Birth Control Available?
Yes
BU Student Health Services offers free condoms. In addition, there is a Planned Parenthood in West Campus on Commonwealth Avenue. PP offers gynecological exams, all forms of birth control (including free condoms), the emergency contraceptive pill (without an appointment), STD testing, abortion services, and family planning. Not only are all of the above available, but they are provided at an extremely low cost because they operate on a sliding scale and will take insurance. For more information, call Planned Parenthood at (617) 616-1600.
Best Places to Meet Guys & Girls
- The Mugar Memorial Library
- Any of the clubs downtown
- Commonwealth Avenue (especially the steps of CAS)
- The BU "beach"
Social Scene
Surprisingly, there is a lot less interaction in classrooms and around campus. It is generally not the place to meet people. On any given day, students are usually clumped together, in prepackaged social circles. It is much easier to meet people off campus, and after academic hours.
Hookups or Relationships?
Freshman year is a sexual explosion. Hooking up is the only way most seem to go. After that, and especially once you start finding your scene, people tend to pair off, at least for a while. Many people date individuals they meet outside of campus life. By graduation, relationships either last or they don't. Either way, expect drama. With all of the moving around and general dispersal of your social circle, it's not easy to deal with a serious relationship after graduation.
Best Places to Meet Guys/Girls
Out in Boston, around the town, and in the clubs-there are so many kids hanging out everywhere. If you can't find anyone, you are staying home way too often.
Dress Code
Most kids attending BU keep up with fashion, often to an obnoxious degree. Sitting along the sidewalk of Commonwealth Avenue can often feel like a model runway. As soon as the winter breaks, no matter what the temperature, the girls and guys on campus shed their layers, exposing their recent acquisitions from the French Connection, Prada, Gucci, D&G, Armani Exchange, and othe designers. A favorite activity: sit on Commonwealth Avenue, directly in front of a dip or crack in the cement (for good results, try the one to the left of the Tsai Center at the College of Arts and Sciences). Due to the fact that over half of the student body clip-clops around in high heels, this provides for an exciting afternoon. There is nothing better than watching some self-enraptured BU girl trip in heels and then pretend like nothing happened. Trust me.
Did You Know?
If you like the alternative scene, check out the "Crack-slab" on Newbury Street-all sorts of kids hang out around there. Or head out to Copley Square and chill on the grass, where you are bound to get approached by a hottie or three.