s 2019. You missed the shuttle. You got rained on. You’re late to class and there are no seats left — except one, next to your section crush. You make eye contact and sit down quickly, trying to forget that you look like a wet squirrel. “Take notes,” you tell yourself. You try to look cool and studious, but it backfires. You drop your pencil. “This can’t get any worse,” you think. And then, as you bend down to pick up your pencil and you see a glimmer of hope — your crush’s Yeezys. W o w. Your heart starts racing. Can this person get any cooler? You lean over and whisper “cool shoes.” And it works. It’s a match made in heaven. You spend the rest of your lives together.

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It’s 2021. It didn’t work out with Yeezy man. You missed the shuttle (again). You got rained on (again). You’re late to class and there are no seats left — except one, next to your section crush (again). You make eye contact and sit down quickly, trying to forget that you look like a wet squirrel (again). But you notice their mask — it’s not a blue surgical mask. It’s a cloth mask with stars and stripes. “Stars and stripes,” you think, “where have I seen that before?” You can no longer remember, but it doesn’t matter, because the only star that matters is your crush. They’re glowing. You lean over and whisper, “Cool mask.” And it works. It’s a match made in heaven. You spend the rest of your lives together.

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Tl;dr: I have a theory that complimenting someone on their non-mainstream mask is a great way to make conversation that wasn’t an option before the pandemic. Try it sometime and let me know how it goes.

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I can’t really decide how I feel about a lot of things we say these days. I’m currently looking for a less annoying alternative to “sOciAL jUniOr,” so let me know if you’ve got one. But otherwise, it looks like most of this new stuff is here to stay.

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{shortcode-6fea89d3738fa2afc1d84e61de2fca0562d44bce}To all the campus food I’ve loved before,

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It was a long year away from Harvard and the comfort of HUDS’ finest cuisine for those of us here pre-March 2020. Coming back to campus, we didn’t expect to find college just as we left it: we’ve grown up from freshmen in Annenberg to sophomores/juniors/in-betweeners facing thesis planning and punch. But who could have guessed the HUDS-shaped hole in our hearts would never heal just right? If you, too, stare nostalgically at your dhall tray – reminiscing the meals that once were and those that failed to outlive the pandemic — take a trip down memory lane with us as we memorialize our favorites.

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Bistro Bowls

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If you never knew HUDS food could be fancy, you’ve clearly never seen a bistro bowl. Steak poutine? Chicken tandoori? Yes, please. Back in the olden days, young freshmen, burgers from the grill were not the only way to get a break from Red’s very frequent Best Catch. We miss you, bistro bowls.

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Tomato Basil Raviolini

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All tomato soup is not made equal. Peak dhall soup consists of a creamy tomato-basil blend riddled with miniature stuffed pockets of pasta. This is entirely different from mostly-blended, chunky bits of tomato: That’s called marinara sauce and belongs to a whole other food group. We love you, HUDS, but please give us back our glorified Chef Boyardee.

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Mozz Sticks

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Technically, these came from the beloved House grilles, and technically, they should return soon with the Quad Grille’s impending resurrection. Still, it’s been tragically too long without the greasy crunch of fried cheese, and we must educate the younger generations. Be prepared to blow through your BoardPlus at an alarming rate as soon as these babies reappear. Lactose intolerant who?

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Vegan Chili

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Does anybody else on campus miss the warm, chunky, mushroom-vegetable medley that was HUDS vegan chili? Probably not. But dear HUDS, if you’re hearing this, there’s at least one mega fan out here, and quinoa sweet potato chili just does not compare.

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Border Café

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This is in no way, shape, or form related to Harvard University Dining Services, but our hearts were broken (and still are) by this staggering loss. Sure, we still have Felipe’s and we’ll always have Jefe’s. But Border Café, our love for you burns brighter than the fire that closed your doors.

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It’s crazy to think about how half of our campus never got the chance to know these culinary treasures. Maybe we gained ricotta squares, but we lost time-tested favorites along the way. Rest in peace, all our HUDS classics. We’ll never forget you.

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{shortcode-a108a3b8f527834c4827354b6d597403b4fdff6c}Thinking about how a whole generation of Harvard undergrads don’t know what the Pfoho Igloo, Belltower, Mather JCR, Lev G-Hutch, or Cabot Aquarium are makes me a bit sad, really. These places have been relegated to the same fate that LamCaf and Barker Cafe share: freshmen and academic sophomores have no idea what we — the people who were on campus for at least a semester before all hell broke loose — mean when we refer to the former hot-spots.

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Long gone are the days when you’d ask your entryway mates where they’re going this weekend and they’d tell you Mather JCR — a (literal) steamy cube of a party space always sure to be blasting music as you walk past. The Aquarium in Cabot used to be the place to be on a Friday night, with lines going out the door and a stampede of people trying to get in. But, as with the many cafes and events that we’ve lost this semester (R.I.P. Crimson Jam and B.o.B.), these party spaces are added to the list. The loss of inclusive, on-campus party spots make it that much harder for freshmen students to find their communities. While keeping in mind Covid is very much still a thing, we can’t ignore that parties are still happening — they just are not happening at these iconic (freshmen) spaces.

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I fondly talk about the good ol’ days of trying to navigate the Quad shuttle or find my way through the Cambridge Commons, searching for “Cabot House” or “Pforzheimer” in Google Maps. Though as a Quadling I’ve now become fully acquainted with the (short) walk from the Yard to the Quad, I remember the days of putting in “Mather JCR” into my Google Maps, getting lost, somehow ending up at Pfoho, trying to go home, and then ending up BACK at Mather.

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I almost miss the sound of the Quad shuttle dropping off gaggles of excited and boisterous freshmen every weekend. They may have not known where the Igloo was and would be running around the maze that is the Pfoho basement, but it always made me nostalgic to see these ever-eager youngins roaming campus at 9:30 p.m. every Friday night.

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But maybe I’m just sugarcoating it here, and some nights the *very loud* energy of the freshmen just served as a reminder that even as a then-sophomore (and current senior), I had lost that naïveté and was a bit jaded. And maybe all the Aquarium parties wouldn’t serve as a pivotal scene in a coming-of-age movie, but, let’s be honest – who doesn’t miss the tried-and-true treks to the Quad that you could always count on for a fun time? Whether it was a party hosted by Model UN or a random club that you’d never heard of but your roommate swore they had a friend in Expos who told them it would be fun…these cringe worthy memories were baked into the transformative Harvard experience.

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The Igloo may now be housing extra furniture and storage instead of packed and sweaty freshmen, but the sentiment still remains. We’ll dust off the cobwebs and return to the dance floor soon. Cheers to the mostly good, mostly memorable, and sometimes downright not great (but it’s for the plot!) times we’ve had.

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{shortcode-2e06249a2bf1a4a5fc35df917f4356808f90a548}Spooky season's over, and gratitude season is here! Since autumn is in full swing now, there's no better time to fall back in love with Harvard after a year away. This week, we're remembering our favorite things about campus, appreciating the little things, and looking forward to whatever "new normal" means.

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Read our Flyby Remembers pieces here!

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{shortcode-d8c588ff7eea0c4eb08bc06e6b7f5f0362379158}Have you been recently craving that certain HUDS snack or been hearing your linkmates talk about vanilla coffee that you have never seen yourself? No need to go on a full hunt across campus yourself – we've done it for you! Follow along with this helpful field guide to keep you up to date on all the latest HUDS sightings.

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{shortcode-299bb3e8b5731803cebd95c0229ff4516eee255d}Dear Harvard Department of Scheduling Breaks or Whatever Acronym You Call Yourself,

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With Indigenous People’s Day long behind us and Thanksgiving break feeling way too far away, I can't help but be envious of all the students at other colleges who got to escape campus for a week for their fall break. It’s been months here in captivity without any non-Harvard interaction. I’d never admit it, but I do miss my brother back home. So why? Why can’t you give us a fall break? We don’t ask for much: just a River House, food that has decent seasoning, and a fall break. Is that too much to ask for?

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So here’s my desperate attempt to convince you we need a fall break. Please.

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One day off is NOT enough

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It is sad that the only fall ‘break’ we get is a single day of observance of Indigenous People’s Day. This long-weekend is such a welcome break that so many chose to flee campus and go home, even if it’s just for an extra day. But even at home you can’t catch a break. There’s last-minute assignments to make up for Monday’s missed classes and then make up sections and then emails. So even when you are off campus, you are still working. The work HAUNTS you. It’s not a break. It’s just another day to procrastinate. It is hell.

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Too Burnt Out to Go On

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After continuously working or mainly thinking about all the work you have to do for over half a semester, you start to lose it. Just look at the progression of the number of joyous students on Dean Khurana’s Instagram (hint: it’s a downward trend). I’m so tired at this point in the semester, I can barely do my laundry. It wouldn’t look good if word got out that Harvard students smelled. We are dangerously close.

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Thanksgiving is Too Far Away

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Thanksgiving still feels so far, you’ll finally get that CAMHS appointment you requested two months ago before it comes around. As motivation to study for your midterm tomorrow, you need that extra push, that reminder that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. But the tunnel is so long. At this point, Thanksgiving seems more like a fever dream than an actual vacation. All I ask is we be like the Canadians and do our Thanksgiving in October.

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We Deserve Happiness

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Psst… I’m going to let you in on a little secret — WE ARE EXHAUSTED. As we all figure out how to get through this semester, four additional days of break is just a small scheduling change for unlimited happiness. So please Harvard Department of Scheduling Breaks — do better next year 😭😭

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Sincerely,

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Namira Mehedi

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{shortcode-eaff2df7f3d9f09eed7d12e5b097e0ce030b2146}Disclaimer: “Entire personality” may be a stretch. You may not sue The Crimson if you feel attacked by this list.

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It’s everybody’s favorite time of year: it’s socially acceptable to wear whatever you want in public, you’re encouraged to eat your body weight in candy, and there’s something scarier than any midterms or finals coming up in the air. That’s right. It’s Halloween. And since we can be anything, read on to discover what your choice of costume says about you.

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Elaborate Group Costume

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Maybe you and your blockmates just bought Squid Game tracksuits two weeks ago. Or maybe you’re going for something more established, like some assorted Avengers. Maybe you think you can turn the tides of pop culture by calling back to Among Us. No matter your reasoning, if you have a ton of people involved, you’re either desperate to make sure everybody gets your costume, too lazy to come up with individualized ones, or you’ve realized that sometimes, you need a group to truly bring the costume to life. It wouldn’t really be Squid Game if there was only one player, right? Perhaps I’ve said too much.

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Something Bought/Made Months Ago

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You’re definitely the kind of person who would plan their schedule around Monstober, the Disney Channel extravaganza. You’ve probably memorized at least three Halloween movies word for word and maybe even participated in costume contests in high school. In February, you start counting down the days to Halloween via your Instagram story. Other people might love Halloween, but you live it.

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Animal Onesie

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Others might find these lazy. Others might find them impractical or even lacking in creativity. You know the truth: they’re comfortable as heck. You won’t be able to hear the sound of your haters with your hood up. While they freeze the moment they step outside, you’ll be enjoying the soft fur of your onesie. You can probably even sleep in them! Author’s note: Please change after you get back.

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Something Else Without a Pop Culture Reference

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Maybe you’re going as a princess. Not anything from Disney, just a princess. Or maybe you’re going back to basics as a mummy or a witch. Either way, it’s not too hard to characterize you. You really couldn’t come up with a costume that has at least a little bit of relevance? You only get a pass if you’re matching with one of your little siblings brought from home. They have the excuse of not recognizing anything from the movies or Netflix. You, on the other hand, have some catching up to do.

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Last Minute

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So you decided to put on a baseball cap and declare that you’re Joe Goldberg. Or you had the brilliant idea of doing a little something something with your hair and going as X celebrity or politician. While others may see right through you, I know who you really are. Either you’re the most indecisive person in the world or you were only convinced to go to that Halloween party because you heard your Sleep section crush was going to be there. Just saying, people like folks who put more thought into their costumes. Some advice if you ever do shoot your shot.

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No Costume

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You’re either a pre-med with an Orgo midterm on Monday or someone who doesn’t like to have fun. Either way, there’s not much I can do to help you. Good luck!

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And with the rest of Flyby, I would like to wish you a spooky and eventful Halloween, especially if the real scary stuff (aka your midterms) is already behind you!
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{shortcode-3615fe425308e05224984b7755aa36c6bc48e4c7}It's Halloweekend, have a bingo. :-)

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{shortcode-a54c587c052d79a0b18f907d2e86be524993136e}Halloween is coming up soon and that means everyone is scrambling to think of a good costume. But why dress up alone when you can prove to the world that you *actually* have friends and dress in a super cool and stylish group costume? If you’re still struggling to think of ideas, here are a few, courtesy of Flyby (you’re welcome in advance).

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House Mascots!

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What do you do if your school's mascot is a literal color (or a pilgrim which...does not seem much better)? You make twelve smaller mascots to make up for it! You and your friends can each dress up as your respective house mascots or another one (it's okay; we won't tell), or you can all just cosplay the Blue Man group. And don't worry, twelve people are not necessary.

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The John Harvard Statue & His Fans

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The John Harvard statue is one of the most recognizable symbols of Harvard Yard, so it makes sense that it would be a great choice for a Halloween costume. But where does the group part come in? If you’re feeling adventurous, pick someone to be John Harvard, another person as the tourist, and someone else as a student who pisses on John’s foot. Because what screams Harvard more than public indecency? Plus, you get to fulfill one of the three traditions of Harvard College simultaneously.

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The Chairs

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What are some of the most underrated symbols of Harvard University? Extremely overpriced and yet still uncomfortable chairs. And the best part of this group costume? All of it’s free! Each of you must simply tape a chair from the Yard onto your backs and you’ve all become the chairs.

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Scooby Doo Gang!

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Get a group of five together and dress up as these meddling kids! Your Halloween can be spent investigating things like why Harvard WiFi sucks or finding who is behind all the changes in testing cadence (seriously, does anyone even remember their testing days?). If only the Harvard Evening Vans worked as well as the Mystery Machine. . .

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{shortcode-5da7e501d556810aba99bd3ba99efde97de08b20}The Turkeys
\r\nWe see them crossing the street and halting traffic all the time. That could be you! Grab a group of friends and dress like Harvard’s famous and random (and thicc) wild turkeys! The perfect way to go full turkey mode is to cross the street as slow as possible, and ignore the honking of every Cambridge car on Mass Ave!

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Whether you and your friends decide to dress as something on this list, or something ~less~ creative, just be sure to have fun this year. Since midterm season is ending, it’s fair to say that this Halloween should be an opportunity to relax and let loose (but not too loose, let’s not test the limits on those vaccines).

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Trick-or-Treat from Flyby Blog!

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{shortcode-e67cae2b40f8e0ae1984eec1ced6d85bd4811afd}Things are getting spooky at Harvard this October. Which of the many horrors at this institution do you most identify with— or most fear? We classified some of the most spine-chilling, blood-curdling horrors you’ll find at Harvard this Halloween season.

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{shortcode-f445f2e0451345c57c6184250efc59256ca14927}We have reached that point of the year full of bad costumes and overall sleep deprivation: Halloween! Not sure how you will spend your Hallo-weekend? Use this chart below to find out where your plans fall in comparison to others.

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{shortcode-0ef6c05be0b2a09da23ecc2118a0b46ea2d4db2f}So. Halloween is approaching, everyone’s got their super cool outfits planned, and the online delivery dates for every costume order estimates at least a November arrival. What is a broke college student to do? Well, fear not! Check out these creative ideas for free, last-minute costume ideas that are sure to turn some heads at your less-than-10-person suite kickbacks this weekend.

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House Flag Toga

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See those colorful flags that hang on the outer walls of each House? Take it now as a challenge for you and your besties to catch ‘em all and make the best group costume this campus has ever seen. Whether you decide to rep some classic House pride or show out for your River daddy’s residence, this one will make for some excellent dorm decor when the Halloweekend festivities are over.

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Be a Tourist: Stare at Them, for a Change!

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Turn the tables on the tourists and make up for every sneak photo they’ve taken of you walking across the Yard or invasive glance thrown into your freshman year dorm. All you’ll need is every piece of Harvard merch you own and a camera— take up residence on Widener steps, stare down those tour groups, ready your cameras, and let the fun begin.

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Mummy? Sorry: Covid Test Pamphlet Wraps

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Instead of tossing those Color pamphlets that come with every Covid test you’ve definitely stayed on schedule for, opt for the eco-friendly route and reuse those bad boys! Though the dark blue hue might be a bit unconventional for a mummy, it seems pretty on par with the rest of this year, doesn’t it? If you start saving them up now, you’ll honestly be able to make enough mummy costumes (in-theory) for every weekend until midterm season “ends”.

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Skimpy Superhero: HUDS To-Go Containers

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Just like those to-go containers have saved many of us when we’re running late or avoiding prime breakfast time for athletes in the Quincy d-hall, they could also help you make a great showing as a superhero come Halloweekend. Using the containers and lids to make sure everything is covered and secured, all you’ll need to add is a utensil as your weapon of choice. Not sure who you could go fight now that you’re all dressed up, though— maybe the rats?

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Group Costume Bonus: That Free Crewneck from the Student Involvement Fair

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We’re all basically matching every day in that crewneck, anyway.

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When all’s said and done, no costume can measure up to the satisfaction of knowing that, at long last, we’ll be able to spend this spooky holiday in-person and on-campus with friends. Regardless of what you wear, remember to have fun, stay safe, and eat a lot of candy. Happy Halloween!

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{shortcode-a46e1780d205f5ddbe28138f241b79359f202858}Here are Flyby’s chill bops to get you through this midterm season — we hope they’re enough to make you tap your foot in the library!

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