Good old Sever Hall. The first classroom that I stepped into during Visitas weekend was here, unfortunately, for a government class that I knew nothing about. And perhaps I may have received a mini-lecture for using my phone, before being forced to lock in on final exam review with a bunch of actual students. Safe to say, this place brings back memories of when I was just an innocent pre-frosh with nothing but bright eyes on the sunniest day in Harvard Yard.

That distinct smell whenever you walk into Sever Hall? Words can’t explain the aroma that hits your nostrils. A mix between overly clean and quite a few chemicals, it smells so wrong. But, boy, does it bring back the first day of classes in my freshman year of college. What can I say, that scent’s more nostalgic than anything now.

But oh, Sever, let’s talk about these desks of yours. In my Expos class, which is over 80% men and probably the same percentage of athletes… who on Earth thought it would be a good idea to place the desks two inches apart? If someone places their arms on their desk next to mine, I’m stuck with a whole load of their elbows. You can’t do anything without touching or bumping into someone else. And forget trying to shuffle through the rows if you spot an empty seat in the middle — it’s defintely better to just sit on the floor.

Though on the bright side, I suppose Sever is an amazing way to meet the love of your life. “Guess what, your mother and I met because of our really uncomfortable desks at Harvard,” your husband tells your future child.

Not to mention how things don’t stay on these desks. No, I really wouldn’t like my water bottle to fall off, become dented, and have everyone stare at me because what was that awful noise?! Tell me why, every second, it feels like my laptop is about to shatter onto the ground as I precariously balance it on the tiny table. I wish this place came with free AppleCare+.

Then, there are the dreaded air conditioning vents. Unless you want a strong blow of icy air even when it’s pouring rain outside, it’s best to avoid the nightmarish seats by the vents. But somehow, I end up having to sit there in every class. Look, I’ll take air conditioning whenever I can get it, but maybe not when it’s 5 degrees outside.

Sever Hall is the one thing that makes me appreciate the love of my life, Vanserg Hall. It really puts things into perspective: despite the long trek to the edge of campus in the middle of nowhere to get to Vanserg, I have learned to love its extremely spacious desks that swivel, with ample arm space galore. Somehow, it’s a luxury when a man isn’t hovering next to me in class, with his arm right on my desk. What a place Harvard is! If only 17-year-old me knew about the wonders that Harvard would bring <3