Jess S: How to handle THAT time of the semester

It’s finally midterm season. Boston’s hot summer days are beginning to trickle behind us, and the dry leaves of autumn are starting to make their way up the trees. The fresh school year rolls around and as people’s routines settle in, the dreaded weeks of exams and presentations become the prominent event in almost everyone’s schedules. Right before the week of Halloween costume parties and the annual spring of frat flu, we must first overcome the dreaded midterm season. College is finally collegeing, so here are a few tips to get through the first patch of the school year grind.

1. Don’t Panic

Tests, readings, and stress are all part of the College experience. Believe me, if you think you have a lot of assignments to do, there will always be someone on campus with double the work you have. In other words, look at the bright side – you don’t have it the worst. Almost everyone around you will be feeling the weight of this time of the year, so don’t be afraid to vent about it to your friends.

2. Resources, resources, resources

If you’re struggling with a class, you need to take advantage of the resources at BU. All professors hold office hours, which is a great way to get yourself settled into a topic you’re unsure about. Office hours are a time when you can sit with your professor (or a teaching assistant) and discuss ANYTHING you need help with in class. If office hours aren’t your vibe, reach out to your friends in class. The educational resource center at BU offers free tutoring for certain classes, and booking an appointment would only take 5 minutes of your time. There are so many places you can get help in the weeks leading up to it. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask for help, because at the end of the day, your grade is on the line.

3. Take breaks

The days leading up to midterm season can seem overwhelming, and at times the built-up pressure will compel you to study for hours on end. It’s never a good idea to pull an all-nighter, regardless of how difficult the class may be. If you don’t procrastinate, you won’t have to cram a large chunk of information into a full day of revising. Doing up to an hour of studying every day a week or two before a midterm will help you immensely. I’ve tried both routes and the latter has always proved more successful.

4. Balance your social life

It’s never a good idea to completely cut out any form of human interaction during a stressful week. Your friends will be your support system, so don’t forget to take study breaks and
actually TALK to people during the week. Your emotional and mental health are just as important as a good grade. That being said, try to skimp out on the frat parties and late-night
rendezvous. Instead, go on study dates or lunch breaks to stay in full study mode.

5. After…

Skipping class the next day may seem like the way to go the night after a big test. However, believe me when I say once you start skipping lectures you cannot, and may never, stop. We’re not halfway through the semester yet, so the grind is far from over. A few weeks will go by before it gets to THAT point again. The best thing to do would be to reward yourself a bit outside of class. Go to a nice dinner place, spend the weekend sleeping in, or explore the city with some friends.

The college experience wouldn’t be complete without the haunting weeks of deadlines, exams, and endless assignments. This time of the year may seem like the worst part of being in university, but at the end of the day, everyone comes here to learn. Regardless of what grade you get, or how difficult your classes are, there will always be something to learn out of every experience. That being said, the ideal outcome would be for you to succeed while doing so. Post midterm season, you’ll finally have time again to live a little outside of those textbooks and office hours, so take advantage of that. Before you know it, the second set of midterms will show itself without warning. Except this time, you’ll know how to handle it.

Aidan W: Life Lessons in College

I met my best friend at my worst moment. It was raining. It was cold. And I was surrounded by my fellow "sisters." And let me explain.

I joined a sorority sophomore year to make new friends and be a part of a community. I did the whole rush process. I practiced my elevator pitch for all the interviews. Practice smiling. I did the entire process as best I could, scared I wouldn't get it, but more scared I would and not make friends. The whole process, in fact, I thought about dropping out.

And when I finally got in, I realized it was not for me. But let's go back to the cold rainy night.

I was chatting with a group when my name floated across the conversation. Meanwhile, in my head, all I could think about was whether I would stay in the sorority or not. All of a sudden, somebody says, "Aidan Walsh?" I turn around, and there's my future best friend. We hit it off immediately. 

She is my best friend to this day. And I only met her if I joined that sorority. So the next time you feel like quitting, it may be scary and unknown, but you only know how good your life will get if you try. 

There will always be points in our lives where we want to quit. It may seem like the easy way out. Or you may want to quit but are scared of the aftermath and how others will judge you. But think about every other moment you felt that way. It may be hard to recount a moment because we always seem to get through those tough times. And each time, we get stronger and learn something new. We become more confident in ourselves and our decisions. Think about life if you have yet to try new things. 

If we always do what is comfortable, how will we grow? Trying new things is worthy of the prize of what is to come. And if the results still weren't favorable, you walk away with a great story and still have learned something new. If we always assume it's a negative outcome, we will never experience some of the best while unexpected things. 

And to wrap this up, I actually did drop the sorority, and with no shame because I got my best friend out of it.

Mia P: How to Survive the Boston Winter, From a California

“How bad is the cold?” 

“How should I prepare for the weather?”

“Are the winters in Boston really THAT bad?”

As a COM Ambassador, these are probably the most frequently asked questions I get from potential or incoming students — and it’s a valid question. Boston winters are no joke. 

Coming from sunny Southern California, I was also uneasy moving to the Northeast as someone who had never experienced a real winter. Now that I’m in my senior year at BU, it’s safe to say that I’m used to it by now. I don’t actually find the winter to be THAT intolerable, but it can definitely be hard for others come November through January. So, here are my tips for making the winters better at BU! 

  1. INVEST IN A WARM COAT

This sounds pretty self-explanatory and maybe obvious, but investing in a solid, warm winter coat is everything. I’m not saying that you need to drop hundreds of dollars on the latest Canada Goose jacket, but in this case quality really is key. Definitely check out brands like The North Face, Columbia, or Uniqlo. 

  1. ACCESSORIZE 

Beanies, scarves, and mittens will save you. I’m a huge fan of beanies myself because no one tells you the pain of your ears freezing. Also, these things make a winter outfit complete! 

  1. ENJOY WINTER ACTIVITIES

There are some facets of winter that don’t involve the weather. One of my favorite memories at BU was the first time it snowed freshman year and everyone left their dorms to go play outside! There are also lots of opportunities to go ice skating and do other holiday activities, like the Snowport market downtown. 

  1. DON’T LET WINTER STOP YOUR HOBBIES

Something I was really worried about was if the cold would stop me from doing the things I love. I love to be outside and workout outside — and while a Noreaster may not make an outdoor run doable, buying some warm workout gear has helped me keep up with my hobbies despite the cold. It’s really important that you keep up with the things you enjoy and not let winter kill your whole vibe!

Amanda W: Senior year what’s between classes and coffee breaks

My senior year so far has been truly rewarding. Each day, I wake up with different challenges and opportunities. My internship and on-campus engagement, such as serving as the Conference Coordinator at BU Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), have brought me some of the most exciting professional experience of the year. 

My fall internship as a Corporate Communications Intern at Dassault Systèmes has been an ground-breaking experience. I found myself submerged in the most innovative facets of communications. One project that I have been working on is using Lumen5 to turn corporate blog posts into engaging videos. This gave me the opportunity to bring in my creativity while leveraging one of the most advanced AI tools in our age. My role also extends to supporting team endeavors, such as working on corporate reports, editing back-end website and blog materials, and improving SEO settings. 

This weekend, I, alongside our best PRSSA eboard members, flied to Nashville to attend the Annual PRSSA National Conference. At the conference, we gained some truly inspiring insights from the professionals, met the champions who are so excited to connect with students and help, and spent a fabulous time with each other. One of the sessions that inspired me is on social media campaigns. The speaker shared her experience running some successful campaigns and went over impressive campaign cases from Barbie to the The Eras Tour. 

After the national conference, our very own 2024 PRSSA Northeast District Conference will take place this coming February. I’m so excited to lead the conference planning committee to work on the conference, titled “PR Advanced: See Through Boundaries and Unlock Potential.” In an age defined by rapid technological advancements and shifting societal dynamics, our profession has undergone some remarkable changes. From integrating communication functions and increasing purpose-driven and employee communications to leveraging emerging technologies, we are excited to learn about career choices and turning points while witnessing the industry redefine its boundaries and introduce new possibilities. 

I’m so excited to kick off my senior year with all these exciting opportunities. With my other commitments in PRLab and, of course, as a COM Ambassador, I cannot wait to explore more that are yet to come.

Chloe P: Three ways to stay organized as the semester kicks into full gear

Just around three weeks of the Fall 2023 semester have gone by — in a flash. Classes are picking up, extra-curricular activities are in full swing, and work schedules are finalized. Everyone stays organized in different ways, but here are three ways that help keep me prepared:

  • Google Calendar

I am a huge advocate for Google Calendar. As August winds down and the Fall semester approaches, I am adding my classes, work schedules, and e-board meetings into my Google Calendar so that once the semester starts, I pretty much know when I’ll have time for other stuff — like eating, doing homework, and office hours when I inevitably need help in one of my classes. GCal has features to add events, but you can also add things like “focus time” or “tasks.” Tasks benefit me, especially during syllabus week, for big-ticket items like midterm exams, significant papers, and final projects. Focus time can help build time into your schedule when you can do work or be productive in another way. Whether it’s exercising, doodling, or painting, finding time for de-stressing is key when the semester is busy! Google Calendar lets you do all of that!

  • A handy-dandy notebook

Have you ever been in a big lecture hall when a professor is explaining an upcoming exam? Everyone is trying to get every word down about the exam format, but because of the volume of students, the wifi goes out! There is nothing more frustrating.

Another way I stay organized is by keeping a small notebook — mine’s actually a reporter’s notebook — on hand to write down quick notes. In class, I’ll have it open to write down reminders to myself if an assignment deadline is changing or the professor mentions something I want to remember. The equivalent of this is using the Notes app on your phone, but I love writing things down. Not only is it easier to remember the things you write, but sometimes you can’t always have your phone out in class.

The small notebooks are also helpful for the other random things that come up during the day, like tasks you remember you have to do, grocery lists, and more. 

  • Writing to-do lists daily

The third way I stay organized is by writing to-do lists for the next day, every night. You could splurge on the fancy to-do lists you find walking around stores like The Paper Source and Target, but I prefer to use my notebook (a multi-talented queen!) to write my list. I start by writing down my schedule for the following day, which includes class, work, and any other meetings or events that may have popped up. Then, I’ll write down any assignments or discussion points I have due. Finally, I write down anything I should do to get ahead of the syllabus if I have any gaps in my schedule. I also write down if I have any errands, like a grocery list or picking up textbooks. This keeps me organized during the day, especially as the chaos of being a student is distracting!

With all sorts of things going on, staying organized is the key to success for your grades, but, more importantly, for your mental health. As my dad (and Taylor Swift) says, “Failure to prepare is preparation for failure.”

Donna C: Ways to Get Involved!

With the school year starting up, I think it’s important to share some different ways students can get involved on campus!

Clubs

There are over 450+ clubs that students are able to join on campus. These clubs range from Student Government, Community Service, Greek Life, Cultural Clubs, and more! To learn more about the clubs offered on campus and how to get involved, you can either check them out at Splash on Saturday, September 9 starting at 12 at Nickerson Field, or visit the Student Activities Office Website at https://www.bu.edu/studentactivities/. If there is a specific club you’re interested in, clubs sometimes table at the GSU and check out their social media and see when their events are!

Attend Campus Events

BU hosts a number of events throughout the year that are usually promoted through BU Today or will have flyers put up around campus (including residential buildings). You can also check out what events BU is hosting and when at their website, which is https://www.bu.edu/parentsprogram/events/calendar/. Attending these events will not only give you something to do during your free time, but will also allow you to meet different people on campus!

Office Hours

Attend your professors’ office hours! Not only will this help you with your classes, but it also allows you to get to know your professors better, and for your professors to get to know you better! You can see when your professors have their office hours by checking the class syllabus, or by simply asking them.

Jobs on Campus

BU offers many opportunities for students to get a job on campus, from being a tour guide, working in food service, or becoming a Learning Assistant. To see all the jobs being offered on campus at the moment, go to the Student Link, go to My Job & Career, then press part time jobs (you can decide if you want an on campus job, or something else that is off campus). Having a job will not only allow you to become more independent by having some sort of an income, but will also cause you to meet new people and gain new and different skills.

Intramural Sports

Did you play a sport in high school and want to continue in college? Join an intramural sports team at BU! For the fall, outdoor soccer, flag football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, and tennis will be offered. To learn more about how to register to join an intramural sports team, go to this Fitness and Recreation Center website at https://www.bu.edu/fitrec/recreation/clubs ims/intramural-sports/.

Donna C: What Movies to See this Summer

We are now officially in the summer movie season! There are a lot of popular and anticipated movies coming out this summer, below I’m going to list the must-see movies of the summer. You can see all of these movies at AMC Boston Common 19 (I recommend getting an AMC Stubs Insider account, it’s free and you’ll have waived online ticket fees for $4+ tickets, be allowed to participate in discount Tuesdays, free large popcorn refills, and exclusive offers).

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is known to be revolutionary in the way animation is done nowadays. It caused a shift from making animation look as realistic as possible, to a more stylized look, and its impact is already noticeable with movies like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. In this movie, Miles is able to meet other Spider-people, but when a new threat hits, they all can’t agree on how to handle it. Miles needs to figure out what it means to be a hero and to protect the ones he loves.  The movie is in theaters now and has received many positive reviews. It’s being praised for its continuing theme of isolationism and learning how to deal with it. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Harrison Ford, now 80 years old, is making a comeback as Indiana Jones this summer. The film is also set to have Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) play Jones’ goddaughter, Helena Shaw. Jones and Shaw go on an adventure to get a dial that can change history.  The film premiered at the 76th Cannes Festival, and had mixed reviews. Many praised Ford for his performance, but also feel that the franchise has run its course. The film is set to premiere in theaters on June 30.

Barbie

If you have also seen the marketing for Barbie, you are probably as excited for it as I am. Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, Barbie and Ken leave the perfect world of Barbie Land to enjoy the joys of living among humans. The cast overall is star-studded, with people playing either different Barbies or Kens (except Michael Cera, who is just Allen). The movie is directed by Greta Gerwig, who is known for also directing Lady Bird and Little Women. The movie is set to premiere in theaters July 21.

Oppenheimer

Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film is about the role Physicist J Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cilliam Murphy) had in the Manhattan Project in developing the atomic bomb. This film is also filled with many well known actors, such as Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, and Matt Damon, just to name a few. Many people are in awe over the lack of CGI and how many of the bombs going off are real. This film has the same premiere date as Barbie, July 21, so you’ll need to decide which film you want to see first.

Eleanor S: How to Balance Multiple Jobs at BU

My favorite job I have at BU is being a COM Ambassador. I love getting to meet new people and get paid to show my love for BU. However, even though I am just a freshman, I have had to learn the importance of scheduling and organization this year. This is because being a COM Ambassador is only one of my three jobs on campus. I am also a barista at Starbucks (shout out to the Warren Towers Team!) and a sales associate at the Brookline TJ Maxx.

Though it seems pretty daunting to take on the responsibilities of three positions, especially when coming to a new environment; it is not that hard to do. Here are the tips and tricks I have learned to handle working multiple jobs and how to balance that with also making the most of the college experience.

My first tip is to create a class schedule with built-in blocks to work during. What I mean by this is try not to have all your classes spaced out throughout the day. I have classes in the morning to leave large blocks of time in the afternoon to work. It helps make my availability easy for my managers and allows me to still enjoy being a part of nighttime clubs. 

The second tip is don’t be scared to ask for help when crazier academic or extracurricular weeks come around. Most jobs on BU’s campus have a system where you can get people to cover your shift. Everyone I have worked with at these jobs has been friendly and willing to lend a helping hand.

My last tip is the saying that you’re a “student employee” and that being a student comes first. I have found knowing my strengths has been the best way for me to organize my work schedule. I realized my second semester was going to be a little more hectic, and I would have less time to commute to TJ Maxx. There is no shame in lowering hours or increasing hours of work when in college. Most establishments understand that being a “student” is our top priority.

Jobs are a lot of fun, and making money is always a plus. But just make sure you find a good balance that works for you. Look for jobs on Studentlink that work best with your aspirations or extracurricular schedule. Or even talk to fellow students about how they found their school jobs. In the end, everything will work out, and balancing any number of jobs will seem like a piece of cake. 

Joe P: Best Study Spots Ahead of Finals Season

With the final weeks of classes coming up and exam season following, here are some spots to look out for if you’re in need of a go-to study space.

1. CAS Classroom

If you know, you know. Obviously, you would not be sneaking into a full class in session, but instead find an empty room to set up shop and get working. It’s extremely versatile; if you need quiet, a room to yourself is the perfect place. If you are working on a group project, there’s plenty of space for your teammates to work together. Some rooms have whiteboards that can be great for brainstorming or problem solving. It’s also one of the few academic buildings that does not lock its doors on the weekend, so it’s almost always accessible.

 

2. COM Student Lounge

Speaking of team projects, the study lounge is a great spot for collaborative projects. With tables and access to charging blocks and other tools, the student lounge is a convenient spot for any COM student. It’s not a silent study space, which makes it good for collaborative studying, but if nothing else you could plug in headphones and lock in alone if that’s more your speed. If all else fails, look no further than COM.

 

3. Data Science Building

The new “book stack” building across from Warren Towers has already become known as a solid study space. With an elevated study space at the lobby window overlooking Comm Ave, and a Saxby’s right inside, you can’t do much better than that when it comes to the atmosphere.

 

4. The Charles River Esplanade

With the weather getting nicer, a peaceful outdoor study space can never go wrong. Whether you’re using a bench along the scenic river or setting up a blanket on the grass, there’s plenty of room to get your prep in for exam season while still getting some much needed sun and fresh air. Just make sure to stock up on allergy medicine first.

Emily F: My Favorite Experiences During My First Year

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the end of April, and that I’m nearing the end of my first year at Boston University. Reflecting back on these experiences, I realize how overwhelming the first year of college can be. So, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite experiences I had during my first year at BU.  

Splash!

Splash is one of the most exciting days within your first few weeks of college. All of the clubs from BU set up tables at Nickerson Field and students are able to walk around and sign up for any and all clubs they want to join. I signed up for quite a few email lists, mainly the drama clubs, as well as BU on Tap, which is the student run tap dance team. The College of Communications also has their own Splash event for just COM-specific clubs such as The Daily Free Press (our student run newspaper), COM Student Government, and BUTV10, which is our student run tv channel. I signed up for BUTV10 there, and decided to work on the show COED, which has been so much fun!

Hockey Games

BU may not have a football team, but it is true when people say that hockey replaces football here. Lots of students crowd Agganis Arena in support of our hockey team, filling up the student section, also known as the “Dog Pound”. The BU Pep Band performs at every game, dancing and playing songs, while students join in chants to cheer on our hockey team. Everyone in the Dog Pound is very welcoming, and you catch onto the chants pretty easily. Also, don’t feel worried if you don’t know much about hockey! When I went to the first few games, I didn’t really know what to expect. It was really easy to follow the game after a bit, and even if you don’t know much about hockey it’s still really fun to cheer BU on!

FY101

Another great experience I had during my first semester was being able to take a FY101 class, which is the “First Year Experience”. I was in a course specific to COM majors, and there were about 20 of us in this class. We had a Peer Mentor in this class, who we were able to talk to and ask any questions we had about classes, clubs, or life in general. Our Peer Mentor and our Professor talked about a new topic every week, including (but not limited to): best places to visit in Boston, money saving tips and student discounts, and how to use Boston transportation. I met quite a few people in this class, and we were able to go to places outside of class for assignments, like the Museum of Fine Arts. Students in First Year Experience also get to attend events put on by the course organizer, such as Red Sox games and Duck Boat Tours! 

My first year at Boston University has been amazing, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings!