Alexa – COM Ambassador Blog

Alexa: Why You Should Live On Campus

It’s February, meaning it’s wicked cold in Boston and if you live on campus it’s time to pay your housing deposit! I’ve chosen to live on campus all four years and while there are benefits to living off-campus, here are five reasons I’ve chosen to stay on.

1. Easy transition coming back from abroad

It was nice being abroad and not having to worry about subletting an apartment or finding a place to live for the semester that I got back. All I had to do was pay my housing deposit at the end of the semester and I got my first choice when I came back in the Spring, (hello Stuvi 1).

2. Convenient Location

Even though I’ve chosen to live in West, which is about a 15 minute walk to COM, it’s nice living on campus and still having that close proximity to the gym and Agganis Arena.

3. No-Stress

If our sink breaks, Boston University maintenance will come and fix it. It’s nice not having to worry about calling a plumber or having to pay out of pocket for any type of maintenance.

4. Safety

While sometimes living on campus can be more expensive then living off, it gives my parents peace of mind knowing I have security at my doorstep.

5. The View

The view from my window is of the Charles River and the Boston Skyline, it literally could not get any better than that. I actually have to control myself to not Instagram a photo of it everyday, you’re welcome everyone. I don’t know when I’ll be able to live in a high-rise apartment overlooking the Charles river again, so I figure I might as well take advantage of it now.

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!

Alexa: The Pitfalls of Procrastination

I am in denial of being a procrastinator. I would like to think that I listened to my mom when she told me to buy a calendar for the school year and keep important due dates on there and I’d like to think I listened to my dad when he called on the weekends and told me to study ahead of time; but I didn’t. Instead I rationalize with myself that I work better under deadline and thrive under pressure.

Do I really? Maybe.

Is this a good excuse for waiting until the last minute to do things? Nope.

The two big examples of my most recent procrastination are happening right now

My blog post.

Time to complete: 1 week

When I started it: 5 minutes ago

Due: in 30 minutes

10 page paper for my history class

Time to complete: 2 weeks

When I started it: 2 hours ag0

Due: in 6 hours

While both these things will get done before their deadlines, this is not an encouragement to wait until the last minute to do things because it is SO STRESSFUL and gets my heart beating unnecessarily fast.

Instead try this:

Write the due date for an assignment somewhere you can see it everyday, that way it will always be in the back of your mind to start when you have an extra moment.
Start it early. For example, if you have to write a paper, try writing your beginning paragraph one night and your first body paragraph the next.
Make sure to go into your professor’s office hours to make sure your paper is on the right track and use the COM writing center because it’s a wonderful resource.

In short, or in long, since I stopped half way through this blog to watch this video about 10 times

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc_W1_d2g2g&feature=youtu.be

…Don’t procrastinate.

Alexa: How to Survive the Cold in Boston

To be fair, I was warned about a New England winter. They said it would be a cold; but you’d have to live in to understand. My freshmen year, winter in Boston wasn’t that bad so I was pretty confident I could survive the cold, however this year is a different story. It’s not cold, it’s freezing. However, I’ve found three things that help keep a California girl warm.

Invest in a good jacket

Seriously, it’s worth the price. You can try and compensate with layers of sweatshirts but nothing is better than a good down jacket.

Wear gloves

I learned the hard way that gloves are not a fashion statement; they are a necessity. It’s quite hard to function in class when your hands are numb from the cold.

Be Positive

My dad used to tell me that being cold was a state of mind. In California, cold is definitely a state of mind but in Boston I can’t say the same. However, the cold isn’t fun for anyone so complaining about it won’t make it any warmer. (I’m looking at you everyone who tweeted: "OMG it’s 2 degrees out!? NO!”)

Instead look at the positives of colder weather! Like, still being able to wear your favorite scarf, witnessing the magic of snowfall or still being able to order a hot chocolate from Starbucks because it’s cold and no one can judge you.

On the brighter side, spring is almost here! That means, we’re closer to open house in April where I get to meet all of you wonderful, perfect prospective students! It also means Marathon Monday is closer, but that’s another blog post discussion.

Alexa: The Registration Process

Registration is one of the most magical and yet one of the most terrifying things a student will go through every semester. Here’s why:

1.There are so many classes to choose from.

Should I take Psychology of Sport or should I take Philosophy of Sport? What level of history should I take? Should I take Nutrition or Astrology? BU is a big school so there are so many different classes to choose from, which of course is a blessing but also a little bit of a curse.

2. You can’t go to sleep because you are terrified that you will miss your registration time.

This is more important than waking up at 7 AM on Christmas morning, or your birthday. There are many situations where you can over sleep, apologize and it will all be fine. This is not one of those times. To prepare for registration I like to strategically set 7 alarms on my phone in 10-minute intervals. I figure one HAS to trigger my brain to wake up.

3. You wake up in a state of panic during the middle of the night because you think you overslept and missed your registration time.

This happens about three times the night before registration. I quickly wake up at 3 AM thinking that the journalism class I have sought after and stared at through my computer screen is going to have zero seats left and I’m going to have to explain to my parents why I am a failure.

4. It is your registration time, and the page won’t refresh.

I wish I could accurately explain to you the minute before your registration time. For example, I registered at 11 this year and at 10:55 I was fine. I was cool, calm and collected but then at 10:59 my heartbeat started to accelerate. This is the moment before the race starts, the moment before you figure out if you won’t have class on Fridays, or if you’re going to have to start mentally preparing yourself for an 8 AM. I would most like to refer to this moment as the Hunger Games moment. The moment before the twelve tributes are allowed to step off of their circle and into the realm where only one will be victorious. Do you understand the picture I am trying to draw? Yes? Good. But then, the page is taking to slow to refresh and you think to yourself…oh my goodness I am being sabotaged! Then finally, the page refreshes and you go to your planner and try clicking on the classes you want so fast that your hand is shaking. You click, click, click, click and then press submit. Here it is the moment of truth…

5. You get the classes you wanted.

This is the moment of disbelief. The moment where Taylor Swift stands up on stage staring out at her audience in utter disbelief that they all came to hear her perform. You realize you are registered for 16 credits and that class you thought would fill up before you got a chance had 3 seats left, and you were able to grab one of them. This, my friend, is the state of grace, the perfect moment.

The look on your face when you get the class you want

Disclaimer: While sometimes you aren’t able to get the certain section you wanted, or the certain teacher you wanted, rest assured that you won’t have a problem getting a full schedule. One of the great things about BU is that although they are one of the bigger universities, students aren’t left trying to fill their schedule. Go BU!

Happy thanksgiving!

Alexa: Five Reasons Why I Love Fall

Coming from California, I have become accustomed to two seasons…

1. Summer

2. Not summer.

Luckily, moving to Boston, I have been able to experience the four wonderful seasons, fall being one of my favorites. Here are five reasons why I adore the fall season.

Pumpkins. From carving pumpkins to drinking pumpkin spice lattes, I love that fall gives me a legitimate reason to want to go to the pumpkin patch and order pumpkin infused drinks even though I just had coffee two hours before.
Foliage. For parent’s weekend my dad flew out and we drove out to Vermont and Maine where we were able to catch the last of the fall foliage. Seeing the changing colors of the leaves may sound boring but it is actually breathtaking.
Changing Colors at BU. BU in the fall time is a magical thing. Actually, I’m pretty sure if I visited BU during the fall during my senior year I would have applied early decision instead of regular. The warm weather, plus seeing the leaves fall is too lovely for words.
End of baseball. Beginning of football. While I love baseball, as a Dodger fan, I am always ready to put the mediocre season behind me and look forward to the boys of fall. Disclaimer: I am a Raiders fan, so there’s not that much to look forward to, but still the thought is nice.
Weather. I have to say that the weather during the fall is probably the best out of the year. While it might rain once or twice the weather usually stays in the mid 60-degree range and it’s the perfect time to explore the beautiful city of Boston.

I love fall, but the good news is that when the leaves fall and the weather gets cooler and the Raiders start losing more games that means Winter is coming, and the holiday season in Boston is not one to miss.

Alexa: How to Not be Homesick

Hey everyone! Hope the semester is treating you all well!

I remember last year around this time I was beginning to transition from the excitement of being a freshman in college to missing my sweet chocolate lab. I was homesick. Luckily, I was able to figure out ways to cure my homesickness, (lets just pretend that’s a word), and I thought now would be a perfect time to share.

1. Skype:

Skype and Facetime are both great ways to stay in touch with your family and friends back home. There is something about seeing someone that is much better than just a five-minute phone call.

2. Realize You’re Not Alone

Seriously, everyone gets homesick. Especially coming to BU from California, I found it easier to admit that I missed home a little when my other friends from California did too. If you can talk about it, soon it won’t be as lonely.

3. Keep Mementos from your room

Keeping something from your room in your dorm room helps you adjust more to your new (but temporary) home!

4. Get Involved

I know it’s been drilled in enough, but getting involved is one of the best ways to forget about being homesick. If you are busy interning for a radio show, or shooting for BUTV, pretty soon you’re so busy you forget about wishing you were back at home.

Hope these tips help! Also good luck on your upcoming first COM test!

Alexa: First Day of School

I’ve come to realize that the first day of school will always have its similarities. However in college, I might prepare for my first day a little differently, since I’m living in a dorm room and not my house, oh also I am 3,000 miles away from home.

First, I will try going to bed at nine o’clock. Instead, I will stay up until midnight or more just laying in my bed thinking, “Why? Why is this happening?”

Next, I will continuously wake up through the night in a state of panic that I might have missed my alarm, only to be reassured that it’s 3:11 AM. I always wake up at something: 11, it’s strange but that’s a whole different conversation.

Finally, when I realize I can sleep in no more, I will put on the outfit that, I’ll admit, I have picked out weeks ahead of time. First impressions count! I will also try to straighten my hair. However, this will probably not work out as well as I would like since my hair has a mind of its own and will only look nice right before I get in the shower.

Next, I will gather all of my things hoping that I don’t forget anything important, more than likely I will. Last year it was my dorm key and I’m really sure my roommate enjoyed that.

Before college, right before I headed out the door, my dad would always give me a few words of encouragement. He has now shortened it down to a simple text stating, “It only matters if you win.” Obviously words to live by. Thanks dad.

I will try to take the BUS (the BU Shuttle) to class but since obviously everyone has the same idea that I have, it will be full unless you shove your way in, normally I like to avoid shoving people and convince myself that a walk is exactly what I need. After taking a nice fifteen minute stroll to class I will continuously debate in my head whether or not I should stop for Starbucks before class in Warren. While my heart says yes, my brain is begging me not to because no one wants to be the person that comes in late to class clutching an iced white mocha, trust me. The argument in my head will continue until I see the long line that is Starbucks and will suffice to getting to class a little early.

Once I get to class, I will again debate between myself and the voice in my head of where I should sit. Should I be attentive and sit and the front? Should I just blend in and sit in the back? Middle it is. Life is all about compromise people.

My point is, don’t take the first day of college too seriously. In all likelihood, you’re going to have a lot of first days and you should enjoy them, not stress about them. With that being said, have fun in COM101!

Alexa: A Summer of Interning

Hope everyone is enjoying their last few weeks of summer. This summer I hadn't really planned on interning anywhere but when I was offered an opportunity to do so I was really excited. I am interning for a company called, SmileSimplicity. The company focuses on enhancing a person's smile without eliminating any tooth structure (unlike regular veneers which contour teeth and can never be reversed). I am still interning there and feel lucky to have the opportunity to work with such innovative, hardworking people.

You're probably thinking: what does this have to do with journalism?

Well, a part of my job is interviewing patients before and after their SmileSimplicity procedure, creating marketing tools and writing press releases. The positive thing about working for a small company was that I wasn't just doing things to keep busy but I am able to be involved with important components, like being a part of conference calls and having the opportunity to contribute to advertisement ideas. I didn't feel like an intern, I felt like an employee. I was also able to learn more about the business side of journalism. Even though I still would like to pursue a sports journalism career, I'm glad I have had the opportunity to branch out and see a different side of journalism.

I am so excited to meet all of you come fall and hope you are looking forward to being a Terrier!

Alexa: Tips for Your COMlife Audition

Hey everyone! Hope the summer is treating all of you well! While you anxiously anticipate your first year at Boston University you might decide to take a chance at auditioning to be a part of our school’s webseries COMlife (yay!). Being a part of the show is great and I wanted to give you guys some insider tips on the audition video process!

1. Be creative

In your video, it’s important to stand out and talk about (or show the producers) what makes you different. The people casting the series watch a ton of videos and if you are creative (ie. not just stand in front of your video camera) you’ll make a big impression.

2. Have fun

I know this should go without saying but have fun in your video! The concept of the series is to show current/prospective students the fun and exciting life of a BU COM student. If you don’t look like you’re enjoying making the video, it’s hard to believe you’ll enjoy being a part of the series.

3. Tell your story.

What makes you, you? Tell us who you are by making yourself relateable to others. For instance, I was very involved in basketball in highschool so I talked about myself as an athlete and even recorded myself shooting around.

4. Be yourself

I know this is the most cliché’, but it’s so true. In your audition video act like your normal, everyday, awesome self and everything will work out for the best!

Quick tip: Keep your audition video close to the allotted time. You can get your point across without spending 20 minutes doing so.

Good luck to everyone auditioning and if you have any last minute questions feel free to email me, alexa111@bu.edu.

Have a great rest of the summer!