Starter Pack for Tufts Students
WELCOME BABY ‘BOS! The current Tufts community is so lucky and excited to have you! I cannot wait to meet all of the new students on campus next year, whether that’s through clubs, classes, mutual friends, or simply meeting by accident. I remember how excited I was to make new friends and meet all the lovely Tufts people when I first got here, and I hope all the newly accepted students feel the same way; you’ll have the best experience when you find out firsthand how incredible the people at Tufts are. Today, to celebrate all of our new students, I wanted to compile a starter pack for Tufts students: a list of items you’ll want as a Jumbo joining us in the fall. They are all a combination of joke and practical items, but overall I hope they represent some great experiences you’ll have at Tufts.
1) Photo collages for your dorm room: I highly recommend coming into college with at least a few photos that you hang up on your wall when you arrive. These will probably be pictures of family, old friends, high school memories, etc. They will remind you of your journey to Tufts and all the memories that make you happy. The best part, though, is adding to those collages as you make new memories at Tufts. I remember I started with a very small number of pictures my freshman year, and now I have a collage that takes up a good chunk of my wall because of all the incredible memories I’ve made during my time here. I hope that you’ll watch your collection grow too and think on how many new friends you’ve made and new experiences you’ve had at Tufts.
2) CharlieCard: CharlieCards are reusable cards that you use to take public transportation (like the subway and buses) in Boston. Since Davis Square is so close to Tufts campus and has a T station, you’ll probably want to explore Boston and surrounding areas as much as you can once you first get to Tufts. Having a CharlieCard on hand will allow you to reload your balance and explore what the subway system here has to offer; I promise you’ll find many exciting places!
3) Varied wardrobe/clothing options: As you’ve probably heard, the weather in New England truly changes day to day. Just this past week, we went from the high 60s with shining sun to cold days with rain and hail. Be prepared with some lighter fall clothes because it is often still humid and warm in the first months of school, but also bring a warm jacket and sweaters to have on colder days. Also, be sure to bring a pair of comfortable shoes or sneakers for uphill walking on campus; walking up the hill definitely takes some getting used to once you first get here.
4) Pres Lawn items: Bring a picnic blanket, frisbee, and baseball cap to enjoy warm days on Pres Lawn with your friends! You’ll be able to sit outside on the hill, spending hours upon hours taking in the sun while chatting to the people you meet or doing some homework outdoors. People also love to toss around frisbees, so if that sounds enticing, I promise there is no shortage of students who will join you in a game. Also, for winter, Pres Lawn sledding is a classic and revered Tufts activity, so if you happen to have a sled, definitely pack it with you. I’m mostly kidding, of course, because sleds are too clunky to comfortably take with you, but you will also be one of the coolest people on campus if you happen to have one. All jokes aside, be prepared to make fun memories on Pres Lawn, whether it’s basking in the sun or creating makeshift sleds out of plastic garbage bags in the winter.
The things I mentioned above are by no means serious recommendations for things to bring to Tufts, but rather a “starter pack” style list that I feel represents freshman year at Tufts. I look back on my first year with very fond, warm memories, and I cannot wait for every new student to get to have similar experiences. Once again, congratulations and welcome to our incredible community of Jumbos!!