What are some traditions that BC students have throughout the year? I’m going to be joining the class of 2021 next fall and I’m curious about what will be coming!
First of all, welcome!!! I’ll be a senior in the fall and I can’t believe it’ll be my last year at BC! Cherish your four years - they go by very quickly!
Here’s some big traditions (I suppose I’ll go by semester?)
Fall semester:
-football: tailgating, Superfan shirts, the student section (you will learn some cheers at orientation and during welcome week!) The first night game is usually the Red Bandana Game (look up Welles Remy Crowther for explanation here).
-Student Involvement Fair - during the first week of classes; nearly every club on campus gets a table and you can walk around and sign up for as many email lists as you want. Be sure to grab as many free stickers, cups, t-shirts, etc as you can.
-Mass of the Holy Spirit - an outdoor mass held in mid-September. Classes that fall around 12pm are cancelled for this. A nice way to start the school year off.
-Freshman convocation - usually the same day as Mass of the Holy Spirit. All of the freshmen walk together down the million dollar stairs. The next time they will do this as a class is when they are graduating.
-homecoming dance - for all 4 classes and usually in a nice hotel in Boston
-hockey (our hockey team is actually very good, too, so not only are these games fun but we usually win). Starts mid-October and lasts through March
-Christmas tree lighting is usually near the last day of classes, and features caroling and cocoa
Spring semester:
-Plexapalooza: a concert in the Rec Plex in late January, usually featuring a DJ. In the past, the Chainsmokers and Marshmello have been the headliners.
-more hockey (including the Beanpot tournament in February – between BC, BU, Northeastern, and Harvard. We won in five years in a row, then lost it, then won again in 2016, then lost in 2017. It’s held at the TD Garden and is always a lot of fun!)
-Showdown: a massive dance contest held in Conte Forum that showcases nearly all of BC’s dance groups. Groups prepare for their Showdown routines for the entire school year and this event does not disappoint. This is usually in March or April, depending on when Easter falls.
-Marathon Monday – third Monday of April. No class that day and the Boston Marathon runs right down Commonwealth Ave past BC! A very long, exciting, crazy day that starts super early and usually ends with you crashing in your bed around 3pm.
-Modstock – Held on the last day of classes in the Mod parking lot. Big free outdoor concert. In the past, it’s been Ludacris and T-Pain.
-Mudstock – on the same day-- a volleyball tournament in the mud!
I’m sure there are more but that’s a general list of them! Feel free to message me with any questions about coming to BC!
@tiva_mcabby5 Thank you so much! That sounds so exciting!!
Also, what’s the deal with snow there? Do you feel like you get a lot? I’m coming from NY so we get a pretty good amount but I’ve heard a lot of talk about how there’s a LOT of snow.
@hedgehogaethers
HAHA, the snow. Well, I am also from NY (upstate) so I thought I knew snow, but then my freshman year of BC (2014-15) we got 110 inches and had four snow days within two weeks. It was absurd. The city ran out of places to put the snow and I think the biggest snow pile didn’t finish melting until July. (See here: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/specials/winter2015)
Of course, the year after that, we had zero snow days. We got some big storms but they happened to fall on weekends.
Then, this past winter we had two snow days, and one of those was after spring break (which is the first week of March).
So I suppose I could say it really varies. It hasn’t been as bad as January/February 2015 in the past two winters but who knows, that could very well happen again this winter! However, being from NY you’re much more prepared than all of the kids coming from the south, California, or even the DC area. You’ll be fine. Just invest in some snow boots (I have LL Bean boots and love them) and a warm parka. Often, the cold is the bigger problem! It can get very windy so a warm coat is essential.
@tiva_mcabby5 : loved reading your two posts, Tiva!