What They Didn’t Tell You: The Real Guide to Surviving Your Freshman Year

Being a freshman in college is a confusing time. Should you follow your entire floor to the frat party down the street? If you must, but definitely not more than once. Here’s a list of things that will help out the newbies to both Boston and college life.

1. Do not be that Skyping roommate. Sure, you miss your friends back home, your family, and maybe you’re even Skyping Buster, the family dog. (I’ve seen this go down. It’s more than a little weird.) Limit your online chat time to two hours a week maximum. Your old friends will still be there when you’re home for winter break. Get busy making some memories so you can share stories then.

2. Dumping your high school boy or girl is most likely a good move. You’re at school in the city. You don’t want to check in with somebody however many miles away, and having to do so will hinder your own experiences.

3. Embrace #YOLO, but also know that YOU DO ONLY LIVE ONCE, and if you pass out on the corner of Linden Street, you might not make it out alive. There’s a delicate balance between really living and being totally reckless to a point you can’t handle. Figuring this out sooner rather than later is tough.

4. Explore. Boston is a lot bigger — and hey, a lot better — than the few miles BU spans. Start out with Allston and Newbury Street, sure, but the train and T can take you to a lot of other great places. You’re paying good money to go to a school in a great city. If you wanted to forever be a campus dweller, you should’ve gone to a school in the middle of nowhere.

5. Places your fake ID will definitely get turned away include Tavern In the Square and White Horse Tavern. Don’t pay $200 online for it to get taken away, and if the two friends you’re with have fakes too, you’re not getting in. As a freshman, you’ll have more fun at house parties with your friends anyway.

6. You don’t have to be friends with your roommate or the people on your floor. If you don’t jive with people, don’t try to force it, but do be nice. You’re not going to meet your future friends within the first few weeks. Don’t be afraid to stroll into the Warren Towers dining hall on your own and meet as many people as you can.

7. Save the wet rat look for the actual wet rats in Allston. A raincoat will do you wonders. If you’re not from the Northeast, know that you will need clothes for all four seasons here in Boston.

8. It’s not at all like it is in the movies. If you’ve managed to get it pretty close by the end of your first year, let us know your secrets.