Somehow, I have officially been a Harvard senior for more than a week. Between comparing class schedules with friends, adding thesis deadlines into my planner, and hearing people talk about “last first day”, it has begun to sink in: I have one year left.

Senior year will undoubtedly involve plenty of reading, writing, and time spent on my thesis. But I also want to be intentional about making room for the people, traditions, and places that have made Harvard feel like home.

Academic Goals 
Of course, senior year will not be all Harvard formals and late-night food runs, I am still a student first, a thesising senior at that. As someone who plans to attend law school in the near future, I want to positively reflect on my academic experience at Harvard.  Additionally, I have many college requirements to complete. My priority academically is to ensure I finish strong with all my courses. I don’t want to look back and think about how I could’ve put in more effort. Now back to my thesis, although it is not due until March, I already know how a far away deadline can sneak up on you.  Luckily, I chose a topic that is not only interesting, but near and dear to my heart, which makes the work feel exciting even when it is intimidating. Therefore, I am cautiously optimistic that my thesis and I will remain on speaking terms.

Campus Traditions
Spending a semester abroad made me realize how much I missed Harvard. I missed out on quite a few traditions. Housing Day has always been one of my favorites and now that I am a new member of Kirkland House, I cannot wait to participate in dorm storming  and represent the boar! I am also excited to experience traditions unique to Kirkland, from the Choosening to the Kirkland Drama Society and House-wide Secret Santa. Because I did not always feel connected to a House community during my earlier years, finding that sense of belonging matters especially to me now.
As for college-wide traditions, I look forward to attending the Harvard-Yale Game one last time. This year, it’ll be extra special since it will be held in Fenway Park! Lastly, I missed so many House formals within the last few years. This year, I hope to attend all of them and see friends, new and old alike!

Friends
Speaking of fun social events, I also missed my friends while abroad. My senior year will ultimately be dedicated to spending time with my fellow seniors, but I also intend to hang out with my underclassmen friends. More than anything, I want to spend time with the people who made Harvard feel like home. Graduation will send all of us in different directions, and I do not know when we will all live within a few minutes of one another again. For now, I want to say yes to spontaneous dorm visits, long conversations that stretch later than expected, and trips to Pinocchio’s for a late-night slice.

Exploring Boston and Cambridge 
Despite living here for several years, my Boston and Cambridge bucket list is still surprisingly long. There are restaurants I have bookmarked but never visited, neighborhoods I have only passed through, and museums I keep promising myself I will explore “someday.” During senior year, I want to stop treating those experiences as things I can always do later.

I know I cannot fit every Harvard tradition, Boston adventure, friendship, course, and senior-year milestone neatly into my Google Calendar. Still, I can be intentional about how I spend the time I have left. I want to work hard, show up for the people I love, and say yes to the experiences I might otherwise postpone.
A year sounds like plenty of time. That is until it is your last one. So here’s to thesis drafts, House traditions, late-night slices, and one final year of making Harvard feel like home.