For those in a hurry, here are the most critical things to remember:

• Documents: Keep your I-20, Passport (with Visa), and NU Admission Letter in your carry-on bag at all times. Have digital copies on your phone/cloud storage.
• Arrival: Land at Boston Logan Airport (BOS). The easiest way to your apartment is an Uber/Lyft. The cheapest way is the free Silver Line (SL1) bus.
• Housing: NEVER pay a deposit or sign a lease for an off-campus apartment without seeing it (or having a trusted friend do a video tour) and having the lease reviewed for free by NU's Off-Campus Student Services (OCSS). Housing scams are very common.
• Scams: Government agencies (like USCIS, IRS, or the FBI) will NEVER call you to threaten deportation or demand immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfer. Hang up on such calls immediately—they are scams.
• Academics: Understand the strict rules on Academic Integrity and Plagiarism. Copying from any source without proper citation can have severe consequences. When in doubt, ask your professor.