This is my last blog of the school year, so I wanted to leave you guys with a little piece of advice! The first week of your freshman year can be the scariest, most exciting time of your life! But you’ve got to make the most of it! By attending summer orientation, students get a glimpse of what to expect as a student here at BU, and trust me, it’s a great adventure! Here’s a few great ways to make sure that your first semester at BU rocks!
1. Come prepared for Move-In
Start buying all the items you’ll need for your dorm NOW! It’s never too early to start organizing all your belongings! You can use this checklist to make sure that you have everything you need! Move-in can be crazy, but if you have everything packed and organized, it makes the whole experience less painful! My particular advice: brings tons of pictures and some things that remind you of home! As corny as it seems, chances are you’ll get homesick, especially during your first semester. Having these sorts of meaningful things in your room will make home seem closer than you think!
2. Socialize
Talk to people, especially the first couple weeks of school! This is no time to be shy! All the other freshman students are in the same situation asyou: they want to meet friends too! Leave your door open, have a conversation with someone on your floor, accept your classmates offer to grab lunch or go see a movie with kids in your building. You could end up meeting one of your best friends!
3. Get involved!
The student activities fair, SPLASH!, is the perfect time for BU students to check out all the extracurricular activities on campus! From the bee-keeping club to the Quidditch team, I think it’s safe to say we have something for everyone! Stop by the booths of organizations you’re interested in and join their e-mail list! You can even do a little research now to figure out which ones you want to check out! It’s the easiest way to meet new friends, and helps make BU a little smaller!
4. Explore the city!
One of the best parts of being a student at BU is living in the city of Boston! There are so many amazing places to explore! Some of my fellow COM ambassadors Anna and Tiffany have listed their favorite Boston hotspots! Check them out! Some of my personal favorites include the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall!
5. But, don’t fall behind from your classes!
While socializing and being involved in extra-curriculars are important to the college experience, you also need to make sure that you’re focusing on your schoolwork! Take notes in all your classes, and don’t fall behind on any reading assignments! And don’t wait until the last minute to start writing a paper! Staying on top of your school work will give you more free time to do other things!
I hope you take my advice into consideration when you come to BU in the fall! Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! I can’t wait to meet all of you COMers!
