New to GoCrimson.com in 2014-15, "Around The Yard: Life As A
Harvard Student-Athlete" will explore what life is like away from
the playing fields for select Harvard student-athletes through
their own first-person narrative. For a full list of blog
entries, click here.
For more student blogs from Harvard Amissions, click here.
Hillary Crowe
Sept. 30, 2014
There is a comforting feeling in the familiarity of the
seemingly never ending traffic on JFK, the rowers on the Charles,
and all of the people walking around the yard. The fall months at
Harvard are always some of the most memorable. The countless hugs
and smiles signal the start of a new school year, as everyone is
ready to get back and reunite after being away for the summer.
However, stepping on campus this fall carried new weight; it was my
last time coming back in the fall as a student.
I am in my final year as a student-athlete at Harvard and have
yet to meet someone here with an easy schedule. Whether it is going
to three-hour labs, attending sports practice, going to interviews,
attending career fairs, practicing for musical performances or
going to social events, Harvard students seem to do it all. However
impressive and busy students' schedules are, they can
sometimes get monotonous and prevent us from appreciating our
surroundings. After spending this past summer in Cambridge taking
an Economics course, I was privileged with more free time. As I was
able to explore the area of Cambridge and Boston and take in the
rich history, I came to a realization: Harvard students are
incredibly blessed with the best of both worlds. Living in
Cambridge we get the community feel of a University, at the same
time we have easy access to Boston and all it has to offer.
With this new appreciation in the forefront of my mind heading
into the school year, my friends and I have decided to make it a
goal of exploring Cambridge and Boston more fully to take advantage
of our unique surroundings. For example, two weekends ago I went
into Boston with my friend to walk around the famous shopping areas
and have lunch. With so many stores we weren't even close to
going to all of them, however it was an awesome day filled with
great food. Every time I go into Boston I am more impressed with
the city and how much there is to see and do. Last Saturday I went
off campus again with some friends into Porter Square for dinner to
celebrate my birthday. It was nice to relax and catch up with
friends away from the day-to-day hustle and bustle of being a
student-athlete at Harvard. Although as student-athletes we are
limited in the amount of “free” time, I will continue
to try and take some time during weekends to explore/do something
new. One of the things I love most is taking a walk, run or bike
ride down Memorial Drive on a Sunday. There is something
therapeutic about running, walking, or biking on a crisp fall day
with the gorgeous backdrop of the Charles and Cambridge/Boston.
As extremely busy Harvard students, taking time from the demands
of school, practice, etc. to explore the beauty of Cambridge/Boston
may seem impossible. However, I urge us all to take a little time
out of our hectic schedules to explore and appreciate our amazing
and unique surroundings. Our time at Harvard is short, make the
most of it!
