COM Ambassador Blog

Kerri: How to Start Your Spring Semester on the Right Foot!

After not having class for a few weeks, it can be easy to fall into a routine of sleeping in, lounging around, and my favorite, being glued to Netflix for hours on end. But with the first week of classes over, so must the relaxed winter break routine. Here are 6 tips to help you get back into the swing of things:

Invest in a planner and/or desk calendar! I am a huge fan of the homework planner and desk calendar. If you don’t own one of these already, this is one purchase I highly recommend! They not only help you to keep organized, but they also make you time conscious and keep you aware of upcoming tests, projects and papers.
Find a new study spot. Finding a new space to study will feel like a fresh start; which is essentially what a new semester is for! If you’re accustomed to spending nights on the 2^nd floor of Mugar, try out another floor, or even a totally different building (like the COM Lounge!).
Set aside a certain amount of time for studying, doing homework, and writing papers. I will be the first to say that I am an occasional procrastinator. Reserving a set number of hours per day/week toward your class work will prevent those all-nighters in Mugar filled with coffee and Red Bull. Once you become used to doing work at these times, it will start to become routine!
Get on Twitter! If you aren’t already a big tweeter, it’s time to start! Many professors utilize this media platform to update students on upcoming events, relevant news to their courses, and interesting facts. It is another great way to stay connected to the University and the city of Boston. Even Dean Elmore tweets!
Familiarize yourself with your professors’ office hours. This will only be beneficial to you. I have found, from my own experiences, that when a professor can match your name to your face, you are in a better place than the rest. Displaying interest in your studies and taking the initiative to meet for extra help is always a smart move.
Get involved in something that interests you. Many clubs and organizations are beginning to hold interest meetings for the spring semester for prospective members. Getting involved in an extracurricular activity will also help teach you how to balance your free time with schoolwork.

Hanna: Spring Semester Resolution

As I sit on my bed here at home, I am ashamed at how lazy I have been during this Winter Break. The trek to the gym feels like the worst possible idea, and Netflix is roping me in for yet another episode of 30 Rock. I, along with countless other hopeful optimists, have set the New Years’ Resolution to get more in shape this year. We have promised ourselves to never miss a day at the gym, no matter how much our minds fight us against it. Yet somehow this self-promise does not seem to be going too well thus far over break.

Knowing that I will be back in Boston before I know it does provide one last shimmer of hope for my goal to get active. At a place like Boston University, it becomes a lot less difficult to get out and get going. To start, the Fitness and Recreation Center (referred to around BU as “FitRec”) is a hot spot on campus. With four stories of machines, basketball and racquetball courts, dance and fitness studios, an Olympic size pool, a rock wall, and an indoor track, the building has anything the athletes inside all of us could want. FitRec also offers a selection of free classes for students, who are automatically members. My favorites are the Happy Hour Workouts on Friday afternoons. Every week the class is something totally new, and I’ve found myself doing everything from Zumba to Yoga to Tabata Training. Also, any student can add a fitness class onto their academic schedule for actual college credit. When it comes to FitRec, BU students cannot go wrong.

Can’t make it there? No problem! I almost never pass up a chance to run along the Charles River on the esplanade. The path is always buzzing with cyclists, runners, children playing on its many parks, and anyone just searching for a place to enjoy the outdoors. However, there is one problem with running here: sometimes, I use the stunningly jaw-dropping scenery to stop my work out and take a picture or two. So what if my run is a little less intense! I can’t let me Instagram followers miss this, right? Seeing the sunshine over the river, even in the colder winter months, will make any tiring run worth it.

I may just have to change my “New Years’ Resolution” to a “Spring Semester Resolution” because home does not seem to provide enough motivation to get started. Luckily my second home is the perfect place to reboot my fitness, and I cannot wait to get back there and get going.

Kate: How To Dress for the Boston Winter

I have a morning ritual that includes checking my Weather Channel app from the warmth and coziness of my bed. After a morning delay on campus because of Winter Storm Janis and a few texts from family members reminding me to wear a hat, I was a little nervous to see what today would bring. High of 8 degrees with the windchill in the double digit negatives. Woof. While I love Boston, my answer for the tried and true question "What's your least favorite thing about BU?" is the cold.

In the past, I always traded practicality for dressing cute (i.e. the time I wore cropped pants and loafers when the high was 3 degrees). However, now that I'm a senior, I've accepted that dressing warm is only thing to get me through the below freezing, snowy, blistery, icy weather that comes with a Northeast winter. And here are my four rules for survival.

Rule #1: Invest in a long coat. I came to college with one of those michelin man, short North Face down coats without a hood and that was potentially the biggest mistake of my young college career. Not only did I often come home with snow-soaked hair but the wind always found a way to blow up my back which was just not appealing. Christmas of my sophomore year, I invested in the longer version above and have never looked back. Pick one with a detachable hood and maybe even a fashionable little waist tie and you'll be happy as a clam.

Rule #2: You can never have enough scarves. I'm a scarf horder. You can't really see it in this picture but I am currently wearing a massive, knit infinity scarf that has been my life saver in Boston. Sometimes I walk around with it wrapped over my head and around my face and let me tell you, it is very warm.

Rule #3: Wool socks are back in style. Freshman year, my dad bought me wool socks and I scoffed. Three years later, I'm biting my tongue. I even purchased these J.Crew Camp Socks in every color during an after Christmas sale. Warmth is always stylish.

Rule: #4: Snow boots are a must. After three years of pretending that my leather riding boots would get me through winter (shocker...they don't), I finally bought a Northeastern favorite, L.L. Bean Duck Boots, seen here. I am in love. They are great for snow, rain, and ice and keep me from wiping out on slick spots down Comm Ave.

And there you have it folks. Don't end up like me, spending your first time three years as an icicle. Practical is always fashionable.

Tom: Winter Internship

Hi all!

BU Students, Welcome back to Campus! I am very happy to be back on campus for my last semester ever (GASP!).

While most students spent their Winter Break streaming Netflix, catching up with old friends, and taking corny family photos - I spent my winter break by returning to my summer internship at AKA NYC. AKA NYC is a Broadway and live entertainment boutique advertising and marketing agency located in... yes, you guessed it... New York City. Some of their clients include MATILDA THE MUSICAL, ROCK OF AGES, and the recently closed SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK. I returned to the company as a Marketing and Promotions Intern.

Interning over the winter break was an excellent opportunity to get back to the swing of interning, reconnect with old friends and co-workers, and to continue to broaden my experience in the theater industry. You would be surprised how much you can learn even in just a three week internship, and are even more surprised by how much changes in just four months.

Most importantly, my winter internship reinvigorated my love for theatrical advertising moving into this semester. While my auditions are still in the works, I'm certainly hoping to get back at Theatre Producing in my last semester with BU On Broadway and BU Stage Troupe. When I have more info on what shows I will be working on this semester, I'll be sure to share!

Cheers to a happy spring semester (and my last!)

-Tom

Anneliese: Alternative Holiday Playlist

I like Christmas music, I really do. But every convenience store, airport, grocery store, shopping mall, etc. has been playing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat since Thanksgiving, and if I have to hear it one more time I will personally set out to ruin Mariah Carey’s Christmas. Because she’s ruining mine.

Okay, okay, perhaps that’s a tad dramatic. In any case, I’ve compiled a list of Christmas songs performed by some of my favorite indie and alternative artists. They provide a nice alternative to the Christmas renditions we’re forced to hear every holiday season.

1. Dr. Dog “Christmas Party” Oh my Christmas Tree [EP]

2. Sufjan Stevens “Hey Guys! It’s Christmas Time!” Songs for Christmas

3. Jimmy Eat World “Last Christmas” Bleed American

4. Julian Casablancas “I Wish it Was Christmas Today” Single

5. Arcade Fire “Jingle Bell Rock” Single

6. Andrew Bird “Old Lang Syne” Holidays Rock

7. She & Him “Baby It’s Cold Outside” A Very She & Him Christmas

8. Mayer Hawthorne “Christmas Time is Here” Single

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Steph: Paper Writing 101

As evidenced by the most recent blog posts, finals are the one thing on everyone's mind right now. Before I leave BU for winter break on Saturday, I have two final papers to turn in. Because of my classes this semester, I have had to write many many papers and only taken two tests. So my mind is totally focused on writing. Here are some tips for perfecting the art of paper writing.

Start Early.

I know, easier said than done. Personally, it takes me forever to write a paper, especially when I first start. No one likes pulling all nighters and finishing the paper at 7am the day it's due. Plus, the longer you have to write the paper, the more time you'll have to edit and make sure you get the best grade possible.

Meet with your Professor or TA.

I'm a big believer in this. Sometimes it's helpful to meet with your professor if you're not sure what to write about, or just to make sure that your topic isn't too ambitious. Most will be happy to look over a thesis statement or even an outline. Which brings me to...

Start off with a really comprehensive outline.

I cannot tell you how helpful this is. I started doing this last semester, and once you have a really good outline put together, writing the actual paper takes half as long and is a lot less stressful. Already knowing what you're going to say helps keep you on track so that you don't end up going on tangents.

I hope these tips help you all out with all of your final papers! Here's to the last week of classes. Have a wonderful winter break! 🙂

Abby: Fighting Finals Colds

I’m writing this snuggled under the covers with a thermometer in my mouth. I’ve come down with a sniffly, sneezing, coughing cold. This is the first time I’ve been sick away from home and it is scary and daunting. But I’ve been able to get through it. I wanted to share what helped me the most this cold season. *I’m in no way what-so-ever a doctor.

Tell a friend. It’s good to let a friends who is here in Boston know you are feeling under the weather for a couple of reasons. They will know why you’ve been MIA the past few hours and friends are good for checking up on you too. They might offer to help you. And by help I mean bring you soup and tissues from the store.

And tell your mom/dad/older/wiser. They will have solid advice that you may not have thought of like “Lay down if you’re dizzy, open the window if you’re feverish and take some cold medicine already, Abby!” Parents are also great at calming you down. I only have a simple cold, but in my mind I was sure I had a parasite and at least one broken bone. And I hadn’t even looked at WebMD yet. My parents helped me rationalize and realize that I just have a stuffy nose and I will get better so CALM DOWN.

Netflix. Part of why I was freaking out was because I was sitting in my room doing nothing but thinking about how I didn’t feel well. Netflix is a great distraction and will keep your mind from making your symptoms worse. You could also watch a ton of cute puppy videos on youtube. Or read for one your classes if you are feeling really ambitious. But don’t push yourself.

Tea. Hot tea not only feels good on a sore throat, but drinking fluids will help your immune system fight off what ever is making you sick. And, am I the only one that thinks making tea is fun and relaxing? Yes? Well, whether you are microwaving a mug of water in a MicroFridge or using a water boiler and loose tea, you are taking quiet time from studying or watching a movie to relax. The warmth from the hot tea is also very comforting regardless of if you are sick or not.

Rhetty to go meals. BU Dining has a great program called Rhetty-To-Go Meals. You can order them the day before online for breakfast lunch or dinner if you know you won’t have time to sit down and eat or you will be off campus during a meal. Then you pick them up the next day. BU Dining also has a Flu meal option. The website also encourages you to have a Flu Buddy to pick up your meal and numbers for the Residence life office if you need help finding a Flu Buddy. They also have menus picked out by Student Health Services specifically for certain symptoms.

http://www.bu.edu/dining/where-to-eat/things-to-know/rhetty-to-go/rhetty-to-go-flu-meals/

SHS numbers. Of course Student Health Services is always there for you too. If they aren’t open then you can talk to a nurse 24 hours a day and if you need to see someone they can direct you to another doctor. http://www.bu.edu/shs/

Julianna: Gold-mining the StuVi II Mailroom

Want to know one of my favorite spot on campus? The StuViII mailroom. Random, I know. Well placed outside the StuViII mailroom (and at mailrooms across campus) is a plastic box stacked with unclaimed magazines. As an aspiring magazine journalist I lose my mind when I get my fingers on glossy pages. And so, I’ve made it a habit to stop by the mailroom on a weekly basis to partake in some magazine freeganism. At the moment the coffee table in my apartment looks as if it belongs in a doctor’s office––Scientific American, Entertainment Weekly and Teen Vogue are just a few of the dog-earred magazines sprawled out in my living room.

Here’s a few of my favorite recent magazine stories:

"Justin Timberlake: #Hashtag of the Year”

In mid-November I went on a New York City networking trip with BU’s chapter of Ed2010 to the offices of GQ and NYLON magazines. I really enjoyed GQ’s “Men of the Year” December 2013 issue especially since JT (swoon!) was one of the cover stars. Amy Wallace’s story is an honest and hilarious portrayal of Mr. Timberlake.

"Succumb to Your Senses"

The Improper Bostonian

The staff at the Improper (an awesome and free lifestyle magazine) compiled listings of Boston-area indulgences to satisfy our sense of smell, sight, taste, hearing and touch. They offer decadent recipes from a local chef and suggest luxuries like a chakras aligning session at The Inner Gym on Boylston Street.

"Find the Bad Guy"

The New Yorker

If you’re a fan of novelist Jeffrey Eugenides (The Virgin Suicides is outstanding and Middlesex is on my winter break reading list) then take a look at this piece of fiction that appeared in the November 18th issue of The New Yorker. Sometimes a short fictional story is a nice departure from news and nonfiction.

Kate: The End of an Internship Era

Over the past three years, I’ve spent four semester and two summers interning at five different places and yesterday marked the last day of my life as an intern. Don’t get me wrong, I have loved the learning experiences and people I’ve met during that time but at a certain point, you’re just ready for the next step. And I am definitely there.

As I spend the next few months looking, applying, and interviewing (hopefully!) for jobs, I know my internships will provide me with many of the skills and knowledge I need. For all of you who are the beginning of this process, here are my top tips, tricks, & smarts about intern life.

Do as many internships in as many specialties as you can. A degree in COM can lead you do many, many paths. Don’t think that because you major in magazine journalism that you can only intern for magazines or because you’re a PR major, you can only intern for PR firms. There are so many different types of communication and interning in a variety of areas can really help you learn what you like. I’ve worked for big and small companies, in digital, fashion, hospitality, and the publishing industry. All have given me invaluable skills and really helped me narrow down my interests.

Learn what you don’t like. Yes, internships help you figure out what you like to do but they also are amazing at helping you decide what you don’t like to do. Sometimes everything you thought you would love turns out to not be right. For me that was agency PR. I thought that was the perfect job for me until I did it and realized it was not right at all. I had four internships before I found one I really loved so I whole heartedly encourage you to try everything until you figure it out for yourself.

Go the extra mile. I cannot say this enough. During six internships, I’ve worked with many other interns and let me tell you, there are a lot of really sucky ones out there. And you really don’t want to be one of them. Don’t be late. Don’t say you’ll do something and then don’t. Stay late to finish something. Sit in on that meeting. People notice and they remember. Doing those little things make you stand out among the crowd and that is always a good thing.

Take every opportunity. A lot of things will come up throughout a semester that aren’t planned or part of a job description. Having the opportunity to work events, sit in on meetings, even just having lunch with your coworkers and supervisors are extra times to shine. You’ll learn a lot and it shows that you really want to be there. And that is also always a good thing.

Internships are vital to your success in the communication industry. Yes, it’s great to learn more about your field at an internship but they are also so helpful in learning how to be an employee, work in an office, and work with others. I’m so proud of my experiences and everything I’ve learned and I know that those skills will make me a very viable candidate in the job search. Wish me luck in the next era!

Sarah: Swan Song

This is a week of finals for me – my final week of college, my final week of interning, my final finals and my final blog post. After three and a half short years, my time as a college student – as a proud Boston University student – is coming to an end. Because it feels too soon to say goodbye, and because it is difficult for me to wrap everything up with words, I will keep this somewhat short and sweet.

A few words of wisdom to my freshman year self:

Invest in a good umbrella, preferably one with a lifetime guarantee. This may be the most important investment you make throughout your college career. Carry it always, but don’t leave it on the bus. Then you’ll be out $30 and be stuck with a CityCo umbrella. Nobody wants that.

Work hard, but not too hard. Pull an all-nighter without studying. Speak up. No one can hear you mumbling in the back of the room. Meet more people. Meet with more professors. Stop trying so hard to fit in. Call your parents everyday. Read or don’t, but stop skimming and pretending to. Spend more time outside. Drink more water. Drink less Starbucks. Don’t save all of your dining points until the end of the semester – you’ll never use all of them.

Learn to accept a B+. Spend more time actually listening in classes instead of mindlessly taking notes. Get that hideous pair of snow boots your mom told you to get for the winter. They will save you two embarrassingly public spills on Comm Ave. Go to more hockey games. Have more confidence. Stop studying in your bed. You know you’re just going to fall asleep. Eat healthier and get more exercise. It will never be as easy to do as it is right now. Always dress warmer than you think you have to. Stop going to parties in basements.

If you try hard enough, you can find interest in anything, and you’ll be a more interesting person because of it. Don’t let knowledge fade. Hold on to everything you learn with an iron grip. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Be tolerant of everyone, especially those who are not tolerant themselves. Stop complaining about homework. Enjoy the time you spend walking. Stop worrying about which group of friends you will fall in with. They will find you and be the very best thing for you. And every once in awhile, take a few minutes to appreciate the wonderful city you live in – you have less time here than you think.

But trust me on the umbrella.

It’s been real, BU. Catch ya later!