Features and Series
How To: Spot a Pre-Frosh During Visitas 2022
Since the Yard will soon be infected swarmed with ambitious 17-year-olds trying to make their way to Jefe’s and The Coop without using Google Maps, here’s Flyby’s ultimate guide on how to instantly recognize next year’s class of consulting group compers and HUA first year reps — oh wait, is that even a thing? Does anyone know? HUA reps — a little help here?
Making Friends at Visitas: Do’s and Don’ts
Visitas: Your first chance to make a good impression with the people who you’ll be seeing in the dining halls, doing group projects with, and living with for the next four years. If you play your cards right, you could meet the people who will become your best friends for the next four years, or at least the people you go to all the Visitas events with over the course of the weekend! We know the pandemic has killed everyone’s social skills, so we’re here to help you with what to do and what NOT to do.
Visitas Do’s and Don'ts For Prefrosh and Hosts
In-person Visitas is back, bringing many lucky prefrosh to campus! Several pre-frosh will brave dorm life and stay with current undergrads, who will graciously host them for the weekend. Here’s Flyby Blog’s do’s and don’ts list for prefrosh and their hosts to avoid any and all drama.
What We Wished We Had Done During Visitas
After two long years, Visitas is finally back in person! So get hyped and more importantly be prepared for a weekend of fun, exploration, and learning. Here at Flyby, we know that things can be a little stressful, but rest assured because two eager writers (who sadly never got to experience in-person Visitas) are sharing what they wish they did to maximize the experience.
26 Vocab Words For the Class of 2026
With the return to campus, we’ve seen the return to our favorite Harvard lingo that we know and love (and hate). From “Berg” to “paff” to “basty” to “HUA,” not even Harvard students can keep up with the new vernacular, let alone the class of 2026. If you’re a pre-frosh or even just a Havard student who’s a little lost, look no further — we’re proud to present to you Flyby’s annual Harvard lingo breakdown: Class of 2026 edition.
Dear Indecisive Pre-Frosh: Saying “No” is OK
We all make our own decisions and choose our own paths. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason and that it all works out at the end. My path has brought me to Cambridge and it seems like I’ll be — happily, don’t worry — spending the next three years of my life here. But the best advice I can give any indecisive pre-frosh is to do what's right for YOU.
Too Hot to Handle? Let's See How Long Your Visitas Relationship Will Last
Visitas: a tradition beloved by pre-frosh and upperclassmen alike (or deeply hated, depending on who you're asking). Besides leaving with newly made friends, 100 more Instagram followers, random club merch, and free food, some of you may even be walking away with a new boo in tow. But not all relationships are built to last.... will yours?
Flyby's Choose Your Own Adventure: A Day at Visitas Edition
Visitas for the Class of 2026 is finally here! Get ready for the classic introduction to all things truly Harvard, no matter what this weekend has in store for you. Needing a test run before the real thing? We've got you covered! And for our dear, dear members of Class of 2024 and 2025 – here's your chance to relive those previously-virtual glory days in your own version of Visitas 2.0! ;-)
Visitas Bingo 2022!
The time has come for pre-frosh to once again ~descend~ upon Harvard’s campus. As a result, I’ve compiled some of the most common shared traumas experiences during Visitas. Godspeed younglings.
Campus Celebrities
Harvard is not only one of the most renowned schools in the world, but it also is home to many amazing people, places, and things. Whether you’re taking a nice stroll across the Yard or relaxing outside the Science Center, you are sure to run into our many campus celebrities. Make sure to read up so when an opportunity to meet some of our favorite and famous parts of Harvard strikes, you will be able to recognize it!
Fun Alternatives to Sitting in Big Intro Classes
Harvard has so many cool departments and funky classes that you can take during your time here. And, exploring your interests is part of what makes college so exciting! Why not take a an animation class, a psychology seminar on cults, a bioarchaeology or a folklore and mythology class?
Flyby Blog Presents: Guide to Visitas 2022
With a return to campus comes a return to in-person Visitas, an exciting weekend for all involved! Whether you're a prefrosh looking for advice on Visitas and Harvard, or an upperclassman confused about what Visitas is, Flyby Blog is here to answer all of your questions with our Guide to Visitas 2022!
First Year Housing Round Up
We know you’re all asking yourselves the same questions: where exactly do freshmen live? How do they get assigned dorms? Which dorms are the best? And, what is ~The Yard~? Prefrosh, we’ve got you covered. Welcome to Flyby’s first-year housing guide, where we’ll spill the deets about the housing process and dorm life during your freshman year!
Flyby’s Guide to Spring in Boston
Spring has arrived in Boston! For almost all of us, this is the first time we can explore t he city during this season because let’s be honest, we have been postponing outings for years. Here are Flyby’s fun suggestions to escape the Harvard bubble.
Flyby’s Countdown to Yardfest: Guide to Having a Swae-nky Time
Alright folks. We are just days away from the first Yardfest since 2019… Phew. As someone who attended the Yardfests of yore (i.e. exactly one, featuring Kiiara & Bazzi), I am wildly excited for the chance to relive some freshman year nostalgia. Sure, maybe we didn’t get Olivia Rodrigo opening plus the ultimate One Direction reunion as Flyby once manifested, but Swae Lee isn’t a bad deal either! Read on for all you need to know about this Sunday’s festivities.
Bridgerton Season Two: Characters As Harvard Students
As of Friday, March 25, 2022, the second social season of “Bridgerton” has begun. With love webs, scandals, and new and old faces alike, there inevitably comes drama, procrastination on p-sets, and efforts to ignore Canvas notifications. This season, our most notable additions (and South Asian queens) are Kate and Edwina Sharma, the latter being the Queen’s appointed diamond. Read on to hear about what kind of Harvard student the “Bridgerton” characters would be. Tread lightly, however, as there may be spoilers ahead.
Is Mather Really as Far from the Yard as the Quad?
Ever spent time poring over life’s really important questions, namely wondering whether the Quad is actually as far from the Yard as Mather House? Wonder no further. We forced one of our writers to walk to the Quad and Mather House just to put her walking skills to the test and see which trip would take longer. Results may shock you!
Flyby’s Guide to the Oscars 2022 (AKA Flyby Tries: Becoming a Film Snob in Time for the Oscars)
Whether you’re tuning in just for the outfits, to procrastinate your psets, to see what big mistake the Academy will commit this year, or to hear “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” performed live, Flyby Blog is here to provide you with context for the night’s major contenders. After reading this, you’ll be able to impress your Film Nerd crush, seem culturally in the loop for about two days, and go nuts on Twitter until everyone forgets about the Oscars and nominations are announced next year.
An Ode to the New HUDS Salad Bar
After two weeks (but what felt like a month) of grab ‘n’ go dining, we walked back into the dhalls, hearts full and stomachs empty. We were met with a glorious sight: the New Salad Bar — and yes, it does merit capitalization, it’s that life changing. Red pickled onions, flaked parmesan, fresh olives and peppers, what more could one wish for?
Flyby’s Housing Day Horoscope
Harvard Houses are assigned in a random lottery and zodiac signs seem like arbitrarily selected categories — but they still somehow each have extremely specific vibes. So, naturally, we matched them up, 12 for 12. Check your sun, moon, and rising Houses!
Flyby Tries: The New Harvard Square Ben & Jerry’s
Flyby writers Raymond Wu and Annette Kim test out the new Ben & Jerry’s shop that recently opened up in the Square. Is it worth it to brave the cold Cambridge weather to eat even colder ice cream? Read to find out!
The MCAT Has Ruined my Life and the Lives of Millions of Others: Where Are They Now?
When I — a jaded Harvard pre-med, already in the second semester of my junior year — arrived at the MCAT testing center on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7:34:26 a.m., I observed an array of distraught students waiting expectantly in the check-in room.
We Fell In Love with the Datamatch Supreme Cupids And We’re Still Not Over It
To get the scoop on all things Datamatch, we sat down with Supreme Cupids Melissa W. Kwan ’22 and Katherine Y. Zhu ’23, two true professionals on romance, humor, and ~top secret algorithms~. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or still waiting to lose your Datamatch virginity, we’ve got your guide on returning fav features, new surprises, and why this kooky survey continues to be our personal favorite tradition<3
Flyby’s Official Boston Walking Tour
Since we know you’re busy reconfiguring your schedule so you’ll be in the same section as Hot Lecture Kid, we’ve put together a quick crash course tour of Boston with *modules* you can pick and choose from. By the end of this, plus a six-month winter, you’ll be able to call yourself a true Bostonian.
Nine Courses That You’ll Instantly Add to Your Crimson Cart From the Name Alone
With shopping week long gone (for now at least, rip) and me having no idea how to choose my classes, we’ve got to get CREATIVE here. Why add classes based on Q Guide comments, professor Q&A’s, or concentration requirements when you can conduct a professional vibe check off of their name alone? If your first week of classes goes wrong and you need some back-ups, move these up to the top of your Crimson Cart.