Dear <<First Name>>,
Happy New Year from the Yard! Over the fall term, many of you have been personally challenged by what’s going on in the world, on campus, in the media, and in your own communities as you’ve transitioned to Harvard and balanced your academics. As you’ve been on winter break for a few weeks now, please take the time to reflect on your first term in college and to think about what you would like your spring to look like and how you can utilize all of the resources available to you.
When I think back to my first semester in college, I remember being a little disappointed, because I didn’t receive the grades I wanted—thanks to taking two challenging Economics courses, as well as an advanced language where everyone but myself had spent time living abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. I was also still trying to find my friend group while not getting along with my roommate. After some reflection, the spring saw improvements in academics, as well as a more defined friendship group.
As you reflect, below are some questions to contemplate:
What have you enjoyed the most over the last six months? What have you enjoyed the least?
Is the academic workload what you thought it would be? Did you receive the grades you wanted, and, if not, what might you do differently in the spring?
Have you made connections with your suitemates and entryway? Is there anything you would change or add to your suitemate agreement?
Have you overcommitted yourself in terms of co-curricular activities, and, if so, what might you cut back on?
How have you been able to balance what’s going on in the world and what’s happening on campus?
What resources have you not yet utilized that might be helpful?
What are you looking forward to in the spring term?
