Sometimes in college it’s easy to forget about the real world. You get so caught up in your BU bubble that you can’t remember the last time you got off the B line and went to Coolidge Corner or visited a friend at Tufts. This is less of a problem at BU than it is on more isolated campuses, but I know I haven’t explored Boston as much as I would like to. There’s so much going on in my life that it seems silly to venture out of the crazy world of college and see how real people live. And I will be the first to say that as college students, we are not real people.

There is a multitude of free/cheap services and events that happen around us all the time. All you have to do is a quick search on boston.com to see all the plays, exhibits, craft fairs, and other assorted activities that happen all the time for little or no money. To give you an idea of where searches like this can end up, last year I went for a trapeze lesson in Reading, Mass (half an hour away on the commuter rail). It was so incredibly fun and while the packages they offer add up to more than I make in a month, the open flying times are much more affordable.

It’s a bit chilly for this now, but if you’re a nature freak or you enjoy a nice scenic hike, Middlesex Fells is a great place to go for the day with some friends.  It’s absolutely beautiful. I went with my friends when the leaves were changing and it was unreal. It’s also 2500 acres with tons of different hiking trails so you’ll never be bored. It’s also surprisingly close: just take the Orange Line to Oak Grove station and you’re there.

There are so many wonderful museums in Boston that don’t charge students. Hell, we have the MFA ten minutes away from us and I haven’t gone since sophomore year! Another fun fact is that BU students can get a college card for 25 bucks and go to as many concerts as you want.

I haven’t even begun to cover all the things we can do: ice skating, comedy shows, concerts…There’s so much out there, so take advantage of it while you can!

Boston Symphony Orchestra, Christine, Comedy Shows, Concerts, Coolidge Corner, Free Stuff, Ice Skating, Middlesex Fells, Museum of Fine Arts, trapeze Kickin' Back