When I first stepped onto Harvard’s campus, I was excited, but also nervous. Would I make friends? Would I find my own “friend group”? A few months in, I’ve realized I don’t have to figure that out alone. Harvard builds community in layers, from your entire class down to the students who live on your floor, and each layer has introduced me to people I’m so glad to know.

Your Class: Campus-wide Events
One of the first times I was with my entire class was at the Crimson Kickoff, when all 1,600+ first year students gathered in Harvard Stadium to hear from Dean of Harvard College David Deming and other College leaders. We ate a delicious cookout (the watermelons were my favorite), and we even got a free Rudsak sweatshirt! A few days later, I saw familiar faces and met many new ones at Convocation, one of Harvard’s most iconic traditions. Students will often dress up, hear messages from University and College leaders, learn about Harvard’s values, history, and traditions, and take photos with their roommates and friends. When I fastened my Harvard pin onto my white dress, I finally felt it: I made it here, and I’m actually a student now. Harvard also hosts events that bring every class together. My favorite memory so far has been Crimson Jam, where I danced with new friends while Alesso performed and tried different coffee flavors at the food trucks.

Your Yard: Crimson Yard
Beyond campus-wide events, another great way I’ve been able to connect with peers is through my Yard. First-year dorms are grouped into four Yards: Crimson Yard, Elm Yard, Ivy Yard, and Oak Yard. I live in Greenough Hall, which is part of Crimson Yard, and our Yard has hosted multiple socials so students can get to know others from different dorms! I’ve been to several Crimson Yard ice cream socials, where I met people I otherwise might never have crossed paths with. And because Crimson Yard won the shouting decibel contest at Crimson Kickoff, we earned a free dumpling food truck! Between bites, I talked with classmates and had a thoughtful conversation with our Resident Dean, Dean Fee, who supports first-years in our Yard with both academic and personal questions.

Your Entryway: Greenough 1
So far I’ve mentioned your class, your yard, and your dorm, but there’s another smaller community that Harvard really emphasizes: your entryway! Your entryway is basically the group of students who live on your floor, along with your Proctor, a staff member who lives alongside you and supports you, and Peer Advising Fellows (PAFs), upperclassmen who advise first-years on academics, social life, and more. In my first few weeks, I really got to know my entryway mates through weekly Entryway meetings, where our Proctor led conversations about important topics such as roommate agreements and support resources on campus. Since then, our Proctor and PAFs have hosted Brain Breaks in our basement common room. Brain Breaks are a time to grab snacks, talk with each other, and take our minds off of classes for a while. Most recently, our PAFs took us to the Formula 1 Arcade in Boston, where we raced each other in Formula One driving simulators. It got competitive really fast, and between the racing, Trader Joe’s run, and spontaneous café hopping, I’ve grown so much closer to the people I live with.

There’s More!
Harvard’s structured events gave me a starting point, but some of my favorite friendships started in less formal moments: sitting next to someone new at lunch in Annenberg, the first-year dining hall; chatting after a club meeting; or exploring Blue Hill Observatory with my First-Year Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life Fellowship. Each of these moments added someone to my life here, and together, they’ve helped me feel like I belong. If you’re worried about finding your people, know that Harvard gives you many chances to meet them. You just have to show up!