As the leaves begin to change and the weather starts to cool, the hectic nature of move-in and the nerves of starting classes have finally settled. If you are feeling lost on campus, rest assured. Acclimating to Northeastern’s campus for the first time — whether as a first-year, a transfer student, a Global Scholar or an exchange student — can be overwhelming.

As I enter my fourth and final year at Northeastern, I find myself feeling nostalgic about my time here. To quell those feelings, I have created this guide to Northeastern, synthesizing all the tips and tricks I have learned over the years.

Campus hacks

When the weather becomes so frigid that walking from class to class outdoors feels like a personal Everest, take the 16,705-foot network of tunnels underneath campus. The tunnels connect 11 buildings — from Snell Library to the Cabot Center — with the primary entrance at Curry Student Center. Take a digital tour here.

Overcrowding at Marino Recreation Center can make working out time-consuming and frustrating. Check out SquashBusters at 795 Columbus Ave. for a smaller, less crowded gym experience. SquashBusters is open from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and has varying hours Friday through Sunday.

If you still prefer to workout at Marino, you can check the Live Facility Counts to determine the optimal time to attend. Marino also offers a variety of workout classes including cycling, pilates and yoga. Members have access to all classes after paying the Group Fitness Aerobics fee for $50 per semester through the app Atleto. Workout studios around Boston including Rev’d cycling and CorePower offer student deals for classes and memberships as well.

Take advantage of your Husky Card at establishments around the city. The Museum of Fine Arts, or MFA, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, or ICA, both offer free ticketed admission to students. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum supplies discounted student tickets for $13, but Northeastern students can get their tickets for free by using the code “NORTHEASTERN” when reserving tickets.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra offers a College Card for $30 that gives students access to certain shows throughout the orchestra’s season. As a Northeastern student, you are also eligible for either a physical library card or an eCard at the Boston Public Library.

If you are planning to shop in the Prudential Center or on Newbury Street, bring your Husky Card. Stores like Madewell and J. Crew offer a 15% discount to students. It’s always worth it to bring your student ID along on a shopping trip and ask the employees about discounts before checking out — you never know when you could save a few bucks.

The university also offers free digital access to magazines and newspapers using your Northeastern email, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Financial Times and more.

With your Husky Card, you can receive 11% off the standard monthly price of a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority card. While pass sales for this fall have ended, check for offers available in the spring.

Follow the Northeastern Center for Student Involvement, or CSI, on Instagram for frequent updates regarding events, workshops and student organizations. CSI executes fun and engaging experiences like Fall Fest, Homecoming Week and group Red Sox games. This past spring, I was able to attend the Boston Calling Music Festival for just $35 through a CSI deal, whereas a standard ticket was over $300. Over the summer, I used CSI’s Instagram to keep track of the weekly “Keepin’ it Cool” event, which supplied free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to students at different campus locations. 

Study spaces

If you are finding Snell Library — which has just reopened its newly-renovated third floor — too crowded or the Curry Student Center too loud, there are many lesser-known study areas around campus worth exploring. 

Located across from Symphony Hall, the Horticulture Hall at 300 Massachusetts Ave. is quiet and removed from the hustle and bustle of the central campus. This building is a convenient space for those who live at 60 Belvidere St. or the Midtown Hotel and do not want to make the full trek to campus.

West Village G’s first floor is ideal for planting yourself in one spot for a few hours and powering through an essay. With plenty of comfortable seating and minimal distractions, I tend to find myself here during finals week. 

While I’m not a STEM major, I often find myself working on the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex’s top floor, cafe area or outside seating. The natural light pouring into the building along with the calm and clean environment creates the ideal combination for productivity.

If Snell is your study spot of choice but you need a break from the hectic environment, you can book a room for group work or private studying up to one week in advance. For other spots around campus with room bookings, visit Spaces at Northeastern.

Best places to eat near campus

After you try the classic Tatte breakfast and El Jefe’s dinner, make picking up a sandwich at Wollaston’s Market next on your list of campus eats. Its sandwich creations are unique and tasty, with names distinctive to Northeastern, such as “The Huntington” and the “Marino Fitness.” Sprout is another healthy and easy to-go option on Huntington Avenue with Mediterranean-inspired salads.

An iced matcha latte and a rosemary salt bagel from Pavement Coffeehouse on Gainsborough Street is the best weekend indulgence. Oakleaf Cakes Bake Shop, next to Symphony Hall, has incredible coffee and decadent pastries. It’s also a great spot to pick up a sweet birthday treat for a friend.

Slightly further away is Pressed Cafe — my favorite casual spot at any time of day. Its paninis, açaí bowls and coffees are delicious. My only qualm is the lack of Wi-Fi if you are looking for a cafe to work in. Alternatively, try Caffé Nero’s Symphony location on New Edgerly Road. The cafe is equipped with many charging ports and efficient Wi-Fi, qualifying it as the cafe I frequent most often.

The first month or two on campus can feel surreal, like you are just trying it out rather than becoming immersed in the environment. With this advice, hopefully you will acclimate more swiftly. Soon enough, campus will feel like home away from home. Over time, you will have tips and tricks of your own to share.