HILARY DUFF - DUFF STUDYING AT HARVARD

HILARY DUFF is taking a break from performing so she can concentrate on being a student at Boston, Massachusetts' prestigious Harvard University.

The 17-year-old star recently committed to an online course at the Ivy League college to give her the freedom to study while touring and starring in movies.

And instead of relaxing at home in Los Angeles on a short break from her gruelling pop tour, she's fully focusing on her latest bout of education.

Duff writes on her official website, "Hello everybody! Sorry that I haven't been updating my diary. I have been really busy with the tour and everything else.

"Well, I am back in LA and I am taking a break from the tour, but not for long.

"I just started my first day of college on Monday (31JAN05). I'm taking on-line classes for Harvard University. Really cool! I am really excited about going back to school and the online classes are really cool.

"The teachers film their lectures then link it to the web and I can watch them teach and take notes from my computer."