Skip to main content

Harvard Housing Day

 Harvard Housing Day is more than just an event; it's a rite of passage, a moment that transcends the ordinary and marks the beginning of a unique chapter in every freshman's life.

As a first year to the vibrant Harvard community, your housing day experience will be nothing short of magical, filled with anticipation, excitement, and the thrill of discovering your new home. (Disclaimer, my housing day was on Zoom due to the COVID pandemic so yours is 100% going to be much better than what I went through).

In the days leading up to Housing Day, there's an electrifying buzz on campus. Rumors swirl, speculations abound, and there's an air of mystery as students eagerly await the revelation of their assigned house. It's a time of camaraderie and unity as everyone shares the anticipation of discovering where they'll spend the next three years of their college journey.  Of course though, some students will be filled with existential dread as they pray to their gods to avoid getting certain houses (though we all know Currier is on top. Proof here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GP5MxKK-h0 )

Each house at Harvard has its own unique identity, traditions, and sense of community. From the historic halls of Adams House to the modern spaces of Currier House, each residence is a microcosm of the diverse and dynamic Harvard experience. House spirit is palpable, and it's contagious – a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the physical structure of the dormitory. Each house is outfitted with a dining hall, gym, amenities and suited to fit between 300 to 400 students.

Housing Day kicks off with the much-anticipated "big reveal." Upperclassmen, adorned in spirited attire, burst into freshman dorms with cheers, chants, and house swag. The energy is infectious, and the excitement reaches a fever pitch as each student learns which house will become their new home. It's a moment of joy, surprise, and instant connection with housemates – with the occasional shedding of tears.

After the initial excitement settles, freshmen are introduced to the rich tapestry of house traditions. From house formals and intramural sports to unique house mascots and chants, each residence has its own way of fostering a sense of community. These traditions become a source of pride, creating lasting bonds among housemates.

One of Currier's many many many food drops where the House will buy massive amounts of food to freely give away to the residents

Housing Day is not just about the house assignment; it's also about coming together as a community. House dinners serve as a platform for freshmen to get to know their housemates, house tutors, and resident deans. These dinners are more than just a meal – they're the beginning of friendships that will last throughout college and beyond.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Can AI answer medical questions better than your doctor?

  A second look at a study rating quality and empathy when answering patient questions. March 27, 2024 By  Robert H. Shmerling, MD , Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Last year, headlines describing  a study about artificial intelligence  (AI) were eye-catching, to say the least: ChatGPT Rated as Better Than Real Doctors for Empathy, Advice The AI will see you now: ChatGPT provides higher quality answers and is more empathetic than a real doctor, study finds Is AI Better Than A Doctor? ChatGPT Outperforms Physicians In Compassion And Quality Of Advice At first glance, the idea that a chatbot using AI might be able to generate good answers to patient questions isn't surprising. After all, ChatGPT boasts that it  passed a final exam for a Wharton MBA ,  wrote a book in a few hours , and  composed original music . But showing more empathy than your doctor? Ouch. Before assigning fi...

The Duality of A Mixed-Race Harvard Student: Sharing Culture through Film

 Well, first things first, let's talk about my ancestry. I'm a mixture of Icelandic and Mongolian heritage, which has given me a deep, intrinsic connection to both cultures. I learned about their customs, traditions, and languages from a young age, so I've always felt at ease in a globalizing world. As for film, it's my passion. Growing up, I loved the magic of cinema and I'm now studying at Harvard's prestigious film curriculum. It's the perfect forum to showcase my creativity and share the cultural nuances that make the world beautiful. Now, I'm not just a student, I'm a cultural emissary. My life is dedicated to promoting the diversity of the world, and encouraging respect and understanding through my artistic pursuits. My aim is to bring a new perspective to global media, one that showcases alternative cultures and celebrates their complexity. I've spent years studying, honing my skills, building connections, and making my name known. While y...

Ramadan 2024 Series: Ramadan Reflection

  As a first-year one of the many things I thought about was what Ramadan would be like on campus and how I would manage my workload.  After observing Ramadan on campus for three years on Harvard’s campus, here is my reflection on how to make the most out of Ramadan while doing school work: Sleep early, wake up, stay up As a student, it is typical to stay up late at night to submit assignments on time and catch up on work, but during Ramadan, this can be difficult because we are typically not getting as much sleep due to taraweeh and tahajjud prayers, or other reasons. I have found that I am the most productive when I go to sleep and wake up for suhoor and then stay up. I usually have a suhoor buddy where we ensure both of us are awake to eat before we start fasting at dawn. Remember to take naps in between! Don’t miss Suhoor/Sehri It can be difficult to wake up at 3 or 4 am to eat suhoor, so set up those 10-15 alarms and have a friend who will call or text to ensure you are a...