"I was born and raised in Cambridge, and I think being here for so long has made me more introspective. At times, it’s bizarre creating a spectrum of memories that all happen one on top of the other (like kissing someone at 2:24 AM on the same spot I played as a child). So, on occasion, I try to look at it all as part of a (terrible) TV show in which the characters are bound to a setting for an unnatural span of time to keep the plot cohesive. I’ve gone as far as to recognize some of the traditional tropes and the emergence of discrete themes and story arcs, which, yes, is as silly as it sounds. I’m not complaining; Cambridge is a beautiful place, and I’ve had as much of a formative relationship with the city as with anyone or anything else. Even so, I’ve met a lot of wonderful people here, and the friendships that I’ve shared with them are ultimately what drives whatever narrative I come up with. Cambridge is wonderful, but it would just be a collection of pretty buildings and open spaces without the whole cast of characters that make it unique.”
Lade Sogade
"Over the past four years, I have learned to strive for excellence and to be true to myself unapologetically. I’m so grateful for my experiences here, my mentors and advocates, and for the friends who have made my time at Harvard so memorable."
Hannah Rasmussen
"Favorite Harvard memory: Going on FOP is still one of my favorite memories of my time at Harvard. I made some of my best friends from that trip—they're all goofballs and nerds and wonderful. #fop68forlife"
Maddie Conway
"There are so many things to miss about Harvard—the opportunity to pause and devote our energy to our studies or the extracurricular institutions we join, the constant activity coupled with unstructured time. I guess I'm still processing. I'm grateful for my four years here, but I'm not yet sure what they meant."
Kendall Crawford
"One of my favorite Harvard memories is the first day of Spring my freshman year. We had been through a long snowstorm, complete with a blizzard, and everyone was outside in the yard, either working, playing, or chatting with friends. I found myself sitting under a tree doing homework, but every few minutes I’d see a friend to talk to and get distracted. I loved getting to soak in the beautiful weather while still getting to see so many people and feeling like this place really could be home."
Sierra Fann
"My favorite memory is the first snowstorm freshman year and sledding down the steps of Widener. Coming from California, I was ridiculously excited to see falling snow for the first time in years. And it was wonderful doing such a Harvard tradition with all these new friends like "borrowing" dining hall trays and using them as mini-sleds."
Jumai Yusuf
"My favorite memories of Harvard are the late nights spent in study sessions with friends eating scallion pancakes or cheesy bread (and hardly working), or rehearsing for performances until midnight. And then waking up at the crack of dawn for a shoot and being first in line at Starbucks. Clearly I don't have many memories of sleeping..."
Secil Altintas
"I have so many great memories! But I guess my favorite Harvard memory, except the off-campus things I did with Harvard people such as spring breaks, is Housing Day when I was a freshman. Six of my block mates and I walked into Stoughton to meet our other blockmate. I remember all 8 of us, walking by the upperclassmen crowd in front of the Harvard Statue waiting and nervously chattering about which house we would get. We waited for around an hour and no house came for us. We kept on shouting in the room trying to figure out which house was coming towards Stoughton. Eventually, we heard Leverites frantically knocking on our door and we started dancing and cheering and clapping. Even after they left, we kept on dancing and hugging each other. That day was simply remarkable and unforgettable for me!"
Sydney Karnovsky
"To go with the snow theme, one of my favorite Harvard Memories was last year, during the giant snow storm, there was a quad wide snowball fight where everyone in the quad put on their snow gear and played in the massive piles of snow for a few hours!"
Sofia Escudero
"The thing I'll miss most about Harvard is definitely the Co-op. There's nothing like eating a home-cooked dinner on the porch with my housemates, right when the weather's starting to get warm!"
May Barakat
"When I got into Harvard, I was in the middle of a show choir performance and happy-cried unintelligibly through my entire solo in "The Christmas Song." My closest friends brought me a celebration cake with Harvard wonderfully misspelled in red icing, and looking back on it now, I can't believe how quickly all the time since then has passed. It's amazing how quickly it all goes by when you love it so much. It's hard to say what it is about this place that makes it so special, but I think I'll miss the people most of all. Harvard has given me the four most beautiful years of my life so far, and though I'd be lying if I said it wasn't full of surprises, I am madly in love with the memories I made here. I'll miss it all so much."
Lana Idris
"When I think about what I'll miss the most about Harvard, I always think of the amazing friends I've made here. I'll no longer be able to walk two minutes and grab a meal with them anymore or see them as frequently so I know they'll be the one thing I'll truly miss more than anything else."
Joao Vogel
"Above all, Harvard has taught me how to learn from diversity. These past four years have truly opened my mind and challenged my original beliefs. What I'll miss most about Harvard is being constantly challenged by brilliant and diverse peers who disagree with me and make me a better person."
Ava Zhang
"I have seven favorite memories -- each time I've come back from winter or summer vacation to find the walls of Harvard Yard waiting for me at the subway exit. It's that rush of belonging, and homecoming, and still a little bit of awe, after all these years."
Grace Dhanraj
"I only began to discover Harvard and all that the campus has to offer during my sophomore year of college. After a tough freshman year, I was finally in a comfortable place with new friends and new experiences. And I became curious about all of these mysterious buildings and spaces around campus that always seemed to be empty. So I began exploring everywhere I could, trying to find new study spots or cool areas. I found my favorite study spots that were always empty--for example, fourth floor of Sever or the top floor of Lamont are little oases that have huge windows that overlook the yard. I climbed to the top of a private parking garage and found one of the best views of the Square that I have ever seen. I had the chance to attend a gala at the Museum of Natural History. I discovered new hole-in-the-wall restaurants and exciting eateries every weekend. And the best part is that I am still discovering new and exciting things about Harvard every week, even during my Senior year. All of these little experiences keep joining my list of favorite parts about my four years at Harvard. Harvard is no longer just that Ivy League bubble in New England with pretty steeples and intense classes. It’s a place full of hidden gems that I will never cease to explore."
Jenai Akina
"I’ll miss the moments when you're having a conversation with a friend or peer and are blown away with their talent and brilliance. I'll also miss Harvard's very inclusive culture of dance, where everyone has participated in some dance performance, workshop, class at least once and several types of dances are shared and appreciated around campus including Expressions, Ghungroo, and Eleganza."
Jenn Leung
"On the last day of freshman year, my friend and I were up late at night reflecting, when one of us suggested going to Widener steps. Minutes later, we were blasting music and dancing atop the ledge of Widener at 1 AM. Listening to Ellie Goulding’s ‘Anything Can Happen,’ we laid down on the cold stone and ruminated on our hopes for the future. The naive sense of wonderment from that night and all the spontaneous late-night conversations with friends since will be the moments I miss most and carry with me as I leave Harvard."
Joanne Dynak
"My time at Harvard was nothing like I expected. In making me confront the realities of the world around me, studying at Harvard made me confront myself. And I'm so, so grateful for it."
Rohan Ramnath
"My favorite Harvard memory was dancing with all my friends in Ghungroo as a senior. I met some new, amazing seniors and also got to fire up the crowds during the Senior Boys Dance. Malhari!"
Tina Qian
"My favorite Harvard memories have been all the wonderful housing day mornings. Freshman year, I was so excited I accidentally put on my shorts inside out. And then every year after that, the incredible Eliot bonding session starting at 7am on Housing Day, with the face paint and donuts and dorm-storming."