Moving from Singapore to the U.S. meant that Freshman Year left a lot to be desired — many a times, I felt lonely and out of place. Adams’ Housing Day felt like getting accepted to Harvard all over again. Showered with drawstring bags, shirts, and merch (cigars? sunglasses??), I didn’t think it could get any better. That day, we then got to experience Carpe Noctem, a full-blown PARTY where our House deans killed it on the dance floor. (If you’re sad you’re missing Housing Day Carpe, then worry not — there’s one every Thursday.) My life since Adams House has changed, and college has indeed finally become the best time of my life, not least because I get to wake up for my 9 AMs at 8:58.
Adams has character. I can’t begin to count the hours I’ve spent in its many tunnels, splashed with color from students past and present. I have fallen in love with the stories on the walls, with the music that sings from the lower and upper common rooms, and with its architecture. Adams is a House that screams of history, a history to be proud of. Adams’ spaces now feel like places to me, as I write my own history in this House and paint my own history on these walls. Nowhere does Adams feel unwelcome, and I couldn’t be happier introducing visitors to its every nook and cranny.
Adams has spirit. From Carpe Noctem to intramurals, from every “Hey Adams!” to every “Hey Sean!”, from lion dances every Lunar New Year to Drag Night every fall, Adams never fails to make every Adamsian feel included. Sean and Judy are the kindest, most enthusiastic Resident Deans you’ll ever meet, as are the dining hall staff, the custodians (shoutout to Evans, my favorite building manager), and every HoCo member. Be it in my classes, extracurriculars or a casual evening in the dining hall, meeting an Adamsian is like meeting family — the intramural spirit is strong, and the weekly teas are a great way to meet new Adamsians. Freshman Year was rough, but I assure you, the community Adams provided to me has been nothing but warm, exciting, and inclusive. Adams is truly my second home, 10,000 miles away from Singapore.
Adams, you took me in and I’ve never looked back. I didn’t know what I’d be getting myself into flying all the way to America, but I’m glad that I’ve gotten into you. Dear Adams, you are where all the action happens. And the best part? It happens right in the heart of Harvard, mere minutes away from everything. Everyone wants swipes into your dining hall, everyone wants to book your common spaces, but I get to call you mine, and I couldn’t be prouder. By golly, you’ve made college the best time of my life.
Image Credit: HPR / Tarun Timalsina
