Starting on March 1, the senior editorial staff  from the Quad began contributing weekly posts outlining the activities, places and trips all Boston-area college students should have on their bucket list.  A total of 10 posts makes up what these graduating seniors believe to be the most compelling, noteworthy “must-do’s” for all underclassmen to accomplish before graduation.  Here is the list in its entirety:

Cheat Sheet:

1. Party Favors, a hidden gem 2. Splurge on a great meal 3. Explore local culture in Jamaica Plain 4. Beer me, Boston. 5. Boston’s Alternative Movie Theaters 6. The Skywalk Observatory 7. Urban Biking Adventures 8. Explore music venues for every genre 9. Getting out of Boston 10. South Boston Street Festival

Photo credits:

1. Kara Korab 2. SweetonVeg 3. Mr. Ducke 4. compujeramey 5. D’Arcy Norman 6. whisperwolf 7. joeldinda 8. bradsearles 9. Rice Bear 10. animalvegetable

All photos, except Kara Korab, courtesy Flickr/Creative Commons.

Do you think BU has a big campus? Do you feel that the distance from Allston to Kenmore is too much to bear? Well, there’s nothing like a panoramic view of Boston to get some perspective on our university, and the Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center provides it well. It’s the only 360 degree vantage point in the city and at fifty stories up, there are breathtaking views of landmarks from Cambridge to Symphony Hall – not to mention the tiny speck of BU.

You get more than just fantastic views of Boston. There’s an audio tour, a museum, a multimedia theater and, of course, a gift shop. The museum includes a whispering wall of voices of famous figures of Boston, as well as an exhibition on immigration featuring a rap that’s sure to be the next big hit. Trust me, it’s worth the price of admission alone – and you can save two dollars off that price with your BUID.  Here’s a video of my trip high above the city on the Skywalk:

For your own adventure, just visit the Prudential Center on the Green Line between Hynes Convention Center and Copley, or walk if it’s a nice day.

The Skywalk is open 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 with a student ID.

It’s late on a Friday night, and you’ve got a craving for popcorn. You gather up your friends and head to the local multiplex. But just around the corner are other movie theaters, ones you’ve probably never noticed before, stuffed full of the greatest cult, foreign and independent movies on the East Coast.

So, movie buff, if there’s one thing you must do before you walk down the red carpet out of Boston University, it must be to check out a true Boston movie house.

Yes, there is a world beyond our beloved Regal Theater at Fenway, and I assure you it’s worth the trip. These theaters offer up something unique. The concession stands pour real butter on your popcorn. The midnight movie is probably a title you have never heard of (ever heard of Blacula, the 70s blacksploitation horror film? Didn’t think so), but will soon come to love. These independent theaters don’t sell you the latest blockbusters; they are selling a true movie-going experience, one unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Take the Brattle Theatre, a single room moviehouse in Harvard Square on the Red Line. The theater there, tucked into a basement, has been operating non-stop since 1953, bringing the biggest cult classics to Boston for adoring fans and new converts to enjoy. From a week-long series on the Muppets to reviving the classics like Rear Window and Casablanca, the Brattle is an ideal place to turn to get your retro fix. And with student prices just $7.75, it’s cheaper than the major theaters too.

The Coolidge Corner Theatre, a staple of Brookline since the 1920s,  is another prime location for a great movie night. The non-profit Coolidge, the last Art Deco theater left in Boston, has four different screens, but the main screen on the first floor will make your jaw drop (the cinema’s spectacular ceiling was recently restored). Still, the Coolidge is so much more than just a pretty face. Located on the C branch of the Green Line, the Coolidge offers a wide variety of new independent releases and special programming. The theater even hosts occasional stage acts, including plays and even burlesque dancers. Student tickets are available all day on Thursdays, but be sure to keep checking in to see if your favorite movie is schedule to play. The Coolidge plans what movies they’ll screen one week at a time.

If you’re looking for something a little more mainstream, you couldn’t do much better than the Kendall Square Cinema, a member of the Landmark chain of theaters. The Kendall specializes in foreign language and documentary films, and with nine different screens, they can fit a lot in. The Kendall features the best of both worlds: the indie sensibilities combined with the furnishings of the latest greatest multiplexes. While the Kendall may be a short walk away from the nearest Red Line MBTA stop, the walk is certainly worth it.

So, whether you’re a movie maniac or a casual theater-goer, you can’t miss these cinema shrines. Go for a movie, and be prepared to fall in love; you may never want to set foot in a big-chain multiplex ever again.

When I look back on my time at Boston University, it seems that there’s very little I did outside of school that didn’t involve spending money.  Lots of it.  See, I have two speeds when it comes to money management: complete saver or complete spender.  And, since only about 0.072% of the cash I’ve earned remains from the umpteen jobs I’ve held while a student, it’s pretty clear that I’ve pretty much been in spending mode for three and a half years.

Now, I’ve had clothes binges and a kicks-fetish phase—my toe game was sick at one point—but there’s one thing on which I’ve spent loads more than all my other foolish/silly/awesome purchases combined.  Food.  If you still have a dining plan, you probably can’t relate to this.  But, once that thing’s gone and you’re living in an apartment and being expected to buy groceries and cook all the time (I know you hear me, juniors and seniors), then going out to eat becomes pretty second nature.  No matter how much you enjoy cooking, sometimes you just need to take the easy way out.

I admit, most of the time I’m spending a few bucks here for a sandwich and a couple more there for some pad thai.  But, if there’s one thing that you should do before graduating, it’s to go out and spend a ton of money on one meal.  That’s right.  One meal.

Before you grab that benjamin that Grandma gave you for Christmas and go to Sunset and get 6 orders of nachos and a table tap, you should know there are some rules. You have to go to a place that you’ve never considered as within the realm of possibility as an undergrad, i.e., expensive and off-campus (more on this later).  You have to dress up.  And, of course, you’ve got to convince a couple of your friends that this is an investment that’s totally worth it.

That last bit may be the hard part.  But, what you have to understand is not only is there amazing food in this city, but the experience of eating somewhere totally decadent is totally surreal.  Getting gussied up, having waiters who are legitimate experts on the courses they’re offering you, and paying for it yourself—not with mommy or daddy’s card—is really something special.  It’s almost impossible to describe.

Where to go?  I’m glad you asked.  Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Any restaurant owned by the Aquitaine Group:  This of course includes Aquitaine, but also the Gaslight Brasserie andMetropolis Café.  All terrific restaurants, all in the South End.  Totally gorgeous and delicious.

2. KO Prime Steakhouse and Bar:  If you’re into steak, this one and the next suggestion are for you.  Located downtown, it has great T access in addition to its edgy, urban, young-professional feel.

3. Mooo…: Another great steakhouse, right next to the State House in Beacon Hill.  A little quieter and more relaxed.

4. Eastern Standard:  A little afraid to leave the BU cocoon?  Check out Eastern Standard.  Great dinner menu, insanely good dessert, and, dare I say it, some of the best mixologists and cocktails in Boston.

Of course, do some of your own research.  And, if you need a little more convincing, just remember that Restaurant Week started yesterday.