Category: Kerlin C.

By Kerlin Campos

Pavement Coffeehouse – BU 

736 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446

• Really good bagels and good seasonal drinks. Coffee and matcha are relatively pretty good. Matcha has a bit of grainy consistency, personally, I like it but it can be a hit or miss for people. In terms of price, it is a bit overpriced but is a great place to study on campus. Has several locations around Boston. 

 

Blank Street 

647 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116 

• I love Blank Street. Highly recommend trying their Strawberry and Cream latte. Such an affordable price. The location in Back Bay is not suitable for studying. Several new locations have opened around Boston. 

 

Greystone 

123 Appleton St Boston, MA 02116 

• Really good matcha and can get quite packed. Good for a grab and go. 

 

Capital One Cafe 

711 Boylston St Boston, MA 02116

• Amazing coffee! It tastes pure and fresh. A bit overpriced but has good seating for studying. The staff is really friendly. If you have a Capital One card you get 50% off on drinks. 

 

George Howell Coffee

400 Newbury St Boston, MA 02215 

• Coffee is pretty good. Matcha is a bit on the bitter side. Prices are a bit overpriced but typical for the Boston area. Great study spot, great sitting inside and outside. 

 

Blue Bottle Cafe

163 Newbury St Boston, MA 02116

• Very well crafted coffee. One of the best coffees I’ve had. Minimal sitting and always busy. Not really a studying spot but more of a grab and go coffee to sip while walking on Newbury Street. 

 

Thinking Cup 

85 Newbury St Boston, MA 02116

• Really good coffee and pastries, always super busy. Good spot for studying but always packed. 

BON! Specialty Coffee

22 Beacon St Boston, MA 02108 

• BEST MATCHA I have ever tried. I got the strawberry matcha and it was just the perfect amount combination. Definitely, more on the expensive side but worth it. Very limited seating. I grabbed my matcha and went on a walk through Boston Commons as it is just around the corner. I highly recommend trying this place!

As a first-generation latina student, I would like to share with you a little bit about my journey thus far. 

I want to start off by saying that I am so proud of you and how far you have come! Applying to college is not easy, especially when you are the first in your family to begin this journey. I am proud of you for not giving up even when doubt embraced your mind and made you wonder if you were making the right decision. Or when there were times that you felt alone and did not know who to turn to to ask for help. Despite every doubt, every fear, you made the decision to keep going and are closer to achieving your dream. And to many of us, this dream is not just for ourselves but for our families as well. 

 

I know many feelings may be encountered at the beginning of this journey and I ask that you take into account every single one of them. If I were to tell you that everything would get easier from here on, I would be lying. It does not get any less challenging but now you have so many resources available to you. Take every opportunity that presents itself and be grateful for the opportunities you are given. 

 

My first semester was hard. As I arrived on campus, everything felt surreal. I thought I wouldn’t miss home and felt like I was ready to conquer the world. I was wrong. I missed home, my family, and felt like I had no one to turn to to ask for help and worst of all I felt very lonely and like an imposter. It was hard trying not to compare myself to others. To this day I am still learning and growing. I am not sharing this to discourage you but to be honest and open. If things are not how you imagine them to be, that is ok. Good things take time and if something is meant for you, no matter how long it takes, it will get to you one way or another. 

You are capable of creating and achieving your dreams. What you get out of this life is the work you put into every little thing you do. You are creating and working for a life that will be your future. If there is something I would like you all to take away from this is to not take time for granted, to never limit yourself and that it is ok to ask for help. For the longest time, I was determined and stubborn that I did not need anyone's help. But I did need someone to guide me and go to to ask questions. It is ok to ask for help but in order to receive this help you have to allow yourself to receive it. A whole community awaits you here at BU!

 Please don’t hesitate to reach out khcampos@bu.edu.