Tufts is full of tiny joys that make every day a little more special. Every student has their own favorite corners and rituals, but here are a few of mine.
Everyone Holds the Door
When asked about what Tufts students are like, the first thing that usually comes to mind is to share, “Everyone here will hold the door for you!” As a first-year, I was amazed by how far people would go. At the dining hall, outside my dorm, everywhere, strangers have waited up to 20 seconds as I walked toward a building just so I wouldn’t have to swipe my ID. It’s a small gesture, but it says a lot about Tufts students: kind, collaborative, and always willing to go a little out of their way for someone else.
Bunnies
Growing up in Los Angeles, the only bunnies I ever saw were someone’s pets. At Tufts, the campus is full of wild ones that come out at night. On my late walks home from rehearsal, spotting a few cottontails darting across Prez Lawn or nibbling grass outside my dorm is the perfect end to the day.
A Dog Friendly Campus
On Saturday mornings at 10 am, Prez Lawn becomes a dog park! Residents from Medford and Somerville communities bring their dogs to play and socialize. It's especially fun from a student perspective to see these furry friends running around the lawn and jumping in the leaves. And every other day of the week, it's not uncommon to see dogs and their owners enjoying nice walks through campus. Dogs have quickly become one of my favorite staples of the Tufts community.
Activities on Prez Lawn
One of the loveliest parts of my Tufts experience has been enjoying an activity on Prez Lawn with friends. Whether it be reading, watercoloring, attempting to walk on a tight rope between two trees, playing cards, sledding in the winter, or laying out in the sun on a nice day, Prez lawn is a center of life on campus and a perfect place to catch up with a friend.
A Stylish Student Body
Students at Tufts are super fashionable. While in high school, it was very normal to show up in sweatpants and a hoodie, Tufts students have a culture of dressing up for class. Some staples on campus include Doc Marten loafers, funky jewelry, vintage bags, knit sweaters, and leather boots. Walking across campus can feel like a fashion show, and it definitely inspires me to put a little more effort into my own outfits.
Sunsets over the Residential Quad
Fall brings some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen, especially over the Residential Quad. The sky fills with fiery oranges, reds, and pinks, and there’s nothing quite like catching it on the walk to dinner at Carm or from your dorm window. On especially spectacular evenings, students gather with phones and cameras to snap photos of each other against the sky.
The Chapel Bells:
Every day at 5 p.m., the bells of Goddard Chapel ring out across campus. Student musicians play the carillon, choosing from a list of familiar melodies; my personal favorite is “It’s a Small World.” Hearing them each evening is a sweet reminder of a long-standing Tufts tradition, and it never fails to brighten my day. Check out the Tufts Daily’s article on the history of the Tufts carillon.