('

{shortcode-ea619166db79674138b4e7fa7e5616dd28b65487}

\r\n\r\n

Well, the professors won, and here we are already thinking about our spring 2024 courses. Blessing or curse? Flyby thinks it out!

\r\n\r\n

Love It — Alexandra A. Kassinis

\r\n\r\n

Personally, I love looking through my.harvard. The possibilities are endless. A music gened? A folk myth seminar? A TDM dance workshop? An obscurely titled GSD class? Yes please. What better way to spend a lecture than scrolling through courses? At least you’re being (somewhat) productive as you ignore your professor.

\r\n\r\n

Also, you can talk to all your classmates about it. Instead of all being dispersed across the globe over Christmas break, dreading the return of another gloomy spring semester, you can all compare notes on/complain about/rant over classes over dinner at the dhall. Maybe you can even figure out a communal class that the whole blocking group can take??

\r\n\r\n

Being in school while registering for classes also means you could drop by a professor’s office hours and ask them about their class. This may be essential since so many Canvas pages are pretty ~bare~ as of right now. Maybe a quick chat with a professor will save you from taking a bad class for an entire semester.

\r\n\r\n

Most schools have been registering for classes early since forever. I think we are all just struggling with the fact that we too have to conform. If Y*le students can do it, so can we.

\r\n\r\n

Hate It — Eve S. Jones

\r\n\r\n

What are you having for dinner tonight? What’s the next movie you’re going to watch? When are you going to do your laundry? I don’t know the answer to these totally low-stakes planning questions for myself, and I bet you don’t either. So why are we expected to make far bigger decisions much further out? When I enrolled for my first semester, I was still under the impression we’d have shopping week. And now I have to totally commit to courses without even being in the year I’ll take them.

\r\n\r\n

Also, it’s midterms! I have my current courses to worry about! I can’t be writing four papers about characters making bad decisions and also have time to make bad decisions myself. (Yeah, I can handle 500 pages of reading a week. That’s fine, actually.) Let me deal with one thing at a time.

\r\n\r\n

Professors think this will give them more time to prepare while knowing how many people will take their courses, but really it will just give them longer to delude themselves about add/drop. Yeah, that’s right. I’ll enroll in six courses and then drop two. Who is going to stop me?! Not my.harvard.

', [])

('

{shortcode-6241c4376e395c830803680aedbed7ca05c51888}

\r\n\r\n

We at Flyby are always (and we mean ALWAYS) interested in new food hitting Harvard Square. So when we saw Union Square Donuts moving in on JFK Street, we knew we had to try some of that sweet doughy goodness. Unfortunately, they “donut” live up to the hype.

\r\n\r\n

We tried a seasonal selection of their donuts, and concluded that they were… not better than Dunkin’. And as one Flyby editor put it, “You have to be better than Dunkin’. Otherwise, people are just going to the Dunkin’ down the street.” Generally, the donuts had a great premise, but underwhelming execution. The donuts themselves were simple, without much flavor or pizzazz. And, like many people wandering the streets of Harvard Square, these donuts seemed interesting at first but, in the end, they’re just white bread.

\r\n\r\n

Here are our thoughts on the individual donuts we tried (but it gets worse as you read on):

\r\n\r\n

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bar

\r\n\r\n

“The pumpkin cream was good, but not pumpkin-y.”

\r\n\r\n

“It was a pleasant experience, but not unique.”

\r\n\r\n

“The cream soaks into the bread, making it softer.”

\r\n\r\n

And surprisingly: “One of the best donuts I’ve ever had, and I don’t even like pumpkin.”

\r\n\r\n

Maple Bacon

\r\n\r\n

“I could taste the bacon, but not the maple.”

\r\n\r\n

“This is a game changer. Maple bacon is something I would never order at a ~donutery~ but I loved this donut. Salty, sugary, fall, scrumptious.”

\r\n\r\n

“This was my No. 1 pick. I love sweet and salty-flavored things. Just like egg and jam sandwiches.” (Rest assured that most of us have never heard of egg and jam sandwiches either.)

\r\n\r\n

“I didn’t try this donut, but maybe we do not so much like this donut as we like bacon. I feel like you could get this elsewhere.” (Maybe HUDS brunch?)

\r\n\r\n

Vegan Chai

\r\n\r\n

“I didn’t know it was vegan. It was very moist and fluffy and soft.”

\r\n\r\n

“Highlight! I didn’t even know it was vegan. Delicious.”

\r\n\r\n

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte

\r\n\r\n

“Very moist and soft. Very spicy. Vegan = yum.”

\r\n\r\n

Peanut Butter Cup

\r\n\r\n

“The redeeming factor of this place. This donut was almost incredible. It needed more chocolate. I like this one.”

\r\n\r\n

“Not really sure if I ate this one. Pretty sure there was some peanut butter. It kind of tasted like peanut butter.”

\r\n\r\n

Brown Butter Hazelnut Crunch

\r\n\r\n

“What did you say the flavor was? I didn’t taste anything. It was just sweet. I enjoy sweet, but I wanted complexity to those flavors.”

\r\n\r\n

Candied Apple

\r\n\r\n

“It’s not particularly special.”

\r\n\r\n

“I was expecting more from the glaze, but it’s just sugar.”

\r\n\r\n

“The glaze was burned. I had no idea it was candied apple flavored.”

\r\n\r\n

“I like the filling; that part tastes like apples. The donut is kind of just there.”

\r\n\r\n

“Very fall!”

\r\n\r\n

Spicy Hot Cocoa

\r\n\r\n

“I thought it was interesting as a concept. I feel like all the dough was the same. Not enough cocoa, too much spice. Interesting experience.”

\r\n\r\n

“I just didn’t like it.”

\r\n\r\n

Fall Sprinkles

\r\n\r\n

“I’ve always been a sprinkles girly. But I was underwhelmed.”

\r\n\r\n

“It’s fighting an uphill battle because you are gonna compare it to the Dunkin’ donut.”

\r\n\r\n

“It’s not even half as good as the Dunkin’ sprinkles donut.”

\r\n\r\n

“I’d rather smell these flavors from a distance. I don’t really want to eat them.”

\r\n\r\n

Sea Salt Whisky Caramel

\r\n\r\n

“Unfortunately not whisky flavored enough. Too salty. Disgusting.

\r\n\r\n

“I couldn’t really taste anything. I thought it was a plain donut.”

\r\n\r\n

“It’s basically a bagel.”

\r\n\r\n

Finally, a Philosophical Discussion on the Platonic Ideal of a Donut:

\r\n\r\n

“What makes a good donut? Does it have to align with the flavors in its title, or does it just have to taste good?”

\r\n\r\n

“As a native New Englander, I am biased. Donuts are not supposed to be fancy. You eat donuts when you want to eat cake, but you feel bad eating cake in the middle of the day. These donuts are flying too close to the sun. But the flavors are creative and innovative. These should be cupcakes or cookies.”

\r\n\r\n

“There are multiple factors to good donuts. Flavor, quality of dough, texture. At least one of these should be present. But most of these donuts failed across the board.”

\r\n\r\n

tl;dr: Dunkin’s donuts are less than $2 each, and even cheaper when you buy a lot of them. Just saying.

', [])

('

{shortcode-eee57c5d44067ad632d979f9b450ef1e718e7e1f}

\r\n\r\n

Dear Flyby is back with more weekly, professional advice — though this one hit home for us as well. At the end of the day, we’re all winging it. Here’s how we’re handling picking classes in the busiest time of the semester.

\r\n\r\n

Q: How can I pick spring classes and I have a million other things to do???

\r\n\r\n

A: We don’t know either.

\r\n\r\n

I know. I know. It’s an advice column. That is not what you want to hear. However, this situation is so new, has literally never been done (fact-check me here), and is happening at literally the worst time. We’re struggling, but here’s a bit of friendly encouragement.

\r\n\r\n

Get your flu vaccine! You literally cannot register without it. You don’t want to get sick anyway. I hope, dearly, that if you’re reading this, you’ve already gotten it. If you haven’t, call HUHS asap! Or go to CVS! It’s fast and maybe even easier than HUHS.

\r\n\r\n

Do your advising appointment. Don’t procrastinate. Just add it to your calendar and pretend it’s just as important as an interview or class. Your adviser might actually be helpful in course advice and can be a sounding board because you have less time to think and look through every syllabus.

\r\n\r\n

Speaking of looking through syllabi… Do it in lecture! You’re not listening anyway. Instead of shopping, playing sudoku, writing another class’s paper, look at classes! If you already use some lectures as work time or unserious time, you’ll feel productive after. Please don’t fail orgo listening to my advice though. Pay attention in the classes you need to!

\r\n\r\n

Lastly, relax. We have a little over a week left. There’s still an add/drop period at the beginning of the semester. Class is class and school is school. Everything will be fine! You got this.

\r\n\r\n

xoxo,

\r\n\r\n

Flyby Blog

', [])

('

{shortcode-67432ea0751e1227452cc3ae91c1f401caae162c}I haven’t had an hour of uninterrupted free time since I waited in the Joe’s Pizza line, so that second 2 a.m. on Sunday caused by Daylight Savings is going to be like Y2K for my Google Calendar. Most of you will probably spend that time sleeping, but for those of you who really want to stay on that Harvard grind, here’s how to use that extra hour.

\r\n\r\n

Vacuum your dorm and wash your sheets.

\r\n\r\n

Look, we’ve been here for almost three months at this point. The mushrooms in the corner may be your only friends, but they’ve got to go. Spend the $3 to wash your sheets and borrow your overachiever neighbor’s vacuum. Enlisting your roommate to help you get your duvet cover back on is a great opportunity for bonding.

\r\n\r\n

Download Tinder.

\r\n\r\n

I get it. You want to meet someone the old-fashioned way: by singing karaoke together at a New Year’s Eve party. Or maybe you’re just holding out for Datamatch. But cuffing season is upon us, and you’ll regret not using this hour wisely when all of your blockmates are too busy with their situationship to watch “High School Musical” with you. Again.

\r\n\r\n

Start studying for finals.

\r\n\r\n

“What?!” You may be saying. “Midterms just ended! Don’t I get an hour to relax?!” And to that I say, yes, if you’re weak. But finals are only a month away, and we all know section kid is going to bust the curve and screw you over if you don’t start preparing now.

\r\n\r\n

Existential crisis.

\r\n\r\n

You finally have a moment to breathe, so you need to spend it overanalyzing every decision you’ve ever made. Did you choose the right concentration? Did your high school self really want you to sell out at 19? Are you a good person? When was the last time someone said they were proud of you? WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE PROUD OF YOURSELF?

\r\n\r\n

Now you see how silly it would be to spend our hour in the Twilight Zone sleeping instead of getting something done. Personally, I will be spending 15 minutes on each activity. If you’re really a future leader, I’ll see you in Lamont at 2 a.m. this Sunday.

', [])

('

{shortcode-c0d865ef7dca6dc4d4295379c1bace70dff3c137}

\r\n\r\n

Now that the “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” vault tracks are finally accessible for 24/7 listening, it’s time to figure out which of them is yours to claim. Whether you’ve already decided on your numero uno vault track or are still struggling to do anything but uncontrollably shriek at the mention of “1989 (TV),” this quiz will help you narrow down your perfect match in five seconds flat.

\r\n\r\n

Which vault track on “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” owns your heart?

\r\n\r\n

A. “I Can See You” — did you see that music video?!!

\r\n\r\n

B. “Foolish One” — the song’s dedicated to you, actually

\r\n\r\n

C. “Castles Crumbling ft. Hayley Williams” — in honor of your imposter syndrome

\r\n\r\n

D. “Electric Touch ft. Fall Out Boy” — admit it, you saw Fall Out Boy and screamed

\r\n\r\n

E. “When Emma Falls in Love” or “Timeless” — cuteness overload

\r\n\r\n

Which of the events below stars in your wildest (and spookiest) dreams?

\r\n\r\n

A. Understanding football (watching that one Kansas City Chiefs game must have paid off)

\r\n\r\n

B. Gutenberg Bible revealed to contain Taylor Swift’s discography in code

\r\n\r\n

C. Dean Khurana blocking me on Insta

\r\n\r\n

D. Edible dhall food

\r\n\r\n

E. A new FAS policy: diplomas reserved for students that have touched John Harvard’s foot

\r\n\r\n

Which single on “1989” is your national anthem?

\r\n\r\n

A. “New Romantics,” obvi

\r\n\r\n

B. “Shake It Off” — title says it all

\r\n\r\n

C. “Style” — puns, amirite?

\r\n\r\n

D. “Blank Space”

\r\n\r\n

E. “Out of the Woods” — I’m guessing you like “Archer” too?

\r\n\r\n

Who do you have bad blood with?

\r\n\r\n

A. My blockmate’s friend’s suitemate’s linkmate, for cutting me off at the dish return that one time

\r\n\r\n

B. Myself, for taking this quiz instead of finishing my pset

\r\n\r\n

C. My TF, for actually expecting me to read

\r\n\r\n

D. Section kid, for being section kid

\r\n\r\n

E. Midterms, for existing

\r\n\r\n

Which of the following HUDS dishes would you trust for consumption by Ms. Taylor A. Swift?

\r\n\r\n

A. Blondie Brownies (the dessert’s always good!)

\r\n\r\n

B. Frozen Peaches (there’s just something about them…)

\r\n\r\n

C. Red’s Best Catch (it’s the best)

\r\n\r\n

D. Broccoli and Cheddar Soup (enough cheese makes anything edible)

\r\n\r\n

E. Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic (how could they mess that up?)

\r\n\r\n

What twisted the knife into your situationship’s back?

\r\n\r\n

A. Someone caught feelings (them)

\r\n\r\n

B. Someone caught feelings (me)

\r\n\r\n

C. My heart belonging to another (with the initials T.S.)

\r\n\r\n

D. Scheduling conflicts

\r\n\r\n

E. The apocalypse

\r\n\r\n

You’ve been saying, “I know places…”

\r\n\r\n

A. …we can partayyy

\r\n\r\n

B. …we can catch some Zs

\r\n\r\n

C. …WE WON’T BE FOUND

\r\n\r\n

D. …we can finish our psets without falling asleep

\r\n\r\n

E. …we can use our Board Plus

\r\n\r\n

And, finally, which of the new vault tracks made you screech like a hyena (slash a really happy Swiftie)?

\r\n\r\n

A. “‘Slut!’” — “And if they call me a slut / You know it might be worth it for once”

\r\n\r\n

B. “Say Don't Go” — “Now your silence has me screamin’, screamin’”

\r\n\r\n

C. “Now That We Don't Talk” — “I don’t have to pretend I like acid rock / Or that I'd like to be on a mega yacht”

\r\n\r\n

D. “Suburban Legends” — “You don’t knock anymore and my whole life’s ruined”

\r\n\r\n

E. “Is It Over Now?” — “If she’s got blue eyes, I will surmise that you’ll probably date her (Oh no)”

\r\n\r\n

Mostly As: “‘Slut!’” — You’ve been kicking butt and taking names, and Ms. Swift noticed. You go, flyfriend!

\r\n\r\n

Mostly Bs: “Say Don’t Go” — Your situationship has you nearly as deep in the trenches as midterms.

\r\n\r\n

Mostly Cs: “Now That We Don’t Talk” — You’re caught in the slow fade, but you always come out on top.

\r\n\r\n

Mostly Ds: “Suburban Legends” — Your section crush smiled at you once, and you scrapbooked your wedding plans.

\r\n\r\n

Mostly Es: “Is It Over Now?” — You’re someone worth remembering.

', [])

('

{shortcode-b340292b87d4ab36ab8f64dbb11503f106c86028}Flyby knows what our dear readers want from us: spending our money so you don’t have to. So, we went to the recently reopened Lamont Café to investigate its most ~mysterious~ offering: the boba. Often spoken about on Sidechat, these drinks are proving to be quite divisive. But we decided they aren’t divisive at all. They’re just meh.

\r\n\r\n

We arrived right at opening, 3 p.m. on a Monday, and waited 20 or so minutes for them to cook the boba (!) and brew the tea fresh (!!). We were all very impressed with the freshness, but didn’t love the wait. Definitely don’t swing by for one of these between classes, because you’ll definitely be late.

\r\n\r\n

Of course, no hate to the baristas. They were super nice and patient with our weird boba order! We were told “no worries at all,” when it would have been very fair of them to be annoyed with us coming right at opening and ordering four boba teas. (Five, actually — the person in front of us also ordered a boba chai PSL!)

\r\n\r\n

The Boba

\r\n\r\n

So, we did take the entire batch of their fresh boba. But it was pretty good! A bit inconsistent with texture, but mostly chewy with only a few clumps. Each drink had a VERY generous portion of pearls, with the wide boba straws for our drinking pleasure. And don’t make the mistake we did: the boba is what makes it sweet so make sure to mix BEFORE you drink and review all of them…

\r\n\r\n

Marzipan Milk Tea

\r\n\r\n

This was the first one we tried, and it did in fact taste like marzipan! It was also VERY oat milk-forward. We only realized after ordering them all with oat milk that it might have been better to use almond milk to match the almondy flavor. The boba was very fresh, and matched the marzipan vibe. Still, we don’t know that we’d choose this one next time.

\r\n\r\n

Jasmine Green Milk Tea

\r\n\r\n

This one is another one where you get what you pay for! We didn’t think the drink itself was very sweet. We also thought it was an “acquired taste” that “grows on you.” Did we actually want boba in this beverage? We were in disagreement. But we agreed that it would be very soothing for the average Lamonster.

\r\n\r\n

Fog Milk Tea

\r\n\r\n

We did not really get vanilla from this, but we definitely did get the Earl Grey vibes. We decided this drink really did need the boba for the excitement factor, but also that if you somehow got your hands on your own boba you could absolutely make this yourself in the dhall.

\r\n\r\n

Pumpkin Spice Chai Milk Tea

\r\n\r\n

This was definitely the strongest and sweetest flavor! We unanimously agreed this was the best of the four drinks we ordered, and perfect for the rainy, cold day that it was. To one blog writer with a ~unique~ palate, this tastes “cheesy…” But for the rest of us, it was just what we wanted, although again we were split on whether the boba was necessary for the enjoyment of the drink.

\r\n\r\n

Final Thoughts

\r\n\r\n

These drinks were not as bad as we’d been told—we were expecting the worst and these were fine! But also, for $7, they’re just… fine. None of the flavors were really milk tea specific (we wanted a thai tea option!), presumably because all the ingredients are used in other drinks as well, besides the boba. We decided that the boba probably wasn’t there to bring customers in, so much as to convince the customers already there to splurge on the most expensive offering. But when we thought about other things you can get with seven BoardPlus dollars — two mozz sticks! A latte and a half! — we decided we wouldn’t come back for these.

\r\n\r\n

Hopefully we have saved your BoardPlus money for bigger and better things. But definitely try their pumpkin spice in something else! Happy fall!

', [])

('

{shortcode-45356fa174777546b8829043324995387adee93c}Who needs horror movies when you have your recorded lectures to watch? They don’t call it Spooky Season for no reason. October has me in the trenches and I have encountered things far scarier than vampires or witches. Without further ado, here are five things that are scarier than Spooky Season:

\r\n\r\n

Course Registration in October????

\r\n\r\n

As if having “midterms” wasn’t enough, now all of a sudden we’re supposed to register for classes too? I’m not only mad that I have to lose hair over courses I don’t even want to take but you’re telling me the Q guide won’t even be out? Like, I literally can’t even form an opinion about a TikTok video without checking the comments first. How am I supposed to choose classes on my own?

\r\n\r\n

My Bank Account

\r\n\r\n

I swear I don’t have a spending addiction but my last bank account statement says otherwise. What’s a girl to do? My mental health is tanking, my to-do list is growing, and the only thing that makes me smile anymore is a $10 latte that is half milk, half syrup that I can sip on in a cute outfit. Spending money on unnecessary purchases + self care = it was free. Girl Math.

\r\n\r\n

Life and What I’m going to do with it

\r\n\r\n

Who thought it was a good idea to let barely 20-year-olds decide their entire future in the span of 4 years? I’m literally just a girl in the world! Why do I have to worry about having a job? The way that things have been going lately, I’m one mid-life crisis away from becoming a “Day in the life of a Harvard student” TikToker (it’s my dream career, actually).

\r\n\r\n

The Weather

\r\n\r\n

Every single year I see people talk about how scary it is that the weather is “so warm for October” or “so cold for October” but this year the weather is somehow simultaneously too warm and too cold at the same time. Why are we experiencing a different season each week? The bigger question is: Why are the lecture halls always FREEZING no matter what the temperature outside is? Someone write their thesis on the carbon footprint of the Harvard classroom air conditioners BLASTING in 60-degree weather, please.

\r\n\r\n

My Sleep Schedule

\r\n\r\n

There are many, MANY more things I could include on this list but unfortunately, the scariest thing of all is my horrendous sleep schedule so this is where I’m going to stop.

\r\n\r\n

Despite how horrendous the month of October is during the semester, at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Halloween is the one day you can be anything you want and that includes being something other than stressed. I wish you all the best of luck and pray that your Halloween is filled with all spookiness and no scariness.

', [])

('

{shortcode-444ca07432dd36d63e79294127610df3be0a6ea3}What’s up, witches? We’re here with an important PSA: It’s time to make way for Halloween, aka. the second-spookiest time of the year (after midterms season). We’re sure you’ve been preparing for this holiday since the first week of school (when browsing Pinterest for cute costume ideas was your only motivation to push through), so we want to make sure that you don’t forget about the most important Halloween tradition: trick-or-treating! Our special Flyby version of trick-or-treating will highlight all the terrifying tricks and treats at Harvard we’ve all grown to know and love. Enjoy!

\r\n\r\n

Trick: The tourists that sneak into random buildings

\r\n\r\n

With the recent gate closures, I’ve come to notice something: Harvard feels like an actual college campus without the swarms of tourists taking photos and blocking your path to class. But the worst thing that they do besides touch our good ol’ pal John Harvard’s shoe is sneak into buildings in the Yard (cough cough, Sever, Emerson, and Annenberg). The cherry on top? Yup, you already know — as if being followed into buildings wasn’t bad enough, some of these tourists dare to give YOU the side-eye, as if we aren’t actual enrolled students here.

\r\n\r\n

Trick: When a “Masshole” driver almost runs you and your overpriced “Tatte like latte” over

\r\n\r\n

This has happened to me more than I care to admit. But I’m still shocked every time it happens because I never expected to find drivers with a worse case of road rage than my father driving in NYC. Like everyone else on campus, I’ve learned to acclimate to the honks and disregard for the very visible stop signs. Instead, I focus on making sure that my 16-ounce iced chai latte with oat milk will always leave the incident unscathed and unspilled.

\r\n\r\n

Treat: When the dhall randomly brings out ice cream for dinner

\r\n\r\n

Ice cream on a random Wednesday night?! Sign me up ASAP. As much as Sunday Sundaes get me through the week, watching HUDS workers bring out cartons of ice cream on a seemingly unremarkable evening makes it all the more special. These are nights that make life seem bearable again.

\r\n\r\n

Treat: When there is no line at the mail center

\r\n\r\n

Humor me for a minute. Imagine a world when every time you get a glorious email with “Please Read — The Harvard Yard Mail Center Has Rec—” in the subject line and you walk all the way over to the Science Center, there is never a line! Is this a fantasy? Mostly, but the rare times when you magically time your Amazon and Depop pickups to correspond with the mailroom’s hours make you believe in life and hope again. This treat is the gift that will hopefully keep on giving.

\r\n\r\n

Trick: When Harvard doesn’t turn the heat on even though it’s the end of October…

\r\n\r\n

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Please give us heat to keep us warm and provide us with the perfect excuse to skip our 9 a.m. classes (sorry professor, my 64 degree room and blanket burrito combo sadly prevented me from showing up today… and tomorrow… and the next day too).

\r\n\r\n

Trick: Halloweekend coinciding with Family Weekend

\r\n\r\n

Seriously? As much as it might annoy the freshmen and juniors who will have to rearrange their festivities so they can attempt to not look too hungover at family brunches, you have to admit: this is genius plotting and scheming on Harvard’s part. And for that, this trick takes the cake.

\r\n\r\n

Treat: When you come up with a costume that no one else will be (cough cough, Devils and Angels)

\r\n\r\n

Whether you finally came up with a witty Rhyme without Reason idea for you and your roomates, or you are stealing a niche idea from Pinterest or TikTok and passing it off as one of your own (totally not me), the excitement you feel knowing that you don’t have to be a devil or angel for Halloween is unmatched. All that’s left is coming up with an equally witty Instagram caption for the cute digital camera pictures you’re sure to take during Halloweekend.

\r\n\r\n

Trick: When your “15-minute nap” turns into 2 hours

\r\n\r\n

We’ve all been here, and if you’re shaking your head no right now, you’re a liar, liar pants on fire. Whether you’ve knocked out in a public space like the Smith Campus Center and ignored the “this is a stay awake space” or in your dorm, these “15-minute naps” are a canon event. The weird mixture of panic, disorientation, guilt, pride, and relief you feel after this slumber either immediately gets you wired up and invigorates you to be the most productive you have ever been to make up the lost time, OR it leads you to dig yourself an even deeper grave and give up because what’s the point of working if you already lost so much time, right?

\r\n\r\n

Treat: You actually wake up feeling rested

\r\n\r\n

Why is it that when I sleep four hours I feel more rested than I do when I sleep for 10? But then why do I not feel rested when I sleep seven hours? What is the Goldilocks sleep ratio? Someone actually let me know, because I think I’ve only woken up feeling good two times this semester. But, oh boy, do I still think about those two times almost every night. Honestly, I would trade all of my Trader Joe’s snacks for another night of amazing sleep, and that’s saying something.

\r\n\r\n

Treat: When the Securitas guards at Lamont smile and wish you a good night after you had an existential crisis in a depressing cubicle

\r\n\r\n

The Securitas guards, and Harvard staff in general, are the kindest people. Seeing one of them smile at you and wish you a good day after you were overthinking and beginning to feel seasonal depression kick in when you saw that it was dark outside at only 6 p.m. is the life changing motivation I need. Please, smile back at them and spread kindness!

\r\n\r\n

There you have it – my favorite Harvard tricks and treats (not including the Fruit Roll-Ups and Pirate’s Booty I take from my proctor’s door every week). I hope that this Halloween season gives you more treats than tricks: you deserve it <3.

', [])

('

{shortcode-134a524c74ec99885c6a02059ad7a1746bf4ebe5}It’s Monday yet again, so it’s time for another week of Flyby’s wisdom. It’s not just any ordinary Monday though — it’s the Monday before Halloween, aka Hallow’s Eve’s Eve! Talk about spooky. But hey, doesn’t that mean Halloween is on a Tuesday? Where’s the fun in that, you may ask? Well, fear not. We’re here to tell you, Halloween can still be fun, even if it’s on a random Tuesday night.

\r\n\r\n

Q: What am I supposed to do when Halloween is on a Tuesday?

\r\n\r\n

A: Don’t worry, you’re not the only one asking this question. I also have been asking myself this question a lot over this past week. Halloween is the best holiday of the year! Whether you do or do not agree with this (un)controversial statement, we can all admit that Halloween on a Tuesday is a tragedy.

\r\n\r\n

Halloween is an evening for kids (read: college students) hungry for candy and fun. When Halloween rolled around when I was a freshman, I decorated my room. Not only does it make your dorm feel a bit more homey, but it gets your suite-family into the Halloween spirit (extra points if you live in Adams…). That is the most important ingredient to a delectable Halloween experience. So, if you’re burning for a spark of Halloween fun, maybe taking an hour to decorate your room is the perfect plan. Though do you really want to decorate your room and just go back to studying on such a wonderfully haunting night?

\r\n\r\n

The answer to that should be a no! Get scared the day after Halloween when you have to do your midterm. Nov. 1 should be a day of regrets, Oct. 31 should be a night of treats. So grab some friends, throw on that costume you wore for Halloweekend (I know you have one), and pop into a neighborhood for some candy (yes, Flyby’s done it before). It’s easy to act like a child when you’re still one at heart. Halloween is not just about treats, it’s also about tricks. So going door-to-door pretending to be the kiddo you truly are, satisfies both!

\r\n\r\n

If you do really have to study for that exam though, maybe staying in with your roommates and friends is the right idea. Turn on your TV, pull out a projector, or even your good ol’ laptop (charged ofc), and throw on something nostalgic like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” or “Coraline.” If you really want to dive into the heart of Halloween (aka being frightened out of your wits), then put on “Friday the 13th,” “Halloween,” “The Poltergeist,” or even “Scream.”

\r\n\r\n

Either way, this is your sign to push off your pset, leave that essay for another day, and forget about that lecture tomorrow! Go out and have some fun. Halloween only happens once a year! Nobody should spend their night studying in their dorm, isolated from society — unless your costume is an overworked, incredibly stressed, and burnt-out student (which, tbh, is pretty terrifying too).

\r\n\r\n

Boo!

\r\n\r\n

(did i scare you?)

\r\n\r\n

xoxo

\r\n\r\n

Flyby Blog

', [])

('

{shortcode-c1bebdcdee104439fa039207936fc4476a7c2cb3}Are you lying awake at night wondering how to make your Halloween costume more Crimson? A little more representative of your transformative experience? Well, we already read your mind and graciously put together a list of the five best Harvard Halloween costumes you can sport for this festive holiday. Follow this ultimate guide to make Harvard even more a part of your personality than it already is, and spotlight it in your 31st festivities.

\r\n\r\n

Securitas

\r\n\r\n

Honor the brave men and women who, when we fatally leave our keys inside our dorms, are just one call away to let us back in. The biggest tragedy of writing this article was finding out that Securitas has nothing to do with Harvard. Being the Harvard Student that I am, I thought this name was a play on “veritas.” It is not, and as the Harvard Student I am, I feel as though it is my personal responsibility to deliver this bad news to the public.

\r\n\r\n

HUDS Staff

\r\n\r\n

If you want to truly embody the spirit of Harvard this Halloween, you must start at its core: Harvard University Dining Services. If just one of you is able to successfully disguise yourself and bring back General Gao’s chicken, I will personally name my first-born child after you. Yes, they are just chicken nuggets — but they are GOOD chicken nuggets. How one may acquire this costume is a question only few are brave enough to answer. Maybe work your charm at Fly By after they make you put your chips back? How about placing yourself on the conveyor belt and snagging an apron from the backroom? The options are almost as endless as their kindness and love <3. Pay some homage to the heart of Harvard this Halloween.

\r\n\r\n

Turn it into a group costume: HUDS Team Member + Chicken (of various editions)

\r\n\r\n

Obama

\r\n\r\n

Compensate for all the faux Obama sightings this year by giving Cambridge the next best thing: a resemblance, a glimmer of hope, a tribute. Throw on a suit, a diplomatic demeanor, and maybe even a bald cap. Proclaim your existence on Sidechat, and watch as the rumors seep through the student body. Then, leave immediately because Obama, in true character, refrains from making appearances here.

\r\n\r\n

The Red Line

\r\n\r\n

Going for a HOT fit this Halloween??? Well look no further than the train that’s always on fire. Just like my psets, it is relatively unreliable, frequently late, and probably not even on track. Despite its flaws, we have a lot of love for this train and the memories it helped us make—at the very least it deserves a spot on this top-tier list. Yes this may be an odd idea, but trust the vision. A red dress, a “T” front and center on your chest, a “Red Line” underneath, and a train conductor hat to top it all off.

\r\n\r\n

Turn it into a group costume: Red, Green, Orange, and Blue Line.

\r\n\r\n

Princess Diana

\r\n\r\n

Channel some vintage energy and replicate one of the most iconic Harvard looks of all time: Princess Diana and her gym fit. Sporting a Harvard crew, sunglasses, and biker shorts: Diana is blessing your All Hallows’ Eve with comfort and style. This means while your friends’ fairy wings are smacking people left and right this weekend, you will be carelessly dancing in your high socks and sneakers. You may need your roommate to give you a haircut, though.

\r\n\r\n

And that’s our Harvard Halloween roundup! Not only do we hope you found some relieving inspiration for the big day, but also some newfound appreciation for the best Ivy in the league. Some honorable mentions include The Q-Guide, Dean Khurana, The John Harvard Statue, and perhaps even the 12 houses. Get creative, folks, and show out in your Crimson costumes. Happy Halloween!

', [])

('

{shortcode-828c920d4732a0ea8dff717acc6423102826370d}

\r\n\r\n

It’s a day out until Halloweekend, and you’ve been prioritizing all the wrong things: midterms, recruiting events for internships you missed the deadline for, and color-coding your GCal. Unfortunately, in your exhaustion, you forgot about Harvard’s favorite three-day bender (or five if you make it to Halloween!). Now, you’re at Party City three hours before your first event. Before swiping your credit card, don’t forget the seven deadly sins of Halloween costumes:

\r\n\r\n

SLOTH… or too lazy

\r\n\r\n

Time may be short, and you may not have time to put all the pieces of your intricate idea into your Amazon cart. DIYing is a totally acceptable and an encouraged option, but doing it yourself is NOT an excuse to be lazy. Don’t be one of those Halloweekenders who hastily scotch-tapes a McDonald’s logo to a yellow shirt and calls themselves a Happy Meal. (Or me, last year attempting to staple SideChat onto a pink top… it did not work.)

\r\n\r\n

LUST… or sexy without substance

\r\n\r\n

To quote the Hot Girl Bible Mean Girls, “The hardcore girls just wear lingerie and some form of animal ears.” Listen, we’ve all been there: wearing a corset and a mini skirt with cat ears brings out the girlboss (and the cleave) in everyone. But come on, been there and done that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with showing a little skin on Halloween, but all we ask is that you pair more than ambiguous whiskers with your stunning fit.

\r\n\r\n

PRIDE… or the “best” costume in the group

\r\n\r\n

We get it — your roommates did not want to help with the group costume. That does not mean that you can make yourself the star of the show. Just because you would kill in a Beyonce costume does not mean your friend needs to be Michelle or Kelly. A better costume exists! Maybe they’re Solange and Jay-Z in the elevator? Taylor and Kanye at the 2009 VMAs?

\r\n\r\n

ENVY… or the costume that no one gets

\r\n\r\n

Being creative without entering your manic pixie dream girl era is a fine line to skate. You can be “not like other girls” in the safety and isolation of your dorm. Don’t bring that energy to Halloweekend. No one knows that one character from that one TV show based on that limited edition video game… and frankly, no one could care less to hear you shout-explain it over Monster Mash.

\r\n\r\n

WRATH… or settling for the worst costume just to be petty

\r\n\r\n

And, just as bad as leaving your friends out, is letting yourself be left out just so you can be passive aggressive until Harvard-Yale. Even if they assigned the roles while you were out of the room, and you got stuck being the worst (e.g. the Commissioner Gordon to Batman and Robin, the Alan to Barbie and Ken, or Pete Davidson to any celebrity couple), it’s not too late to come up with a better substitute.

\r\n\r\n

GREED… or trying to be the most relevant in the room

\r\n\r\n

I appreciate a couple’s costume as much as the next romantic, but I swear that I will gouge my eyes out if I see more than two pairs of Barbie and Ken this weekend. If you try to be the coolest cat at the party, you won’t be. Don’t get me wrong, keeping it relevant means that everyone will get your costume. It also means, however, that you probably have to dish a lot more out to make your fit stand out against the masses. Take my advice, avoid the Barbenheimer or Taylor and Travis cults this weekend. Save it till they become slightly less relevant… so, maybe in three years. (Editor’s Note: This does not apply to Taylor Swift. Mother will always be on top.)

\r\n\r\n

GLUTTONY… or trying to be the most in the room

\r\n\r\n

There is such a thing as too much. Wings that weigh you down, plastic swords that bite more than a papercut, and jeweled necklaces that look like they came off the Champs-Élysées should all stay home. People, always avoid the over-the-top costumes at all costs — no one wants to wake up with a cut from your plastic appendage. I’m not insisting that your costume needs to be simple. Just make sure that you aren’t risking public safety on your quest to be best dressed.

\r\n\r\n

Closing Thoughts:

\r\n\r\n

Truthfully, after the midterm trenches we have been in, if you make it to Halloween in any form of clothing, you’re doing better than most of us.

\r\n\r\n

Honestly, this whole piece was just a plug for the Seven Sins Group Costume my blocking group is doing. I’m Greed, and, yes, I’m getting money with my face printed on it. — Kat

\r\n\r\n

Just please, for the love of all things good, don’t be Kiss, Marry, Kill… like me (yikes). — Laasya

\r\n\r\n

Good luck this weekend and stay safe <3.

', [])

('

{shortcode-c801b0b91c7920f2f279ddaf34accd0aa7155308}

\r\n\r\n

Parents’ weekend for freshmen and juniors is only a few weeks away! Everyone knows that the best part of having your parents visit is ditching the dhall and dining out. While you may spend much of the meal complaining about how much reading you have and explaining why you aren’t the president of all your clubs, here are five restaurants you should check out in the Harvard area when your loved ones are footing the bill.

\r\n\r\n

Alden & Harlow

\r\n\r\n

Starting off our list is Alden & Harlow, a New American restaurant located on Brattle Street across from Wholesome Fresh. Alden & Harlow is family-style, so you’ll never be jealous of what your dad orders. Alden & Harlow has both indoor and outdoor seating, making it perfect for any weather. Pro tip: order the basil pasta and grilled rosemary focaccia — it won’t disappoint. Make sure to make a reservation early for parents’ weekend — everyone and their mother (literally) will be here.

\r\n\r\n

The Maharaja

\r\n\r\n

Indian food is rare for HUDS — a tragedy for us all. If you’ve been wanting to satisfy your Indian food craving, look no further — or just above Shake Shack. With a wide menu, The Maharaja has options for everyone, and the keema naan is on a totally different level. You’ll leave full, satisfied, and happy that your parents are paying.

\r\n\r\n

Sugar & Spice

\r\n\r\n

One stop on the T to Porter station (or a mile walk if you’re feeling ~athletic~) will take you to Sugar & Spice, a Thai restaurant that covers all the different regions and tastes that Thailand has to offer. Sugar & Spice has great vegan and gluten-free options on their menu of more than a hundred different dishes. Yes, one hundred. Need I say more? Warning: Sugar & Spice’s dim lighting and comfy seating makes it an ideal date spot, so don’t be surprised if your parents ask when they’ll meet your Harvard significant other.

\r\n\r\n

Source

\r\n\r\n

Pinocchio’s and Joe’s are great when it’s 1 a.m., but a Neopolitan-style, personal pizza from Source is always a win. The pepperoni pizza with hot honey is incredible, especially when paired with the miso chili brussel sports. Your dad will be excited to go once he finds out that he can watch the Patriots lose yet another game on the bar TVs.

\r\n\r\n

Harvest

\r\n\r\n

If there’s one thing parents and college students have in common, it’s their affinity for brunch. Harvest is a prime spot for a hearty New England brunch, from gooey cinnamon rolls to salmon eggs benedict. Also, Harvest is a great excuse for you to grab brunch rather than breakfast with your parents on a Sunday morning (we know you’ll need to sleep in after Halloweekend…).

\r\n\r\n

Students and parents alike are lucky to have such a thriving and diverse food scene here in Cambridge. Rumor has it that the food in New Haven doesn’t quite measure up (shocker). So, while your parents are in town, check out one of these restaurants. Flyby never disappoints.

', [])

('

{shortcode-7392c3d78f25953926a0e6568e973a06bfc792e8}

\r\n\r\n

Happy Concentration Declaration Day! Our dear sophomores, whether it was hard or easy for you to pick your field of specialty, just know that you did it and you made the right choice, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. And if you’re wondering what comes next, check out our advice column on concentration declaration. Here at Flyby, our lovely sophomore writers have declared a wide variety of concentrations across all areas. We’re so proud to present “Why I Declared: 2023 Edition!”

\r\n\r\n

Kat A. Ravichandran ’25 – Computer Science & Statistics… and a Secondary?

\r\n\r\n

I declared a joint in Computer Science and Statistics because all I want to be in life is the person in the Disney movie saying, “I’m hacking into the mainframe!” as they click-clack away at the computer. I am yet to learn how to hack into said mainframe, but I do love data science: predicting future outcomes through quantitative modeling or justifying spending egregious amounts of money because of a pretty graph. Maybe my secondary will be an application of said data science, like Economics or Environmental Science; maybe it will be a break from my psets, like Philosophy or History of Art and Architecture; or maybe, just maybe, it will be the friends I made along the way.

\r\n\r\n

Sneha M. Yelamanchili ’25 — Chemical & Physical Biology and Anthropology

\r\n\r\n

Back in freshman spring, I used to preface any mention of my concentration plans with a confession that my concentration changes once a month. While that’s a slight exaggeration, I did change my concentration (in my heart, not on my.harvard, because I never trusted my decisions that much) at least four times in the year after I committed, switching from Molecular & Cellular Biology to Physics to MCB plus Physics to Applied Math to Applied Math plus Anthropology. AM plus Anthro reigned for the entirety of the past summer, right up until I got back on campus and actually had to take a math class. Even after Stat 110 forced me to confront that math homework does not spark joy for me, I knew I was still interested in Anthropology — despite still not really knowing what exactly it is — but wanted something STEM-related to balance it. That desire drew me to CPB, a concentration that based on my earlier preoccupation with Physics and prior MCB concentrator dreams, I really should have explored sooner. I am now happily walking the line between the natural and social sciences, although at some point I will have to realize that I’m much better at finishing psets than at writing essays. But that is a truth I will confront when it’s reading period and I have to write 20-page papers while studying for four exams… Oops?

\r\n\r\n

Laasya N. Chiduruppa ’25 — History & Sociology… (and Government)

\r\n\r\n

My History declaration, if I am being completely transparent, began with John Green’s “Crash Course World History” lulling me to sleep at the end of every painstaking middle school day. The gossip in me thrives on throwing shade on past actors and intellectual movements. Now, I can sneak into the marbled halls of Robinson and look like I belong. Sociology was my dark horse: while yes, William James may be the ugliest building in creation, the study of human interaction is something my people-watching, melancholic self does on the regular anyway. We don’t need to talk about Government…

\r\n\r\n

Megan Y. Huo ’25 – Economics

\r\n\r\n

I declared Econ because there’s like 500 other people who also did Littauer is fancy and I feel important every time I’m there. With that being 95 percent of the reason for my concentration choice, I am also intrigued by how Economics probes into the seemingly subtle ways through which different quantitative processes shape our world. Now, I can proudly say that I am a member of one of the largest academic communities at Harvard that’s characterized by a cohort of passionate, engaged, and vocal concentrators who never fail to make the whole school aware of our opinion on last week’s Ec 1010A pset (which we believe is a complementary good of Sidechat).

\r\n\r\n

Arezoo Ghazagh ’25 – Neuroscience MBB and Statistics

\r\n\r\n

I declared Neuro because come on, who wouldn’t love to learn more about that kinda-sorta important organ at the tip top of their head? We literally just think about doing things… and then they happen??? I can’t possibly just leave the explanation at that! In all seriousness, though, growing up with an autistic twin sister caused younger me to have many questions about the brain and its influences on our behaviors. Now, lucky enough for my younger self, older (and pre-med) me has the opportunity through Neuro to explore this fascination further and maybe work towards answering those life long questions! Or, maybe it’ll just offer the opportunity to spend even more time in office hours and rewatching lectures — we’ll see! Stats is just the cherry on top — it might be beneficial to learn how to actually draw conclusions (in real life or from data) instead of just jumping to them!

\r\n\r\n

J.J. Moore ’25 — Arts, Film, and Visual Studies (AFVS)

\r\n\r\n

Growing up, my dad would sit me in front of a TV screen and put on his favorite classics. If I’m honest, every movie he put on helped me escape reality. I love to imagine little stories in my mind and listen in on people’s conversations (if anything, making films is about listening in on people). After nearly 19 years of nonstop film watching, I have yet to get bored — it’s hard to! There’s always so much out there to see, to analyze, to experience. Anyway, I declared myself a film student because I want to go out, experience the world, and share it with everyone else. And as said in the “Blair Witch Project,” “We’re gonna die out here—” oh wait that’s not the right line… Sorry, they said: “I’d rather stand here and record.” I couldn’t agree more — I love a good story and I want to wow audiences on the other side.

\r\n\r\n

Maya R. Ganesh ’25 – Economics

\r\n\r\n

Being 100 percent real here, the guy I liked freshman year was in Econ so I signed up for Ec 10a. But Maya, you may say, didn’t he wear Patagonia vests unironically and text you exclusively about stocks? Yes, yes he did. Now, he’s an Applied Math concentrator, and I’m fully committed to the Econ life — I joined the finance clubs, watched “The Wolf of Wall Street,” dabbled in day trading, the whole nine yards. All jokes aside — Economics is a great framework for how to view almost every type of situation in the world. My other interests, be it music or government or lacrosse, all have an economic angle to it, and I love that I can explore everything at once. Even though I catch myself reaching for a quarter-zip to wear, I wouldn’t trade the Econ life for anything!

\r\n\r\n

Jessie Wang ’25 - Economics(-ish)

\r\n\r\n

I declared Economics because, just like this, it’s a filler. If we’re being honest, I haven’t actually declared yet, but I’m just saying I declared to get people off my back. Given the Ec 1010a exam last week, I don’t know if I can even keep it as a filler anymore. I think I’ll redeclare by the time this piece is published or by the time I get my grade back (whichever comes first) — gotta keep my advisers on their toes!

\r\n\r\n

If you’re an anxious sophomore reading this, second-guessing your concentration, remember: it’s not that deep, you can still take whatever classes interest you, and the numbers have shown that at least half of the student body changes their concentration at least once. Repeat after me: you will be fine.

', [])

('

{shortcode-5259c2b18ecce4246ad97ab6d8bcea64edabd8f0}

\r\n\r\n

Midterm season makes October one of the most stressful months for Harvard students. Sophomores are, arguably, hit hardest during this time with the pressure of having to declare a concentration. This year the deadline for sophomores to declare their concentration is Oct. 25. That said, even if you’re in the trenches and hastily scheduling a last-minute meeting with your concentration advisor, remember that things could be worse! From a fellow stressed sophomore, here’s a rundown of five things more stressful than declaring your concentration.

\r\n\r\n

Trying to Use Passio GO!

\r\n\r\n

Passio GO! is more unreliable than that one classmate that says they’ll send you the Poll Everywhere. With a system that takes forever to load, showing shuttles that come earlier than expected or that never come, Passio GO! takes the cake for one of the worst-designed apps and one of the most stressful aspects of Harvard.

\r\n\r\n

Figuring Out Your Halloween Costume

\r\n\r\n

Will you be a Playboy bunny, Barbie, or Oppenheimer? The options are endless and the crippling fear of being too basic or too niche is real. The clock is ticking and your Amazon order can only wait for so long!

\r\n\r\n

Getting Lost During Visitas

\r\n\r\n

Each year, a few prefrosh get lost during Visitas. Didn’t one prefrosh end up in lower Allston when their destination was the SOCH?! Well, at least this experience prepares these poor unfortunate souls for the panic they’ll experience during reading period!

\r\n\r\n

Zayn Leaving One Direction

\r\n\r\n

I hate to bring up this traumatic event, but I think we can all agree this was the lowest point of middle school. Even if you were not a Directioner, I believe everyone witnessed at least one classmate crying after learning that Zayn left the band. I, myself, encountered several middle school girls crying on the bathroom floor. Relatable.

\r\n\r\n

The Downfall of Your Blocking Group

\r\n\r\n

Speaking of disbandment, no one warns you about the drama that comes with blocking. Blocking is possibly even more stressful than breaking things off with your first Harvard situationship. Some blocking groups broke up a few weeks after housing day while others stayed strong up until the summer, when truths were revealed with the receipts to back them up.

\r\n\r\n

In the end, declaring a concentration is not THE be-all and end-all decision. You can switch your concentration as many times as you need to until you find the right fit. I hope this has given you some motivation and peace of mind about declaring. This is a tough time of the semester, but we will get through it!

', [])

('

{shortcode-692aa965c1bdea55c5fdc1d68eb2122b96096238}

\r\n\r\n

It’s everybody’s favorite time of the week again: Dear Flyby! With the deadline for concentration declaration coming up fast (Oct. 25, if you were unaware), our topic this week is about what happens after you declare. You might have already taken cute photos in the yard with blackboards and banners and attended every single information session you could to snag all the free food, but there's so much left to do, and we’re here to tell you all about it!

\r\n\r\n

Q: What am I supposed to do after I declare my concentration?

\r\n\r\n

A: First thing’s first, congratulations! Whether you’re a sophomore who just declared or an upperclassman who just came out of a concentration-related existential crisis, you deserve to celebrate. You can throw a post-declaration party with your friends or attend concentration mixers to meet some of the people you’ll be taking classes with for the next three years. Maybe you can even coordinate a group Halloween costume with your friends where everyone dresses up as their concentration. (I can already see the Patagonia vests of the Econ concentrators.)

\r\n\r\n

But amid all the fun activities, do keep in mind that course registration for the spring semester is starting much earlier this year, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 15. If you’re a Sophomore who just declared, you’ll probably have a lot of concentration requirements to crank out over the next few semesters, but there’s also so many cool concentration electives to look forward to as you start finishing prereqs! Sometimes when my semester is getting a little bit too rough, I like scouring my.harvard for interesting classes I want to take, both inside and outside of my concentration, as a way to motivate myself to keep going.

\r\n\r\n

Okay, now for the serious stuff. The number one most important thing you need to do after declaring your concentration: practicing your Harvard introduction. No longer are you just “thinking” about your concentration or just another undecided math/CS/philosophy/English/MCB on the pre-med track student. You now have the credentials to be assertive in your speech. Say it with me. I am a CS concentrator. I do study Sociology. Feels good, doesn’t it?

\r\n\r\n

In all seriousness, and I mean it this time, declaring your concentration might seem like the biggest decision of your life now, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter much. You don’t have to pursue a career in the field you’re studying. You don’t even have to stay in your concentration! There are so many people every year who change their concentrations or who add joints or doubles or secondaries. What matters is that you made a decision, and if you end up regretting it, you have plenty of time to change your mind. And there’s always graduate school, right?

\r\n\r\n

xoxo,

\r\n\r\n

Flyby Blog

', [])

('

{shortcode-4378cc2c32552af9c073d4faf47686a5c5081e90}It’s officially time to start bundling up in scarves and walking briskly to class. With midterms taking their toll, staying caffeinated and maintaining normal levels of body heat has never been more important. Here are a couple of places to waste your most recent paycheck in order to stay awake and optimistic as winter makes its quick approach.

\r\n\r\n

Cardamom Latte at the Art Museum

\r\n\r\n

I could write an ode to the powers of cardamom. From its floral scent to its earthy undertones, the spice’s deep flavors truly encapsulate the spicy warmth of early autumn. Sipping this surprisingly bodacious beverage in the Art Museums Atrium reaffirmed my love for the cafes carved into nooks of my alma mater. Mild enough to celebrate the rustic charm of the latte but strong enough to evoke smells of bakeries in the early morning, this latte may be the very best Harvard-sponsored beverage on campus.

\r\n\r\n

Peppermint Tea at Bluestone

\r\n\r\n

I only dare to enter Bluestone in my sharpest peacoat and chunkiest scarf, but if you are up to the challenge, the eclectic coffee shop serves caffeinated beverages of every variety for every taste. As a dairy-free darling, I have recently found myself drawn to the electric blue kettles and tea cups. You can easily spend two hours evading November chills on the cafe’s second floor as you refill your teacup with the freshly steeped, revitalizing tonic. Made from organic Egyptian peppermint picked at peak season, this aromatic cup of tea is sure to settle your nerves and warm your heart.

\r\n\r\n

{shortcode-98079f8968864627fc38c9e882865be566970acd}

\r\n\r\n

Turmeric & Honey Latte at Tatte

\r\n\r\n

I know that turmeric as a concept is a polarizing take, but the health benefits of consuming the plant have become institutionalized. Having grown up taking turmeric baths and mixing the pigmented powder into hot water at the behest of my Ayurvedic grandmother, I can speak firsthand to the antioxidant’s legendary ability to reduce inflammation, soften cramps, and heal joints. The obvious caveat of ingesting a turmeric anything is its taste: I can’t argue with the fact that the substance on its own can go down like a mouthful of quicksand. Tatte, however, has managed to master balancing the perfect amount of turmeric and honey with dairy, concocting the perfect drinkable dessert to keep the doctor away during flu season. From the yellow froth to the hint of honeyed sweet, this drink will keep you fiending for more.

\r\n\r\n

{shortcode-e4f1e5255b221b09da0e57055d484e887b9a72d0}

\r\n\r\n

Dirty Oat Chai at Faro Café

\r\n\r\n

My life changed after I stepped in Faro for the first time. No cafe I have ever entered — and I make a habit out of entering many — has quite grasped the concept of elegant quirkiness in the same way. Taken away by the beauty, I feared that the beverages wouldn’t be able to maintain my awe — boy was I wrong. My dairy-free, caffeinated tea perfectly combined the rustic savory of cinnamon with the mild sweet of chai. Layered on top of nutty oat milk, the caffeine and the spice ascended me to latte heaven. The chai, while not nearly as layered as my family recipe, conveyed its New England Pinterest charm leagues above Starbucks or Peet’s.

\r\n\r\n

There you have it, four drinks that’ll help you gaslight yourself into thinking cold weather is actually kind of slay as you seek caffeine and the leaves change color. Cute beverages solve a lot of problems in college, so let these fall beverages scare the midterm heebie-jeebies away.

', [, , ])