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If you know anything about me, you know that I'm in a long-term, emotional relationship with food. Even though I've definitely blogged about great places to eat around Boston before, being around this summer has exposed me to some brand-new places right here on campus! So, Aidan told you which dining halls are best, and I'm gonna tell you what near-by restaurants are best.

 

Mei-Mei

You may already know and love the Mei-Mei food truck--that "Double Awesome" though--and they just recently opened up a restaurant right on Buswell in South Campus! I expected an "order-at-the-counter-and-go" type of place, but no, no. Mei-Mei stepped up its game for the restaurant. It is a sit-down place that uses locally-grown and organic foods to inspire their constantly changing menu. You'll still see all your favorites, but alongside them will be something new to try each time.

 

Burger-Fi

Now, I loved Burger-Fi ever since I discovered it last summer in my hometown of Miami, but I am extremely pleased to say that they have made their way up to my second home. Located literally steps from Agganis, the new Burger-Fi location is a huge--you guessed it--burger place. Their shakes and fries are to die for. Much better that Shake Shack, in my humble opinion. (I just think that if you're gonna have "Shake" in your name, your shakes should be a bit more exciting, but thats just me.)

 

Roxy's

Okay, I have to admit, I'm a monster who has still not tried Roxy's Grilled Cheese. I know. I should just leave now. BUT, now that they have followed in Mei-Mei's footsteps and turned their TV-famous food truck into a restaurant right in Allston, I have absolutely no excuse. And I cannot WAIT to try them.

 

Go forth, and feast!

I currently just came to terms with the fact that I’m spending my last fall here in Boston. It’s depressing, it’s sad and I don’t like to think about it too much. However on the topic here are some things so fantastic about the perfect season in Boston, fall.

1. Apple picking

I have not been apple picking yet but a really fun thing to do in New England is heading just outside of Boston and picking apples with your friends. Regardless if you even like apples, it’s nice to head outside, enjoy the weather and at the very least- do it for the Instagram.

2. Foilage

The leaves changing colors is probably one of the prettiest scenery changes in New England. Being from California, I foolishly didn't realize that leaves could be so many different colors.

3. Being able to walk around in the most walkable city

Trust me, you cannot walk around in the winter as casually as you can in the Fall. Take the opportunity to walk around the Boston Public Garden, the Commons and even the North End now, because when it’s 5 degrees out, the only thing you’ll want to be surrounded by is a heater and a copious amount of blankets.

4. Head of the Charles Regatta

This may be one of the coolest events ever. The HOCR welcomes the world’s best crew teams right in our backyard. This year it’s October 18 and 19th and its incredible event to watch in the perfect weather atmosphere.

The best thing about Boston is that even though fall weather is the best, every season is exciting and brings new things to do. For example, when the Red Sox stop playing (and the Dodgers win the World Series), the Patriots come to play and then the Celtics. I’m not sure where I’m going with this besides the fact that Dodgers will win the World Series this year but fall in Boston is incredible and you should take advantage of it while you can.

I am going to get this out there from the start: I love food. Food is love. My love affair with food dates back to the first time my mom fed me White Russian Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream instead of the usual mush that she provided, and my mind was blown. Since then, I have always prided myself in being able to find good foods, and finding good food for good prices.

One thing I didn’t know coming into my freshman year is that our dining plans all provide us with something called Dining Points. These points are essentially money you can use at certain locations around campus to buy food. The best part is, these places aren’t dining halls (Dining Halls here are great, but everyone gets to a point where they start saying “Do I have to?” when it comes to the topic of eating in them). So, here is my (evolving) guide of where you can use dining points around campus for each meal:

Breakfast: Einstein Bros. or Rhetts

You have an option for this one. Einstein Bros. is a bagel and coffee joint located in the basement of CAS. This one is convenient if you want to grab a bagel sandwich and iced coffee before you go to three discussions in a row in CAS (which happens all of the time). However, if you have more time on your hands, Rhetts is an old-fashioned diner-like restaurant located in the GSU that has a whole range of bagels and spreads.

Lunch: Extreme Pita

Where do I begin with my love for Extreme Pita? Its Subway, but for some reason you feel classier eating it, because it’s a Pita. MMMMM. Anyways, this gem of a Dining-Points-Accepting restaurant is located in West Campus, attached to the Claflin Hall dorm. Stop in and grab a Steak Bomb Pita (my fave) and a drink, all courtesy of your Dining Points

Mid-Class Snack: School of Management Starbucks

Here is an important thing to note: this is the ONLY Starbucks on campus that accepts Dining Points. The one on West Campus does not, neither does the one in Warren Towers. So, if you want your Pumpkin Spice Latte and don’t want to be paying out of pocket, hit up the Starbs on the second floor of SMG and enjoy a Latte paid for by Dining Points.

Dinner: Dominos

If humans were allowed to engage in marriages with foods, my nuptials would be with a Medium Dominos Pepperoni Pizza. The most beautiful discovery ever made on this campus is that Dominos accepts Dining Points. HOWEVER: You must order from one of the Dominos kiosks (located in the lobby of most BU Dorms) in order to use Dining Points. It doesn’t work with online delivery. But, play the game right, and Cheesy Bread will be yours for Dining Points.

So, there it is: How to eat a full day on dining points. This guide is ever evolving, as I venture through different parts of campus, and learn how to get around spending actual money on things I want.

If you want to know your dining points balance, click the “Current Balance – Meals and Points” option under the “Food and Shelter” tab on your BU Student Link.

Venture forth, young grasshoppers, and eat!

 

September’s here once again as evidenced by the 20 degree drop in weather and the sea of students that have now swarmed campus. The past week in COM has been mayhem to say the least, but super exciting nonetheless. Our new freshman class of 2018 matriculated into BU this past Sunday, spent the next day meeting their COM Ambassadors, and the following attending their first day of COM 101.

The start of the school year is always a time met with excitement and anticipation, but it can also be pretty overwhelming (even now as a junior). Here’s a few quick tips to help get back at it without all the stress.

 

1. Not every class is for you – This isn’t the end of the world either. Sometimes that writing class that you thought was right up your alley just isn’t. It’s okay to swap classes and it’s not the end of the world. You’ll be happier if you change it now then wait to accept it weeks down the road when it’s a lot more difficult to do something about it.
2. It’s okay to say no – Sometimes I have this tendency to agree to do everything and I know I’m not alone. BU students are motivated, excited and eager to participate, but it’s also important to remember that you need time for yourself too. You can’t do it all and that’s okay. You’ve got four years to try everything BU has to offer. You don’t have to try it all in the first four days.
3.  Rhetty To Go Meals are all the rage – adjusting to a normal schedule can take a little while and sometimes it’s hard plan dining hall times around class and work and studying and free times. (And sometimes a girl just wants to eat dinner at 11 o’clock at night cause she didn’t wake up till noon) Rhetty To Go Meals are basically the dining hall in a brown paper bag. You can pick and choose what you want/your pick up location all online and then you can decide when and where you want to eat. It’s sometimes a lot more functional when you’re always on the move instead of setting aside the hour and a half the dining hall can eat up.

 

Last but not least though just try to keep in mind that this is only the start of the semester. Give yourself time to find your rhythm and don’t forget to enjoy every second, because the four years go by way too quick. A little melancholy that it’s junior, but so excited to spend the next two years with our wonderful class of 2018.

Hey COM! So, I for one want to take classes this summer, but I also want to go back to my home in sunny Florida. Well guess what, this is possible! With transfer credits, you can accomplish some general education classes in your COM freshman / sophomore requirement.

 

I recently met with a COM academic advisor, so I’ll share what information was helpful for me in figuring out my summer, and hopefully it’ll help you too!

 

So a few facts about taking classes at another college during the summer:

1. They don’t count towards your BU GPA. What this means is that as long as you get at least a C in the course, you’ve checked off a requirement. So I would advise taking a class in one of your weaker subjects, just in case. You don’t want to weaken your BU GPA!
2. Say you want to take a history class, for example. You’ll need to get a transfer credit form from COM Student Services, along with a syllabus for the class you want to take, and take it to the Department of History so they can verify the class is a valid equivalent to a class at BU. Do this step before enrolling in the course at the other college. You want to make sure the credit will count!
3. Once this form is approved, take it back to COM and they’ll put the form in your personal file.
4. Once summer is over and you complete the course, send a transcript of your final grade to COM and you’ll be all set!

 

Summer classes are a great way to complete requirement classes. This way you’ll have more time to take classes specific to your major! Hope this has been helpful towards your summer planning. After all, summer is only one month away!

I like Christmas music, I really do. But every convenience store, airport, grocery store, shopping mall, etc. has been playing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat since Thanksgiving, and if I have to hear it one more time I will personally set out to ruin Mariah Carey’s Christmas. Because she’s ruining mine.

Okay, okay, perhaps that’s a tad dramatic. In any case, I’ve compiled a list of Christmas songs performed by some of my favorite indie and alternative artists. They provide a nice alternative to the Christmas renditions we’re forced to hear every holiday season.

1. Dr. Dog “Christmas Party” Oh my Christmas Tree [EP]

2. Sufjan Stevens “Hey Guys! It’s Christmas Time!” Songs for Christmas

3. Jimmy Eat World “Last Christmas” Bleed American

4. Julian Casablancas “I Wish it Was Christmas Today” Single

5. Arcade Fire “Jingle Bell Rock” Single

6. Andrew Bird “Old Lang Syne” Holidays Rock

7. She & Him “Baby It’s Cold Outside” A Very She & Him Christmas

8. Mayer Hawthorne “Christmas Time is Here” Single

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!