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<li><p>What kind of stationary do we need for BU? Do professors expect students to turn things in on loose leaf paper or in notebooks? Can we keep the notes we take in class to ourselves?</p></li>
<li><p>Is Internet available everywhere throughout campus? Would we need a password to connect to the internet at BU?</p></li>
<li><p>Is there an available computer lab at BU in which I can do work on if I don’t have a computer? Is there also a printer there?</p></li>
<li><p>How long is the library open until in BU? What is the name of the main library in BU?</p></li>
<li><p>In classes, do professors know you by name? If your name is hard to pronounce, is there any chance you can tell the professor to call you by a nickname? Are professors willing to help you if needed?</p></li>
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<p>I’m an incoming freshman, so I’m not sure about several of these, but I do know that wifi is pretty much available in every part of campus, but the signal isn’t as strong in certain places, and some people mentioned that the connection in certain dorms might be weak, so it’s good to get an ethernet cord. To log in, you just use the same log in as the student link.
I believe the main library is Mugar and it has printers, and somewhere on the BU site (probably under IT services, but I know there’s a link somewhere in these threads), it states where the printers are and when they’re open. I’m also pretty sure that there’s a computer lab in there.</p>
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<li><p>You turn in loose sheets of paper for problem sets - either handwritten or printed (ask the professor what they prefer), and print-outs for essays/papers. In your writing class you might be required to turn in a portfolio, for which you’ll need to buy a paper folder (most people prefer the official-looking ones with BU logo from the bookstore). In my class specifically, we were asked to turn in our notes with the portfolio as well, to show that we’ve been paying attention and keeping up throughout the semester; however I doubt the professor read them - it was probably just to help your case if you wanted to argue about your final grade. Otherwise your notes are your own business.</p></li>
<li><p>There are many computers available in Mugar (the main library), and additional computers in several computer labs in other buildings, such as SMG or Photonics. All computer labs have printers as well. You can also get stuff printed in your dorm’s mail room.</p></li>
<li><p>Mugar is open until (I think) 2am on weekdays. During finals it’s open 24h</p></li>
<li><p>In big lectures (i.e. EC 101 where there are 200 people), your professor won’t know you by name, but the Teaching fellow in your discussion section probably will. In classes with 40 people or less, the professor will make an effort to remember everyone’s names. If you participate a lot and go to office hours from time to time, then they will remember you easily. Professors get sheets with everyone’s ID pictures and names, which they use to take attendance. During the first class, they usually go through the lists and have everyone introduce themselves, which is a perfect time for you to say that you go by another name. This is definitely not uncommon and professors are very accommodating about people with names that are hard to pronounce in English.</p></li>
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<p>dd had no computer for three weeks last semester because hers broke. She did all her work at Mugar, but did not enjoy the constant commute. If you are a girl, most schools have security members who will escort you to your dorm at night. At BU, most of your walk would be along Commonwealth probably, which is always busy and relatively safe. I think if there is any way to purchase your own computer your life would be simpler by far. the dorms are wired for Internet access, and lots of help is available to get you set up. All the dorms also have printers, but our daughter bought a small cheap one and was really glad. Going to office hours is critical… Our dd raised her GPA dramatically in college, primarily from going to office hours with drafts of every paper and if she was unclear on any material.</p>