During the first few weeks following New Years Eve, the gyms are packed, fresh produce flies off the shelves, and there’s an aura of excitement at the prospect of New Beginnings. Yet only one month later, the beginning of February brings a noticeable halt to this otherwise hopeful atmosphere. Despite our inherent tendencies to shoot for the stars, the hardest part of keeping New Year’s Resolutions, understandably, is actually achieving them.
Few people are blessed enough to reside in the Radcliffe Quadrangle. At first, you may think this would intensify their desires to break the most common New Year’s Resolutions. But upon deeper scrutinization, this is just not the case. Therefore, I offer an umbrella solution for any self-improvement challenges you may face: pack your bags, say goodbye to your roommates, and transfer to the Quad.
Want to exercise more?
If you transfer to the Quad, there is a guaranteed time of at least 30 minutes in your day that you will be walking, bringing you that much closer to achieving this otherwise difficult goal. The 15 minute walk to the yard and/or river will do wonders for your mental and physical health. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Doing 30 minutes or more of exercise a day for three to five days a week may significantly improve depression or anxiety symptoms.”
Want to go out with friends more?
Again. Quad! The Ten Man. The Treehouse. The Fishbowl. The Igloo. Need I say more?
Want to take better care of the wallet?
Jefe’s, Noch’s, Tatte, Sweetgreen… all on the river. When struck by the desire for a tantalizing steak burrito or an exceedingly square slice of pizza, Quadlings are not fazed. At night, the distance from the Quad to these Harvard Square favorites is enough to inhibit you from making the trip and the subsequent splurge. While your mouth may be watering at the thought of Bagelsaurus, by the morning, the appetite is not quite the same. What’s more, the line for the renowned bagels is often too long. Quaint and ornate residential houses surround the Quad, not overpriced fast-food restaurants.
Want to do better in class?
If you’re like me, this is my resolution before every semester, though I always seem to end up playing the catch up game. But this school year it feels different. And I believe it is because my work and my life are separate. I no longer live directly in the bubble of Harvard Yard, and no longer feel obligated to socialize with my fellow classmates in such an intimate living environment.
Also, people in the Quad get to arrive to their obligations late, guilt-free. They live in the Quad after all, so it is understandable. This should erase the amount of times you skip classes because you feel uncomfortable walking in late.
Want to improve your relationship with your parents and family?
I truly do not mean to harp on the benefits of the Quad walk, but I feel like I cannot stress it enough. There is no better time to call your loved ones than on the walk to or from the Quad. You are killing two birds with one stone and maximizing your time.
Want to reduce stress?
The Currier dining hall, in addition to having the best quality food of any Harvard dining hall, is extremely peaceful. The tasteful trifecta of natural sunlight streaming in from the ceiling sky light, with the soothing white noise of the rock fountain and the green botanicals, is a recipe for serenity.
Forget the rabbit, 2023 is the year of the Quad! New year, new you, new Quad.
Alexandra Dorofeev ’25 alexandradorofeev@college.harvard.edu is actively waiting for new Quad members.