New to BU? Not to worry—you’ll be a campus pro in no time. Until then, here are some tips to get you adjusted to student life.

Student Life

What I Wish I Knew Before Coming to BU

Words of advice and insight to those about to start their first semesters, from a recently graduated Terrier

To say that this year’s summer months flew by would be a wild understatement. Whether you’ve been spending time at the beach or hustling to make some extra spending money, the school year is creeping up quickly, and it’s time for all of us to get into the groove of balancing classes and homework with extracurricular obligations and social events. Having just graduated in May, I was in your shoes not too long ago, and as I prepare to officially enter the “real world,” I’m here to recap the highlights of my BU experience and leave our community’s freshest faces with some sage advice. If this upcoming semester is your first at BU, I can imagine you’re feeling a bit apprehensive, so I hope that these tips will help calm your nerves.

Quality over quantity

While it’s definitely true that high school does prepare you well for college, there are going to be some major changes right off the bat, as well as adjustments to be made over time. 

One simple statement applies to so many different aspects of college life, including friendships, extracurricular involvement, and study routines: Less is more. 

Take time to reflect on what you value in your friendships. And while you’re in the thick of socializing at BU, think about how well the people you’re spending time with fit those characteristics. It took some time to figure out, but I’ve learned that it’s served me better to have a few close friends than lots of friends whom I don’t feel as comfortable being candid with.

Once you’re all settled in, be sure you’re not just throwing yourself at a wall to see what sticks. Yes, you should absolutely attend Splash and sign up for anything that piques your interest, but after paying a visit to those introductory club meetings, it’s important to reevaluate where your interests lie and which organizations seem like the best fit. 

Change your study habits, change your life

Academics are a top priority at college, and to succeed in the classroom, you’ll need to have a top-notch study routine. Warning: it might not be the same as your study habits from high school. One of the biggest differences between high school and college is that you’ll no longer be taking the same classes as all your peers. Instead, you’ll focus on subjects that interest you—and that will likely frame your future career. For me, the shift from enduring math and science classes for years to flourishing as a journalism major meant that I wound up putting a bigger focus on honing my writing skills, and I had to learn to adjust the way that I prepared for exams and large assignments.

“A for effort”

For all four years of college, the days will be long, but the weeks, months, and years will be incredibly short. You’ll constantly feel exhausted (trust me, afternoon naps will be an absolute necessity). No matter how busy you are, you’ll want to be intentional about putting effort into all areas of your life. 

Outside of class, set aside time to show up at the scheduled office hours held by your professors and teaching assistants. These relationships will be key to your academic excellence; getting to know these people on a more personal level can also translate into an impactful relationship, a letter of recommendation, even a work opportunity. 

It’s also crucial to continue to foster relationships with the people you no longer spend lots of time with, like your family and hometown friends. I recommend scheduling a designated day and time each week to call home and catch up. Additionally, make a game plan with the friends you’re leaving behind: for example, consider picking a day of the week where everyone will send photos of what they’ve been up to, paired with a text or voice memo explanation of the week’s events. My personal favorite tradition is hosting a “PowerPoint night” over winter break, where each of my friends makes and presents a slideshow about their semester happenings.

Transfer student? Find your community!

If you’re an incoming transfer student, like I was a few years ago, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the resources provided by Debra Marcus, BU assistant director of transfer student success. The student-run organization Transition to BU (TTBU) also runs an excellent mentor/mentee program where incoming transfers are paired with seasoned pros (more on that in this April article).

Go beyond the Green Line

One of the most exciting parts about coming to BU is, undoubtedly, living in the city. In case you haven’t already noticed, our University has a branch of public transportation right through the middle of campus, which means that there are many opportunities to get out and explore. Locations accessible by the Green Line are a great starting point, but there are many exciting places and opportunities in farther-flung areas. I’m sharing some of my favorites below.

Right across the BU Bridge, the city of Cambridge is home to trendy Harvard Square, which boasts lots of great restaurants, shops, and museums. Thrifting enthusiasts should consider paying a visit to both the Cambridge Antique Market and The Garment District.

Boston’s Fort Point/Seaport neighborhood is one of the city’s most recently redeveloped areas, with museums (the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, and the Museum of Ice Cream), interactive entertainment (Puttshack and the F1 Arcade), and Instagram-worthy food spots (PopUp Bagels and Coquette), along with great waterfront views.

Looking for more inspiration? BU Today’s neighborhood series is a great resource.

Good luck, new Terriers—and welcome to BU!