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{shortcode-3f6f7fd074d5a0746e8aa7259e709741c19dce9f}It’s the holiday season again (at least in the commercial sense), which means it’s time to break out the holiday carols. Not just any holiday carols though. This year, Harvard needs some carols of its own. So, yet again, Flyby sees where help is needed and carries the Harvard community on our backs.

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Deck the Halls

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Deck the halls with pubbing flyers

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Fa la la la la, la la la la

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Far more times than is required

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Fa la la la la, la la la la

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Send we now our spammy emails

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Fa la la, la la la, la la la

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With the time and place and details

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Fa la la la la, la la la la

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We Wish You

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We wish you a Sundae Sunday,

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We wish you a Sundae Sunday,

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We wish you a Sundae Sunday,

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And a canceled Monday class!

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Carol of the Bells

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*insert Lowell on a random Sunday at an unpredictable time*

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Let It Snow

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Oh the weather outside is gloomy

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And the snow days now are Zoom-y

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But since the climate has changed

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Now it’s strange, weather’s strange, winter’s strange.

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Hanukkah oh Hanukkah

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Hanukkah oh Hanukkah

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Again during finals.

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Let’s have a party!

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Wait, we can’t, it’s finals.

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Gather round the table,

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I’ll give you a test.

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Psets for the STEMers,

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Papers for the rest.

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Last Christmas

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Last Christmas, you gave me my grade

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And the very same day, killed my GPA.

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This year, to save me from tears,

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I’m taking the class pass/fail.

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Sing these outside the Science Center, experience catharsis, go viral, and have a great end to the semester!

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As a non-devout Hindu New Englander, Christmas has quickly become my favorite secular holiday of the year. From projecting green and red snowflakes on my childhood rooftop to decorating dozens of cookies for my best friends, I have always found a few ways to embrace the holiday spirit and waste away my winter break. If you fear the residual boredom of returning to your childhood bedroom or are racking your brain to find ways to deck the halls from your dorm room, here are a couple of ways to embrace the holiday cheer wherever you're parked this winter season.

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Curate that Christmas Playlist

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The minute Mariah Carey releases her iconic “It’s timeeee” on Nov. 1, an army of holiday songs and Christmas lyrics are summoned into every aspect of music-listening. I have great news for you: there’s a sappy song for every holiday occasion and style. From Spotify shuffles of Michael Buble’s mellow hits to the cultural phenomenon of Justin Bieber’s “Drummer Boy,” there is a Christmas jingle to fit everyone’s fancy. For me, the holiday season is an excuse to defrost one of my favorite George Michael masterpieces —“Last Christmas” — second only to cult classic “Careless Whisper.” Open Spotify (or if you’re ~not like other girls~, open Apple Music) and shuffle around the wintery songs of your childhood! You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many of them you already know.

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Ugly Sweaters and Fuzz Socks

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Let’s be real for a second: the best part of the cold weather is normalizing eating, sleeping, and breathing in the most heinous, yet incredibly comfortable, articles of clothing to exist. It’s time to pull out that crusty sweater from middle school, with a fading vinyl sticker of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and melt into the fleece-lined inside. I also encourage you to explore the extensive collection of fuzzy red, green, and white long socks available on Amazon as we speak.

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Gift Yourself… You Deserve It

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The end of giving thanks makes way for my favorite era, the season of gifting. But let me give you some important advice: The only way to ensure that something is done right is to do it yourself. If you want that lipstick, don’t leave it up to your dad — sorry “Santa” — to differentiate cranberry and mauve. Plus, after months of midterms and two weeks straight of relentless exams and research, you could use a little something-something to celebrate. Is there a better time to empty your Amazon cart?

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Embrace the Hallmark Cliche

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Any book and movie lover knows that no human experience spurs more creativity for romance writers than the holiday season… relax, I’m kidding. Choose from the strangely enormous selection of rich girls getting humbled by cowboys in their dandy holiday hometowns or get whisked away by an undercover prince from a vaguely Eurasian country seeking a haircut. Live out your holiday romance pipe dreams vicariously through Netflix while nursing a cup of hot cocoa.

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Winter is for Baking

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There’s got to be at least half a dozen TV shows dedicated to yule log cakes, snowflake sugar cookies, and gingerbread men. Knead all of your residual frustrations about lazy TFs, unnecessarily long finals, and Harvard ops, into that loaf of Pumpernickel bread. If you consider yourself a drink sommelier, perfect that ratio between Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa and steaming milk to achieve that dhall-level finesse of the ultimate holiday drink. Regardless of what you choose to mix up, take this break as an opportunity to reset your mind and fill up your stomach.

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There you have it, five ways to embrace (or waste) the month you have off from the mindless machine of the Harvard bubble. Whether you choose to escape into hallmark cliche-land or finally try that ultra-complicated swiss roll recipe, I wish you the best of luck as you make this holiday season your own.

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Hanukkah is… sigh… during finals again. Which means that rather than being home for the holiday, we have to either schlep to a building that’s allowed to have candles or break some rules and light the candles in our dorms (NOT A FLYBY-SANCTIONED OPTION). But let’s be real, holidays are holidays mostly because of the holiday food. So, from a Boston native, here’s where to get your Hanukkah food fix this December.

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Mamaleh’s — Kendall Square

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Mamaleh’s latkes are almost definitely the best combination of good and close we have. You get three crispy latkes plus sour cream and applesauce in each order. Better than that time HUDS put potato shreds in the regular pancake mix and called it a day, that’s for sure. Also, wrong holiday, but their matzah ball soup is SO GOOD when you’re sick. Bonus: you get to go sneer at the inferior MIT students.

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Blackbird Donuts — Harvard Square

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They did sufganiyot last year, so they’ll probably do it again! They also do challah for pick-up year-round, with a different flavor every week. Love a donut, and especially love a donut you can eat on your way back from your finals while sort of crying a little bit.

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Zaftigs — Brookline

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They’re juuuuuust within delivery range, and they do great kugel/blintzes/etc. I like them year-round, but maybe that’s because I’m geographically biased (I’m from Brookline). Big fan of their smoked salmon-loaded latkes, even though they’re a splurge.

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Dunkin’ — Harvard Square and also everywhere

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Ok, hear me out. Classic sufganiyot are great, but also sometimes you’re getting your coffee and want to get into the spirit. If you can’t get fresh sufganiyot, a Dunkin’ jelly donut always hits the spot, to be honest. I always feel a little guilty, but come on! Less than $2!

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CVS —Harvard Square and also everywhere

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C’mon. Get your gelt. Don’t be picky about it. Peel back that tinfoil and enjoy.

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Hopefully this helps ease the homesickness a bit. Light those candles, spin that dreidel, and don’t let the finals get you down!

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You did it, Joe! You somehow engineered your finals schedule so that you’re done by Dec. 11. Or you’re getting completely bodied by back-to-back finals (sorry, pre-meds). Either way, finals season coincides with Boston’s most festive time of the year, with events to boot. If you’re looking for ways to infuse yourself with some holiday cheer (read: stop being an academic zombie) or to procrastinate on studying Chem 17, Flyby’s got your back.

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ON YOUR DOORSTEP

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If you’re at Jefe’s at 2 a.m. after River East formal, you have no excuse for not trying at least one of these.

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L.A. Burdick (Harvard Square)

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Well, duh. Bring your newly cuffed SO (or your mom… or your single self) to this cute spot for the creamiest hot chocolate! No further explanation needed.

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Harvard Square Holiday Fairs (One Brattle Square)

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If you’re one of the unlucky souls stuck with a final on the 20th (the literal last day of finals because the Registrar’s Office hates you), the stars are finally aligning for you: While everyone else hops on early flights (or drives) back home, you’ll get a perfect dose of holiday charm by attending the Harvard Square Holiday Fair (12/15 to 12/17 and 12/21 to 12/23) instead of studying. Housed in One Brattle Square (the building across from Felipe’s), Harvard Square Holiday Fairs brings together local vendors and craftspeople just in time for the holidays!

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Bow Market (Somerville)

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Though open all year, Bow Market comes to life in the holiday season with festive events and picturesque lights. Besides, we know that you haven’t left your favorite Cabot study carrel long enough to visit the Market this semester anyway, so you might as well visit it now. It’s just a short 25-minute walk from the Yard, and you can pair it with a delicious bite afterward in Somerville’s Union Square!

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Real Women Have Curves (Loeb Drama Center)

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Do you miss having pubs for student musical productions in your inbox? If so, the American Repertory Theater is more than happy to help you scratch that itch with the Dec. 14 premiere of “Real Women Have Curves,” based on the play by Josefina López that inspired HBO’s film of the same name. Maybe say it’s based on a movie to cover our bases?

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BURST THE BUBBLE

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The T or Uber ride separating you from these attractions might seem like a sign to actually study, but a break (from your books, and from everything Harvard) will probably make you more productive. Peer pressure a friend or two to ditch their study plans for something much more enjoyable outside the Harvard bubble!

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Holiday Bar at Loco Taqueria (Fenway)

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Forget your problems and get yo drink on at Loco Taqueria in Fenway, which turns into a holiday-themed bar fit for any hard-working elf and/or student.

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The Nutcracker (Downtown Crossing)

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To be honest, I’ve only ever seen the Barbie adaptation, but it’s never too late to see the real deal. The quality of HUDS fare might make it difficult to fathom a Kingdom of Sweets, but the performance should be surprisingly relatable as its heroine, Clara, faces off against an army of mice only twice as terrifying as the one invading your dorm room. (Too bad Clara has a Nutcracker Prince to defend her against the mice and you don’t, but at least you’re equally delulu because she literally falls in love with a boy toy.)

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SoWa Winter Festival (South End)

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Running Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 17, the SoWa Winter Festival is the perfect opportunity to make some decisions you might regret as you spend your time and money exploring booths featuring some of the area’s finest small businesses. Aesthetic Insta photos (to make everyone on your spam question how much time you’ve spent studying) are guaranteed. It costs $10 to get in, but if you love cute stuffed ornaments, it’s worth it!

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Snowport Holiday Market (Seaport)

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That $12 hot chocolate hits different when you’re amidst the cheery decor of Snowport. Yeah, you might be spending $15 on a candle. No, you don’t really need a Christmas sweater that has BOTH the Celtics AND the Bruins on it. But hey, what’s the point of holiday procrastination if you don’t make one slightly questionable purchase along the way?

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Whether your reading period schedule is so barren it’s attracting tumbleweeds or crammed with formals to the exclusion of study time, we hope these happenings in your backyard (and a wee bit beyond it) help you find a balance between hitting the books and hitting the streets.

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Flyby's first Flyby Rewind is here!

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12/6 — For the first day of Flyby Rewind, we are proud to present "Flyby Recalls" as we reflect on the past year. From the best Flyby articles of 2023 to a list of the past year's highlights (and some lowlights!), our writers have come together to recap the year in a way that all readers can relate to! We also included Flyby's very own Spotify wrapped. Our sound city? Delulu Land.

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12/8 — This winter, it’s time to rewind and reflect on 2023, but it is also time to unwind with the holiday spirit! On the second day of Flyby Rewind, we are proud to present "Flyby Explores!" Check out Flyby Blog's recommendations for what to do and eat in Boston and Cambridge this winter — we promise you won’t be disappointed.

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12/11 — With the holiday spirit in full gear, it’s time to celebrate another year together! For "Flyby Celebrates," come along with us as we try out holiday drinks, craft holiday carols, and sing said carols to our beloved Flyby fans.

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12/13 — On the last day of Flyby Rewind, we’re looking forward to a bright future — for Harvard, for Flyby Blog and always for the vibes. Read "Flyby Manifests" to learn all about our hopes and dreams. We hope you enjoyed reading Flyby Blog this past year and we can’t wait to come back stronger (and more chaotic!) in the New Year.

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{shortcode-41b095abcbba45a65c6b154fe6bc3762d011f11e}Last week, Spotify dropped its annual reminder of how much data they track of its users, but masked behind a fun little game: Spotify Wrapped. That’s right, our Instagram stories flooded with everyone uploading their top artists and songs — and you know what? I loved it. No hate. I loved seeing everyone’s listening activity (so that I can silently judge you). Well, in case you were curious, here’s Flyby’s year in audio data, because we’re always listening ;).

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{shortcode-f2b4e938c82518473d11b6d36691d4a84ee770db}It's December, and with that another 12 months in the books! After a year of getting lost in psets and readings, it can be hard to remember all of the memorable events that have happened on campus this past year. Luckily, we here at Flyby have remembered them all, so you don’t have to! Here’s a few Harvard highlights of 2023.

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Jeremih

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Uh. Uh. Uhhhh. Uh. Uhhhh… (?) Oui didn't love it. That’s all I’ve got to say for this one.

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Obama Appearance

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Even though this didn’t really happen this year, based on the amount of times that rumors were spread around saying that this would happen, it deserves to be on the list.

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Joe’s Pizza

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No, last year it was not possible to spend all of your money in five dollar increments and justify such spending habits with “It's only one slice!”Joe’s made its way into the Square this year and honestly, I will be forever grateful for this one. Best pizza in Harvard Square, hands down. Also best decor, I appreciate being able to stare at Dua Lipa while enjoying my warm slice.

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Jennifer Coolidge

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All the way back in January none other than THE Jennifer Coolidge made an appearance on campus as The Hasty Pudding’s 2023 Woman of the Year! Hundreds of students lined up to watch her parade appearance, which coincidentally fell on one of the coldest days of the year. Our fingers might have been numb, but our hearts were so full.

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Harvard-Yale in New Haven

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This November, hundreds of students were able to make their way over to Bulldog territory and experience The Game on enemy grounds. Maybe we didn’t come back to Cambridge with a win, but hey, at least we came back to Cambridge. That’s a win in itself. Boo New Haven.

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Claudine Gay’s Inauguration

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Even though the inauguration was rainy as could be, it was still wonderful this year to be able to celebrate our new president on campus.

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The ‘Fake Freshman’

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This might be one of the only ones on this list that the freshmen can really feel a part of. I personally would not go out of my way to get into Annenberg or deal with freshman housing again if I didn’t have to, but hey, to each their own!

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Pumpkin on the Charles

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This one only happened recently in October, but honestly I think that this is one of the most iconic things to have occurred in 2023. I honestly don’t even understand how someone would think of such an idea, but I’m so glad that they did. And if it couldn’t get better, the cause that it raised money for was even more admirable than the overall creativity of the idea. This one’s going to be hard to top in 2024, but I need to see it happen.

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Linking Groups?

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Apparently these don’t exist anymore? Interested to see how this one plays out.

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The Quad Renaissance

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On the topic of Housing Day, the Quad surprisingly got a lot more popular this year. After the Currier Housing Day video, freshmen found themselves excited to identify with the tree mascot and commit to the 15 minute daily commute to the yard. They just wanna Quad, and honestly after watching that video, I really can't blame them.

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HUDS Revolution

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Another big change that happened on campus this year was the revamp of HUDS. HUDS took their food to the next level after administering their feedback survey this year, incorporating more unique dishes and improving on the old ones. Definitely eating better this year, and hoping that we will continue on an upward trajectory.

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‘Ice Sculpture’ in the Yard

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If you’ve been on Sidechat, you’ve seen this one. The amount of detail put into that ice sculpture was honestly impressive, and I hope to see something that can top it next year.

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All in all, 2023 definitely left a mark on Harvard’s campus in one way or another. Hopefully 2024 brings about many more heinous joyous moments that we can look back on and laugh about. Here's to an even better new year!

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{shortcode-51e8e1488775399ef26297539708e10c162b65c0}How do you measure a year in a life? In daylights, in sunsets, in… Flyby articles? The year has truly flown by and now that we’re nearing the end of 2023, let’s do a quick Flyby Wrapped of our favorite Flyby moments.

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Flyby vs. Mice

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It’s an ongoing battle and I don’t think we’ve gone a year without hearing about yet another crazy encounter between Flyby writers and a type of rodent. We don’t think we can ever get over Janani Sekar’s story of a mouse leaving, *ahem*, “black sesame seeds” on her bed. A month later, Katharina A. Ravichandran blessed us with a comprehensive guide on the most and least effective ways to combat a mouse. So next time you’ve got a furry critter in your dorm, Flyby’s got you covered!

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Flyby Offers Advice

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In addition to the lovely ~advice column~ we added to our Blog this year, Flyby offered great advice addressing all of your concerns. Such as whether or not you should drop one of your classes, or how to spend your BoardPlus. We also gave great suggestions to our Class of 2027 on things to do during Visitas that’s not on the programming. Congrats on finishing your first semester, by the way! Why don’t you avoid the unavoidable freshman fall existential crisis by going through the things on this list again and reminiscing about being accepted to Harvard without actually having experienced Harvard yet.

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Finally, as a NYC girlie, please read through J.J. Moore’s lovely advice on how to walk faster. This is specifically targeted towards people who walk really slowly in the middle of the sidewalk (of all places!). At least let me walk around you if you’re going to walk that slow. I’ve got places to be (my bed) and people to see (Tom Blyth’s picture on my bedroom wall).

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Flyby Predicts

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Looking back on our last year’s Yardfest predictions, we truly had high hopes for this school. But new year, new Yardfest. Manifesting Taylor Swift, once again.

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PSA: Flyby Reminds You Once Again…

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That we have an art museum on campus. Want to romanticize a light academia lifestyle after seeing Yale’s buildings compared to our red brick ones? We can help.

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Flyby Is Confused

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I didn’t even know they could change course registration more after killing off Shopping Week like that. Although the academic gods have blessed me with all the classes I want (yes, this is a flex), I’m still not sure if I like this new system. Let’s talk about it again.

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Flyby in Print

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A monumental step as Flyby goes in print! And again! And a third! That’s right y’all, Flyby became a little less digitally exclusive this year.

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Flyby Cries a Little

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It’s been a year of ups and downs. We’ve laughed, we’ve loved, and we’ve left the old days behind. Reflect with us on the things we’ve missed at Harvard (and will miss during this winter break). Also, as the class of 2024 approaches their last semester, let’s cry, once again, while reading this Open Letter to the Class of 2023.

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And with that, another year is in the books. As a parting gift, I will equip you with Flyby’s comprehensive list of student affirmations that you can repeat to yourself as you struggle through Finals Week. Flyby wishes you a happy, happy new year and manifests a great spring semester to you all (or at least the best it can be in the frigid New England winter that awaits us).

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’Twas the night before midterms (“midterm” even though it’s the last week of classes), and…. Oh no, you haven’t finished memorizing the material! Luckily for you, do we have the study methods to help you memorize the material much, much faster and still get to bed before the wee hours of dawn. While they may require some effort, we can promise that after trying these strategies, you’ll never forget what you learned. Go on, pick a study method based on your self-perceived level of unhinged-ness.

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Level 1: Turn your notes into a bad Tumblr poem

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Ahem. Allow me to demonstrate.

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an under-damped oscillator

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oscillates at least once

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before dying out

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with exponential decay.

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my bank account balance

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also seems

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to be dying out

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with

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exponential

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decay

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- p.s.2

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Level 2: Explain the concepts to a turkey

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This is similar to rubber ducking, except much more effective. After looking over the concepts for a while, stand in front of a random turkey in the Yard and explain what you learned to the turkey. Don’t worry about the looks you get from the tourists walking around, searching for the statue, or taking pictures of Widener. They’re just jealous of your vast knowledge, admiring your confidence and passion for learning. Sure, you could just stay in your room and explain your notes to a stuffed animal or a pillow, but who does that? Spice it up, y’all!

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Level 3: Write a parody of a song based on the material.

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Pick a song you love. There’s no way this strategy could possibly ruin the song for all eternity! Here’s the important part. You MUST sing it to your professor so they can give you feedback in case you got any of the concepts wrong. I must stress to you that the entire process is worthless unless you sing it to your professor in the most crowded possible office hours (so the other students can also learn from your song). Sure, you could just make a one-pager, but that’s no fun! The world is missing out on the singing skills you honed in the shower.

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Level 4: Create an expressive dance routine

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Use props, all of your limbs, and all of your brain cells to perform an expressive dance routine based on the concepts you just learned. For example, Naruto-run down Mass. Ave. to demonstrate an electrical signal traveling down the axon of a nerve cell (don’t jaywalk, because you need to stop and hit the Griddy at all the crosswalks to show saltatory conduction). I promise the look in everyone’s eyes will be from pure awe. Also, if your section crush is staring at you oddly the next day, it’s because they fell in love with you the moment they saw you Naruto-running down Mass. Ave. Yeah, you could have just used a whiteboard in one of the libraries to diagram the neuron, but who has time for that?

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Level 5: Steal the moon

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Take a practice exam. If you reach your target score, treat yourself! Enlist your roommates and travel to the SEC and construct a replica of the SR-6 Shrink Ray (if you need help, ask any student passing by — this was on the first ES 50 problem set). Use it to steal the moon. While yes, you could just take the practice test and go to bed if you’re satisfied. But that’s no fun! You worked hard and deserve a little treat.

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No, I am definitely not writing this the night before an exam. And if there is an exam, I am well prepared for it.

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{shortcode-863a64062c6cd89f7254f8eff458c6b9c7b46bd1}Every year on Nov. 1 when Mariah Carey starts to thaw, some people rejoice, others despair. The moment the weather turns a bit crisp, we’re stuck with her whether we like it or not. She takes over social media, we hear her haunting us over the speakers at Macy’s, and there is nothing we can do to stop her. Don’t get me wrong — Mariah Carey is a phenomenal singer and a Christmas icon. I’m as big a fan of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” as anyone else, but we all crave a little bit of variety from time to time. So, I present four Christmas album alternatives for when you need a break from Mariah’s angelic voice this Christmas season.

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For those who want to take a step back from the pop tunes and Christmas commercialism – “Christmas Classics,” Bing Crosby

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What more can I say except that this album absolutely lives up to its title? These songs are total classics, and Bing Crosby knows how to evoke a feeling of utter nostalgia with every word he sings. Perfect for snuggling up next to the fireplace with a fuzzy blanket, this album is giving dim candlelight ambiance and the scent of baking cookies. What more could you want? If you’re looking for a traditional and nostalgic holiday that brings you back to those late Christmas Eve nights you stayed up waiting for Santa, this is the album for you.

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Best Songs: “The Littlest Angel” (the lyrics to this make me cry) and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/It Came Upon a Midnight Clear - Medley.”

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For those who want to give their Christmas a quirky twist (and those who go a little too crazy every time Mr. Brightside starts playing) – “Don’t Waste Your Wishes,” The Killers

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I can’t lie, these songs are absolutely unhinged — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing. In fact, I personally think that is what makes them so fun. This album has a great blend of everything — the slower, more nostalgia-based songs, as well as the hyped-up Christmas jams that keep us going through the holidays. Some of them seem super goofy when you first listen to them (check out “Joel The Lump of Coal”), but if you take the time to listen to the words, they’re packed full of beautiful messages that are actually quite touching when you pay attention. If you’re looking for some new Christmas fun, give this album a try — you’ll be in for a wild ride!

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Best Songs: “A Great Big Sled” and “Don’t Shoot Me Santa” (I don’t even know where to begin with this one. The kid is homicidal, Santa has a hit list — you know what? You just gotta listen to it).

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For my country lovers – “An Inconvenient Christmas,” The Oak Ridge Boys

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This album is my personal favorite. Don’t ask me why I listen to this stuff, my dad found this album before I was born and I grew up thinking it was totally normal to listen to country Christmas music. Does my family like country music? Not particularly. Had my dad ever heard of The Oak Ridge Boys before this album? No, not at all. But it was totally normal to me and I didn’t realize that this album was weird until I went to college. That being said, I stand by the fact that every single song on this album is an absolute banger, you just have to give it a chance.

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Best Songs: “The Most Inconvenient Christmas” (This is my #1 favorite Christmas song, I listened to this at midnight on Nov. 1 — yes, I’m one of those people) and “The Hallelujah Chorus.”

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For my theater nerds and people who love show tunes on the DL – “The Christmas Album (volumes 1-4),” The Glee Cast

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Really, there is not much for me to say here. We all know “Glee,” and we all either loved it or hated it. But there is no denying that as annoying as some of those characters were, they could damn well sing. If we’re being honest with ourselves, Rachel Barry may have been a danger to society, but her vocal chords were crafted by God himself. So if you appreciate excellent singing, and want to find some fun different versions of your favorite Christmas songs (“All I Want For Christmas is You” sung by Amber Riley? Sign me up) then give these albums a try.

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Best Songs: “Extraordinary Merry Christmas” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

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So there you have it, folks. If you find yourself flinching away from Mariah’s incredibly impressive but undeniably deafening whistle tones this holiday season, now you’ve got a whole bunch of alternatives to keep that festive spirit going. Happy Holidays!

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{shortcode-f83e1557b3f5eea592fa143b2f5e2dd0bdaa0e7a}While my bank account may disagree, I can vouch for the popularity of the Starbucks Christmas menu. In fact, these drinks are so popular that we may be slowly becoming them. Which brew are you?

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{shortcode-6ac0a29e5a0cca6791cc92650a60cdce095dae54}We all know the moment when you are sitting in the library, trying to get work done, and the group beside you starts arguing over passionately discussing the pset answers. Next time this happens, use this chart to expose them for who they really are.

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{shortcode-b19ec70ccb4fa52cde5148fceb37fcc3837fe79c}Choose your fighter: where does your professor fall on this alignment chart?

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{shortcode-cbb16b8978c91120fcbfd2e6b359e4d3ea25a008}It’s 1:20 p.m. on a Wednesday. I’m only five minutes into my lecture, and I’m already bored out of my mind. I also happen to feel a bit peckish. My next move? Pulling up the HUDS online menu. Oh, HUDS menu, which I love just enough that I type you into Google two times a day but not enough to actually bookmark, how I could ramble on about your wonderfulness. And so I will!

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Its Reliability

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Hungry late at night and want to know what Brain Break has to offer? The HUDS menu is there for you. Feeling cold and a little sick and wanting soup? The HUDS menu is there for you. Want to pretend you’re busy on your phone as you avoid a semi-stranger semi-acquaintance’s gaze? The HUDS menu is there for you. The HUDS menu never fails you, and it should be applauded for that.

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How it Fosters Exploration

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Sometimes, knowing what I’m going to have for dinner that day isn’t enough. Sometimes, I want to know what I’m going to have for dinner in six days. And the HUDS menu lets me do that. The HUDS website always has the answers, and the answers are (usually) delicious.

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Plus, when I do my obligatory daily browse, I often find food options that I wouldn’t otherwise know were available — or even existed. I’m not ashamed to admit that the HUDS website is the only reason I know what “gremolata” is (for you non-HUDS-ites it’s a green sauce made of parsley). Those days, I end up trying something new and with another thing to thank the HUDS menu for.

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Its Morale-raising Abilities

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Integral to my love of the HUDS menu is of course its ability to literally act as a menu — which means it’s the messenger of my favorite type of news! The reminder that there’ll be smoked salmon and ice cream on Sundays? It’s enough to instantly raise a girl’s mood. The HUDS menu is essentially my mood ring.

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Plus, I mean, how could I love anything more than something that tells me that chicken and dumpling soup is being served that day?

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Honorable Mention: The HUDS website

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Although my love for the HUDS menu is everlasting and limitless, I do want to give a special shout-out to the rest of the HUDS website! Tons of useful information on there, like BoardPlus-eligible cafes and dining halls, hours of operation, and information about interhouse restrictions.

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I don’t know when exactly this habit-turned-compulsion-turned-love began. Perhaps it was the first month of freshman year, when I had to strategically plan for the days when Annenberg was no longer even passably edible. It also could have been around winter, when the fear of finals forced me to look to do literally anything except study. Nonetheless, no matter how this love began, it will regardless live forever. I love you, HUDS menu.

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{shortcode-bec29c7982ba6fa4f1607871166ae8682cb47e1a}Annenberg offers a fair variety of beverages, including its classic soft drink fountain (Root Beer, Sprite, Ginger Ale and the like), Fogbuster coffee and Bigelow’s tea array, juice and milk options (low fat 1 percent, anyone?), and the slightly ominous sparkling water station. Yet, even with such vast possibilities, the drink scene of Berg can get old quickly. Every now and then, you need to refresh your flavor palette with a creative, sometimes unsettling drink combination. Thus, I set out to try a few of the combinations I’ve witnessed and discovered in the first-year dining hall.

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Sprite + Cranberry Juice

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This combination has to be one of my all-time favorites. I mean, Sprite Cranberry exists for a reason, right? This drink is bright, flavorful, and suitable for any meal. The Sprite balances out the cranberry juice so you can appreciate the cranberry flavor without its intense bitterness. This may just be me, but the drink also feels a little fancy, somewhat sophisticated (it was my drink of choice at the student-faculty dinner). I will be making this combination time and time again.

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Powerade + Lemonade + Sprite

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This drink is very customizable and very popular. I’ve seen Powerade combined with lemonade, Sprite, or both. I guess it’s a versatile base. In a single sip, I feel like I can appreciate each individual flavor as well as how they blend together. Drinking this stark blue combination makes me feel like a student-athlete for a moment, but unfortunately, even Powerade can’t improve my athletic ability.

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Lemonade + Gold Peak Green Tea

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It’s a DIY Arnold Palmer. These two drinks were meant to be together. The combination of sweet, tart, and bitter flavors is simply delightful. Plus, since you’re creating it yourself, you can determine the ratio of lemonade to green tea that best suits your tastes – customization at its finest. This combo is a good go-to for any time of the day, and it almost tastes like you didn’t get it from a dining hall! Just pretend it’s in a can and imagine yourself sunbathing. Maybe this drink is your escape from the frigid winter air.

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Pomegranate-Blueberry Sparkling Water + Orange Juice

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Alright, I was skeptical, too. I watched, in awe and wonder, as a classmate ahead of me in line created this oddity. I just had to try it. Although, it took some courage to create the drink. I suppose citrus and sparkling water is a well-received recipe, but something about this combination didn’t sit right with me, and I cringed as I pressed the dispenser buttons. Once I got over that initial discomfort… It wasn’t bad. I couldn’t taste the pomegranate and blueberry, but maybe my ratio was faulty. Regardless, all I tasted was orange juice. But the real overpowering factor was the bubbles. If you need a fizzy wake-up drink in the morning, try this. It should get the job done. Those bubbles certainly awakened my taste buds.

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Sunday Sundaes + Soda

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Don’t overlook the potential of Sunday Sundaes. If you’ve exhausted the sprinkles, hot fudge, and caramel sauce or just want to switch things up, consider making an ice cream float. The soft drink fountain is just a few steps away, lying in wait. A scoop of ice cream and a cup of Root Beer, for example, is always a solid option. I can confirm the Root Beer float is a reliable source of nostalgia and deliciousness. Especially when the soda makes the ice cream ~crusty~ and you can enjoy a more textured, vanilla-heavy bite. Ok, that description may sound a bit gross. But you know what I mean… right?

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The drink combinations at Annenberg are endless, so keep exploring! Try these ones or make your own Frankenstein drink. Who knows, maybe hot chocolate and grapefruit juice will be the next big thing!

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{shortcode-95b37c48c1a35d77f150893c9da374f11e12b739}The CVS in Harvard Square, which is a mere 30-second walk from the Yard and open 24 hours, is certainly a convenience for Harvard students. But does this convenience come at a cost? After a certain experience where I walked out of CVS with $30 less in my pocket and only a box of Cheerios, bag of pretzels, and pack of medical face masks in my hand, I started wondering.

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CVS reportedly stands for Consumer Value Store (I knew you were wondering!), and after this experience, I wondered whether the Harvard Square CVS lives up to the name. I burst the Harvard bubble by taking my bike as far as I felt I could: to two other CVS stores in Cambridge. I compared their pricing to the JFK Street CVS for some basic college necessities: Cheez-its, Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner, Pilot G2 Fine Point Rolling Ball Gel Pens Black, and Trojan Pleasure Pack Lubricated Latex Condoms.

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The locations investigated were the Harvard Square CVS (6 JFK St., Open 24 Hours), Central Square CVS (624 Massachusetts Ave., Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and the Porter Square CVS (36 White St., Open 24 Hours).

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The Results:

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Family Size Original Cheez-It

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Harvard Square: $8.99

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Central Square $8.79

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Porter Square: $8.99

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CVS.com: $8.99

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Pilot G2 Fine Point Rolling Ball Gel Pens Black Ink 5 Pack

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Harvard Square: $8.99

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Central Square: $8.99

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Porter Square: $8.99

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CVS.com: $8.99

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Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo 12 FL OZ

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Harvard Square: $6.29, 3 for $15 Deal

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Central Square: $5.99, 3 for $15 Deal

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Porter Square: $6.29, 3 for $15 Deal

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CVS.com: $5.99, On Sale for $5.29 and 3 for $15

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Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Conditioner 10.4 FL OZ

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Harvard Square: $5.99, 3 for $15 Deal

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Central Square: $6.29, 3 for $15 Deal

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Porter Square: $5.99, 3 for $15 Deal

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CVS.com: $5.99, On Sale for $5.29 and 3 for $15

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Trojan Pleasure Pack 12 Condoms

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Harvard Square: $18.79

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Central Square: $19.49

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Porter Square: $18.79

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CVS.com: $18.79

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My complete findings are presented above, but in summary, I spent 42 minutes and biked 4.53 miles for minimal results. If I were to expand this investigation, I’d trek farther outside the Harvard bubble. Since Central Square and Porter Square are still relatively close to college campuses (MIT and Lesley, respectively), the prices at these CVSes, too, could be higher than average. However, as seen below, the prices are nearly equivalent to the prices on the CVS website (which even has a disclaimer… “Prices may vary from online to in store”). Apparently, they kind of do.

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A noticeable finding is that the Central Square CVS is quirky. Maybe it’s due to its slightly reduced hours, but who honestly knows. This isn’t an Econ final project. But, I can tell you that a box of Family Size Original Cheez-Its is 20 cents less, and the Pantene shampoo and conditioner inexplicably swap prices compared to the other locations. The Central Square condoms, however, are a whole 70 cents more than the other locations and online. Demand drives up price, so… MIT?

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To my relatively naive consumer eyes, the prices do seem high. Nearly $9 for Cheez-Its? The good news is that CVS has a lot of savings and rewards options. Signing up for Extra Care might not be a bad idea (this is not an ad, but I actually signed up for it yesterday). Be like me and save money! Or save money by buying your conditioner locally, and shampoo in Central Square, it’s up to you. My 4.53 mile escapade was refreshing, if not too insightful, but I wouldn’t recommend it for the everyday.

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