Tufts Blogs

Previous Next

We’ve all been there; it’s half-way through summer vacation and we realize that it seems like we have forgotten almost everything we learned in school over the past year. As much as we might hate to think about it, it probably is a good idea to brush up on some material before school starts up again. So whether you’re considering Tufts for your future college, or it’s going to be your first year at Tufts, or you’re a returning student, let’s bring it back to the basics and review some material. Here are the ABCs of Tufts; 27 important places or things to help you learn and prepare for the year(s) ahead. Happy studying!

• A - A capella: Ask almost anyone on campus and they will tell you that a capella is huge at Tufts. From the all male Beelzebubs who were featured on Glee and Pitch Perfect, to the all female Jackson Jills, to themed groups such as Enchanted who sings only Disney songs, there is something for anyone who wants to get involved. There are many shows throughout the year so everyone has the chance to experience the fun and wonderful music that Tufts a capella has to offer
• B - Butternut Squash Bisque: This famous soup is one of Tufts Dining’s signature dishes (and definitely one of my top favorites), among other mouth-watering options such as General Gao’s Chicken, grilled salmon, and flank steak. The dining halls are constantly filled with a variety of foods for every meal that fits everybody’s tastes, including great vegetarian and vegan choices. It’s no surprise that Tufts is ranked #20 on Niche’s 2016 Best College Food list. You can see what Tufts is serving up at the different dining halls at this page http://menus.tufts.edu/foodpro/location.asp, and see how the delicious Butternut Squash Bisque is made here: https://youtu.be/LXY0YFwzV-I ! Let me tell you from personal experience, the freshman 15 sure is real, and that unlimited meal plan doesn’t help, but the food is worth it. Food quality was a huge factor in my college decision, and I definitely made the right choice.
• C - Carmichael: Commonly known as Carm, the uphill dining hall is known for its warm atmosphere and comfortable area for studying and doing homework. Conveniently located on the residential quad, it is also the home of many second years at Tufts.
• D - Dewick: The downhill dining hall is a favorite spot for many large groups, such as sports teams and pre-orientation “families”. Known for having two floors and a spacious and vibrant atmosphere.
• E - Eaton: Some nights, or most nights for some people including myself, you will find yourself having to stay up until 2, 3, 4am, or even later. If you’re trying not to wake your sleeping roommate and the library is closed, the Eaton Hall computer lab is open until 4am Monday-Thursday, and Sunday. The lab has workspace complete with numerous Windows and Mac computers to use. I’ve even had friends who have camped out in an empty classroom for the night. Plus, Eaton is home to Tufts Technology Services’ (TTS) repair desk, where you can bring your laptop in if it needs a quick diagnosis and/or fixing. Last year, my Macbook’s screen broke, and once I ordered the new screen, TTS was able to install the new screen for me in less than a day for free!
• F - Fall Gala: One of the first large events of the year. Fall gala is a great time to dress up, have fun, and let loose with your newly made friends or celebrate the a reunion after a summer apart. Complete with music, dancing, and free food, it’s a night that you won’t soon forget.
• G - Granoff: The Granoff Music Center is always alive with beautiful singing, dazzling instruments being played, and/or bustling beats. Tufts offers a myriad of music classes and ensembles that gather at Granoff, including Gospel Choir, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Pep Band, Electronic Music Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Javanese Gamelan Ensemble, Psychology of Music, and many more. In addition, Granoff is one of the newest, and in my opinion, one of the nicest, buildings at Tufts, and it is a super nice spot to do homework or just have a chat with your friends. Also, if you’re in the building, make sure to stop by the box office window and say hi if I’m working!
• H - Halligan: Whether you take one week of COMP11 and then drop, or you’re a Computer Science major, chances are you or one of your friends will, at one point, call Halligan Hall home. At any given hour of the day or night, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering students can be found filling the computer labs and study rooms, working hard on projects, and collaborating with each other. Maybe you too will experience the joy of leaving Halligan after finishing a project one minute before the deadline.
• I - Illumination Ceremony: This traditional ceremony marks the beginning of your Tufts career and will be repeated the night prior to commencement, kind of like two bookends to encase your time at Tufts. At the ceremony, the entirety of your class will gather on the hill, and you will each receive a candle whose flame is lit by the flame of your neighbor’s candle. You are encouraged to keep your candle for all four years and use the same candle again at the commencement ceremony. However, candles are technically not allowed in dorm rooms, so be careful!
• J - Jumbo: The lovable mascot of Tufts is celebrated everyday by students, whether it be on their clothing or through the famous “Let’s go Bos!” chant; there’s no question that we adore Jumbo. For more history about Jumbo, visit https://www.tufts.edu/about/jumbo! Fun fact: Jumbo is the only school mascot listed in Webster's dictionary!
• K - Kosher Deli (Pax et Lox): The Kosher Deli is another one of Tufts’ great dining options.  Pax et Lox offers made-to-order sandwiches and other delicious food that can be purchased for take-out Monday through Thursday.
• L - Late night dining: On almost all Friday and Saturday nights, the Campus Center aka the Commons offers late night dining from 9pm to 1am. Though the most popular options are the classic fries, burgers, and chicken nuggets, the Commons also offers mac and cheese, pizza, and even dumplings. Starting last semester (Spring 2016), Carmichael started offer late night dining as well. Late night at Carm is all you can eat, and often features choices such as a burrito bar, hot dogs, meatball subs, and a stir fry bar. No matter what you’re doing out late on the weekend, late night dining is always a great and popular place to be.
• M - Memorial Steps: The newly renovated Memorial Steps recognize the people of Tufts who served in the armed forces, from the battlefields of the Civil War to today’s conflicts in the Middle East. The steps connect Upper Campus Road to College Avenue, right by Brown and Brew, one of Tufts’ coffee shops, and Anderson Hall.
• N - Norovirus: It’s college. We all live in close quarters, share maybe too many things, and are almost always surrounded by people. So sometimes when a sickness hits campus, it hits hard. Last year, Norovirus swept over Tufts, especially affecting sports teams. It was made even worse by the fact that several Chipotles in the Boston area were temporarily shut down for being infested with Noro. This little blurb wasn’t meant to scare you, but is just a reminder to take care of yourself; it’s easy to forget during the constant chaos and business of college!
• O - The Oval: This Ellis Oval (or just The Oval)/Zimman Field is Tufts’ track and football field. Tufts students are filled with Jumbo pride. I’m personally not a huge sports fan, but I had tons of fun at each game that I went to, and I went to a lot since I was part of the pep band, which played at most football games (I highly recommend joining pep band if you play a band instrument; super fun people and crazy fun times). The games are a great time to be silly and loud with your friends while supporting and cheering on your fellow students. I’d recommend at least trying to make it to the homecoming game! Also, when sports aren’t being played on it, many students enjoy using the field as another spot on campus to relax outside.
• P - Painting the Cannon: The Cannon is a replica of a cannon from the USS Constitution that overlooks the President’s Lawn. What would otherwise be a pretty meaningless piece of Civil War memorabilia is given new meaning almost daily by the students of Tufts. The Cannon is painted by groups and individuals alike, to promote or recruit members for a club, to advertise, or simply just for fun or no reason at all. Students will often “guard” the cannon until late at night so that nobody else has the chance to paint it before the next day. Many say that painting the Cannon is one of the things you must do before you graduate, and I can attest to that; painting the Cannon with one of my best friends was truly a fun and memorable experience, it almost felt like a rite of passage.
• Q - Quads: There are two quadrangles (“quads”) on the Tufts campus; the Residential (“Res”) Quad and the Academic (“Ac”) Quad. Both the Res and Ac Quad are popular hangout areas when the weather is nice; you’ll often see students outside studying, relaxing with their friends, playing sports, slack-lining, or even setting up hammocks on the quads. Sometimes, there will be events held on the quads, such as the Freshman Food Fair, and many student organization events, often times offering free food!
• R - The Rez: Located on the upper level of the Campus Center, the Rez is Tufts’ student run coffee shop. The most popular drinks include the Hot Karl (Nutella Latte), Cinny Vanilly (Cinnamon + Vanilla Latte), and Voldemort (Coffee + Espresso + Chocolate). Take your drink and baked goods to go, or kick back in the Rez’s comfortable seating and peaceful lighting. The Rez also hosts occasional open mic nights, where students are free to sign up on a first-come-first-serve basis and perform for their peers. Acts are often individuals or groups singing and playing instruments, but have also included hilarious stand-up comedy and mind blowing magic tricks.
• S - Spring Fling: Spring Fling is arguably the most anticipated event of the year. Each year, the Tufts Concert Board puts together this free (!!) concert that features three popular artists. With previous headliners like Nelly in 2013, Childish Gambino in 2014, Kesha in 2015, and Matt and Kim in 2016, it’s easy to see why excitement for Spring Fling starts soon after the school year starts despite the event being in May. Many student organizations and friend groups band together to design tank tops representing their groups that they proudly wear at the event. My first Spring Fling is definitely going down as one of the most fun days that I’ve ever had, so get excited for what’s to come!
• T - Tisch: Tisch Library is arguably one of the most prominent places on campus. Whether you’re there all day, all night, or all day and all night, many students will at some point call Tisch their second home. Although Tisch is most known for its prime study spots and abundant academic resources, it also houses some lesser known but pretty cool things at Tufts, such as the Digital Collections and Archives, where you can browse many original historical documents and learn about how Tufts came to be, and the Digital Design Studio, where you can create  data graphics, digital stories, graphic art, video projects, and more for your classes, or just for fun. Another thing that I love about Tisch is that a few times throughout the semester, there will be therapy dogs from Paws for People that come to be played with and petted.
• U - Uphill vs. Downhill: Tufts is situated on a fairly steep hill, which inevitably divides campus into two regions, uphill and downhill. Many students feel the uphill and downhill are like two different cities, each with their advantages, disadvantages, and even different atmospheres/cultures. Have a significant other on the opposite end of the hill? Might as well consider that a long distance relationship. Some students will ardently defend their beloved section of the hill. Which team will you be on?
• V - Venmo: I don’t stress this enough to my friends who are about to go into their first year of college: download Venmo. If you don’t know what Venmo is, it’s a money transferring app that will be basically be your lifesaver when you or your friend doesn’t have cash. Venmo allows you to instantly pay or charge others. You will end up splitting the cost of a lot of things in college, including food, tickets, and transportation, and getting Venmo will save you and your friends so much time and hassle. Trust me on this one; you’ll thank me later.
• W - Winter Ball: Similar to Fall Gala, Winter Ball is a semi-formal dance event that takes place during second semester. Winter Ball is held at a nice venue (last year it was held at the Royale Boston), and has live music and free finger food throughout the whole night. After over a semester of hard work, it feels good to set all of that aside and enjoy the night.
• X - eXcollege: One of the neatest things about Tufts is the Experimental (“Ex”) College. From the ExCollege website, “Exciting...Exhilarating...Experiential...the ExCollege offers the chance to learn, to teach, and to incubate new ideas. Students are exposed to subjects and teachers beyond traditional classrooms and discover possibilities they never could have imagined”. ExCollege classes are some of the most unique and interesting classes you will take at Tufts. Offered classes change every semester, but here are some of the ones offered for the upcoming semester (Fall 2016) so you can get a taste of the variety of topics: Lies - From Plato to Politics, Art and the Nazis, Improv Beyond the Stage,  Fight/Flight: African American History Through a Fugitive Lens, Circus and Society, Making Time - Temporality in Cinema, and Guerilla Performance Art & Politics. These courses may be taught by current Tufts undergraduate and graduate students, Tufts alumni, or visiting professors who come from a vast number of backgrounds. I took an ExCollege class called Neuroscience and Criminal Justice in Fall 2015, and I loved it because it combined two subjects that I have a great interest in, but never thought would be able to be combined in a course, which is exactly one of the reasons why I chose Tufts; I knew that I would be able to find ways to blend my seemingly contrasting interests.
• Y - You will feel at home and make so many memories that you will hold dear to your heart. : Okay, I know, I guess I cheated a little bit for this letter, but it’s hard to think of things that start with the letter “Y”. However, I believe this statement to be 100% true. In just one year at Tufts, I have met unforgettable people who have changed my life for the better, had more fun than I have ever had in nine months, challenged myself more than I ever thought I could, and gained so much knowledge, not just from my classes, but just from living and being surrounded by such a variety of intelligent, vibrant, and unique people. I laughed, I cried, I was scared, and I was more vulnerable than I have ever been. And at the end of the day, I always felt at ease knowing that there were people at this school who would always have my back, and I theirs. People that were there for me when I didn’t want to go to sleep at night and when I didn’t want to wake up in the morning. I am beyond happy that I can call Tufts my home for the next three years. I can only imagine what the future will hold.
• Z - ‘Za: Pizza. Along with ramen noodles and Easy Mac, Pizza is hailed as one of the staple foods of college students. Each Tufts student has their own opinion on which nearby pizza place is the best. Some will swear by Helen’s, some will take a bullet for Pizza Days, others will walk through a raging snowstorm for Espresso. No matter what your views on which pie ranks supreme, we can all agree that almost nothing beats the pure and cozy contentedness of sharing a hot pizza at 2am with your friends after a long night.

I hope this study guide helped you learn a bit and/or brush up on some Tufts tidbits! Enjoy the rest of the summer; before you know it it'll be time to actually start reviewing studying for tests!