Leave Fluffy With the Folks

You will, of course need your toothbrush. And you will of course need your pajamas.

But what else? And what don't you bring to Harvard?

DO bring lots of underwear; you'll save some money. Why? Because the secret to laundry-free year is oodles of undies. Maybe you'll never have to see a damp basement laundry room in Holworthy or Matthews. If you're clean on the inside, who cares about the outside?

DO bring your high School yearbook, but be careful. If you think it would it would be a cute conversation piece then go ahead. But be aware that when your new Harvard Friends page through it, they will see that dorky picture of you in the cafeteria with a wad of spinach stuck between your teeth. Then you'll be sorry.

In fact high school stuff might not be such a great idea, after all. At Harvard you have the opportunity to be someone completely new. That varsity football letter Jacket Might be hard to explain if you come here and decide you want to join, say, the society of Nerds and Geeks.

And DON'T bring a high school relationship. You'll only rack up hefty phone bills plus, you might as well start exploring the strange world of Harvard relationships as soon as you arrive. If you wait until February of Your first year to break up with Karen or Hank you'll be overwhelmed when you finally venture out into the Yard social scene. Harvard's dating pool is inundated with bitter post-reading-period dumpers on the rebound and dumpers "not yet ready for a relationship."

DO bring formalwear Harvard just loves to get dressed up. Charity balls, house formals, and play openings (yes, play opening) provide ample excuses for shedding jeans and sweatshirts for back ties and velvet dresses.

In the fall, fancy affairs turn up every month or so. And in the spring, you will be invited to take place in the House formal scene.

Note that "formal wear" doesn't necessarily mean "prom dress." Harvard women suffer from a fear of looking too "high school" when selecting a dress for a formal. Consequently, all Harvard women must eventually acquire the Little Black Dress for that sophisticated "college" look.

DON'T bring a huge picture with a heavy gilt frame. Harvard hates nail holes. Instead, the Yard powers is provide you with "poster gum," Which is basically useless. Fine other ways to hang pictures, or get used to the minimalism of blank walls.

DO bring a camera. Inevitably, it will be buried under piles of unwashed laundry in the bottom of your closet when prime Kodak moments arise, but any photos are fun to pore through later.

If you have access to a video camera and don't mind the risk of burglary, you might consider bringing it. Film each other on the night of your house formals: Mom and Dad are at home, and someone has top take their place. P>DON'T bring your dog or cat. Harvard doesn't allow pets, so you will have to leave Fido and Fluffy at home. Be strong. Improvise. You could try to content Yourself with the 300,000 too-tame gray squirrels in the Yard.

DO bring a photo of your loving family. They'll miss you, and while you might not miss them so much, you will think of them occasionally. A picture will help you remember what they look like. Just make sure it's not too big.

DON'T bring a computer. By purchasing one here from the Technology product Center, You'll receive a hefty discount. Use the money you've saved to buy computer games, which are the primary reason for buying a computer, right?

DON'T bring a bunch of swimming suits. One is okay, but you'll find that Cambridge is not exactly Tahiti. Resign yourself to the fact that you will never be as your best friend who attends that prestigious university on the West Coast.

DO bring extensive rain gear. Umbrella raincoat, duck boots the whole works . It rains here. A lot. Sometimes an umbrella alone does very little to protect you from Boston's torrential downpours which are usually accompanied buy gusty winds. And the old brick side walks of Cambridge have a way of collecting rain water and ruining shoes. If you don't like getting wet, consider transfering.

DO bring guidebooks and maps of Boston and New England. There's no reason why you should have to stay cooped up in Lamont Library every weekend during reading periods you'll appreciate the chance to escape to a place where people think "crimson is just an other color.

As corny and parental as it sounds,DO bring an open mind. There are a million-and-one different kinds of people at Harvard, and a million-and-one different things. Don't limit yourself to your room. You'll be missing out on a lot You'll get lonesome. You'll get really, really bored.

One final tip, though it seems obvious:

DON'T bring your SAT scores Just don't please.