Leah H: Things to do in Boston in the Spring

Things to do in Boston in the Spring

Ever feeling bored in a city with plenty of things to do? As the weather warms up, try some of these ideas for your next weekend adventure!

  1. Make a pizza!

Boy, do I love pizza. At home, my family makes pizza on the grill in the summer. While I don’t have a grill at school, I try to get around to making homemade pizza at least once a month in the oven. It’s cheap, easy, and I usually have leftovers for lunch. Buying fresh dough is the key to making it really shine. I usually buy mine from Trader Joe’s but want to try the dough from Clear Flour Bakery and Eataly. Going out to find the ingredients makes up some of the fun in cooking. If cooking isn’t your thing, I’ve found the best pizza places in Boston that for sure won’t disappoint: Stoked in Brookline and Locale in the North End!

  1. Paint – Indoors, outdoors, or at a studio!

After a never ending winter, I can’t wait to do things outside. Painting with friends is a great way to try something new and creative. You can bring paint and canvases to a park (like Amory or Boston Common) or stay inside if it’s a rainy day. Plus, making your painting outing into a picnic is always a good idea. Another fun idea is to head to a studio and paint pottery! The Clay Room in Brookline is a good place to explore a new area and express your creativity.

  1. Museums!

Not enough people take advantage of the free museum admission BU students get! Over the last year I’ve been to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Fine Art, and Institute of Contemporary Art. Even if you aren’t a huge art buff like me, it’s a good (and FREE) way to spend a few hours! Some museums also offer special exhibits depending on the day or season. I definitely recommend the Isabella Stewart Gardner for its beautiful scenery, history, and art.

  1. Explore a new part of the city!

Boston has so many vibrant and different neighborhoods. Try going somewhere you’ve never been before and make a day out of it. Eat at the restaurants the locals go to and see where people hang out. You never know where your new favorite spot may be! I recently went to Beacon Hill and really enjoyed going into the little quaint shops. I ate at Cobblestones and it was delicious.

 

Sophie J: FINALS SZN COMING UP… UH-OH ?

FINALS SZN COMING UP… UH-OH ?

It’s that time of the year when you are so used to college life, living in your dorm, reminiscing the time when you first moved in, and have an idea of how things work on campus. Except this also means that it’s the end of the semester, meaning that finals are just around the corner. 

FINALS?!

First of all, woah, one year went by SO FAST.

Second, what do I do?! 

Take a deep breath and settle down. Don’t panic. 

For some of you, you probably already know what finals are like from experience and know-how to prepare for the exam(s), but for those that are unfamiliar with it still, no worries.

Follow these tips and I’m sure they will help you get through the season. 

  • Plan out a schedule.

I’m not sure if you’ve done the MBTI test, but I’m a very “J” person. I love to plan things accordingly, and I NEED to plan out everything for the day or even the week. Whether you’re like me or not I cannot emphasize enough that it is VERY helpful to plan out your study schedule and break your studying each day. It’s important to get prepared and know in-depth all the materials before your exam, so I highly recommend writing down the topics you need to cover for the day. Though all-nighters can work for some people, you’re still exhausted. It’s important to take a break and study little by little. I promise, all the information will just be in your brain if you follow this.

  • SLEEP

This is another key tip I want to point out. SLEEP. Literally, just sleep. It’s SO important to have a good night's rest and sleep, especially the day before your exam. Not only will information be remembered longer, but you WON’T be EXHAUSTED. When you get a good sleeping schedule, you’ll be able to focus more during the exam and won’t have to worry about your eyes slowly closing, eventually leading you to drowse off. You’ll be in a better mood, remember information better, and you’ll ace your exam.

  • Bye-bye phone.

I know this is very difficult. Even for me, it’s difficult to get off my phone and say “OK. Let’s start now.” I always procrastinate and it’s mostly because of electronic devices. Once you get on that device, you’ll be thinking “OK. Five more minutes.” It’s better to shut it off or place it somewhere else where you won’t be able to find it. Without it, you’ll be able to focus more on your work and actually get the studying that needs to be done. You’ll be concentrating in no time. 

  • Love the Vibe!

Are you into cafes? Libraries? The Dining Hall? Whatever place you’re comfortable in, it’s a good strategy to study in an area where you’re able to concentrate and get your studying in. You’re environment also affects your working habits, so it is good to have a favorite studying location. Let’s say you like studying at cafes. You can get coffee, “study” with other people that are working like you, and you won’t be tempted to go to your bed since you’re not at home. Trust me, where you’re studying is important!

  • Lastly, don’t stress!

Don’t stress about your finals! Trust me, it’s not worth it. You’ll do amazing. If you just complete the studying that you have to do little by little, you’ll be finished in no time. Studying under stress can stress you out even more, and it’s better to study without it! You’ll be focused and will retain the information longer.

I hope these tips will help you! 

Again, don’t worry. You’ll do great for your final exams and soon, the week will be flying in no time.

Have a wonderful summer and happy studying!

 

Kelly T: Some solid tips to incoming first-year students, from a current freshman’s perspective

Some solid tips to incoming first-year students, from a current freshman’s perspective
  1. Remember you just graduated high school, don’t be too hard on yourself

I’m always the one who wants to accomplish everything in a short amount of time. While it might work in high school, college can be a lot different. With all the things going on, academics, clubs, friendships, families, mental health, and personal matters, it will be so overwhelming to balance everything so well when you first enter college. Remember, don’t feel guilty for thinking you are not doing the best you can. Prioritize things, ask yourself: what matters to you most? I came from a really small high school in another country, while I was in so many clubs at the same time while balancing school work fairly well, college was a bit harder than I thought it would be. Going to such a large school, other than having so many resources, could also be a problem when you try to be committed to everything, just because there are too many people and too many things to handle at the same time.

 

  1. Seek opportunities for yourself, don’t feel ashamed to ask for help

I used to be a really shy person who always waited for others to come to me to ask me, “How is it going.” While in college, everyone is so busy with their schedule, I’m not saying it’s not possible to have people ask you about life, but it would happen a fewer times than you thought. I’m a pretty emotional person, and a little thing might affect my feeling, sometimes it might not show outside, but it definitely happens inside. Throughout this year, I’ve learned to take the initiative to ask for help, as many times as I want. Talking to friends is my first advice when you are not feeling right. I literally “spammed texting” my friends like 100+ messages a day just to tell my feelings. Some of them never replied (it’s ok tho lol). I also like to sit on the BU beach, just to look across the river and relax. Don’t feel like being physically alone is not right, it works for me so well especially when I feel exhausted mentally. And it helped a lot!

 

  1. Be friends with your professors, say the truths

Since I’m a COM student, most of the classes that I chose was small-size class, even though large lecture like CO101 has discussion session (about 20 people). When I have a concern about life or questions for class, I talked to my professors and teaching assistants. Something I have too many things to handle, I will let them know. Remember we are all human beings, and mistakes and taking breaks are inevitable. Don’t feel like you need to be perfect at all times. I always say the facts, if I don’t like a specific content of my course, if my professor asks if this helps, I will just say not really. It doesn’t mean you are not learning, and it’s so normal to have likes and don’t likes in a class.

 

Congratulations class of 2026, I was in the same shoes as you all last year around this time. Don’t be nervous, things would all come along as time goes!

 

Hannah Y: Best Places to Travel to on Massachusetts Public Transport

Best Places to Travel to on Massachusetts Public Transport 

I grew up in a place notoriously devoid of efficient public transportation (thanks for that, Southern California) — so you’ll imagine my amazement when I first learned about the vast reaches of the MBTA. 

Silly as it sounds, I couldn’t believe how many different places in the Greater Boston area I could easily take Massachusetts public transit to. Many Charlie Card refills and Commuter Rail weekend passes later, I still haven’t stopped exploring what Massachusetts public transport has to offer. 

With that said, here are a few of my favorite places to take MBTA to: 

Fresh Pond (Cambridge) 

At the far end of the northbound red line is Fresh Pond, a hidden gem of a park just 10 minutes away from the Alewife T stop. The park is oriented around a giant reservoir, with a 2.25 mile walking loop surrounding the water. Dog enthusiasts can spot pups of all shapes, sizes and colors at the pond’s dog beach and grassy lawns. There’s also a golf course adjacent to the water if you’re looking for a local spot to tee off. 

Ipswich 

There are few places more beautiful than Ipswich’s Crane Estate and Crane Beach along the North Shore, which are located a short bus ride from the Ipswich Commuter Rail station. The highlight of the estate is the 56,881-acre mansion on the property’s hill that overlooks the ocean. Visitors can take a tour of the house, peruse the estate’s rose gardens and lawns, and end the day with a trip down to Crane Beach at the far edge of the property.   

Natick Mall

The Natick Mall isn’t quite as scenic as some of the other locations on the list, but hear me out — the retail behemoth is a sight to behold for anyone unfamiliar with the area. The mall offers a wide array of shopping and dining options, including all-time mall classic California Pizza Kitchen, a personal favorite. The mall’s lineup of entertainment options isn’t lacking either, with Level99, a challenge-based recreation center, and Dave & Buster’s on the list.  

Cleveland Circle 

Cleveland Circle is the final stop on the C leg of the green line, leading riders right to the base of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The Reservoir itself is a great place for a power walk alone or with friends, and the nearby Cafe Landwer and Eagle’s Deli are two solid spots to refuel afterward. The best part? If you head down the C line to Cleveland Circle in the fall, you’ll be treated to scenic views of colored leaves and old-timey apartment buildings for much of the ride.

 

Anika B: Managing Time (and Staying Sane) During Junior Year

Managing Time (and Staying Sane) During Junior Year

Welp, we made it. After a chaotic hybrid freshman year and a fully remote sophomore year, it seemed like the dust was finally starting to settle when I started my junior year: my first full year on campus. Of course, “normal” had a different meaning during the pandemic—staying on top of regular COVID testing, continuing to social distance, and being vigilant of ever-evolving public health guidelines in Boston. Oh, and, all of the regular chaos that comes with being a junior in college.

Having such a weird first two years of university felt like a time warp. I had still enjoyed my classes, formed close relationships with professors, and gotten deeply involved in extracurricular activities, but I hadn’t realized just how quickly time was going by. When I got back to campus, I found myself among peers starting who were starting to make long-term career plans, and I still felt lost. My friends who were a year ahead of me in school were starting to apply to graduate programs across different disciplines and geographic locations, and it got me thinking about what exactly I might want to do after graduation.

With all of this existential thinking running in the background of my mind, it became clear I needed a better system to manage the upper division course work I was taking, my extracurricular activities, and planning for the future. During my first two years of college, I used a paper daily planner to write down my homework assignments and projects, much like I did in high school. However, during junior year, I was starting to find it tough to figure out just when in my schedule I was going to get all of that done.

Let me insert a caveat here: I used to swear by paper planners, and know many people who still do! But, when I realized it wasn’t working for me anymore, I decided to ditch that lifestyle and become a Google Calendar Girlie™ through and through. I created a “Work Block” calendar, to which I add tentative blocks of time to my calendar to work on specific assignments, projects, or to study for exams. This helps calm my nerves about not having enough time to get things done, because I now have physical evidence that it is, indeed, possible for me to work through all my goals. It also helps me know how much free time I really have on a given weekend or after class.

Inserting tasks into my Google Calendar doesn’t automatically make me more productive—but I’ve noticed a marked improvement. Mostly, it helps me conserve the mental energy of stressing about whether or not I have the time in my week to finish my work, attend extracurricular activities, and have free time for myself.

 

Sarah K: Where to Study When You…

Where to Study When You...

Do you ever get stuck trying to decide where to go to get work done? Not
anymore! Here is a guide for picking the best spot on campus to hang out at. I've spent months culminating a list of the best places on campus to hunker down at,
depending on my current desire: social, productive, or hungry.

Where to Study When You…

Want to be Social:

1. BU Central - 8/10
The pros:
1. Usually pretty empty
2. Quiet and removed from the busy campus
3. Non-school vibes allows you to escape
The cons:
1. No windows

2. COM Lawn - 7/10*
*Weather dependent
The pros:
1. There are tables which are nice for doing work
2. There are different food trucks everyday!
The cons:
1. It can be tricky finding an open spot
2. It can be hard to use a computer in the sunlight

3. BU Beach - 6/10*
*Weather dependent
The pros:
1. Very spacious
2. Fresh air!
3. Lots of people around
4. By the river
The cons:
1. Very few tables
2. In nice weather, it's pretty packed
3. It can be hard to use a computer in the sunlight
4. It's less of a study vibe, and more of a hangout vibe (aka you might get
hit in the head with a frisbee or a soccer ball or both)

4. GSU - 3/10
The pros:
1. Several food options
2. Very social
3. Large, open room aka no claustrophobia!
The cons:
1. Packed
2. Loud

Want to Focus:

1. Howard Thurman Center (HTC/808 Gallery) - 9/10
The pros:
1. Comfy seating
2. Productive energy
3. Lots of natural light coming in from the floor to ceiling windows
The cons:
1. Can be busy with COVID testing going on

2. Yawkey - 9/10
The pros:
1. Always empty
2. Comfy seating
3. Productive vibes
4. View of the city
5. Lots of natural light from the several windows
The cons:
1. A little far from most classes

3. Law Library - 9/10
The pros:
1. Nice view of the river
2. Comfy seating
3. Productive energy
4. Good sandwich shop
5. Lots of seating
6. Good natural light from the floor to ceiling windows
The cons:
1. Mostly law students, so may feel out of place as an undergrad

4. COM Lounge - 4/10
The pros:
1. Convenient location
2. Several seating options: bar, large round tables, armchairs
The cons:
1. It can be tricky finding a seat
2. The vibes are inconsistent - sometimes it is very quiet and focused,
other times it is very loud and social

Want to Eat:

1. Cafe Nero - 7/10
The pros:
1. Lots of windows
2. Cozy vibes
3. Productive energy
The cons:
1. Hard to get a seat

2. Questrom Starbucks - 7/10
The pros:
1. Lots of seating
2. Very open
The cons:
1. Can sometimes be loud

3. Einstein's - 4/10
The pros:
1. Convenient location
2. Hidden and slightly removed from the busy campus
The cons:
1. No windows
2. Not a lot of seating
3. A little dark and claustrophobic

4. West Starbucks - 3/10
The pros:
1. Convenient location for those in West Campus
2. Good natural light
3. Quiet and more reserved
The cons:
1. Very little seating
2. Claustrophobic

5. Pavement - 2/10
The pros:
1. Cozy study vibes
The cons:
1. Usually packed and hard to get a seat
2. No windows by the tables
3. Very busy and bustling

6. Warren Starbucks - 2/10
The pros:
1. Cozy fireplace
The cons:
1. Terrible seating options
2. Usually pretty packed

Suzanne C: Congratulations to the Incoming Class of 2026!

Congratulations to the Incoming Class of 2026!!

Congratulations to everyone who just received their acceptance from Boston University (and also to the early decision applicants who received it previously)!! We are so excited to welcome y’all!

It’s so crazy for me to think that I decided I wanted to go to BU and received my
acceptance over three years ago — the time has gone by so fast! I’m usually an indecisive person, but one thing that wasn’t hard for me to decide was where I wanted to go to college.

I toured BU the summer before my junior year of high school basically by chance
because, at that point, I thought I wanted to go to college in New York City. I flew into Boston for a tap dance intensive in Vermont, so I thought I might as well tour a few colleges while I was in the city. I didn’t know much about BU before the tour, but my tour guide was amazing, and it was the best college tour I’ve been on!

Flash forward a year to the beginning of my senior year when I was starting to apply to colleges. Although I still had it in my head that I wanted to move to New York City, I couldn’t ignore how much I loved my BU tour. So, I took a quick weekend trip to Boston to tour BU again and also tour the College of Communication (definitely a full circle moment because I now give tours of COM)! During this trip, it was clear to me that I loved Boston and that BU was the
school for me.

I applied to BU early decision because I was absolutely sure of my decision. When the decisions came out, I was so nervous about opening mine that I waited a bit. When I finally opened my decision and saw that I was accepted, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life! I couldn’t wait to be in Boston, meet new people, and learn about journalism at one of the
best programs in the country!

I know many people currently at BU had similar experiences of excitement when opening their acceptance letters, and I hope people in the incoming class of 2026 also did too! Being from Texas, coming to school in Boston was a huge leap for me that wasn’t easy, but I’m so glad I did it!

Meryl B: Advice for Living Off-Campus

Advice for Living Off-Campus

After my freshman year living in a dorm in west campus, I felt it was time for a change and decided to move off-campus. I wanted to switch it up from having dining hall food to having my own place where I could cook. My sister told me that south campus offers a nice way to get out of the “BU bubble,” but still be close to classes. I found a great apartment and could not be happier about my decision. There is not only a Tatte five minutes from my new place, but
Timeout Market, Whole Foods, and more!

Moving from a dorm meant having more responsibilities. I had to set up an Eversource account, budget my spending on dining out and groceries, and file maintenance requests when needed (which can take weeks to be completed).

Here are my tips for living off-campus:

1. Research each apartment you visit

Even if you like it, you do not want to sign a lease on the first apartment you see. Make sure you ask current tenants about their experience, and why they are moving out. Also, be sure to inquire about whether the building or appliances have any problems and, if so, how quickly the
landlord responds and fixes the issues.

2. Create a budget

Living in Boston can be expensive. Takeout, groceries, and household items can add up. In addition, off-campus housing requires utilities and internet among other incidentals. I write down my weekly spending on the notes app, or you can use a journal to track expenses to ensure you are not overspending.

3. Buy basic items in bulk

Going to Target or Star Market is not only time-consuming if you run out of necessities, like toilet paper or hand soap, but it can also be expensive. Buying in bulk helps you to save money, but you should also be careful not to over purchase as space is limited, and to monitor your inventory so that you have everything when you need it.

4. Introduce yourself to your neighbor(s)

I introduced myself to my neighbor across the hall on move-in day. You do not necessarily need to be close to them, but knowing who they are and getting their contact information can help you in the future. What if the power goes out and you need to borrow a flashlight, or use their cell phone because you accidentally locked yourself out? It has happened to me. An emergency can
come up, and it is a relief to know that your neighbor is near and can lend a hand.

5. Clean your apartment

Cleaning is essential. Boston is riddled with rats, mice and roaches. Consistently vacuum your floors, do your dishes, take out the trash, and clean your counters and bathroom.

6. Set up auto payment for rent

Apartment owners and landlords are very rigid about when your rent is due and you want to avoid a late fee. Set up auto-payment, if possible, and if it isn’t an option, put a reminder in your calendar for when to send the payment each month.

Helena B: Less is More – Tips from a High School Overachiever

Less is More – Tips from a High School Overachiever

Arriving at such a huge school with so many awesome clubs, events, and opportunities, can be overwhelming. Trust me, I know. 

I spent the first few weeks going to every event, joining every club, and trying to meet everyone I possibly could.  

I’m now halfway through my second semester of college and have realized that in some cases it can be a lot easier to approach such a huge change in life by narrowing down the possibilities into just what’s necessary.  

I saw everyone around me joining a myriad of clubs of all different types, and so I thought of doing the same. I joined about 10 to 15, and then started receiving a thousand overwhelming emails about club meetings and I realized that maybe that wasn’t needed ( especially considering I couldn’t make it to all of them and was then left feeling bad about my ability to commit). 

So I tried something different… the one thing I knew for a fact was that I wanted to take any occasion to gain knowledge in Film and TV ( my major), so I joined the one club I knew I could dedicate genuine time and effort to: BUTV10. 

Whether you choose to join BUTV10 or any of the other clubs COM has to offer, sticking to fully investing my time into one allowed me to be more active in what I love and gave me the opportunity to gain confidence in my major while adding something concrete and major-related in my CV. 

After a few months of only participating in BUTV10, I stumbled across the opportunity to become a COM Ambassador. Since I took the time to adjust without overloading in activities, now that I had found something else I was genuinely excited to participate in I was able to go through the whole hiring process calmly and without feeling overwhelmed! 

I now find myself at the end of my second semester with only two things I am part of, and although sometimes I feel lesser than for it, I like to remind myself that there is no rush and frankly no reason why I should do more than I feel is healthy for me. 

Focusing on a few things at once also allowed me to gain meaningful friendships and relationships, to have time every week to network, and to go well academically! 

And I promise, if you think this will make you less amusing for employers in the future, it won't! You bring worth to everything you do. As long as you apply yourself to the few things you feel are genuine reflections of your character, you will gain recognition for it! 

Best of luck, and remember, sometimes less is more! 

 

Mia C: A Guide to BU Dining

Mia C: A Guide to BU Dining

Yes, the dining halls at college are as mundane as the myths say but there are ways to make it more bearable. 

At Boston University, if a student lives in a dormitory residence they are required to be on a meal plan. There are five meal plans ranging from the 14-Plus, Unlimited, Kosher, 330, to 250 Plans.

Each dining plan contains a combination of meal swipes and dining points. Meal swipes are used to get into five dining halls located around campus. Each time you leave a dining hall, you will need to use another swipe to get back in. Dining points can be used at on-campus restaurants, cafes, or campus convenience stores and include Starbucks, Panda Express, and Raising Canes. 

The BU website explains each meal plan in-depth. Now, I am going to delve more deeply into how you can make the most out of your meal plan. 

As a freshman, I am currently on the 250 meal plan. On this meal plan, I eat at the dining hall once per day and I get more dining points than any other meal plan. Typically, I eat breakfast in my dorm, lunch at the on-campus restaurants, and dinner with my friends in the dining hall. 

A tip I learned from personal experience is to begin the first semester with the 330 meal plan. Then at the beginning of the second semester, you change to the 250 meal plan. I did this myself at the beginning of my second semester and received a much greater amount of dining points than I would have if I started the year on the 250 meal plan. 

Another function of Boston University dining that gets underutilized is the ordering ahead system. At BU, most restaurants and cafes that take dining points are on the Grubhub app. The Grubhub app has grouped restaurants based on location and allows you to order online using dining points. 

This is my personal favorite feature of the BU dining system. It is a lifesaver to order coffee ahead of time so I can pick it up when I am running between classes. Each restaurant also displays wait times and in-person line wait times. Also as a BU student, you get a free Grubhub+ membership giving you access to unlimited free delivery for off-campus restaurants and other member perks.

Overall, dining at Boston University is fairly convenient and customizable to fit your needs, you just need to know where to look!