Student Life

Answering Your Top Questions About Boston University Student Life

BU pro Josie Zevin (COM’28) offers up practical advice on study tips, campus resources, making connections, and maximizing your BU experience.

We asked our first-year Instagram followers to drop the most pressing questions they had for upperclassmen at Boston University. As a rising sophomore (and a self-proclaimed “advice guru”), I will be your one-stop shop to get all your questions answered and give you the most coveted advice and hot tips the University has to offer. Looking back on my first year at BU, I had an unforgettable time, despite navigating new classes, friends, and that one debilitating cold you’re destined to get sometime during your first semester. Now, with a year under my belt and three more to go, I feel I have gained enough experience points to call myself a BU pro. So, without further ado, let’s get to your questions!

1. What is the best spot to hang out with friends on campus?

I know from personal experience how hard it is to motivate yourself to leave your comfy dorm room and hang out with friends somewhere besides your own; however, if you do, you might just find yourself hanging out with your newest best friend. It’s easy to find places to relax when the weather’s nice, so make the most of it! 

BU Beach:

I know it sounds like a basic answer, but trust me, it’s not. When the trees are changing, either in the spring or fall, BU Beach is basically like a classic campus quad. Students bring picnic blankets, tan, read, study, play games/music, and more. It’s also a great place to meet people and hang out in large groups, especially when you’re first starting.

COM Lawn:

I might just be biased as a COM student, but the lawn is a great place to relax and people-watch. There is always some sort of fun event happening, not to mention the waffle truck parked outside every day! Yum! 😋

Honorable mentions:

The Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences (commonly known as the Jenga building), Nickerson Field (when it’s not in use, of course), anywhere along the Charles River (amazing views, and so relaxing!)

Staying indoors during the cold Boston winters doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Here are some of my top cozy indoor spots to hang out:

Dorm common rooms:

I know it sounds boring, but it’s extremely convenient for when you don’t want to leave your building, but can’t stay in your room. Also, most of them have TVs or games, which is a huge bonus for staying entertained.

Cafes:

 My favorites include Pavement (as a New Yorker, it’s hard to find good bagels in Boston, but I love Pavement!). I also love Trident Bookstore on Newbury Street, just a few stops away on the T. It’s an adorable cafe/bookstore and a great cozy spot. Saxbys is also a great and easy on-campus spot if you want a quick break between classes, not to mention a great breakfast burrito.

2. How do you find out about events around campus?

At the beginning of my first semester, I was having a hard time hearing about all the many events and activities that were happening around campus, but there is always something going on! My biggest tip for this is to make sure you follow all the BU-related social media accounts. I’m talking about all the different schools, any clubs you’re interested in (even if you’re not in them), sports teams, and of course, the main BU accounts across all platforms. Next is to keep an eye out for posters around campus! I’ve learned about a ton of things happening, like thrift pop-ups, comedy shows, info sessions, and other amazing free events for students, simply by passing by a poster or billboard.

3. How do you manage academic rigor? Any study tips?

Go 👏 to 👏 class! 👏 Attend as many lectures and discussions as you can!  As often as people say you don’t have to, it’s very much class-dependent. The professors’ teaching style and the structure of note-taking and lectures can leave you missing important information in a class that is not covered in lecture notes.

Next, as easy as it is to study and do homework in your room, I have found it to be much easier to focus and “lock in” when I’m not surrounded by distractions and the constant desire and ability to take a nap. Step out of your room and go to a library, a cafe, or even work outside in nice weather! It will completely change your studying experience and make it far less miserable and possibly even fun.

Finally, use your resources! There are so many amazing on-campus resources, like peer tutoring, the writing center, and professors’ office hours. As someone who would never want to ask anyone for help, I’ve come to learn that it is far more of a strength to not be afraid to ask rather than acting independent and staying confused.

4. How do you go about getting job experience or finding a summer internship?

On and around campus at BU, there are tons of part-time jobs and internships that are great for students. Keep an eye out for any job or internship opportunities at FitRec, Student Health Services, or working as a tour guide (if you’re good at walking backwards, that is). I found my internship with the BU PR | Social team through a posting on their Instagram story! In terms of off-campus jobs, Boston is full of opportunities, whether it’s working at your favorite store on Newbury Street or working at one of the many coffee shops in the area. After freshman year, summer internships are hard to find, which I know from personal experience. Many of the most coveted internships are looking for upperclassmen, and even then, just clicking quick apply on LinkedIn isn’t the best way to go about it.

The reality is that networking is the best way to find a valuable internship. The summer after my freshman year, after applying to tons of positions and writing countless cover letters, I found that my most realistic and yet still interesting option was to intern at a local business. Finding a local business that interests you puts you in a much smaller pool, giving you a far larger chance of landing a position! Regardless of whether they are outwardly hiring, it doesn’t hurt to reach out and offer your help. For example, I chose to work at my town’s local TV and media studio to help with marketing and social media. This way, I was able to get my foot in the door in the industry in a far less intimidating environment, gain experience, and prepare for a future role. Also, be sure to check out the Center for Career Development for resources and job opportunities.

5. Are there any helpful apps I should download for school?

YES! There are so many apps and websites that I wish I had found earlier because they completely changed my life when it came to studying, scheduling, and anything student life-related. First off, make sure you have a good calendar app for scheduling and keeping track of deadlines, events, classes, etc. I’d recommend Google Calendar or just the general Apple Calendar. Just make sure to write everything down! I am a huge advocate for handwriting notes, but if you’re like me and just hate using paper, my favorite note-taking apps include Notability, Goodnotes, or Collanote (it’s free!), which are amazing for organizing and having easy access to your notes without hours of searching. For studying, I recommend Khan Academy or Quizlet (professors will say that sites like these are a waste of time, but they’re wrong! I swear by these for studying and preparing for exams.

6. Is it easy to make connections, network, and find your community on campus?

Absolutely! Although it sounds cliché and obvious, join clubs you’re interested in! Every year, towards the beginning of both semesters, we hold our biannual club fair, Splash, on Nickerson Field in the fall and the GSU Metcalf Ballroom in the spring. Splash includes over 450 student-led organizations like clubs, sports teams, Greek life, and so much more. My first experience at Splash was a bit overwhelming, so make sure to stay hydrated, well-fed, and take your time looking at all the tables because there is so much to explore. Another great way to stay connected and network is to keep in touch with professors and attend alumni events.

Now for my quick personal advice speed round:

👉 Get a Britta and an ice tray with a lid if you’re an ice person like me.

👉 Take out your laundry right away! It is so annoying to have to wait to do laundry because of one person, and people will take your stuff out for you if you take too long!

👉 Explore Boston! There is so much to do and see in this city, and just outside of the city; it’s easy to get caught up with all the new things happening in your freshman year, but don’t forget to step outside and check out the amazing area and culture. Some of my favorite areas include Beacon Hill, the Boston Common, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, definitely worth a visit!

👉 Get a trash can with a lid. This is a must.

👉 Take advantage when the dining halls have fresh berries, or you’ll regret it!

Settling into student life and moving to a new town is very subjective to each person, so take this advice with a grain of salt. The most important thing is to enjoy yourself and don’t get caught up in what everyone else is saying you need to do, but focus on what you know is best for yourself. College is a time for finding yourself and exploring your hobbies, so try new things, explore, and have fun!