You got into Harvard! And you'll be a first-year student in the fall! Is there something you should be doing this summer?

As I consider the advice I often share with admitted students to Harvard, I am reminded of a quote that lived on a poster that my 6th grade teacher had on the wall in his classroom: "Before anything else, preparation is the key to success."

As a student admitted to Harvard College, you must have mastered how to succeed in the high school you attended. It's important to recognize that college can look very different from high school, and succeeding here, academically and in other regards, can look very different too. Wanting to use the summer before entering college to set yourself up to have a good first year is something I wish I had done more of. If I could give myself a guide, this is what it would look like. I would highlight three important elements: responding, familiarizing, and reflecting. 

Responding

You'll soon learn that being a Harvard College student comes with receiving many, many emails throughout a semester. This is true even before you've arrived on campus. This summer you'll receive many emails in your new college inbox. Many of these will be important, requesting that you complete a questionnaire, inviting you to apply to pre-orientation programs, reminding you of deadlines for placement exams and for submitting important documents. My best advice is: read all of your emails, and respond when appropriate. Even though it may feel overwhelming at times, this approach is better than realizing you missed a deadline you didn't want to miss. I'd recommend checking your new college email regularly, even if this means doing so for 10 minutes every morning and 5 minutes at the end of the day. That way you can respond when something is being asked of you, and you can be sure to be in the loop with all the information that is coming your way. And you'll get into a practice which is great for when you are a full-time college student.

Familiarizing

Something that can be tricky about starting college is that everything feels so new. Namely, the academic structure of college (you choose a major and then you choose the classes you'll take?), the type of extracurriculars and the way that they work, and campus itself. 

This can be a lot to start figuring out and growing comfortable with your first semester of college. I recommend trying to get a little ahead of the game with the free time you may have during the summer before college, and familiarizing yourself with what awaits you.

If you haven't already, browse through the 50 concentrations (Harvard's term for majors) that the College offers, and dive deeper into those that interest you, even if--especially if--you haven't heard of them before. This can provide you with a foundation for the concentrations you may want to explore more during your first year at Harvard. 

Moreover, think about the extracurriculars you may want to join. While you'll have the opportunity to join and leave different student organizations, it's nice to learn more about organizations you may be interested in before you get here. This gives you time to research what they've done in recent years, and see what it may entail to be involved with these organizations. One good place to start is the Student Activities page, as well as searching online platforms like Instagram or organizations' websites (when applicable) to learn more about what they have been up to recently. 

Familiarizing yourself with campus over the summer may seem a little silly, especially if you live far from Cambridge and can't go visit over the summer. I recommend using the virtual tools that are available to learn more about the campus, like the Harvard Virtual Tour, or reading more student blogs where students talk about their favorite hidden gems around Harvard or favorite study spaces. 

Even if you do nothing from what I shared above, you will be fine; you'll find a concentration, clubs, and spaces that you're happy with. Doing this is just an ideal way to help you feel a little more familiar with Harvard before you get here. 

Reflecting

Take some time this summer to reflect on what you want your next four years to look like. Consider not only where you envision yourself after your undergraduate years, but also what core values and personal traits you want to carry into college or explore further. This may mean focusing on your physical health and finding new ways to maintain it, or taking advantage of travel opportunities during breaks with college organizations, or planning for a semester abroad. Do you want to prioritize exploring different career options, talking with graduate students about their journeys, or improving your public speaking skills? Reflecting on what you want to gain from college can provide you with valuable insights about yourself. Combining this self-awareness with an openness to change, based on the new information you will learn about the world and yourself, will guide you as you navigate decisions during college.

Some Closing Thoughts

Above all, stay true to yourself. Your unique perspective and experiences are what make you special, and they will be your greatest assets as you navigate these next four years. With preparation, reflection, and an openness to change, you are well-equipped to make the most of your time at Harvard and create a fulfilling and enriching college experience.

Here's to a successful and transformative journey ahead!