comblog – Page 95 – COM Ambassador Blog

Hannah: Summer Spins

If you’re anything like me your ‘relaxing final summer’ is more of a whirlwind of packing, goodbyes, family vacations, and more packing. Orientation just became one of the added stressors of last summer, so here’s a few things that will hopefully help put you at ease.

First off, you don’t have to meet your best friends at orientation and figure out every single person you’re going to speak to for the next four years. If you do congrats, if you don’t, you’re not alone. Orientation is so jam packed with information and just getting your feet wet at BU that it can be a lot to take in. Don’t get me wrong, play the ice breakers, be social, and make some connections, but also use it as a time to get familiar with your surroundings and answer some of the bigger questions you still have. There will be plenty of time to make all kinds of friends when you get there this fall.

It also doesn’t hurt to do a little research on the Boston University website so you have some idea of what classes you’ll want to take first semester. Before you get too stressed out, there’s going to be tons of expert counselors to walk you through it as well. Be ready for your language placement tests if you’re hoping to skip through some of the beginner courses as well. It doesn’t hurt to take a quick review of some of your old high school notes from Spanish, German, or etc.

I realize this can sound a bit overwhelming, but trust me, it all works out. For my own orientation, I spiked a fever the morning I arrived at the dorms, which followed me through the next forty-eight hours spent on campus. I still arranged a pretty clutch schedule, answered a few last minute questions, and got an idea of what the upcoming fall would feel like. I was feeling less than social and I probably didn’t look like the most approachable person either, but even I managed to meet a few people that really helped me get my footing at school in the fall. Even if you don’t have a ton in common, it’s just nice to know someone who’s in your same shoes. If I survived, so will you and in the mean time just try to enjoy some nice weather with family and friends.

As for myself, coming home for the summer seemed like a really great idea when I left for college last fall, but after having spent two semesters at Boston, coming home then sounded a little less than appealing. I would much rather relocate my family and friends to Boston than relocate myself–and a years worth of clothes back– home. Yet here I am, one month later, home at last.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my hometown, is a suburban soccer mom’s paradise, which also means it’s a college kids nightmare. After racing through my summer to do list (gathering furniture for my apartment next year, making job plans for next fall since I’m also a broke college kid, finally setting up a LinkedIn profile and all that important nonsense that feels more like busy work than actual work) I am finally shipping out of Lancaster. Long story short, my roommate and I were both in the same boat for this summer and miraculously pieced together a summer trip throughout Europe that wouldn’t make us too much broker than we already were and would still offer us an escape from our hometowns before we were too burnt out on summer. So in two weeks I’m shipping out to Madrid and that’s my plan for the next couple of weeks till I have to come home in August and repack everything I just finished unpacking.

Anneliese: Resisting Temptation at WXPN

A couple of days ago at my internship, I was organizing the mail when I came across the yet-to-be-released Sigur Rós album, sent from the band’s label. I was so tempted to pop it into my computer and give it a listen before anyone else, but (being the conscientious worker I am), I dropped it into the proper box, consoling myself with the fact that I had at least seen it before anyone else and that I’d probably be able to pluck it from the freebies bin a couple of weeks after it dropped.

That’s not the only temptation I’ve faced at my internship. Oh no, there are plenty more. For one, I had to resist the urge to storm Joshua Radin’s tour bus when we had to very kindly ask his driver to please move it so that Portugal. The Man could unload their van. I then had to restrain myself from begging Portugal. The Man for autographs as I guided them into Elvis (our largest studio) and assisted during soundcheck. (At least I got to witness them autograph our studio wall!)

I’ve also had to practice self-control when typing up scripts for the World Café because all I want to do is Google each and every new artist I come across and see how I like their music. In that situation, I tell myself that I will get to hear the songs when I log the World Café shows in two days time and I force myself onto my next task.

I guess I should place these temptations into context, so you can follow me. This summer, I'm a World Café Programming intern at WXPN, a public radio station based in Philadelphia. The cool part about my internship is that I'm not an intern solely for the station itself, but for the World Café program, which is produced at WXPN and aired nationally via NPR affiliates. On the show, host David Dye interviews various artists and has them perform some songs live in the studio. So far this summer, I've seen Portugal. The Man, La Santa Cecilia, Big Country, KT Tunstall, and The Handsome Family featured on the show. I'm most looking forward to seeing Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin!) and Edie Breckell at the end of the month when they come here to promote their new folk album.

I work at the station 9am-4pm, Monday-Thursday with an hour long commute each way with no pay, so I have to work my real job as a receptionist at hair salon Fridays and Saturdays to support my groovy lifestyle (hah). When I cringe each morning as my alarm goes off at 6:15am and I brood about how I probably won't get a seat on the train, I remind myself about the perks of my internship: The free music and mini "concerts," the relaxed and friendly work environment, and the invaluable experience I'm gaining. I feel so lucky to be working with people who are so passionate about music and the future of public radio. I'm also given a lot of independence and responsibility, so I really feel as though I am actually making a difference here at the station.

I hope all of you are enjoying your summers and keeping busy! Though I'll be sad for my internship to end in August, I miss Boston and I'm looking forward to the fall!

Alexa: Summer on the Cape

This summer I’m spending my time interning for the Cotuit Ketleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. I knew I wanted to do something baseball related this summer and the Cape league seemed like the perfect fit. I’ve only been here for a week but I’ve loved every minute of it! I’ve figured out that sports’ reporting is definitely something I want to do! Being a field reporter for a baseball team means I’m out on the field instead of inside an office, but it doesn’t mean I have a different set of rules. There are five important things I have learned (from COM of course) to do when you have an internship.

1. Make a good first impression

-Seriously, no one will ever forget the first time you meet; make it count.

2. Be on time.

3. Give 100%.

4. Follow the guidelines

5. Have fun. (It’s an Internship; you’re supposed to learn and grow but also supposed to have a good time.)

My first game is this Wednesday and I am so nervous/excited! I’ll let you know how it all goes!

Kate: What to Expect When You’re Going to Orientation

Can anyone believe the semester has already ended?! I still feel like I just got back from London (I’m in denial its been almost five months…) and all of the sudden its summertime. I hope you all have some fun things planned for these next three months and are gearing up for Orientation! I’m currently working in event marketing for Gotham and Hamptons magazines in their New York office and living with one of my best friends in a little baby apartment on the Upper East Side. I am LOVING the internship so far and adjusting to life in the big city after spending the last two and half years in Boston.

One of the biggest things you’ll do this summer is come to BU Orientation. I remember feeling very overwhelmed by all the information, people, and craziness of Boston. Registering for classes is the part I think people look forward to the most and I have six tips for this process so here we go:

1. Don’t rely only on websites like ratemyprofessor.com to find information about classes. There will be current students and your Student Advisors in the rooms to help you. They all have either taken the classes you’re registering for or have friends who have. Ask them for advice and help. Keep in mind that if someone felt the need to write on a ratings site, they probably either loved or hated the class so those reviews should be taken with a grain of salt.

2. Take a mix of classes that are shorter but more often and longer and only one or two times a week. I’ve found after my first couple semesters that I much prefer classes that are longer in length but less frequent. This is a personal preference and you should use your first semester to see what you think. It will help make you a more successful student in the future.

3. You can take the language placement exam as many times as you want so if you’re right on the cusp of testing into the next semester, review some high school language notes and try again.

4. Don’t get discouraged if a class you wanted to take or had planned for was full. While we recommend that you finish as many of your liberal arts classes as you can in your first two years, you have all four to do them so waiting until second semester or sophomore year to take a specific class is totally fine.

5. Keep in mind your own personal time management and sleeping habits. If you know you don’t wake up easily, don’t schedule all 8ams. If you know what you’re a mid-afternoon napper (ahem…this girl), don’t plan your schedule with huge gaps in the days. Freshman year, I had a four hour gap two days a week and by mid-semester I was skipping way more than I would like to admit because my bed was way too comfy to get out of and back to class. At the same time, don’t be discouraged to not take a class that you’re interested in because of the time.

And finally, you have a few hours to register for your classes so don’t get too anxious, take a deep breath, and get ready to become a real, full-time college student!

Good luck with everything and I can’t wait to meet you all in September!

Tiffany: Signing Off

It’s been an unforgettable 4 years.

As my time here as a BU student comes to a close with graduation right around the corner, I find myself spending a lot of time reflecting on my experiences and have come to the realization that throughout my time here, I’ve been given a lot to be thankful for.

I’ve had the privilege of learning from brilliant professors whose success in their respective fields reflects the invaluable knowledge that they bring into the classroom. Even more so, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know many of these professors on a personal level as they’ve mentored me through my academic endeavors and provided guidance and support as I pursued opportunities in the working world. They have cared more about my personal success and wellbeing than I ever anticipated college professors ever would. So to all the professors who have ever taught me a thing or a two about strategy, design, or even life for that matter, I thank you.

I’ve had the opportunity to make my mark on this campus and community by partaking in various student groups and activities. Through Fusion, my dance team here at BU, I’ve been able to refine my craft, perform all around campus, represent BU at competitions across the eastern seaboard, plan events, and most importantly, lead a group of talented individuals who I am proud to pass the torch onto as they carry on our team’s legacy of hard work, creativity, and family-like fellowship. Through the COM Ambassador program, I’ve had the opportunity to share my experiences with admitted students in hopes of helping them make arguably one of the most important decisions a person will ever make. I’ve also been able to mentor COM freshmen, providing guidance and endowing the insights and knowledge that I learned along the way. Fusion and the COM Ambassador program have given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a leader, and pay it forward to this community that has been so good to me over the years. So to Fusion and the COM Ambassador program, I thank you.

And finally, I’ve met some incredibly awesome, down-to-earth friends who I know will be my version of The Goonies for a lifetime. Together, we’ve taken on this adventure called college and fought off all the monsters that have come our way. We’ve shared some incredibly fun-filled times together and as a result, have made memories that are simply unforgettable. So to all the friends that I’ve made along with way, I thank you.

BU and COM, thanks for an incredible 4 years.

Signing off,

Tiffany

Lauren: Tweet Tips

*Tweet, Tweet*

Anyone who knows me is well aware of my obsession with Twitter. I tweet constantly, but it’s OK. I’m pretty sure I don’t need an intervention. Not yet, anyway…

Since I spend way too much time on Twitter, I thought I’d share some advice on how to make the most of your Twitter time, so you’re not just mindlessly scrolling through your news feed for hours like I do all the time!

Well, here you go:

Use Hootsuite!

Hoosuite is a great social media management tools that allows you to schedule tweets ahead of time, which is awesome and really convenient. You can also follow customized feeds (using search words) and easily manage multiple accounts at the same time. I’ve found it helpful that I can see what I’ve tweeted, who’s retweeted or mentioned me, and my news feed all on the same page! It makes life easier (and the owl logo is so adorable). If you’re slightly OCD like me, and enjoy keeping things organized, Hoosuite is the way to go! And it’s free, for all the broke college students out there!

Participate in TweetChats

Remember chatting on AIM back in the day? Well, the new version of that comes in the form of TweetChats. Basically, everyone involved in the discussion just uses the same hashtag to follow along with the conversation. Using http://tweetchat.com/ makes it really easy to see what everyone’s tweeting about. There are tons of chats about all different types of topics that are hosted by all different types of people. Feel free to check out this list here: http://gnosisarts.com/home/Tweetchat_Wiki/By_Day

My personal favorites are the weekly #LikeableChat, #InternPro chat and #PinChat. Joining in a tweetchat is a great way to network and interact with tons of interesting people!

Add your own header picture

Twitter allows users to get creative with the theme of their page. It’s really easy to design a customized background and header in Photoshop or InDesign, and it’s definitely worth it. Having an interesting design will make you stand out, and adds some flare to you page! You can find more information about dimensions here: http://twitterheadersize.com/ and http://ct-social.com/twitter-background/

Have fun with it!

What I love about Twitter is that you really can tweet about anything you want. You can share content from other sources, tweet silly pictures or state your opinions about what’s going on in the world- it’s all about you! Determine what you want to get out of your Twitter, and go for it!

I hope to see all you little tweetbirds on Twitter sometime soon. Feel free to follow me at @laurhaslett.

Until next time,

Lauren

Jon: Summer Livin’

Hey everyone! As I’m sitting here writing in the Sun and watching happy joggers bounce down the banks of the Charles, it’s clear that summer has arrived. Soon, classes will end and BU’s 16,000-odd students will take off for all corners of the globe to relax, explore, or work a summer job.

For many COM students however, the summer means one thing – internships. The summer is a great time to intern, as you can work full time. It really allows you to get the feel of working in a company, and you can go after opportunities outside of Boston.

So let’s say you’ve landed that perfect internship you’ve been dreaming of: Congrats! You’ve got a great chance to spend the summer growing as a person and a communications professional! But you’ve got one issue: the internship is in New York and you need to find somewhere to live if you don’t want to end up camping in Central Park. Well not to fear – I give you my advice to finding summer housing in a new city!

1) Figure out who you know – This is the time to bust out the ol’ Facebook and start checking up on which of your acquaintances that you may-or-may not have spoken to since High School graduation has been living it up in your summer home. Even if you’ve been out of touch for a while, or were never that close with them, this person/people can be really helpful, especially if they’re going to school there. Chances are they know someone who is looking to sublet their apartment for the summer, meaning you can get a reasonable deal on safe, non-sketchy digs for the summer with the friend/acquaintance seal of approval

2) Find out which schools are there - Every college has to deal with losing most of their student population over the summer. Many of them take the opportunity to bring in some extra revenue by opening their doors to the massive influx of college students rushing to the city for summer jobs and internships. While it may not be the most gracious of living, you can count on a familiar, safe, and well monitored living situation to get you through the summer.

3) Browse AirBnB – One of the best innovations to come out of the internet since OMFGDOGS (http://www.omfgdogs.com/), AirBnB is like the Craigslist housing classifieds without all the axe-murderer vibes. The website allows homeowners to post their various available apartments/rooms/treehouses and for everything from nightly rentals (much like a hotel), to long-term sublets. You’ve got to use your street smarts here; you are renting from individuals, and that brings all the issues that entails. However, you can easily browse reviews by other renters who have stayed there, and it’s much easier to get an idea if you’re going to be living with a Mary Poppins or a Patrick Bateman. Check it out at https://www.airbnb.com/

Hopefully wherever you end up, you’ll be able to set up a comfortable living situation so that you can focus on learning, exploring your new town, and enjoying the summer! And now the Sun’s starting to get in my eyes and make it difficult to see my computer screen, so I’ll say until next time, and get outside and have some fun!

@TaylorReports : The Advent of Social Media

Follow me…two words that would make me cringe at first sight on non-related communication accounts. I must admit that I should now be classified as a hypocrite due to my recent bandwagon membership. I am now like the flock of people that dare to compose posts soliciting this “following” fellowship but for good reason: it gravely helps me in the field.

This semester I enrolled in a journalism class that required constant communication with individuals within a particular Boston neighborhood. At times emailing people can be tricky. I found personally seeking a “Friend Request” to work more in my favor when calling and emailing fails. Using social media is a great tool for finding the story and charting trends.

Twitter posts, in particular, can also be a great way of stalking (properly known as tracking) celebrities.

“We are best friends at this point,” said Jonathan Reyes, who recently ventured to see Anderson Cooper multiple times.

“In Copley Sq. pretty sure Anderson Cooper is across the St., what do I do? Give him my boloco, do I get down on one knee? JUST LOVE ME ANDY” - tweeted one student.

The recent Patriot’s Day tragedy made it ever more apparent how important social media can be for communicating to family, calling attention to your thoughts, and getting a direct update on the situation. I must admit this advantage heavily influenced me to use social media more often.

Words of advice: Please beware that posts can be deceiving. Double check everything! Be careful of what you post but have fun along the way. Use social media to network. I have finally caved in and given more care. COM sponsors tons social media based events, in fact, Professor Stephen Quigley teaches an incredible course about new media and public relations that you should all enroll in at some point!

Tweet & Follow,

@TaylorReports

Kate: Safety at BU

This past week, I attended a short self-defense seminar with the Boston University Police Department that was organized by my sorority. About 20 of my sisters and I met with five members of the department and learned a few basic moves to use in an attack situation. While I’ve never actually been in a scenario when I would have needed these skills, I’m glad I now know them and how to use them in a scary situation.

In light of the recent events that have happened in Boston, I just wanted to touch on safety in Boston and specifically at Boston University. I remember my family had a nervous reaction to my declaration that I wanted to go to a school in an urban setting. At the time I was only 16 and had little experience alone in any big city. On each college tour I went on, my father would leave the group for a moment, find a random security guard that wasn’t “featured” on the tour and ask the tough “dad” questions about safety. One thing that really stuck out to him about BU was that we have the Boston Police and BU Police Departments working the two-mile stretch of Comm Ave. that is our beloved campus. We also talked about the blue-light system and I can promise that everyone time I’ve tested the “you can always see one blue light anywhere on campus” rule, it’s worked.

Now that I’ve been on campus for almost three years, I’ve learned about a ton of other fantastic security measures BU takes. We have an Escort Service that will send a boy and a girl to where ever you are on campus and walk you home, within a reasonable distance, through the only person I know who has ever used it, did because it was raining and the escorts bring an umbrella. In addition to that, BU has set up a tip line that you can text if you see something suspicious happening somewhere on campus. And the most recent thing I’ve learned about are the RAD self-defense classes. Like we did, organizations can schedule times with the officers to do short classes but they also offer five-week long courses where you learn how to defend yourself in a variety of scenarios and even get to put on safety suits and ward off an attacker in a mock fight. Its sounds pretty cool and I’ve already looked into the schedule for next fall’s course. Finally, anytime BU has information they need to get to students quickly like the attacks that happened at the Marathon, they send out mass texts to every student with the information they need.

While all of these resources are great, my biggest piece of advice is to always be smart. Walking around with your iPhone in your hand and ear buds in listening to music makes you an easy target. Being aware of your surroundings, staying on well lit streets, and never walking alone will always make you feel safer on campus and in Boston. I can honestly say I’ve never felt unsafe on campus and it makes me feel even safer knowing there are so many different resources to help me out.

Hannah: 7 Favorite Things About Boston & BU

Hi prospective students! As many of you know, the past week in Boston has been a whirlwind of emotions. The tragedies that took place in Boston on Marathon Monday have affected all of us within the Boston University community (which I’m sure all of you are more than aware of.) For my blog post this week, I wanted to highlight some of my all-time favorite things about BU and the city of Boston, because this one terrorizing act shouldn’t cast a shadow over all the wonderful things this beautiful place has to offer.

Here are my 7 favorite things about Boston and BU:

1. Boston Sports fans: Whether you’re walking through Fenway or making the trek out to Gillette stadium, the spirit of these vivacious fans is contagious. Just strolling past Fenway on the day of a game puts a smile on my face. Commonwealth Ave is always filled with Red Sox fans that storm the green monster just before the first pitch. Even after the Celtics’ shaky season, TD Garden maintained an atmosphere like nowhere else I have ever been. This extensive sports enthusiast family welcomes everyone with open arms. (Yes even you, you diehard Yankees fans…

2. BU’s student theater: Until four weeks ago, I had no idea that tucked between Agganis arena and FitRec there is BU’s student theater. This cute little hole in the wall is home to our very own stage troupe! Stage Troupe puts on a performance every few weeks ranging from classic to contemporary shows. Tickets are usually around $8 and are always well worth it! It’s a great way to break up a Thursday study night by catching a quick 8pm show. I highly recommend it.

3. Second Floor Elipticals: FitRec houses an extensive amount of workout equipment, but my favorites are the elipticals on the second floor. Looking out over the pools, the swimmers provide a great distraction from the fact that you’re working your butt off. Also there is a phenomenal view of the Cambridge Skyline if you time it right. Plus there is always a machine open on this level. You can cap off your workout with a smoothie from the first floor snack bar and suddenly working out doesn’t seem so painful.

4. The North End: Dare I say it … I had never had a cannoli until my roommate introduced me to Mike’s pastries. My love affair with Mike’s and the North End hasn’t ceased since that fateful October night. This cute little Boston neighborhood is home to some of the all time best Italian food you will ever taste. They also have every possible Italian dish under the sun. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Then to top it all off, nothing satisfies a sweet tooth like Mike’s chocolate chip cannolis.

5. The Boston Commons: Especially now as spring finally arrives in Boston, few things are as relaxing as a peaceful afternoon spent in Boston Commons. This giant park is a common ground for all of the residents of Boston. Sometimes you just need to escape the chaos of campus so grab a blanket, a good book, and head over to the park. It’s a great place even to just people watch (Sorry, I’m creepy.) Plus, there are more spectacular views and it’s centrally located so an afternoon starting in the commons can lead to any of the quaint Boston neighborhoods surrounding it.

6. Marciano Commons: In case you haven’t noticed, I really like food. Now we have basically any option under the sun thanks to our new dining facility on Bay State road here at BU. Marciano commons not only houses a huge dining hall, there is also Rize, a cute and delicious café, and late night, to satisfy any late night cravings, conveniently located in the basement.

7. The People: In the past week I have never felt so connected to a community. While tragedy came knocking on Boston’s door, rather than cowering in fear, this tight knit family came together. From police officers who fearlessly protected the citizens of our great city to the citizens who offered comforting shoulders for their neighbors to lean on. The people of Boston are unique, smart, strong, and above all else resilient. As we work to move past this dark hour in our history, I have no doubt that this community will bounce back stronger than ever. The people of Boston are people I am proud to call my neighbors, friends, and family and I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

I hope this gave you a little taste of all the wonderful things that Boston and BU have to offer, and I hope I’ll someday be able to welcome more of you into this beautiful strong community. That’s all for now!

-Hannah