All this is great advice thus far. Since it seems you do not have much experience in driving in the snow, DEFINATELY get the snow tires. You'll be happy you have them.
In addition, a few comments about Boston and the snow. First off, do you have a dedicated off-street parking spot? Where abouts are you going to school? Where abouts are you parking the car? If not, your car will probably see alot of cosmetic abuse this winter, especially on the streets of Boston. In Boston you're subject to being bumped and rubbed by people parallel parking year round, but in the winter it will get alot worse.
You will probably want a compact or portable snow shovel to keep in your trunk. In the winter its everyone for themselves in terms of parking. Unless you go to some of the old school neighborhoods (like in Southie) where if you shovel out a spot, you've earned a right to that spot.
Finally, it is always wise to keep above 1/4 of a tank of gas in the car. You never know how long it'll take you to actually get to the next gas station in the snow.
