Category: Mia P.

“How bad is the cold?” 

“How should I prepare for the weather?”

“Are the winters in Boston really THAT bad?”

As a COM Ambassador, these are probably the most frequently asked questions I get from potential or incoming students — and it’s a valid question. Boston winters are no joke. 

Coming from sunny Southern California, I was also uneasy moving to the Northeast as someone who had never experienced a real winter. Now that I’m in my senior year at BU, it’s safe to say that I’m used to it by now. I don’t actually find the winter to be THAT intolerable, but it can definitely be hard for others come November through January. So, here are my tips for making the winters better at BU! 

1. INVEST IN A WARM COAT

This sounds pretty self-explanatory and maybe obvious, but investing in a solid, warm winter coat is everything. I’m not saying that you need to drop hundreds of dollars on the latest Canada Goose jacket, but in this case quality really is key. Definitely check out brands like The North Face, Columbia, or Uniqlo. 

2. ACCESSORIZE 

Beanies, scarves, and mittens will save you. I’m a huge fan of beanies myself because no one tells you the pain of your ears freezing. Also, these things make a winter outfit complete! 

3. ENJOY WINTER ACTIVITIES

There are some facets of winter that don’t involve the weather. One of my favorite memories at BU was the first time it snowed freshman year and everyone left their dorms to go play outside! There are also lots of opportunities to go ice skating and do other holiday activities, like the Snowport market downtown. 

4. DON’T LET WINTER STOP YOUR HOBBIES

Something I was really worried about was if the cold would stop me from doing the things I love. I love to be outside and workout outside — and while a Noreaster may not make an outdoor run doable, buying some warm workout gear has helped me keep up with my hobbies despite the cold. It’s really important that you keep up with the things you enjoy and not let winter kill your whole vibe!

Coming to college on the East Coast, I didn’t realize how prevalent the bagel scene truly is. Back in my hometown, bagels aren’t a staple breakfast food like they are in Boston or New York City. Since coming to BU, I’ve come to love bagels and have one almost every day! I’ve tried a variety of coffee shops and bagel spots, so I thought I’d share some of my favorites in the BU area!

1. PAVEMENT COFFEEHOUSE

Pavement is a Boston University classic! They have locations all around Boston, but also one that sits in the middle of BU’s campus. While I’m not the biggest fan of their coffee, their bagels are some of the best I’ve ever had. You can opt for a traditional bagel and cream cheese, or try one of their breakfast or lunch bagel sandwich options. 

My go-to: an everything bagel with cream cheese!

2. EINSTEIN’S BAGELS

Einstein’s is a popular bagel chain and students can find one on campus in the basement of the College of Arts and Sciences. BU students can also use dining points here, so it’s super convenient if you’re on the dining plan! Einstein’s also has a variety of coffee and pastry options, and some seating if you’re looking for a study spot. 

My go-to: an asiago bagel with cream cheese!

3. KUPEL’S BAKERY

Kupel’s is a little farther away from BU’s main campus, about a 15-minute walk from West Campus into the Brookline area. However, it’s definitely worth the walk! If you’ve got some free time, definitely head over and enjoy their vast array of bagel options. It’s also a small business, which is great to support! 

My go-to: the “Coolidge Corner” bagel sandwich!

4. STARBUCKS/DUNKIN

I choose to lump Starbucks and Dunkin together because they aren’t exactly known for their bagels, but if you’re in a crunch and need a quick breakfast, they’ll definitely do! You can also use dining points at the West Campus Dunkin and GSU, Warren Towers, and Questrom Starbucks locations, so it’s also super convenient. 

My go-to: a plain bagel with cream cheese

BU STUDY SPOTS: RANKED

BU is definitely a pretty large campus with many spots to study at. Whether you enjoy the lively buzz of a coffee shop or the quiet of a library, there is definitely something for everyone. Over my almost two years here, I’ve studied or done homework in almost every place I can think of (mostly because I get bored of studying somewhere too often.)

So, here are my top five BU study spots! 

5. Mugar Memorial Library

Mugar is great for when you really need to get in the zone. As you go up every floor, it’s supposed to be quieter (although some people on Reddit have complained about the lack of understanding this.) 

What’s nice about Mugar is that no spot is exactly the same –– some areas provide more seclusion, while others (like the basement) allow for more interaction. There are also some spots with some really great views! 

4. StuVi 2 26th Floor Study Lounge

As a StuVi 2 resident myself, I definitely do not take advantage of our top floor study lounge enough. With windows around the entire room, it provides a breathtaking view of Boston and the Charles River. 

I like this lounge because it isn’t too quiet, but it’s never too rowdy. It’s a great option for people who live in West campus and don’t want to walk all the way to East campus to do work at night. 

3. Buick Street Market

Honestly, I didn’t even know that Buick existed until well into freshman year. Buick is another great West campus study spot, especially because you have direct access to the Dunkin and snacks whenever you want! People are usually pretty quiet, and there are also lots of outlets around to use. 

2. George Sherman Union

As someone who enjoys a lively buzz surrounding me when I’m studying, I can’t recommend the GSU enough. It’s perfect to sit at in between classes to grab lunch and work on some homework. I also always end up seeing people I know there, so it can always keep things fun socially. 

With so many different places to eat inside, it’s super convenient to go there for a meal or even study there all day. Make sure to avoid going during peak rush times though, or it’ll be super hard to get a table!

1. Questrom Starbucks

The Questrom Starbucks is great for morning or afternoon study sessions. First of all, being in Questrom always makes me feel cool because it’s so nice inside. Second of all, such close proximity to caffeine is always a plus.

Although this spot is a bit smaller, it’s definitely an amazing place to study with friends or do work before/in between classes if you have the time! You might think that this is an odd choice for the number one spot, but there’s something about the vibe and buzz of the place that makes it most appealing! 

 

College Advice for Sophomores

So, BU is back! It’s so exciting to see campus so lively, but it’s obviously super different from last year –– especially for sophomores. We experienced our first year of college in a way unlike any other, and now that we’re all back, things are SO different. 

In a way, we — sophomores — are second-year freshmen. Everything is so new to us! Some of us weren’t even on campus last year, making this year such and new and impactful experience for all of us. 

As a sophomore myself, the past few weeks have been exciting, crazy, intimidating, and stressful at the same time. So, here is my advice for us sophomores who are having a very unique start to our college experience.

1. It’s not too late to make friends. 

Something that I was scared of is that people would have set friends groups from last year already. But, what I’ve realized is that SO many people are new to campus. And if they aren’t so many people have been willing to meet more people! 

I’ve tried to make more friends in my classes (which are now in person!). Try reaching out to the person sitting next to you in class, or maybe someone that you’re sitting with in the dining hall. If you still might be having trouble making friends, join some clubs or student organizations! This brings me to my next point…

2. Take advantage of clubs and organizations!

Even though Splash has already happened, so many clubs and students groups have yet to hold their first meetings. If you weren’t able to join a certain club at Splash, try to find their Instagram or email to inquire about joining! 

3. Boston is back! Explore! 

It’s easy to think that you’ve experienced all of Boston already, but that is so far from true! Boston is so much more lively, and there is SO much to do. Make sure to check out the Boston Public Library, baseball games at Fenway Park, and concerts happening all around town. 

Last year was unlike any other, but this year will be unlike any other as well! This is such a unique experience for us sophomores, and it’s so important to remember that although last year may not have been the year we expected or wanted, this year will be SO exciting and fun.

 

How to Survive Your Freshman Year of College, From a Soon-To-Be Sophomore

This school year was crazy for a myriad of reasons: I moved across the country, embarked on my freshman year at Boston University, and navigated a global pandemic! As my first year of college comes to an end, I want to share some advice and tips that helped me get through it!

1. GET ORGANIZED

In high school, I always bought planners but never actually ended up using them. This usually never harmed me because I tried to keep track of all my events, plans, and assignments in my head. In college, however, this didn’t work. I recommend using Google Calendar to keep track of everything! You can color-code your calendar in accordance with all of your classes and clubs, and also set reminders before every event. It was also super helpful because I could put my class Zoom link in the notes section of each event!

2. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO MAKE FRIENDS?

This was a question I constantly asked myself before coming to BU. When you first commit to BU, you’re probably going to talk to a TON of people on social media before, but it’s a totally different situation once you roll up on campus. I’ve made all of my friends in these ways:

• MY FLOOR: For the first few weeks of school, I reached out to a lot of people who lived on the same floor as me by simply knocking on their door and asking them if they wanted to go grab food in the dining hall or explore campus! Don’t be afraid to reach out. Chances are, people are in the same boat as you in terms of not knowing many people!

• CLUBS: Clubs have certainly looked different this year, but that didn’t stop me from being able to meet people! Make sure to head to Splash (BU’s club fair) and join one or a few clubs that you’re interested in! I joined the Daily Free Press’ podcast section, where I help write, record, and edit our podcasts, as well as other organizations like COM Student Government and BUTV10. 

• MY SORORITY: I never thought that I’d join Greek life coming into college, but I decided to give it a chance. Of course, it isn’t for everyone (only around 12% of BU’s population is in Greek Life!), but it’s a great and fun way to meet people!

3. DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAY IN (ESPECIALLY IF YOUR WALLET IS BEGGING YOU TO) 

When I arrived at BU, I immediately had a TON of new plans with new friends. I’ve been able to explore Boston, try new restaurants, visit museums, and enjoy snow for the first time! One thing that was a huge change, however, were the costs associated with going out. Sometimes I do forget that Boston is a city, and restaurants or other activities can end up costing a lot. I used to feel that if I didn’t go out with my friends that I’d be missing out on making valuable memories. In reality, missing out on one dinner experience is totally fine! It’s okay to say no to plans –– it’s a great opportunity to practice self care while staying in! (Plus, your wallet will thank you.)