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Ok, so you've made it this far. Congratulations! Trust me, first year is going to fly by much faster than you expect. This list of things to do is by no means exhaustive (or even logical). It's completely random, oddly specific, and made up of some of my favorite first-year experiences. 

1. Attend the Fall Student Organizations Fair
The club fair at the beginning of the fall semester is one of the best introductions to student life at Tufts. Every organization comes out to recruit new members, which means you'll probably leave signed up for way more mailing lists than you intended. Go to the General Interest Meetings (GIMs), try new things out, and hopefully you’ll find something that sticks. 

2. Make ice cream in the snow
Sure, you’ve probably heard of sledding down Prez Lawn or building a snowman. But, have you made ice cream in a pile of snow? All you need is some heavy cream, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, a whisk, and some cold weather. After combining everything, you’ve got your own fresh batch of homemade ice cream. 

Speaking of ice cream…

3. Try Dewick soft serve
Dewick has one of my favorite desserts on campus: soft-serve ice cream. There’s always something worth trying between the frozen yoghurt flavors such as cookies and cream. Just do yourself a favor and keep quantities controlled. It’s very easy to go back for another cone…

4. Go to Tasty Cafe
Need somewhere to grab a matcha, catch up with friends, or get some work done off campus? Go to Tasty, just along Boston Avenue. I always get grilled cheese with tomato and bacon!

5. Make use of Health Services
Coming to college also means learning how to take care of yourself, and that includes your health. Whether it's a cold, a routine check-up, or just something that doesn't feel quite right, Health Services is an incredible resource. You're already paying for the Student Health Insurance Plan, so don't be afraid to put it to use!

6. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts for free
One of the many expenses your Tufts ID can cover for you is a ticket to the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). Spend an afternoon exploring exhibitions or cultural and contemporary collections, then stop by the gift store before heading over to Tufts’ School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) Café. Since the MFA is right next to the SMFA campus, it's an easy day trip and you can even use your meal swipes there. 

7. Take the Somerville Community Path
One of my favorite walks is along the Somerville Community Path. It's a great place to go for a run, take a relaxing walk, or to get off campus for a little while. While you're exploring, borrow one of the Tufts Bikes from Tisch Library. It's an easy (and free) way to see more of the area than you would on foot.

8. Attend as many TUSC Bingo’s as you can
I am a huge fan of the bingo games hosted by the Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC) during the semester. There are usually cool prizes up for grabs such as an iPad, Ninja CREAMi and air fryer, etc. You also never know when it'll finally be your lucky day.

9. Visit the Boston Public Library
During finals, finding a study spot on campus can feel like a task. The Boston Public Library is absolutely worth the trip. It's beautiful, surprisingly motivating, and one of my favorite places to really lock in. It does get busy during exam season, so get there early if you can. My favorite part is that it's located in Copley Square, close to a Chick-Fil-A, so you can reward yourself after a long study session.

10. Go easy on yourself
First year is going to be hard. You’re adjusting to a new environment, balancing classes, making new friends, and just figuring out how to live on your own. Take some time to make sure you're okay! And do things that make you happy.