Extracurricular Activities at Harvard

There are many different extracurricular activities at Harvard - you can choose from a diverse range.Non-academic activities can relieve stress from academic life, and provide valuable lessons not found in the classroom.Blessing & Curse—you all can do literally anything, but its almost impossible to do so due to time restrictions. Must make choices!

Ana

Wide range:– Academic (research assistant)– Athletics (Varsity sports, JV, IMs, etc.) – Business (WIB, IBC, Investment/Consulting mags)– Community Service (PBHA) – Cultural Groups (SAA, HASA, SAS, AAA, etc.) – International Relations (IRC, MUNs, HCAP, etc.) – Journalism (Crimson, Lampoon, Independent etc..)

• “ comps”– Performing Arts (dance, a cappella, choir, theatre, etc.) – Political (IOP, Dems/HRC, etc.)– Social Groups (fraternities/sororities, final clubs, etc.)– Woodbridge, of course =)

Betsy

Athletics

Will’s presentation

Clearly many of these categories will interest you and in each category different organizations may also draw your attention. However, one must pick and choose about 2-3 activities so as to also manage school and friends at the same time.

Time management– What other commitments do you have?– A social life? ECs can contribute!– But don’t commit too much right away– Learn how to say NO

Will

How does one choose?Go to the Freshman Activities Fair, give groups your email, and ask questions!

Websites

Read their materials, talk to past members

Don’t follow the crowd or do things “just because”.

What do you WANT to spend you time doing vs. What do you think you SHOULD be doing?

New challenges are good – don’t necessarily just do all of your high school activities all over again.

Ana

Do something different!High School ECs

-Features writer for school newspaper -Co-founder of oriental studies society-Flautist in school orchestra-Participant in Greenhouse Project (helping under privileged local children)

Harvard ECs-Part of ‘Becky’ on Ivory Tower Soap Opera-Perpetual Comper on the Crimson -Member of Woodbridge Society/FIP leader-Flute 1 in Harvard University Flute Ensemble -Harvard University Peace Initiative: Secretary

Betsy

Upperclassmen: Fountains of KnowledgeECs are a great way to meet and befriend upperclassmen

Break the ice by talking to upperclassmen about the activities they did in their freshman year or are doing now. They were once in your position!

They are an invaluable source of information: ask them how things went, what they liked and didn’t etc. Short of an inquisition, extract as much seasoned knowledge from them as you can.

You can also talk to proctors and other freshmen to see what is going on.

Betsy

Some last thoughts:

Flexibility

Leadership roles (eventually)

Being overwhelmed – we have ALL been there!

Ana