mayaklu – COM Ambassador Blog

Zoe R: 3-Step Survival Guide For Surviving Freshman Year

By Zoe Rahaim

I’m about to graduate from BU this May, and as much as people like to remind me I’m a senior, my first semester at BU still feels fairly recent. In my first semester, I was prepared for the shock of starting at a big school, but I picked up other tips that helped me stay afloat. Reflecting on my own start, I was leaving a high school class I had attended for most of my life and had grown up in a small town. When it came to tackling a larger school in a much larger city, this advice truly helped me.

When you’re a freshman, everyone is just as eager to meet new people, so don’t hesitate to reach out! Building a community from scratch can feel daunting, but everyone is in the same boat. During my first week, I aimed to have a conversation with at least one person in each of my classes. I turned towards the people on my floor and used platforms like GroupMe to reach out and grab dinner. A simple “hello” is often all you need.
You can’t skip out on Splash! Join clubs that genuinely ignite your curiosity. BU offers a wide variety of organizations, and if you’re looking for like-minded people, COM hosts clubs that cater to journalism, advertising, PR, and FTV. These groups are a great low-stakes environment to explore interests outside of your classes. I found WTBU during my first Splash visit, and after taking a chance at their interested member meeting, I ended up falling in love with college radio and built a show with fellow WTBU members. Whether you consider clubs useful for your career path or purely for fun, getting involved is a great way to meet new people.
Time management and establishing a routine were my best friends when I started college. I realized that it was up to me to track my obligations between my courses and extracurriculars. I turned to tools like Google Calendar to track my classes, and I relied on a physical planner to visualize deadlines and my daily to-do lists.

College is your time to explore, grow, and have fun. BU offers countless opportunities to meet new people and try new things. As I’m coming up on my last few months as a student, I realized how BU allowed me to explore my passions and broaden my horizons.

Chase: 3 Ways to Cruise Through Midterm Season

By Chase Pasekoff

As BU students return from spring break, midterm season is still in full swing. With exams, papers, and projects all piling up, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are three ways to keep midterm season low-stress:

1. Find a study spot that works for you

Establishing a good study environment is your key to success. Last year, I spent most of my time studying on the 4th floor of Mugar because I needed an isolated, silent environment with limited distractions. Last semester, however, I found myself studying mostly in study lounges, like the top floors of the Kilachand Honors College and Stuvi 2. It was more enjoyable to study when I could sit with my friends and admire the city view at the same time. This semester, my main study spot has been the common room of my suite. With most of my midterms being group projects, I haven’t needed to separate my living and work space to get everything done. So, whether it’s Mugar, a study lounge, your room, or anywhere else, make sure to find a study spot where you can focus while feeling comfortable!

2. Create a study plan you can stick to

Every midterm is different. Some require dozens of flashcards, while others are less memorization-based. Either way, making a day-to-day study plan is essential to cover all of the content you need before exam day. For my recent psychology midterm, for example, I labeled each day I wanted to study each chapter on my Google Calendar. This kept me organized, on top of my work, and most importantly, prevented me from cramming all six chapters the night before the test.

3. Take advantage of office hours

Although it can feel awkward or uncomfortable, going to your professor or TA’s office hours can be super helpful, especially right before an exam. One tip I have is to write down the questions you have as you’re studying, so you can refer back to them when you go to office hours. Some professors require an appointment for office hours, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to figure out whether or not you’ll need to go. Either way, it’s a great resource that you should definitely take advantage of if you think it could help you out.

As long as you keep these three things in mind (and remember to prioritize yourself), your midterms will go off without a hitch!

Raahi: Red Flags of COM—But There’s a “But”

By Raahi Mehta

Every college has its pros and cons, its green flags and red flags, if you will. From someone who lives and breathes inside 640 Commonwealth Avenue—and during finals, practically sleeps there too—here’s the insider intel of BU COM.

🔴It’s not the grandest, flashiest building on campus. It also doesn’t help that it sits in the shadow of BU’s most iconic structure: CDS—or as some people call it, the Jenga building. BU COM is planted at 640 Commonwealth Avenue, with three floors, a basement, and the COM lawn, which is currently hidden beneath a blanket of snow—BUT it’s got everything a COM major could ever need. Take a step inside, and you’ll find more than just classrooms: innovation labs, field production services, a production studio, editing rooms, career and writing centers, a screening room, a study lounge, and much more. It’s a place where any idea, any vision can be brought to life.

🔴The wind tunnels surrounding the building can be intense. I’ve lost count of how many times my eyes have teared from trekking past COM—BUT the building has good heating, which is great during Boston winters. Although, it complicates picking an outfit since it’s freezing outside and warm inside.

🔴The closest dining hall is Warren Dining—for those who don’t know what that is, it’s not the most favored eatery on campus—BUT Starbucks and Saxby’s are a 2-minute walk, AND they take dining points! This is a lifesaver when you have a busy schedule because you can quickly place an order and pick it up within minutes.

🔴You can’t escape. Forget a bad hair day going unnoticed because you’re guaranteed to run into a familiar face in this building—BUT that also means you’re bound to see a friend everywhere you go! Oftentimes, the best part of my day is rushing into the building for an AdClub meeting or late nights in the study lounge, and turning around to find a fellow COM friend there too. I never feel alone because there’s always someone there who’s happy to see me. A long, stressful day easily turns into the perfect mix of productivity and fun.

BU COM goes beyond just this rectangular building. It’s made vibrant by the people who pass through its door every day. My coworkers in the Undergraduate Affairs office, my friends from class, my academic advisors, my professors, and even the janitors who I’ve befriended from how often they see me in the building—they remind me that BU COM is more than just a place, it’s the people. At the end of the day, the red flags of COM fade when you look at everything else it has to offer.

Teagan: How to Turn College Opportunities Into Real Experience

By Teagan Keane

When I first came to COM, I thought experience would come later, maybe in junior year or during internship season. I assumed I needed to feel ready before raising my hand. What I’ve learned is that readiness does not come first. Action does.

One of the biggest advantages of being at COM is that opportunity is everywhere. But being surrounded by it is not enough. You have to choose to step into it. I learned quickly that getting involved earlier than you think you should makes all the difference. It is easy to believe you need more classes or more confidence before applying to programs or joining organizations. In reality, those experiences are what build your confidence. Growth happens when you allow yourself to be a beginner.

Another lesson is that office hours are one of the most underrated career tools in college. Professors are not just instructors. They are professionals with years of industry experience. Some of the most valuable conversations I have had did not happen during class, but in office hours. Asking thoughtful questions, seeking feedback beyond the assignment, and showing genuine interest can turn a class into mentorship. Those relationships often lead to guidance, recommendations, and unexpected opportunities.

I have also learned the importance of saying yes to things that feel uncomfortable. Whether it is presenting in front of a room, taking on leadership within a team, or stepping outside your comfort zone, those moments stretch you. The first time feels intimidating. The second time feels manageable. By the third time, it feels natural. That is how real experience is built.

Finally, turning opportunity into experience requires initiative. No one hands you a perfectly mapped path. You have to introduce yourself, send the email, apply for the role, and ask the question. The students who grow the most are not always the most experienced at the start. They are the ones willing to try.

COM offers an incredible foundation. The moment you stop waiting to feel ready and start taking action is the moment your college experience becomes real professional growth.

Derek: Time Goes Fast In College

By Derek Olson

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog! To quickly introduce myself, my name is Derek Olson. I hail from Hanson, MA, and I study journalism and public relations with a minor in business administration and management.

This is the third blog I’m writing as a COM ambassador, and I feel like the time between semesters is only getting shorter. If you’re a senior in college, you may be saying, “Duh, enjoy it while you still can,” but I want to address this to freshmen and those who may not be aware: College goes by fast.

It’s something I always heard from the adults in my life, but this past year is the first time I’ve truly experienced it. Semester falls into semester, and before I knew it, I’m almost halfway through college.

So what? My advice: do everything. Say yes to that hangout with friends, try out that club, passion or activity you’ve always wanted to do and don’t be afraid to stay out a little later than you’d thought. These four years are our foolproof time to try, to fail and to learn.

Don’t be stupid, but be ambitious. Don’t be ignorant, but be happy.

These may be cliche words of wisdom, but do heed them and enjoy this time we all get the opportunity to have. Nothing gold can stay.

Aly: A Student Guide to Boston’s Art Museums

By Aly Yam

There are many perks we get as Boston students. From Student 9’s to extra 10% off discounts, students can adventure out into the city and find something fun to do on their weekends. One perk I took advantage of during my first semester in Boston was free student admission to museums, specifically art museums. My friends and I would go to one art museum and love it so much that we would find another. It even inspired me to visit one in Manhattan when I got home. Here’s a basic guide on a few Boston art museums that can help you get started, too.

1. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

As Boston University students, we get university member perks at this beautiful Venetian-style art museum. The walls are adorned with collections of European, American, and Asian art, as well as antique mirrors and tapestries. Have a non-Boston visitor that you’d like to take too? The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum also has free admission on every first Thursday of every month. The biggest eyecatcher lies in the middle of the space, featuring an intimate garden experience with florals and statues.

2. Harvard Art Museums

The Harvard Art Museums offer free admission for all, so you and any other friends and family can visit at any convenient time you want. They have a wide variety of drawings, photographs, and porcelain that can capture your attention for hours. Sometimes, they even have Spotlight Tours and Gallery Talks where you can learn more about specific paintings!

3. Museum of Fine Arts

Anyone in Boston can easily visit this popular art museum by hopping on the Green-Line and getting off at the stop that is quite literally designated for the MFA. With floors and floors of ancient art exhibits, pavilions, and courtyards, you’d have to visit the museum for multiple days to reach every corner of it. They also have several spots to sit down and take a break with a full meal for the whole group. Don’t forget to visit their huge gift shop for postcards, books, puzzles, and more!

The many Boston museums are a great way to explore the city by appreciating artwork, science, and history. Whether you go with a group or alone, any visitor is sure to leave with gorgeous photos (taken respectfully) and constant curiosity to learn more and more.

Jack: 5 Interesting COM Classes You Can Take With Little To No Prerequisites

By Jack Schwed

Disinformation and the Press (COM JO 531): Curious how undercover operations weaponize misinformation to manipulate the adversary’s public opinion and decision-making elite domestically and internationally? This journalism class, taught by Joan Donovan, assistant professor of Journalism and Emerging Media Studies, analyzes just that. The course specifically focuses on international disinformation campaigns and how the media can defend itself. There are no prerequisites for this course.
Managing Corporate Crises (COM CM 522): Want to learn how organizations prevent, prepare for, and manage crisis scenarios? This public relations class, most recently taught by Professor of the Practice Amy Shanler and Associate Professor Edward Downes, teaches students how to do just that. In addition to lectures and in-class discussions, the course features guest speakers, case examples, and crisis simulations. The only prerequisite for this class is Principles and Practices of Public Relations (COM CM 215).
Interactive Marketing Strategy (COM CM 519): Curious how organizations use social, digital and experiential media for branding and engagement? This advertising class, most recently taught by Assistant Professor Susanna Lee and Visiting Assistant Professor Joan DiMicco, examines exactly that. There is one undergraduate prerequisite for this course, with the option to choose from either COM CM 215 or COM CM 217, which is Introduction to Advertising.
Children and Media (COM CM 551): Have you ever wondered whether media are good or bad for kids? This media science class, taught by Assistant Professor AnneMarie McClain, delves into contemporary conversations on this topic. The course focuses on four angles: developmental considerations, media and education, media for wellbeing and connection and the navigation and creation of media landscapes. This course has no prerequisites.
Understanding Film (COM FT 250): Are you interested in learning about the expressive possibilities of image and sound? This film class, taught most recently by Master Lecturer Bruno Guaraná, studies a variety of historical and contemporary films that use these aesthetic elements masterfully. This course has no prerequisites.

Morgan: Don’t Be Afraid of FitRec

By Morgan Oakes

“I can’t go to Fitrec, it’s too scary.” is a sentence I’ve heard too many times to count. When I counter this by saying that I work out there all the time and feel completely confident, I am often met with confusion. Adding the fact that I am a woman claiming to be unintimidated by FitRec confuses some of my friends even more. I believe this confusion is misplaced.

Before I came to college, I never worked out, mainly because my high school schedule didn’t allow me to. A secondary reason, though, was that I was scared to step foot in a gym and unsure how to use any of the equipment. I was afraid of even trying, out of concern that people working out around me would judge me for my inability.

However, when I arrived at BU and stepped into the multi-floor, ginormous gym for the first time, I immediately decided I had to at least give working out a shot. At first, I felt overwhelmed by FitRec, but during the fall of my sophomore year I took a PDP class on the foundations of weightlifting, where I gradually became more familiar with all that the gym had to offer. Now, I work out multiple times a week, and can’t remember the last time I felt uncomfortable. Additionally, I have never felt at all judged by anyone around me, and I find the environment to be warm and welcoming. I advise any student at BU, new or old, to give working out at FitRec a chance.

Peyton: Describing Boston With Some Of My Favorite Movies

By Peyton Bliley

As a film and television major, I love giving movie or TV series recommendations to my friends and family. I figured there's no better way to introduce myself as a new COM Ambassador and share my love for Boston and this school than to share a list of films that fit the city's vibe!

B: Big Fish (2003)

I’m a little biased because I was recently in a theater production of this, but it is a very sweet story about grand adventures and magic. What makes this feel like Boston is that I’ve really come to view Boston as home and the people I hang out with here as family. I’ve met so many wonderful and fascinating people here, and I will remember them and the memories I share with them for the rest of my life.

O: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

An adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey feels like an accurate pick for this list! Every year I’ve been at Boston University, I have experienced many major changes in my life, whether they be physically, emotionally, or involving those around me. It all feels like one big adventure, and going through it all in Boston makes it feel all the more magical!

S: Spotlight (2015)

An actual Boston-located movie, Spotlight is an incredible true story based on Boston Globe news reporters uncovering a story regarding the Catholic Church dating farther back than any of them realized. Boston is a very exciting city with a lot happening all the time and many great news outlets to release that information; you’ll always hear about “the talk of the town” one way or another.

T: The Town (2010)

Another Boston-related film, this shows the rough life of bank robbers from Charlestown. This is really only here for the strong accents featured; my dad likes to quote this movie with an accent, and it was my first exposure to Boston accents. I’ve encountered a fair share of strangers on public transportation with accents like the ones from this movie, and I highly recommend watching any movie to get acclimated with the vernacular!

O: Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Boston is a BIG city, with many different areas and aesthetics. Cambridge has a different vibe from Back Bay, which has a different vibe from Fenway, and so on and so forth. Over the Garden Wall is another Odyssey of sorts, with the two main characters exploring different parts of a fantasy world. Honestly, I feel as delighted and curious as they do whenever I venture to a corner of Boston that I haven’t been to yet.

N: Night At The Museum (2006)

How can you talk about Boston without mentioning the historic sites? From the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum to the Paul Revere House, there are so many cool places to visit and things to learn about American history that you may not have read in textbooks.

In summary, Boston is a big, diverse city with many facets and places to explore, and I hope these movies help give you a better idea of this place I love so dearly!

Elena: Why you shouldn’t be scared going into a major you know basically nothing about

By: Elena Pejic

When I was applying to BU, I selected Journalism as my major, but I had never done an interview. I had never given a pitch. I never even wrote an article. I applied out of respect for the profession and a passion for learning the truth.

So, unsurprisingly, when I started writing for The Daily Free Press and took COM 101, I was overwhelmed to say the least. However, looking back, I am beyond thankful for that experience, as there is truly no better way to learn than to do.

As I approach the end of my freshman year, I want to offer some advice to anyone considering or transferring into a major they are passionate about but not very knowledgeable about.

1. Don’t compare yourself.

When I went to my first pitch meeting for The Daily Free Press I began to doubt my abilities not based on what I knew, but what others did. I sat next to girls who were Editor-in-Cheifs at their high school and who had already conducted countless interviews and pitch meetings before stepping foot on campus. Now, I work alongside these girls as we write articles together and they have even become some of my great friends here.

2. Don’t fear criticism (too much).

As I got the edits back on my first article, the whole thing was rearranged and rewritten. I was shocked when I opened the document, but as I began reading the final version, I realized I could have done at least five things better immediately. This is to say that in any academic field, you will fail, yet it is what you do with that failure that matters. Now, I get slightly fewer edits on my article, and while I am no expert yet, I feel much more confident in my abilities only because there were people to tell me how I messed up.

3. Ask for help.

While writing my first article, I was so overwhelmed by the deadline and the pressure to “get it right” that I forgot about all the resources out there to help. It wasn’t until after that that I thought to go look at other articles on The Daily Free Press’s website or text my editor for a guide on how to write a title. It is never embarrassing to ask for help, especially when you are new to something, because it often makes it easier for both parties. You will understand the task at hand much more quickly if it is straight from the source, and the person you are asking will save time later by cleaning up your mistakes.

All in all, if you are passionate about something, pursue it. It doesn’t matter if someone else has more experience or more connections. What will really matter is who works harder, and passion is arguably one of the most important factors in motivating that success.