A Few Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>I finally decided to make an account and ask a few questions if anyone wouldn't mind answering. How is the workload at Harvard? Do undergraduates have social time? Do I have ample time to explore the area around the school and Boston? I know it depends on how many classes you take. I'll probably be taking four. How many class hours am I looking at and hours for homework/reading/studying? A different topic, how is the weather? I've only lived in a warm climate so I'll have to go out and buy some warm clothes for the winter I'm assuming. Is it best to buy clothes in my area, or in the east because someone told me to just buy my things there as warm clothing for warm ciliates would not cut it for Harvard winters. (I'm going to Harvard this fall.)</p>

2

<p>Can’t speak for the curriculum, but WEAR LAYERS, LAYERS, AND MORE LAYERS.</p>

3

<p>

During the week, most students stay on campus attending classes, writing papers, doing their reading and being involved in their extracurriculars – so, I wouldn’t expect to do much exploring M-F, but on the weekends, sure. </p>

<p>

Just as some high schools are more rigorous than others, so too are colleges. Time management is key. Harvard is rigorous – it’s work, there’s a lot of reading and psets, but most student’s find the workload manageable. See: <a href=“http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/womswim/recruiting/myths.html”>http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/womswim/recruiting/myths.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

Really? Do you think student’s are chained to their library desks? It’s college – student’s party as much as they want, or not at all. If you want to be social, there are plenty of opportunities. </p>

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If you need to ask this question, you’ll be cold most of the year.</p>

4

<p>^^
It was 70 degrees here today! Glorious sunshine. Pedicure weather. Tomorrow, it’s supposed to rain like crazy, and there is a frost warning for some of the areas around Boston for the next morning. So the weather is fabulous…right now.</p>

<p>On a more serious note, you have time until you buy your winter clothes. Yes, layering is the answer. Eastern Mountain Sports (right in Harvard Square) gives students a decent discount (20% on store brands, 15% on other brands), there’s a North Face store on Newbury Street in Boston, and you can always order from LL Bean. The fall is usually pretty beautiful through October, and by then you will have had a chance to talk to other people about what to buy.</p>