With more than 100 colleges in the Boston area, each university holds its own set of hidden gems and secrets on campus. Many aspects distinguish each college, but at Boston University, the students and staff live and work in the heart of the city. From the best study spots to the massive rivalry with Boston College, Boston University Terriers cherish many secrets no one else knows of.
Here you can find 10 secrets all BU students know or should know, about campus.
1. Students avoid stepping on the seal at all costs.
Maybe you heard legends or know someone who stepped on it, but among undergraduate students the seal of Boston University in Marsh Plaza is sacred. While students pass by it every day going to class or meeting friends on the beach, many believe if you step on the seal you won’t graduate in four years.
2. You sing Sweet Caroline at Fenway with your friends.
This time-honored tradition happens before the bottom of the eighth inning at every Fenway game. Because Fenway offers $9 tickets to students, many Terriers pack the stadium no matter the day of the week. “Singing Sweet Caroline at Fenway is such a specific feeling of joy that screams Boston,” Megan Mazer, a junior at Boston University said. “It is a cherished memory of going to baseball games with my college friends.” The song is so popular in Boston that many fraternity parties play it on campus at the end of the night.
3. You chased after the BU bus (and were left behind).
While many different transportation options exist on campus, from the T to the city bus, the BU bus is free and the most convenient option for students traveling from East to West Campus and back again. However, during peak hours before class begins and at the end of the day, students pack the bus completely so catching a ride can prove difficult. Every BU student chases after the bus at one point in a dash to get somewhere on time, only for the bus to speed away. “I have better chances of winning the lottery than catching the BU bus,” said Gordon Levine, a senior at Boston University. “The BU bus didn’t even wait for me when I was on crutches.” The only thing worse than missing the BU bus on the way to class is missing the bus on the way to class while limping on crutches.
4. T Anthony’s pizza is the perfect end to a night out.
Located in West Campus, the local pizzeria is a BU favorite and features sports memorabilia from all of the Boston University greats. Infamous among students, the mozzarella stick pizza makes the best party food. “The easiest way to become a saint or living legend is to bring T Anthony’s pizza to a party,” said Laurren Henning, a junior at Boston University. By combining two of the greatest late-night foods, cheese pizza and mozzarella sticks, into one delicious creation, T Anthony’s has become a beloved part of BU’s campus.
5. School spirit soars when Boston University plays Boston College in hockey (and wins).
While the campus may not be the most spirited day to day, your true colors come out when BU faces off against BC on ice. The two schools have an infamous rivalry in sports, but the men’s hockey versus BC takes the cake as the most exciting game of the year. The stands are packed with students from both schools dressed in their colors and chanting loudly at one another from across the rink. Chances are if you go to BU you have screamed “Newton Community College” at the BC students in Agganis Arena.
6. If you ever feel lost, the Citgo sign serves as your North Star back to campus.
Located on the edge of East Campus in Kenmore Square, the Citgo sign was completed in 1965 and now stands as a historic landmark despite the fact that there is no Citgo gas station nearby. As one of the tallest landmarks near BU, the sign guides students back to campus with red and white flashing lights. “We use the Citgo Sign as navigation because we know that is where home is,” said Gabriela Yiangou, a Junior at Boston University. The sign can be seen from across the city as a reminder of campus and that you are never too far from home.
7. Snow days do not exist.
Every BU student knows Boston weather can be temperamental and changes constantly. From blustery cold one minute to sunny and warm the next, dressing properly for the conditions, especially in winter is not an easy task. But no matter the weather, the school refuses to call for a snow day even if Comm. Ave is piled high with snow.
8. Construction on campus never ends.
No matter the time of year, Comm. Ave will be under construction. The orange cones become a part of the landscaping and add more of a challenge to navigating the city streets. “Crossing the streets is a game of strategy and nobody listens to the walk signals,” said Kat Acierno, a Junior at Boston University. One of the tradeoffs of going to school in the middle of Boston is the constant construction. From renovating the new Howard Thurman Center to moving the BU bookstore, a lot has changed on campus in the past year alone.
9. The law building is a hidden gem.
Although mainly reserved for BU law students, the Redstone building and law tower also contain the best quiet place to study and the cleanest bathrooms on campus. “The law library is very underrated and few underclassmen actually know that it is a legit place to study,” said Benjamin Pearlstone, a 2020 graduate of Boston University. “Hot take: if you need to use the bathroom on campus the best and cleanest place to go is the law tower. That’s my tea to informing students.” Located in the middle of campus, the law building offers the perfect private bathroom and study spot.
10. You can’t imagine going anywhere else.
While you have probably pictured yourself at other colleges in the past, you know Boston University is the best fit for you. From the school’s amazing professors to the diverse international student population, BU puts an emphasis on its students and encourages them to grow and explore all of their interests while at one of the top research universities in the nation.
