Evan B: A Love Letter To My Office Job

When the Office Manager at COM Undergraduate Affairs first reached out to me at the end of my Sophomore year asking if I would be interested in working as an office assistant, I had no clue what to expect. I never exactly thought an office job would be my thing. For starters, copy machines can get really confusing, really quick. But, since I first took a seat in our super tall rolly chair at the front desk of Undergraduate Affairs, I’ve never looked back!

I quickly mastered the copy machine– the office is passionate about a good coloring page– but have also found that there’s so much more to do when I’m working in the office. Picking up the phone is always a fun surprise, and there is definitely no shortage of emails to answer, especially during registration season 😉

At Undergraduate Affairs, we take our snacks super seriously, too. Any day can be made better with a little help from our candy drawer, and all of the other Office Assistants and Advisors are super passionate about trying all of the Pringle flavors that exist around the world (and yes, there is a running ranking sheet of all the flavors we’ve tried). There is no shortage of baked goods in the office– with gluten- and dairy-free options too– and sometimes we even get lucky if there are extra snacks from an event around COM, too.

Most importantly, though, working in the office has meant so much more to me than all of the fun we have every day, like when our WB Mason office supply deliveries arrive or we decorate to celebrate the next upcoming holiday. Not only have I been able to learn super important skills that will help me in any role I take on in the future, like how to reply to emails, help a student at the front desk, or what to do when I don’t know the answer to a question, but I’ve also found a diverse support system through working in the office, too. Many of the other office assistants are in the same classes as I am, and we always help each other with coursework and networking, too. Getting to know each of the advisors has shown me that there is always someone there to support you in your academic, professional, and personal life; so much can happen in your four years of undergraduate school, and each and every one of our advisors is so knowledgeable and is there to support you at every moment along the way. Additionally, I’ve gotten to know the faculty and staff of the different COM departments, Dean’s Office, and Career Services, which has helped me feel more confident in myself as a student and my ability to get a full-time job once I graduate.

COM Undergraduate Affairs is just one more example of the COMmunity I’ve found here at BU, and I know for a fact that my time in Boston would not have been the same if I had let my fears of the copy machine stop me from taking on this position 🙂

Evan B: On Starting My Senior Year… Just A Few Things I’ve Learned During My Time In College (So Far)!

Hi everyone! It’s CA Evan, your favorite Media Science to Public Relations major who now wants to pursue… theatre management?!?!?! These past three years in Boston have been quite an adventure, and as my fourth, and sadly, final year is just beginning, I wanted to share just a few of the things I’ve learned so far!

Try new things!
There’s so much to do not only in COM, but around BU and Boston, and the world, too! Some of my favorite memories I’ve made at BU so far have been when I tried something that I never thought I’d be interested in, like joining BUTV10’s Bay State as an actor or the Dance Theatre Group. While I won’t have the time to study abroad before I graduate (I’d need an 8th or 9th
day in the week to make that happen), so many of my friends who have absolutely loved their experience! BU has so much to offer, and you may not even see it until you start looking. Nothing is ever set in stone, and there is so much time to try all of the things you love, or may not think you’ll love at first, either!

Do what you love!
Before I came to BU, I had always thought I’d pursue healthcare communications, and never pictured it any different. Well, after beginning the Media Science curriculum and soon learning that wasn’t quite what I’d wanted, I changed my major to Public Relations one day before my Sophomore spring began! And, after one more year, I changed my career focus again, this time to theatre production management, realizing theatre is really what I love and want to do in my
life. I know I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without taking each of those steps, all of which had something to do with what I loved and what my goals are. And, I know all of those experiences have made me so happy– I don’t think I would feel the same if I hadn’t always followed my heart my entire time at BU!

Don’t be afraid to think– and step outside of– the box!
Is there a club you want to join on campus but don’t see? You can make it! Do you want to learn more about something related to your major but don’t see a class about it? You can work with a Faculty Mentor on a Directed Study, research, or even COMLab! One of the best things about going to a big school in a city is that there are always opportunities for you to explore, even if it means having to look a bit harder for them 😉

Have (so much) fun!
College is honestly such a fun experience, and these four years can go by super fast! Whether you’re exploring Boston or revisiting one of your favorite spots, or making new friends or having a movie night with some of your best friends, make the most of everything and have fun!

Evan B: Be Your Valentine: Practicing Self Love in College

Be Your Valentine: Practicing Self Love in College

As college students, it can be incredibly easy to fall into a rhythm of only focusing on classes and homework. Although we’re at school to learn, it is super important to take a break and take the time to put yourself first! So, this Valentine’s Day, make it a goal to prioritize self care in your own daily routine. Here are just  a few tips that I’ve used to practice self love:

  1. Treat yourself

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Anyone who knows me knows that I am most definitely a dessert person! Sometimes all I need is a sweet pick-me-up, whether that’s grabbing a chocolate rose from Tatte before classes or grabbing a sundae at J.P. Licks after a long day of classes. Although days at school can be super busy, it’s really important to remember to reward yourself for your hard work every so often. So, whether your love language is in the form of a home-cooked meal, trip to Starbucks, or a fun treat, you deserve it all!

 

  1. Watch (all of the) Netflix, like, ever

There’s nothing better than curling up in your fuzziest slipper socks with the latest hit TV series after a busy day at work! Whether I’m fully invested in a drama series or am in need of a good laugh, Netflix always does the trick for me. My recent favorite has been the second season of Cheer, but there’s sure to be a show that’s perfect for you!

 

  1. Get outside and get moving!

Boston is absolutely beautiful, whether the trees are in full bloom during the spring or covered with a dusting of snow in the winter. Whenever I need some fresh air, I love taking a walk on the Esplanade or along the Fens. It can be way too easy to spend entire days in the BU Bubble. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of fresh air to get your mind off of classes, homework, or anything else. Taking a walk or doing yoga always makes for a perfect study break, too!

 

  1. Spend time with friends

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Let’s face it– long days working are no fun. Whether your best friend is your roommate or you make a plan to hang out with your squad after classes, laughter and catching up is always the best medicine. Even if you can only catch up for a little bit before the next event on your calendar, I always try my best to make time to be with the people who I love most on campus!

Evan: Tongue Thai-ed! An Unofficial Thai Food Tour Around BU’s Campus

Tongue Thai-ed: An Unofficial Thai Food Tour Around BU’s Campus

Chicken Pad Thai from the Giggling Rice Thai restaurant, 1009 Beacon St., Brookline. Photo by Maddie Malhotra (COM ’19)
Photo by Maddie Malhotra (COM ‘19)

After leaving Chicago to come to BU last year, I knew there would be a big transition period. But, what I didn’t realize was that the one thing I missed most– after my dog, of course– was all of the great food from home. While there may not be deep dish pizza in Boston, this past semester, I decided to explore another one of my favorite cuisines: Thai food!

From campus favorites, like NudPob, to places I only heard about after moving to South Campus, I knew I had to try it all. And, to keep it consistent, I made sure to order Pad See Ew with tofuat each restaurant. So now, I present to you the unofficial thai food tour around our campus. Let’s dig in!

  1. NudPob

Even before my Freshman year, I’d heard all about Terriers’ favorite Thai food spot on campus! I was super excited to give it a try and see what the hype was all about. While I never got to go inside the store and instead chose a COVID-19-friendly contactless delivery, NudPob’s bright banners are a Comm. Ave. staple. But when I finally grabbed my chopsticks and tried my dish, I was sadly a little disappointed. My noodles were all super greasy, and while that taste may be for some people, it just wasn’t for me. My scallion pancakes were better– those are something I typically expect to be a bit more greasy– but my meal felt really heavy. One perk, however, is that NudPob’s portion sizes are huge! While NudPob is definitely the place to go to after a long night of studying, it just wasn’t exactly the taste of home I had hoped for.

  1. Thai Dish

A lesser-known Thai restaurant near the New Balance Field, I only learned about Thai Dish because of their free Thai Tea promotion at the start of the semester. The inside of the restaurant is super cute and trendy, and they clearly marked social distancing protocols inside. Their Thai tea was super light and refreshing, especially on a hot day, and their Pad See Ew complemented it nicely. Like NudPob, Thai Dish’s noodles were more on the greasy side, but their super soft and pillowy baked tofu helped make the dish less heavy. In the future, I would love to also try some of their many unique dishes which their social media helps to make look so good. If I’m ever looking for a quick meal and a fun place to carry out from, Thai Dish would fit that description perfectly!

  1. Giggling Rice

Until I moved onto Beacon St. this past year, I hadn’t heard about– or even seen– Giggling Rice! Just a few doors down from my favorite cafe and bakery, Tatte, is Giggling Rice, and it really is a hidden gem. Their staff was friendly and made sure to get my order ready super quickly, and while the inside of the restaurant may not have been as aesthetically pleasing as Thai Dish, their noodles really told another story. Giggling Rice had really captured my favorite Thai food tastes from home; the Pad See Ew was perfectly seasoned and there was even enough for me to enjoy it as leftovers the following day. I also really loved knowing that I could support a business that isn’t as central to campus, especially during these hard times. While I may be Learning from Anywhere for the first few weeks of classes, I can’t wait to get back to Boston and order from my new favorite Thai restaurant again!

 

Exploring food around Boston has been such a great way to meet new people and check out new parts of the city. Coming to college is a huge transition for everyone, but there are always ways to help you feel at home, wherever your adventures may take you! Let me know if I missed any of your favorites or what restaurants I should check out next time. 🙂

Evan: Spooky Season, Quarantine Edition!

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‘Tis the season!

Halloween is definitely a favorite amongst most college students, but as this spooky season is quickly approaching, we need to start thinking about how we can celebrate in a more COVID-friendly way! Here are just a few of my favorite festive ideas:

Go to the movies with friends (virtually)

Grab some popcorn and get on Netflix, since there’s no better way to get in the Halloween spirit than to watch some spooky movies! Netflix Party and Disney Plus GroupWatch Parties are two awesome – and COVID-friendly – ways to watch movies from home. Bonus points for creative snacks, like Star Market’s Hocus Pocus-themed cookie dough, and for extra creative picks, like Disney’s Coco on Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead on November 1st).

Decorate pumpkins with your household

Who doesn’t love some fun Halloween decor? Pumpkins are the perfect choice for fall, and you can buy a wide variety of real, plastic, or fabric ones from Target or your favorite grocery store. If you’re not in the mood for pulling out the insides of a real pumpkin, Target has some great DIY kits like this unicorn or spider. Just make sure that, wherever you are, you and your small household are wearing masks and staying 6 feet (or 2 meters) apart!

Get creative with your costumes

Dressing up to stay in is the new trick-or-treating. Who says you can’t dress up in a Cookie Monster onesie and eat cookies at home, or go as a chef and make a five course gourmet meal? Or, you and your friends can get creative with other costumes and makeup and have a virtual costume contest!

Shop the sales online

Arguably, one of the best parts of Halloween is all of the sales that happen on November 1st. Whether you’re eyeing some fun decorations or giant bags of candy, the easiest (and safest) way to shop the sales is online! You know you’ve been wanting that life-size, light up, tap-dancing skeleton 😉

And lastly…

Call voters from home

Whether you’re in or out of costume, a great way to celebrate the season is by texting or calling voters from your dorm, apartment, or home. It’s super easy and a great way to meet other fun people who are phone banking – all while knowing that you’re making a difference for issues you’re passionate about!

Make sure to treat yourself with a Reese’s pumpkin afterwards – you’ve got to take advantage of the best Halloween candy ever while it’s around for such a short time!

That’s all from me! But just because you’ve gotten to the end of this post doesn’t mean that these are the only ways to celebrate spooky season. Whatever you do, though, make sure it’s smart, safe, and socially distant 🙂

Evan: OMG, it’s Second Semester! What I’ve Learned So Far…

Hi! I’m Evan, and I’m totally new at this. COM Ambassadors, BU, Boston, basically everything that is going on in life right now. And, as a planner, it can sometimes be just a *liiiittle* stressful not knowing much at all. Sometimes I wish that people could just teach me how to do the things called “college-ing” and “adulting,” but since that never totally happened (and I am my own strong, independent, and somewhat thriving person!), that’s why I’m here right now. I guess you could call me your freshman-year fairy godmother, or something like that. If you, too, are also a little terrified and a lot excited for your future, this post is just for you.

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Without further adieu, here's how to be a COM freshman, as Told by a COM freshman...

Don’t be afraid to ask your COM Ambassador for anything!

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Okay, so maybe we won’t all be able to give you the keys to our apartment, but we are always here for you. Our main goal is to make sure your start at COM is incredible, so you can love it as much as we do. Need a brunch buddy? We got that. Want to check out the coolest new independent films at Coolidge Corner? You can count on us. Looking for a friendly face to say hello to during your walk down Comm. Ave? We’re here for that too. Questions about your schedule? Check. But for more about that…

Pick your classes based on what you’re interested, and not on what anyone else wants you to be interested in.

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The HUB seems really confusing, I get it. But with the HUB curriculum comes the opportunity to take so many amazing classes that are completely unique to BU! My math class literally involved making lava cakes, ice cream, and boba (s/o PY 107: Physics of Food) and meeting a bunch of other amazing freshmen who also were a little scared of calculus. BUT, if calculus speaks to you, go for it! There is nothing that can stop you, and with all of the amazing programs at BU, I guarantee that you can complete your HUB credits and have an amazing time while you’re at it.

(I know it’s such a cliche, but) try new things!

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Never in 100,000,000,000 years would I have thought that I’d be acting on a TV show, or that the TV show would just so happen to be the nation’s longest-running college soap opera (...in the history of college soap operas? Shoutout to Bay State and BUTV10!!). And now, this semester, I’m planning on assistant producing a show for one theater group, doing hair and makeup for another, joining a sorority, and more. There are so many opportunities at BU, it’s practically impossible to not find your niche here.

Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone– or into the huge and fantastic city of Boston!

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Boston is an amazing city! Whether you’re coming from a big city– like I did– or you’re from a town with only one stoplight, Boston is the perfect not-huge big city. Especially with the MBTA Green Line that runs straight through campus, you can get to the beautiful parks of Chestnut Hill or the historic North End in minutes. And as your COM Ambassadors, we would all love to introduce you to the city we all call home!

And lastly… Be You!

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I know it’s cheesy, but this had to happen at some point 🙂 There is really no better place to learn and grow, and although I’m still a newbie, I can only imagine what’s to come!

Now that I’m officially 100 words over the word count, I think it’s time to go. But, as you’re COM ambassadors, we’ll still always be here for you!

Until next time 🙂