Completing a degree at Harvard Extension is no easy feat. It takes immense dedication, sacrifice, and passion for your field.
Our graduates have unique perspectives on what it takes to see a program through to completion. We asked alumni to share advice with current or prospective students.
Work hard to complete the first courses to get accepted. They are difficult courses because Harvard expects you to do Harvard-level work, but once you are a matriculated student, you have access to so many resources that will help you educationally and vocationally.
At Harvard Extension School you will be surrounded by extraordinary people with incredible ideas. Offer to collaborate with them, and enrich your experience with opportunities for more learning and growth. Put in the work, share your brilliance with others, and great things are bound to happen.
Try not to be rushed, but set a pace where you can get the most out of each course, saving time to perhaps deep dive into additional topics. … In the end it is worth it.
Harvard is not a bootcamp, and you are not your own drill sergeant. Undoubtedly, you will push yourself in your studies. However, take each day as a new day. Every day will have its own struggle. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to feel the emotions that you experience.
Live every day as if it were the last one in your life, be passionate to follow your studies, get involved in social-changing initiatives, and never be afraid of reaching out to the faculty and classmates, as their community is really supportive.
Be prepared to take on a challenge that may not be something you are familiar with, that makes you stretch, that provides some risk of failure. Because failure is temporary. And you fail one day, and the next day what you learn from that failure becomes the seeds of success.
There is always room for improvement — academically, professionally, and personally. I am in my 50s and striving to grow as much now as when I was in my 20s.
For most of us, we’re only going to graduate from Harvard once, so try to squeeze in as much as you can during the week of Commencement activities. It is a monumental self achievement, so allow yourself to live in the moment and enjoy the memories for a lifetime.
Never be afraid to ask for help or guidance, even if it is not directly related to a particular class. The professors at the Harvard Extension genuinely love what they do and care about the students that they teach. Never give up on yourself. … Hard work will pay off.
Besides core journalism courses, try as many non-journalism courses as possible. I found them very enlightening. They gave me the real Harvard experience. I regret not taking more. Regarding course selection, do your homework in advance.
So much of what you’ll do will be judged on your ability to write a sound academic essay. It’s the basis for your grade in most classes. Summer classes and (accelerated January term) classes are short but intense; they’ll allow you to knock out a significant portion of your schooling quickly.
