As a teaser for tomorrow’s Harry Potter marathon reading tomorrow at Chang Library, here’s a collection of useful wisdom from the books! These tidbits have been specially curated for the Rugwarts — sorry, Rutgers — community.
Come join us tomorrow (2/4) at Chang Library from 11am to 2:30pm! There will be readings, games, Potter paraphernalia, and (unlike Madame Pince’s library) snacks!
A sentient planner on time management:
“If you’ve dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s then you may do whatever you please!” (Book 5)
Harry’s process for picking classes:
“In the end, he chose the same new subjects as Ron, feeling that if he was lousy at them, at least he’d have someone friendly to help him.” (Book 2)
Dumbledore on taking good notes:
“One simply siphons the excess thoughts from the mind, pours them into the basin, and examines them at one’s leisure. It becomes easier to spot patterns and links, you understand, when they are in this form.” (Book 4)
Ron channels Hermione’s key to success:
“When in doubt, go to the library” (Book 2)
Lupin’s advice for handling Boggarts and other frightening things:
“I would like all of you to take a moment now to think of the thing that scares you most, and imagine how you might force it to look comical.” (Book 3)
Firenze teaches students not what to think, but how:
“He was nothing like any human teacher Harry had ever had. His priority did not seem to be to teach them what he knew, but rather to impress upon them that nothing, not even centaurs’ knowledge, was foolproof.” (Book 5)
Hermione on books not always telling the whole story:
“Not one, in over a thousand pages, does Hogwarts, a History mention that we are all colluding in the oppression of a hundred slaves!” (Book 4)
Arthur Weasley’s warning about a “smart” device:
“Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain.” (Book 2)
A rather suspect “Mad-Eye Moody” on dragons and other difficult tasks:
“I’m just going to give you some good, general advice. And the first bit is — play to your strengths.” (Book 4)
Finally, a “few words” from Professor Dumbledore:
“Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!” (Book 1)