With senior year in full swing, I can't help but think about how this will be my last time ever being a college student in Boston and Cambridge. 

It feels like my time here has flown by very quickly, which is why I haven’t yet had the chance to experience many of the things that I’ve wanted to explore in the last few years. Whether it be because of heavy-course semesters, extracurriculars on campus, or even unsuitable weather, I’ve found it difficult at times to make the effort to leave the Harvard bubble on the weekends and go into the city, or even leave the city. 

As someone who had never visited the East Coast prior to getting accepted into Harvard, I never could have imagined how much I would end up loving it here. Boston quickly became home and a place where I was able to grow independent as a college student and young adult. Known to be one of the cities with the largest population of college students, Boston has so many nearby attractions that are unique to its region.  

To make sure that I make memories out of the places that are currently very accessible to me, I created a senior year bucket list. Although sometimes it’s difficult to find the time, I’ve made it a priority to check off as many of these items as possible with my friends before I graduate. I don’t know where I'll end up after graduation, but I want to make sure that I take in everything that New England has to offer.

While the original bucket list was extensive, there are quite a few items that I've been able to check off already in the last couple of months, such as visiting Vermont, driving through the White Mountains, and seeing the Christian Science Plaza at night. So instead of sharing the entire list, I am going to highlight a few of the items that are left and explain why they’re on the list.

Local:  

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – Famous for its unsolved art theft mystery, this museum has a beautiful courtyard filled with greenery and bright plants, archival collections documenting Isabella Stewart Gardner’s life, and three exhibitions that change every season. I love art, and somehow, this is one of the few museums around Boston that I have yet to visit! 

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University – I just learned about this stunning botanical research institution last year and have been meaning to go on a day where I feel the need to be in nature and touch grass. As someone often referred to as a tree-hugger, it makes sense that I need to walk through the Arboretum before I graduate and see all of the different trees. 

Not-So-Local:  

Gloucester, Massachusetts – The coastal city of Gloucester is about a 1-hour drive from Boston and is known for its pretty beaches, fresh seafood, and various lighthouses. I hope to visit in the spring as the weather warms up, and senior year starts to wind down. A good friend of mine is from Gloucester, so maybe I’ll take a quick trip with her! 

Acadia National Park, Maine – I love being able to explore the gorgeous mountains and fun trails that national parks have to offer. I know that for part of the year, Cadillac Mountain in Acadia sees the first sunrise in the United States because it’s the highest point on the eastern seaboard. This has been on my bucket list for awhile now, so it’s time to go visit. 

Just Because:

Watch The Sunrise – Throughout my four years here, I have yet to wake up with the intention of watching the sunrise. Whether it is at senior sunrise, or before, I plan on watching the sun rise over the Charles River one of these days!

Karaoke – I want to sing karaoke with my block mates! Although I’ve done karaoke in my room with friends, I’ve never been to an actual place where you can rent a studio with microphones and a large screen. I know that singing my friends’ and I’s favorite songs is something that would make us so happy.

This concludes the items on my bucket list that I wanted to highlight. The complete list may be long, but I’m proud to say that my friends and I have already begun crossing items off! I know I’ll be back in Boston and the New England area in the future, but this is my last time seeing it through the lens of a college student, so I plan to make the most of it!