What is Life Like at Harvard University?

I'm really curious about life at Harvard. For anyone who's been there, what is day-to-day life as a student like? Do you find it too competitive or is there a good balance?

On an average day, you can expect to spend time attending lectures and tutorials, based on your course load. Classes at Harvard are known to be stimulating and challenging but also extremely rewarding.

Additionally, Harvard libraries, such as Widener and Lamont, become popular hubs for studying and collaboration, especially during the midterms and finals seasons. It's common for students to spend a good portion of their day engaged in academic work, but they also spend time participating in extracurricular activities and societies.

To balance the academic rigor, Harvard offers a wide array of extracurricular activities - there are over 400 official student organizations, ranging from arts to politics to community service and even humor magazines like the Harvard Lampoon. Many students say being part of these clubs is a highlight of their Harvard experience.

As far as the competitiveness goes, Harvard students are ambitious and driven, there's no denying that. You may find a competitive edge especially when it comes to internship and job placements. However, many students also report experiencing a sense of camaraderie and collective striving for excellence rather than cutthroat competition. The environment pushes everyone to perform at their best, while also lending support when needed.

In terms of social life, there are house-sponsored events, campus-wide events, and of course, all of Boston to explore. The twelve residential houses at Harvard become communities unto themselves, with their traditions and events. Also, Harvard Square is vibrant with cafes, bookstores, and cultural events.

Overall, life at Harvard is marked by rigorous academics coupled with a plethora of opportunities for personal growth and exploration. It's not a place for the faint-hearted, but the experience can be intellectually stimulating and hugely satisfying. The competitive environment encourages high performance, but there's also a strong sense of community and collaborative achievement.