Navigating Harvard can be a bit tricky on your own. That’s where we come in. Here are some of the links/websites that will help you find what resources you need. We are constantly working to improve and work on this resource, so please reach out to us if there are things we’ve left out!
General Resources
Abbreviation Guide
Recognizing that it’s easy to get lost in the alphabet soup of Harvard conversations, the College has compiled this great list of common abbreviations (One easy one you should know: HUA = Harvard Undergraduate Association = an inclusive community of student leaders!).
The Spots
Learn more about popular spots at Harvard where you can study, use Board Plus, and more.
Academics
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It can be helpful to start thinking about what courses you would like to take before you get to campus. Look at this preliminary course offering guide to start thinking about what might be interesting to explore this year.
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On my.harvard! This is where you spend most of your time searching for an updated listing for courses available, enrolling, checking your concentration requirements, and viewing your grades at the end of each term. This is also where you can pay term bills, chat with your financial aid representative, and connect with your advisors.
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One of the best ways to learn about whether or not a class might be right for you is talking to other students who have taken that class. The Q guide compiles years of student reviews of classes into one site for easy access.
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Looking to get out of your dorm room? Aside from the open spaces for studying like Widener, Lamont, and the Smith Campus Center, there are also private rooms available to book for zoom calls, group pset sessions, or just some solo study time. You can book a space in the Smith Campus Center or other libraries at the attached links.
There are also places to go besides libraries! Check out this listing of more spaces where you can spend some time (and your BoardPlus).
Clubs
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There will be a huge extracurriculars fair in the Fall, but until then you can explore what organizations are active on campus on The Hub. A new database is being built to be more exploration friendly, but this website is a good place to start to learn about what activities you might want to get involved in.
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There are a variety of diverse spaces available for clubs all around campus. If you are an officer for a student organization you can use Roombook to see what spaces are available and book them for your meeting, rehearsal, or event. Roombook is the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) general space scheduling system.
Campus Life
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If you need extra support, or just want someone to talk to, there is a list of organizations committed to providing mental health and wellness resources for Harvard students like you that you can read here.
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There are so many places to go around Harvard Square, the best way to figure out what you like is to explore for yourself, but we’ve compiled a list of spots common to visit around the area to get you started! Some places you can even use your BoardPlus!
Did we miss something? Let us know!
We are still building the resource, and want to make it as robust as possible. Please inform us of any resources that you’d find useful to be listed here or any that you’re aware of that more students should be informed about! Email copresidents@thehua.org with your tips and feedback. Thanks!
