You’ve been waiting for this day all summer long. After the long hours of unpacking and those tearful goodbyes (mainly from your parents), here it is, the moment you can finally scream, “I am a college freshman!” Now the only thing that remains is figuring out your first night. Here are five helpful tips to turn this nerve-wracking situation into an unforgettable evening. 1. Turn those clocks back an hour. If you’ll be checking out Binghamton night life, buckle your seat belt for a wild ride. Here’s your first tip: don’t go out before 10 p.m. Although you might be…

If last year was any indication of upcoming trends, it looks like freshmen might have to prepare themselves for some tight living quarters. Over-occupied triples are the university’s solution to too many incoming freshmen. While dorm life is already a struggle for some students — sharing a relatively small room with one other person — it becomes even more of a problem when three students are expected to inhabit the same-sized space. Not only do the students have to share their living space, but they also have to share furniture as well. Unlike normal doubles or triples which have a…

Figuring out what to bring to college may seem like a daunting task. In reality, it’s pretty easy in comparison to everything else you’ll probably encounter at Binghamton. Everyone knows the easy stuff to pack: clothes, toothbrush, shampoo, the list goes on and on. However, there are probably some things you may not realize are BU essentials. Luckily, Release comes to the rescue. Fan: It’s crazy, but summer does make its way to Binghamton. The rooms can get stuffy at night so a fan really helps. Rain boots and an umbrella: It rains. A lot. Enough said. Coloring books, colored…

Although some students in high school relationships decide not to take the risk and become long distance, others feel like chancing it. Being in any sort of relationship in the hectic college environment can be difficult, but adding a few ― or a few hundred ― miles can be even worse. J. Thomas Cousins, Ph.D., clinical director of Binghamton University’s Counseling Center, suggests that like all relationships, communication is key. “In order to maintain (a long-distance relationship) you need regular communication,” Cousins said. However, like all areas of life, having a healthy balance is necessary, and Cousins warns against e-mail…

Jer Coons is not your average 20-year-old. While most people his age are heavily preoccupied with figuring out their majors, Coons is trying to figure out what will be the next move in his music career. Despite the fact that he is already on his second full-length album, set to drop in late September, and his first single “Legs” will be playing in all Hollister stores beginning this month, Coons, who has never been in a Hollister before, is surprisingly modest. “I don’t have a crazy list of accomplishments,” Coons said. His wide-eyed naivete, which can be seen most clearly…

While most incoming freshmen have left their beds, their old sneakers and their dogs behind, some students have left something else behind as well ― a broken relationship. Breaking up with your significant other before college is commonplace. How else are you going to explore and get to know yourself? But like all breakups, getting over it can be difficult. J. Thomas Cousins, Ph.D., clinical director of the University Counseling Center, has been part of Binghamton University for years and has seen his fair share of heartache. According to Cousins, one needs to remember that there are two sides to…