What To Do Around Boston University When You’re Broke AF

College is expensive. Not only are there loans to pay, the college student has to pay for transportation costs, two or three meals a day, and general hygienic necessities. It’s easy to swipe and swipe until your bank account hits the single digits. So what do you do when you’re broke AF at Boston University?

1. Walk/take the T to a nearby park and just chill!

This is good opportunity for you to explore the quieter parts of Boston. There’s
Winthrop Square in Brookline which is a fifteen minute walk away from West
campus, Amory Playground also in Brookline, and of course, Boston Commons
which is right off the Boylston stop on the Green Line.

Parks are a great place to clear your mind and get away from your dorm room where you’d normally be furiously working on a biology lab or huddled in a blanket watching The Office. It’s also an excuse to explore the parts of Boston that you don’t normally see as
you run down Comm Ave to get to your next class. However, the whole outdoors park thing isn’t the ideal situation during the cold, snowy winters in Boston. On the brighter side, there are a ton of indoor options as well!

2. Take advantage of the free admission to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum!

Lucky for you, BU students get free (yes, FREE) admission to the Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum. Just show your ID at the ticket counter, and walk
through the doors of the infamous house of Isabella Stewart Gardner. The house
is filled with priceless statues and paintings, letters from famous poets, and
extravagant furniture. Take your time and enjoy all three floors of art, and of
course, take as many pictures as you can.

3. And the free admission to the Museum of Fine Arts!

The MFA of Boston also offers free admission to BU students! There are a ton of
different art exhibits from all over the world. Classics and moderns are displayed
elegantly on the walls. If you’re an art junkie, then the MFA is a destination you
must go to.

4. Tour all the bubble tea places of Boston.

I don’t know about you guys, but I LOVE bubble tea. Boston has a ton of bubble
tea places located in Brookline, Allston, and Fenway, all very close to Boston University. A couple of my favorites are Limoo Tea Bar, Tealosophy, and Kung Fu Tea. Bubble tea only costs three to six dollars, making it a sweet treat after a long week of studying. And for all
you legal drinkers, Limoo Tea Bar offers alcoholic options… even one served in a
watermelon.

5. Shop! (I know, I know…)

You probably think I’m insane; shopping is what made me a broke college student. But, there are stores that offer student discount like Madewell and J. Crew. Also, don’t be afraid of the sale sections! They’re full of hidden treasures. There are thrift stores all over Boston, and many have special events or sales that happen throughout the year.

Shopping online is REALLY dangerous but Amazon Prime is free for all college students. Free two-day shipping is pretty awesome, especially for those impulse buys you get late at night. A good tool for discounts online and offline is UniDays, a site where college students can get special deals at all their favorite stores. There’s always a deal going on for
American Apparel, BooHoo, Forever 21, and Urban Outfitters. Being a broke college student has its perks.

I’m sure there are a ton of other options for the college student living in Boston, but these are ones you should definitely check out. Being broke in Boston isn’t all bad!