26 Tips for the Class of 2026
Welcome to Babson, Class of 2026. Over your next four years, you’ll discover a funny thing about campus: It is small but mighty. There’s always something to learn, someone to meet, and something to do on our roughly 350 acres. Finding those opportunities and seizing them can be overwhelming, especially as you adjust to being away from home.
To help you settle into your new home, we asked some of Babson’s finest—your fellow students—to help guide you, offering advice from the serious to the mundane, from the best places to study to the best places to decompress. Here are 26 nuggets of wisdom to get you started on your Babson journey.
Meeting People and Making Friends
More than 2,000 undergraduate students call Babson home. Over the next academic year, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and bond with your fellow students.
1. Take Time for Trim. Babson’s dining hall isn’t just a place to get a meal. It’s a great space to spend time with new people. “It serves as a hub for casual dinners with friends and has been the location for many deep conversations (for me),” said Eita Nakagawa ’24.
2. Join a Club. Babson has over 100 clubs, from Greek life to the arts to faith-based organizations. The College even encourages students to start their own clubs (we are all entrepreneurs, after all).
3. Check Out the Campus Activities Board. CAB is dedicated to providing an inclusive, fun environment for Babson students. “Whether it’s tickets to a Red Sox game or food trucks on campus, there’s always something going on,” said Tamar Salant ’25.
4. Attend Early Semester Events. Founder’s Day, this year on September 8, 2022, is a large party celebrating the history of the College, with free food, trivia, and lawn games on the Park Manor Quad. You also want to look out for the Student Organization Fair (September 9) and Friends and Family Weekend (September 30 to October 2).
5. Book a Room. Students can book study spaces for individual work and group projects, and they also can reserve other campus spots to hang out with friends. “I booked one of the big auditoriums on campus, and my friends and I would play Mario Kart and watch a movie on a gigantic screen,” said Jessica Lin ’24.
Finding the Best Campus Spots
As you begin to study the campus map, knowing where to start is half the battle. These are a few (but certainly not all) of our students’ favorite places.
6. Lace Up at the Rink. You may not even know Babson has a skating rink. All our students get free access and skate rentals.
7. Try Your Hand at Pottery. Even more shocking is that there’s a ceramics studio behind Trim. “The studio for me is one of my favorite spots simply because I can go in, pop in some headphones, and make stuff,” said Salant.
8. Attend a Gym Class. If yoga, martial arts, or dance is more your decompression speed, Lunder Fitness Center offers group fitness classes, as well as a wide range of gym equipment.
9. Utilize the Weissman Foundry. The Foundry is a great resource when you want to turn your business idea into a real prototype. Babson, F.W. Olin College of Engineering, and Wellesley College students all can use this studio space and social kitchen.
10. Discover the Global Lounge. The Reynolds Campus Center has everything you need, including the bookstore and a brand-new Dunkin’ Donuts. On Reynolds’ second floor, the Global Lounge and the nearby bridge to the Sorenson Center for the Arts are favorite student hangouts.
11. Find Beauty on Campus. The spinning Babson World Globe is certainly the focal point of our campus. Other spots will leave you awestruck, too. “The Glavin Family Chapel is always so beautiful on a sunny day,” said Joanne Hao ‘23. “It’s super quiet and no one will disturb you. Lots of people go and play the piano there at night.”
Adjusting to the Academics
With its mix of practical, hands-on learning and business, liberal arts, and science courses, the Babson academic experience is a new, exciting challenge for students.
12. Find Your Study Spot. Our library and its adjacent atrium are beautiful, but those aren’t the only spots for some peace and quiet. Reynolds has its aforementioned areas, and you will want to seek out the benches at Gerber Hall. And, Olin Hall may be home to the graduate school, but it offers snacks and study spots for everyone on campus.
“I have also met some of the most motivated individuals here, and they inspire me to do better every day.”
Gabriella Sally '25
13. Get to Know Your Professors. Faculty are here to support and challenge you. They are a vital resource on your Babson journey. “The key to establishing a good relationship with your professors is to be communicative,” said Gabriella Sally ’25. “Although some professors might seem intimidating at first, they’re there to help you succeed.”
14. Don’t Overthink Your Schedule. When picking classes, consider how you like to learn, what times of day you have the most energy, and when you like to study. Cramming it all into the afternoon or on set days may not be sustainable. “Scheduling all your classes within one day may not be a good choice,” said Hao ’23.
15. Know Your Resources. If you’re stuck on something, Babson has so many in-person resources. “Need help on an essay? Just visit the Writing Center,” said Sally. “Stuck on a math problem? There’s the Math Center for that. Confused about starting your business? There’s the Blank Center. Feeling stressed lately? Book an appointment with CAPS.” There’s also the Speech Center, which can help with your first big presentation.
16. Remember College Isn’t Just Class. Your academics are important, but they aren’t the only thing you’re meant to accomplish here. Friendship, creative pursuits, and general life deserve attention, too. “Don’t worry too much about your concentration or internship next summer,” said Jackson Harnett ’24. “It’s important to focus on your career but also to enjoy college.”
Getting Off Campus
Our campus provides all of the amenities you need to thrive here, but Wellesley and the Greater Boston area offer great leisure and food options mixed with New England charm.
17. Explore Wellesley. Where you want to go in Wellesley depends on how much you want to walk or if you have a car. A short trek from campus is Volante Farms for sandwiches, produce, and ice cream. Downtown Wellesley, which will take you about a half-hour on foot, has the revered Linden Store Deli and local latte favorite Tatte Bakery & Café.
18. Meet Our Neighbors. Babson has specific partnerships with neighboring schools Olin College of Engineering and Wellesley College. Students can take certain courses across the colleges, and Babson provides a shuttle between all three.
19. Go for a Walk. New England is especially beautiful in the fall. The Sudbury Path behind campus is a biking and hiking trail, and Dover’s Noanet Woodlands, which offers a city view of Boston, is a short drive from campus.
20. Set Up a Babson Uber Profile. The Babson Student Government Association (SGA) offers specific discounted Uber rides to students, including during move-in and for trips to grocery stores. Follow SGA on Instagram for more information.
21. Get to Boston. Massachusetts’ capital city, which offers dining, shopping, concerts, and historic spots, is only 10 miles from campus. “The best part of student life is definitely the culture of going out to eat in Boston with your friends,” said Nakagawa. Wellesley has commuter rail stops that will take you to downtown Boston, and the Catch Connect shuttle will take you to the Green Line.
Discovering What Makes Babson, Babson.
Here are a few final tips so you can make sure to get the full Babson experience.
22. Talk Yourself Up. The best way to find resources is to tell people—older students, co-workers at your work-study, professors—what you’re interested in. They will know about programs, opportunities (for example, the Natalie Taylor Scholar Program for those passionate about social justice), and personal connections to help you out. Also, explore our website and social feeds.
23. Meet Roger. Roger, named after our founder Roger Babson, is our campus resource dog. Posting him on your Instagram will get you a few extra likes.
24. Know Winter Is Coming. Make sure to have a long winter coat and sturdy boots for walks to class. And, if you’re bringing your car to campus, make sure you also bring a scraper and shovel.
25. Try All the Food Options. Trim will be your mainstay, but you will miss out on some great finds if that’s the only place you eat. “The Reynolds’ acai bowl is the best,” said Hao.
26. Embrace the Small. We’re a small school (it will take you at most 10 minutes to get to your next campus spot), but our community offers the world. The vast, specialized nature of Babson is our actual untapped resource. “The Babson community is so tight-knit since it’s such a small school,” said Sally. “I have also met some of the most motivated individuals here, and they inspire me to do better every day.”
Posted in Community
Latest Stories
