Emily: Four digital tools for journalism students

The journalism profession is constantly changing these days. How do you harness the power of AI while maintaining journalistic integrity? How do you best showcase your work to potential editors or employers? How do you come up with ideas? 

1. Otter.ai

This is every journalist’s dream application. If you aren’t already familiar, Otter.ai will transcribe any and all of your interviews, allowing you to draw information, find the best quotes, and highlight relevant parts of your transcript. The software has built-in AI that you can ask questions regarding the interview, if that’s your speed. Otter’s base plan is free, and allows you to record 30-minute conversations. You get 300 minutes of transcription for free per month.  

2. Journoportfolio

Early in the journalism major, your professors will encourage you to create a digital portfolio that will showcase your work. For journalists, I’ve found the web platform Journoportfolio to be the easiest way to create a website. On the platform, you can input any of your clips, which will show up as clickable widgets on your page. There are plenty of easy ways to embed photography, video, and social media clips, as well. The basic plan is free, but for many, the affordable paid version will allow you to input as many clips as you need.    

3. Social media 

For a long time, journalists turned to Twitter to gain readership. Of course, the social media landscape is changing, but it may be worthwhile to have a professional page where you can reach out to sources and promote your work. Plus, you can often find story ideas from social media — whether checking Reddit pages to see what young people in various communities are talking about, Facebook groups to get to know a new community you’re covering, or the latest TikTok trend. 

4. Turn to your community

Sometimes, the best way to come up with story ideas is to sit down with peers and talk through various topics. If you aren’t sure where to start, check out this digital card deck that my best friend created last semester through a directed study project). Talking with other journalists about what they’re covering or anything they’re noticing can be a great way to consider your own beat. 



Michaela: How to Recreate The Holdovers Winter Boston Trip

“I want to go to Boston. Boston. Why? I want a real christmas. I wanna go ice skating…” 

The Holdovers, the 2023 Academy Award nomination for Best Picture, follows a cranky professor at a New England prep school who stays on campus to watch students who have nowhere to go for winter break. Throughout his time at the desolate school, the professor forms an unlikely bond with a troubled student, and the school’s head cook. The cook and professor decide to celebrate Christmas by bringing the student to Boston, for the climax of the movie. The movie reveals some unseen but beautiful spots in Boston, and here's how to find them.

Brattle Book Shop:

Right in Downtown Crossing, Brattle Book Shop features an indoor selection of three floors full of vintage books, while their outdoor section full of $5-$1 clearance books is what they are most known for. I recently visited Brattle Book Shop, and loved their selection of vintage magazines, and the adorable space outside full of books.

Pleasant Cafe:

Found in Roslindale, Pleasant Cafe is a historical family run cafe most known for their neon signs and leather booth seats. My roommate (who grew up in Boston) has always loved this cafe and was so excited to see it in the movie. She instantly recognized it, and personally recommended their pizza.

Orpheum Theatre:

The Orpheum Theatre (previously the Boston Music Hall) is one of the oldest theaters in the United States, built in 1852. Old taxis were delivered outside the hall just for the movie, attempting to recreate the 1970s. The theater is still actively used today, and open to the public.

 

The Holdovers is just one of many movies set in Massachusetts, which showcases some otherwise unseen beautiful places to visit in Boston. I recommend watching some other Boston based movies and seeing what locations you can pick out!

 

Kenna: First Boston Winter? Look no further than CA Kenna’s tips on how to brave the cold!

When I told friends and family I was heading to Boston University, their first reaction was: “How on earth are you going to survive the cold?” Coming from California, where winters barely require more than a light jacket, I thought, How bad could it be? Spoiler: Boston winters are no joke. California doesn’t even make jackets equipped for East Coast winters.
Now, with two Boston winters under my belt, I’d like to think I’ve mastered the art of surviving (and thriving) in the cold. Here are my go-to tips for braving the winter—and keeping seasonal depression at bay.

Layer Up
Layering is key to surviving the unpredictable weather at BU. Back in California, I’d toss on a jacket and call it a day. But in Boston, you’ll experience everything from freezing outdoor winds to intense indoor heating, sometimes within the same hour.
My personal layering formula? Start with a Uniqlo Heattech shirt, add a cozy sweater, and finish with a puffer jacket. This combo keeps me warm outdoors without overheating once I’m inside. Trust me, layers are your best friend.

Accessorize Smartly
When people warned me about BU’s wind tunnels, I didn’t take them seriously. Big mistake. The wind tunnels—especially near the CDS building and StuVi II—are no joke. To combat the brutal wind chill, invest in winter accessories. A beanie or ear-covering hat and a scarf you can wrap around your neck (or even your whole head) are game-changers. You’ll thank me when your ears and face stay warm walking through those brutal winds.

Keep your hands warm
Cold hands are the worst. If you’re shopping for a winter jacket, make sure it has pockets. If it doesn’t—or even if it does—invest in a solid pair of gloves.
Trust me: by the time you walk to class, your hands will feel frozen and numb if you skip this step. I’m practically begging you—don’t overlook this one.

Don’t let the cold get to you
After three years at BU, I’ve learned that winter is just as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. Yes, the cold can sap your energy and motivation, but don’t let it stop you.
Find ways to keep yourself active and happy. For me, going to the gym or going for a brisk walk helps beat the winter slump. Whether it’s working out, meeting friends, or finding a cozy coffee shop to study in, do what keeps you energized and happy.

So whether you’re a first-year or a senior, these tips will help you conquer your next Boston winter. With the right mindset and a few essentials, you’ll be ready to face whatever the season throws your way—and maybe even learn to enjoy it.
Bundle up and take on the cold—you’ve got this!

Ali: Organizational Tips for Starting College

Organizational Tips for Starting College
1. Keep a detailed calendar
A well-kept calendar is truly a college necessity. At the start of each semester, I input the due dates for all of my assignments in one color-coded calendar. I also add any events I have going on outside of regular classes. A lot of people use Google Calendar to track their assignments and activities, but I use a Google Spreadsheet. This allows me to differentiate between assignments and activities, cross things out when they are completed and see a whole month at a time in a compact, visually-organized way. It took me a few weeks freshman year to find a
system that worked well for me. At first, I was overwhelmed by tracking my syllabi and events. I find that the visual representation of my calendar helps me feel in control and allows me to plan
out my work and distribute it according to days I am more or less busy.

2. Make a to-do list
In addition to my calendar, I keep a to-do list where I list activities that I need and want to accomplish each day. At the start of the week, I write out each day of the week and make a checklist in Google Docs. I bold assignments that I have to do on that day, and I list other tasks that I would like to accomplish. Even if I end up procrastinating some things to a later day, having the to-do list helps me ensure I do my necessary work. I add things like laundry and cleaning as well as schoolwork.

3. Schedule study time
Having a designated block of time to study can help you stay on top of your work. For me, that time is when I am working in the COM Undergraduate Affairs office. When I am not checking people into appointments or answering questions, I have a two or three hour period to focus on getting schoolwork done. This set block of time helps me accomplish things without getting distracted, since I have a goal of what I want to get done within the time frame.

4. Self-care
With a busy schedule, ensuring you take care of yourself is extremely important. Sometimes when I overwork myself, I find myself feeling more stressed, irritable, tired and even sick. I keep a picture in the collage on my wall that says “You’re allowed to take a break.” I really need that reminder. When I find myself overwhelmed, the first thing that helps is cleaning my room. It does not take too long to pick things up in my small dorm room, so after about 10 minutes I
have already accomplished something. That helps me get in a productive mood and have a less chaotic environment to do my work. If I really need to reset, I will take a shower. When I feel better physically, I can switch my mindset and start getting things done.

James: Is Boston really a college campus?

Is Boston really a college campus?

That’s probably a question many students ask before applying to Boston-based schools. It’s a question that students at places like BU may still be asking themselves. And unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive answer. Some students go to small college towns and feel like they’ve found their home away from home, while others may feel stifled there. Others end up in massive cities like Chicago, New York, and LA, foregoing marching bands and tailgating in exchange for public transportation, fine dining, and the true city life in between.

 

So where does Boston fit in? After three years here, my answer is that it falls somewhere right down the middle. I’m not saying that Boston is a small college town—it clearly isn’t. But parts of Boston absolutely feel that way. Take Allston, which bears the lovable nickname “Rat City,” as a great example. Full of houses packed with college students, Allston is often the place to be on weekends. On the other hand, Brookline is home to families, a pleasant Main Street, and plenty of BU students as well.

 

But those are part of the Greater Boston area, not “Boston Boston.” The Town. Beantown. Boston may not be a metropolis like New York or Chicago, but it can certainly stand on its own as a city. As a sports hub, the Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox, and Bruins have all had plenty of success over the past two decades. The North End boasts a beloved section of Italian eateries, and the city is known for its seafood. Artists like Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, and Gracie Abrams have all mentioned Boston in recent albums. I could point to countless other things that make the city cool, but the best evidence is in the experience itself.

 

Like all places, this city is what you make of it. Don’t ask yourself if a college campus is a good fit for you, but instead whether you are a good fit for that college campus!!

Ellie S: How to Survive Living with the Greatest People You’ll Ever Mee

After three years of living on campus at Boston University, this is the first year I have been able to live with all five of my closest friends. Everyone knows living with your favorite people on campus is the dream and crucial to the college experience. However, there will always be challenges with friends, especially if you all live together. So here are some tips to make the best out of living with the people you love most at Boston University.

 

Create a Chore Wheel

No one loves telling someone to do something, especially chores. So a great and fun way to keep your living arrangements clean and tidy is by creating a chore wheel. 

 

Have a Weekly Show/Movie Night

School can be very busy and it will often feel like you never get to see your friends. A way to combat that feeling is to have something your group can watch every week. It’s a great way to wind down and can be a great reward after a bunch of homework.

 

Respect Alone Time

Something really important when living with your friends is understanding that alone time is a good thing. Sometimes you just need time to read a book, watch a movie, or hang out by yourself. Your friends won’t mind and will appreciate you being in your best mood.

 

Be Open to New Things

Sometimes it’s a good thing to branch out from the usual day-to-day things. Whether this be new people, activities, foods, or entertainment there are so many ways to spice up your life. This will help keep you from getting bored or annoyed with the people you see every day. 

 

Decorate to Match Your Group

This is a very simple thing that allows you and your group to work collaboratively to make your housing feel like home. Add your favorite movie posters or quirky inside jokes. Overall, make the rooms feel like your friendship.

 

These are just a few of the tricks that can be used to make living with your friends the best experience of your college career.

 

Kristin S: The Best of the T Lines

The universal thought process behind most people, especially college students when arriving in a new city, is that they want to be able to explore as much as they can. This way, they will be able to establish themselves as a local through new gained knowledge of different places, but also to get the chance to fully maximize the opportunity they have been given to pursue higher level education in a big city! However, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start. So, this blog post will be providing information on three unique stops on the MBTA green, red, and orange line to be explored!

 

Green Line: Reservoir

While this stop may take you a bit out of the city, sometimes that is what is needed to truly understand just how diverse Boston is, and how much it has to offer in regards to being a great mix of both city and nature. On the D line, the reservoir is an extremely relaxing area to walk around, take pictures of the reservoir, or just stare and think at the huge body of water in front of you.  While there, you can take a stop at the Metropolitan Waterworks Museum.

 

Red Line: Porter Square

An underrated and highly looked past stop, considering it is the one right after Harvard, but many people do not know how much this stop has to offer. Besides the extremely long escalators in the station that can make you feel quite dizzy, there are many shops that are hard to find in a big city such as Michaels arts and crafts, and a local bookstore. A super unique gem in Porter Square is the MBTA gift store, where you can get all T related merchandise!

 

Orange Line: Forest Hills

Lastly, the Forest Hills stop on the orange line is home to two prominent attractions, such as the Arnold Arboretum and the Forest Hills Cemetery. As well as the beautiful scenic views of the fall leaves and trees at the Arnold Arboretum, this place was also a filming location for Greta Gerwig’s 2019 Little Women for all the die-hard fans out there! The Forest Hills Cemetery may sound creepy, but there is in fact also a beautiful garden and lots of greenspace to appreciate, while respecting those who are buried there.

Carly I: College Tips and Tricks

Starting college is an exciting experience but can feel overwhelming. So here are my tricks to help ensure college is more exciting than overwhelming. First, prioritize time management. Being on your own is great, but it’s easy to get distracted. Creating a balanced schedule can help prevent any last-minute cramming and/or burnout. I recommend using a planner or digital calendar (Google Calendar is a lifesaver) to organize classes, study time, social events, and self-care.

Second, build a support network. College is an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, so take advantage of it. Join clubs or study groups, and connect with professors during office hours. These connections will provide a sense of belonging and support when you need it.

Another important tip is to find a study technique that works for you. Everyone is different so what works for your friends may not work for you. Experiment with different study platforms (Quizlet for example) or studying in groups. Finding what works for you can be tedious, but in the end it’s worth it.

Lastly, take care of your well-being. College is a balance of mental, physical, and emotional health. Prioritize sleep, find time for things you find fun, and test out stress-relief activities (meditation, journaling, etc). 

College is about more than academics; it’s a time of personal growth. Embrace new experiences, step out of your comfort zone, and enjoy the journey. With good time management, a strong support system, and a commitment to well-being, you can make the most of your college years and create lasting memories.

Emily F: Advice for First Years

There’s a lot of advice I would give to first-year students. The first year at college can be a lot, especially at a school as big as Boston University. However, there’s one piece of advice I would give any student who asked: Step out of your comfort zone.
This is something that I learned as a first-year, and it has impacted lots of clubs and extracurriculars I do on campus. The first one of these is Stage Troupe, the drama group I’m in on campus. I love acting, so when I first started at BU I auditioned for all of the shows the drama groups were putting on, but I didn’t get cast in any. I still wanted to be involved in theater, and there were sign-ups open to do tech for the shows. The issue was, I’ve never done tech for anything before, and I was very nervous that my inexperience would be a problem. Despite this, I signed up to do tech for two shows. Looking back, this was one of the best decisions I made when I joined the club. I have since done tech for nine shows, one of which I tech directed (which meant I was in charge of all the tech going on for the show). Even though I had no experience going in, I ended up learning a lot and having a great time, and I also made some amazing friends. Now, I was recently cast in a show for BU Shakespeare Society, so I am stepping out of my new comfort zone to be on stage for a show this semester.
BUTV10 was another club that made me step out of my comfort zone. I had never done anything related to filming before, except taking pictures with my mom’s camera when I was younger. But, I really wanted to be a part of a TV show on campus. I decided to join one, and found myself incredibly nervous, but also excited. Within the first day on set, I was recording sound for a scene, and holding the boom mic. Throughout the semester, I helped in many ways during the shoots, mainly by recording sound or using the slate, which meant I read off the scene number and closed the clapboard. The next semester, I was the show’s Script Supervisor, which meant I followed the script during the shoot to take notes and make sure all the lines were hit, and the next two semesters I was the Head of Marketing, so I was in charge of social media for the show. I would not have had these amazing experiences with the show if I hadn’t put myself out there during my first semester, and I am incredibly grateful that I was able to be a part of the show.
Stepping out of my comfort zone has brought me so many amazing experiences, and my years at BU would not be the same without this.

Elaina F: Advice From a Student

As a junior at Boston University, there are definitely some tips and tricks I’ve picked up during my two years here. While this is not a comprehensive list, here are the highlights.

Don’t be afraid to get involved. There are many opportunities in terms of events, clubs, classes, jobs, and internships that you can take advantage of. Although you shouldn’t feel pressured to take on more than you can handle, don’t let fear stop you from joining something because you feel you aren’t qualified or don’t have someone to attend/join with you. Most of the time, if you gather enough courage to join in anyway, it usually turns out to be better than your worries. Even if it isn’t what you hoped it would be, at least you know, and you won’t be plagued by the “what if’s.”

Manage and make the most of your time. In terms of managing your time for schoolwork, this is probably the most boring and tedious part of being a student; however, it is nevertheless important. While you don’t have to be the most organized person, you should know when the important deadlines are and what your assignments are and strive to do them in a somewhat timely manner. I do understand that this is much easier said than done given the lure of procrastination and the reality of life happens.

Despite this, managing your time is the only way to make the most of your time in college. As cliché as it sounds, time truly does go too fast. You should care to some degree about getting the most out of your classes since you’re paying enough to be in college, and no matter what you think, cramming really doesn’t work, especially in the long run. (This doesn’t mean I haven’t done it before.) However, you should also prioritize a life outside of schoolwork. This is your time to explore and grow as a person without all the responsibilities of being a full-on adult. Still, you enjoy your free time the most if you don’t have an important deadline hanging over your head.

Be nice to yourself. This is probably the most important advice I have and yet might be the hardest to do. I know a lot of BU students and prospective students are overachievers and hold themselves to high standards. While this is by no means a bad thing, it can easily lead down the slippery slope of taking on too much, burning out or not meeting your standards, and feeling guilty and blaming yourself. My advice is don’t go down that path even though it may be hard to avoid. Be patient with yourself and give yourself some grace. This is a very different time of your life and everyone goes through an adjustment period. Don’t compare yourself to others no matter the temptation. Know your limits and take care of yourself.