Angeli – COM Ambassador Blog

Angeli: Video Interviews Aren’t That Scary

Ah, senior year. While your academic career might be slowing down, your professional career is only beginning. This time can thus be scarily summed up in two words: job search. Depending on your major and dream position, this *super* fun extracurricular might entice you as early as August or as late as May, but I’m sure I speak for all seniors when I say the consequent anxiety can last year-round.

I think what makes this chapter of undergraduate life so nerve-wrecking is all of the novelty it entails. Applying for internships is one thing, but applying for a full-time job is a very different ball game. The interviewing process often takes more rounds and requirements than you’re used to. You’ll likely be asked questions you’ve never prepared for. You’ll have to consider annual salary and benefits, vital necessities you’ve never really thought about before. Then, once you land the position, there’s the possibility of moving to a brand new city and having to find a new home and new friends.

I myself am still at the earlier stages of this course. I’ve started my application series and am now facing my own set of first’s. One of the most recent and most daunting is something we professionals like to call the “video interview.” For those who have never had to do one before (or yet), it’s an interesting concept to say the least. Essentially, instead of the traditional phone interview, a lot of companies are modernizing their first or second round of interviewing by using softwares that allow for online, recorded interviews. Here’s how it works:

1) You’re given a question to answer either written in text or delivered in a prerecorded video by your interviewer.

2) You have a controlled amount of time to think of your response (for me, it was 20 seconds.)

3) You have a controlled amount of time to record your response (for me, it was 2 minutes.)

4) You revert to Step 1 until you’ve answered all of the questions (for me, it was a set of 6.)

When I recently received an email invitation to complete this kind of interview from a company at the top of my list, I was incredibly excited to have advanced to the next round of the application but also SO nervous. I had no idea what to expect, other than a horror story from my older brother about him cracking under the time-crunch pressure the last time he had to complete a video interview. Not wanting fear to get in the way of an immense opportunity, I aggressively surfed the web to prep myself as much as possible. Ultimately, I’m a video interviewer survivor quite happy with how it turned out. I thought I should share what I learned with my fellow COM kids so you too can tackle this potential challenge.

Tip #1: PRACTICE.

Some video interviewing softwares, such as Wepow (the one I had to use), allow you to gain some experience before your actual interview via a couple of optional practice questions. I HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of this feature if it’s offered so that you don’t go in blind and can calm some of your nerves. If you’re unsure of whether you’ll have practice questions or want to build your confidence earlier, you can also take matters into your own hands by simply practicing with your webcam. Ask yourself some typical interview questions (see Tip #2) and set a timer of two minutes to see how eloquently you can answer under the constraint.

Tip #2: PREPARE.

Just as you would for any other kind of interview, make sure to do your research. Familiarize yourself with the company as much as possible but also see what you can find regarding its usual interviewing procedure from sources like Glassdoor and LinkedIn (hello BU alumni…) If you’re lucky, you’ll find questions asked to past applicants that can give you an idea of what to expect. If not, you can just look up and/or hypothesize typical questions asked in first or second rounds. From there, you can jot down ideas for answers that you can use while practicing. If you’re really lucky, you’ll end up prepping yourself for questions actually posed in the video interview. It happened to me!

Tip #3: POWER POSE.

Ever since I watched this life-changing Ted Talk in high school, I’ve been a huge proponent of power posing. If you’re feeling nervous as your mouse hovers over that interview link, take a moment to breathe and literally lift yourself up. Remind yourself that you’ve got this because the most important thing is to be yourself. Employers aren’t looking for robotic responses. You’ll want your recordings to feel as natural as an in-person conversation. And trust me, you’ll survive.

Angeli: Unsolicited Advice from a Resident Senior

I think by now any consistent readers of this COM Ambassador blog will know that I'm the emotional one. Whether it was sappily reminiscing on my first Open House as a newly admitted student or somehow relating my Australian study abroad experience to Lizzie McGuire's Italian love affair, I've managed to make all of my contributions here just the right level of cheesy. And now that I'm a senior, you should expect nothing less, my devoted fandom.

It's only (already?!) October, and I can just about feel my time at BU slipping through my fingertips. To be as cliche as I possibly can, it feels like yesterday that I was a senior in high school, rolling my eyes as older relatives/teachers/neighbors/my parents' friends/just about every adult I ever encountered preached to me how college would be the best time of my life. Though I may have gotten tired of that redundant spiel at the time, boy does it sound nice being that annoyed eighteen year old right about now. I never doubted those who set my expectations sky high for these four years, but I also never thought my expectations would be exceeded. Despite any rough patches I may had during college, as I'm sure everyone has, I would not change a single experience at BU, as I feel that all of them having truly shaped who I am today.

See, I warned you this would get sappy and quick. But please, if you're a prospective student or underclassman especially, stay with me a little longer because I have some wisdom that might actually be helpful. I'm not going to sit here (in the Questrom library to be exact - great study spot btw) and act like I'm all high and mighty just because I'm a senior. Three years and two months in college has taught me a lot, but it sure as Rhett hasn't taught me everything. I can, however, say that I know what it feels like to be a freshman, worried that you're not taking the right classes or making the "friends for life" that your parents have...to be a sophomore, uneasy about declaring your major because what if you end up hating it in a semester or aren't actually good at what you're interested in..to be a junior, feeling on top of the world when on campus but far less confident in professional settings because that other intern seems to know a lot more about x, y, and z. Yep, that's right. You're not the only who's had such insecurities nor will you be the last. Those times of unease and discomfort and maybe even a little embarrassment are as much what college is about as the courses you take or dorm life you have. Better yet, there's no better feeling than being able to look back at an insecurity a year (or two or three) later and say that you've conquered it and that it maybe was a little silly to have in the first place.

Before I really go off on a motivational speaker tangent, I'll leave you with a final anecdote. A couple of weeks ago, I had my COM Ambassador group over for cookies and updates. They all filled me in on their freshman/transfer transitions thus far and seemed to grow gradually more anxious as they asked me questions like "How do I know if *insert major* is right for me?" or "How do I get an internship?" The question I was most surprised but also most glad to be asked, however, was "I know that good grades are obviously impressive, but what else do you think is important to have on your resume?" I reinterpreted this one a bit in order to fill them all in on advice that had been passed down to me through former peers, employers and professors alike, which I hope will only continue being shared. Yes, grades are important. And so are internships. And so are extracurriculars. And so is any and every other endeavor you pursue in college so long as you enjoy what you're doing. Join a club because you want to, not because you think it'll look impressive in the future. Then stick with it if you like it or quit and join another! Take classes and pursue those degrees that interest you because I promise, no matter how hard the material gets, you'll want to master it. A minor in Comp Sci, for instance, won't make you seem smarter or more "employable" if you never really put your all into it anyway. Bottom line, the only person who can waste your precious time these four years (because it is precious) is YOU. So take control of how it's spent.

Angeli: Sing to me, Sydney!

I'll spare you the cliché colloquial greeting used by ever-the abroad student, and just start off this post by channeling one of my childhood icons with an ole GOOOOOOOD MORNING, BOSTOOONNNN...ston, ston, ston...

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It is I, CA Angeli, reporting live from the land of Aus, with my signature curly locks a little frizzier and sun-soaked Cuban skin a whole lot tanner to prove it. As I write this, I'm celebrating my one-month anniversary with my current continent of residence, and I frankly cannot believe it. Studying abroad has been a dream of mine since I was in high school, so the fact that it has manifested in Australia of all places feels just too good to be. Stay tuned for the first morning that I wake up in Sydney and it's not surreal!

Until then, I'll just keep living out my Lizzie McGuire Movie fantasy. I haven't quite been mistaken for an international pop star or, to my greater disappointment, been gifted an absurdly large wheel of cheese, but I do find myself deeply relating to Lizzie's awe, bewilderment, and (occasional) public embarrassment. After all, being in a whole new country is a challenging adjustment for even the best of Disney channel characters. Due to a shared language and cultural similarities, I'm sure that many of you are skeptical as to how much that principle might apply to living in Australia. I thought the same before getting here. My 28 days down under, however, have proven my formerly naive self wrong time and time again.

Here are 7 instances and counting that Australia's tested my largely Outback Steakhouse-backed knowledge...and I failed.

1) That first time I opened my apartment's powder room door.

Picture a toilet with a sink coming out of it. The water that comes out of the faucet is used next time you flush. Pretty eco-genius but not the easiest hygienic concept to get used to.

2) That time I tried to drive my own Uber.

I had been warned before my arrival that, like in the UK, driving is done on the opposite side of the road here. No one informed me that steering wheels are also on the opposite side from what I'm used to. What's Aussie for awkward?

3) That time I ordered an iced coffee and got a milkshake.

For whatever reason, Australians have decided that iced coffee does not obviously entail coffee chilled with ice. They have instead deemed it code for coffee chilled with ice cream. I'm not saying this is the worst mistake I've ever made, but my doctor would sadly not be pleased with this new breakfast routine.

4) That time I tried to use public transportation, but no one knew where I was going.

Though incredibly convenient when understood, the train and bus system in city is vastly different from that of the MBTA and thus takes some getting used to. Possibly the hardest part is knowing how to pronounce station names. Let's just say no one will be able to help you get to "Circular Quay," but someone will happily give you directions to Circular Quay (pronounced "Key.")

5) That (very bittersweet) time I saw a koala and couldn't hold it.

So it seems that Google Images is a liar. To my continuous dismay, carrying koalas is not a casual pastime over here and not every zoo will let you do it. Due to (very important) conservation efforts, it is apparently pretty rare to get this photo.

6) That time I thought I was being generous to a cashier.

Though also called dollars, the different kinds of Australian currency are a bit different (and a lot prettier) than ours. For example, there are $1 and $2 coins. There is not, however, an equivalent to the US penny. Paying $30.55 for $30.54-worth of groceries and telling the clerk to "keep the change" will thus get you nothing but a laugh back.

7) That time a local was speaking English, yet I had no idea what he/she was saying.

I'll be honest, this has happened to me on more than one occasion. Aussies have the tendency of speaking really fast, shortening their words, and using a lot of slang. Top all of that off with their often thick accents. Now try to guess what "arvo" or "Macca's" might mean.

So if it isn't obvious by now, studying abroad entails a daily pop quiz of some sort. I might still be getting the hang of it, but trust me when I tell you, the last thing I'm doing is complaining.

AUSSIE! AUSSIE! AUSSIE!

Angeli: Philanthropy, From the Greek “Philanthrōpos”

When I first got to BU, I had no intention of getting involved with Greek life. My older brother had been in a fraternity and for years had recommended that I “at least try it” when my time as an undergrad rolled around. Despite his persistent recommendations, I just didn’t see myself having that kind of college experience. My plan was instead to become as active as I could on campus mainly by pursuing communication-related extracurriculars, so that my free time could be spent in ways that were both enjoyable and advantageous to my professional soul searching. I certainly didn't foresee finding myself on the brink of hypothermia on the coldest night of Fall 2017, wholeheartedly committed to ensuring a flag football tournament benefitting a childhood cancer nonprofit would go on.

But first let me retrace my steps a bit. By the end of freshman year, I had followed my initial plan quite nicely. I was in just about everything COM, from BUTV10 to WTBU, and had still gotten to try my hand at a few just-for-fun activities as well, like BU On Broadway. I was never bored (if anything, much too tired.) I’d met a lot of great people along the way. And I felt more than acclimated to my new environment. Nonetheless, something was missing and I just wasn’t completely satisfied.

Throughout my childhood and well into my high school years, I had done a lot of community service. Philanthropy was a value my parents had instilled in my siblings and me from an early age and eventually grew to be something I loved to do without any sort of urging. I had always planned to stay committed to service during college and even began my BU career with FYSOP, but I’d be kidding myself if I said it remained a top priority of mine for the rest of that year. It wasn’t until I returned to campus as a sophomore that I really realized how much I had missed it.

Around the same time, I made another important self-realization, if not confession. I had many things in common with the friends I had become closest to, but they had just one commonality amongst each other that I did not share: all of them had gone through recruitment. More importantly, they each ended up in a sorority where they truly felt at home. At first, I didn’t regret my decision to remain anti-Greek life. I was happy for my friends, and they never made me feel like an outsider. On the contrary, they tried to include me in their new community as much as possible. As time went on, however, I couldn’t help but wonder what I had really missed out on (translation: I couldn’t help but feel the occasional FOMO.) If several people that I related to were in Greek life, was it really as antonymous to my interests as I had always assumed?

That spring was my chance to get an answer once and for all. And sure enough, it was as pleasantly surprising as I had secretly hoped it would be. I went through recruitment with an open mind and found my way to a sorority I am now incredibly grateful to be a part of because, in doing so, I also found that piece of my college puzzle that had been missing. I can definitely only speak to my own experience here at BU, but Greek life has proven to surpass all of the stereotypical expectations I once held for it. I know longer believe there is a "sorority type" or that Greek organizations are purely about socializing. Philanthropy is a large portion of what this community stands for and by far my favorite part of being a member of it. In just two semesters, I have been able to participate in a variety of events supporting important causes like an end to juvenile diabetes and breast cancer research. Above all, I’ve gained a newfound commitment to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, the focus of my own sorority’s efforts, that I aim to maintain beyond my undergraduate career. From volunteering at a local RM house to serving as Event Chair for our annual Friday Night Lights fundraiser, it’s been truly rewarding to be able to contribute to this organization’s immense impact in my own small way.

Angeli: What I Learned from Traveling with BU Admissions

A couple of weeks before I returned to campus for the fall semester, I was in the Midwest for the first time in my life. My younger sister was getting ready to begin her first year at Washington University in St. Louis, and I tagged along to assist with the oh so fun move-in process (a trip to a new city with great food wasn't a bad incentive...) Amidst the shopping, unpacking, and exploring, I couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. I thought back to my own freshman move-in and relived the unfaltering excitement of being in a brand new place with so many new friendships, experiences, and lessons to come. I then thought of all the hard work my sister and I had endured to get to the universities we now love to call home. Without the slightest of doubts, I knew that either of us would be willing to work twice as hard if we had to do it again.

Life being its unpredictable self, I also received quite the unexpected email while sitting at the St. Louis airport. The BU Admissions office had reached out to me to see if I was interested in interviewing to be a student representative. If selected, I would get to share my Terrier story in four Florida cities. About a month later, I sat in yet another airport, waiting to fly to my hometown of Fort Lauderdale. My "rockstar tour," as my friends have endearingly come to call it, would begin in Miami that Sunday morning.

From there, I would travel to Boca Raton, Orlando, and Tampa with a team of Assistant Directors of Undergraduate Admissions. At each location, we hosted a one-hour reception for high school students interested in applying to or just learning more about BU. My role was to be the undergraduate voice, which more specifically entailed a ten-minute speech on my academic and extracurricular achievements thus far. Ever the optimist, I couldn't help but also throw in a conclusion with the basic underlying message of "follow your dreams, kids!"

Getting on stage was somewhat nerve-wrecking each time, but it was ultimately so worth it to be able to answer questions and offer advice to the students and parents who approached me afterwards. I actually think my three days "on the road" are among the most rewarding I've ever had because of those post-reception conversations. I definitely didn't expect that teaching others about what BU has to offer would result in learning some new insights about myself, but it absolutely did. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways:

1. BU has exposed me to some cool stuff. - When I first sat down to write my reception speech, I thought it was going to be insanely difficult. I worried that I wouldn't know what to talk about for a whole 10 minutes, but I quickly came to realize that 10 minutes wasn't enough time at all. The greater concern was what I wouldn't get the chance to talk about. Summarizing two years at a university like BU, let alone in a city like Boston, is pretty challenging, especially if your mantra has been to seize every opportunity available. I somehow narrowed down my list of highlights, which ranged from being able to create a thirty minute podcast for my WR150 final project to holding a leadership position in an organization as an underclassman and (rather randomly) taking Tai Chi as my first PDP.

2. I've (thankfully) come a long way since senior year of high school. - As I interacted with reception attendees each night, I thought back to when I was in their exact same position three years/a lifetime ago. When I was seventeen, I knew that I wanted to live in a city and study something communication-related. That was about it. It took a lot of self-reflection and forcing myself out of my comfort zone to get to the assurance I feel today. Do I still encounter self-doubt? Absolutely. But being at BU, constantly surrounded my incredibly driven and passionate people, has propelled me to maintain a standard of confidence in myself that I definitely lacked in the past.

3. I'm too proud to be BU. - Knowing that I'm a COM Ambassador is already a pretty big indicator that I enjoy gushing over this school. Getting to share my Terrier love beyond this campus was a whole other experience, though. I was given the chance to really think about all BU's done for me and now I'm a bit obsessed with ensuring it can do as much for future students. So just a fair warning for all: I'm prone to overly spirited rants these days.

Angeli: College is Surreal(Cereal?)

You know those people who say they hate breakfast? Yeah, I don't trust them either.

For as long as I can recall, I, Angeli S. Rodriguez, have been a breakfast food fiend. I could eat a bagel once a day for a decade and never get tired of them. I don't discriminate against microwavable oatmeal compared to the homemade stuff. Discovering a new muffin flavor or way to make eggs is what I consider a life-changing experience. And don't even get me started on the obstacles I would be willing to endure for a stack of my mom's specialty pancakes right now.

Breakfast items are like my children; I love them all the same for what they are, but I also can't resist the urge to have a favorite. The one that has consistently been there for me. In good times and bad. At any hour of the day. None other than cereal.

My appreciation for cereal is a deeply rooted one that goes back to my first ever bite of Special K (I was a miniature adult as a child...) Since then, it has been a staple component of my diet. I am a firm believer that no meal is the "right" meal for cereal. Heck, college has taught me that it can even be a dessert.

Ah yes, college. That's where I was going with this. The end of my sophomore year is rapidly approaching, and I can't help but get all sappy and self-reflective. I'M HALFWAY DONE PEOPLE !!? I really don't know where time has gone, but I can also confidently say a large portion of it has been spent stupendously. I've grown in more ways than one since moving into my double in Warren Towers two years ago. I've enjoyed new experiences, met (and continue to meet) the most interesting of new people, and tried a plethora of new foods.

And through all of this change, I've found comfort in things that remind of my roots, of what's familiar. I thus feel it's time to express some gratitude.

Thank you, Cereal, for always being by my side/in my stomach. Thank you old pal for keeping me full and focused (I'm a fan of Mini Wheats) during late night study sessions, before internship interviews, and following those tough 8 AM lectures. Thank you for always being readily available and understanding when other dining hall menu options just aren't cutting it. And even on those days when I mix you with Sargent Choice Oatmeal, know that you're forever my #1.

P.S. CA Angeli's top cereal picks of all time:

1. Special K Chocolatey Delight

2. Honey Bunches of Oats Almond

3. Frosted Flakes

Angeli: My life as a quasi-Questrom student

What's tall, trendy, and ridden with coffee cups all over? You guessed it: BU's own Questrom School of Business (formerly known as SMG but don't make that mistake!)

Questrom has recently become another home of mine. Before you gasp at my betrayal of sweet sweet COM, know that ole' 640 Comm Ave is still the green apple with peanut butter of my eye. I'm an advertising kid at my core, but as of this school year, I'm also...a business minor.

Yep. I'm truly, willfully taking courses involving *gulp* mathematics. How did I get here? Who have I become? What's for dinner at Bay State tonight? I wish I had the answer to any and all of those questions, friends. If you read my blog posts back when I was a wee freshman (err last year), you know I've dealt with some identity crises in the past regarding my academic pursuits. While my long journey towards declaring a major came to end a few weeks ago–which, by the way, involved very anti-climatically turning in a piece of paper–I had both the curiosity and spare credits to go after another degree. It's been some time since numbers and I were pals, but I figured what the hay? In all honesty, it has not been torturous! Business is actually muy interesante, and I now feel obliged to dispel some rumors and quell some qualms, my fellow COMmunicators might have about it.

First, to lay some groundwork: Questrom only offers one minor degree in Business Administration, which is a nice culmination of the various departments the college has to offer. The program entails eight courses varying in topic from organizational behavior to accounting. One of the prime business concentrations not part of the minor, however, is marketing. This was a major (haha get it?) bummer for me at first because I was hoping for some marketing knowledge to compliment what I'm learning in ad. I'm glad I stuck with it, though, because I feel like I'm broadening my horizons in other advantageous subjects.

Last semester, I got to take microeconomics which made me realize that the economy works in not so mysterious but rather pretty clear-cut ways. Now, I'm taking Finance 101 and getting a pretty handy comprehension of ca$h flow$ (no seriously that's a financial term!), but my current favorite course is Business, Society and Ethics, better known as SM 131. This class doesn't have the greatest reputation on campus due to a five days-a-week schedule and hefty reading load, but it's far from as bad as it sounds. I actually think a lot of my COMrades would really like it, since a good portion of the course involves, well, talking. We have discussion three of the five days about readings and assignments, which not only come from textbooks but also news publications and videos. A lot of current events are therefore woven into the course (shoutout to my journalism homies) and topics usually center around decisions made by companies (@PRmajors). A major portion of your grade is also public speaking due to two group presentations. Above all, developing your own understanding of ethical decision-making is valuable no matter what field you're pursuing. At least, I think so!

I still have four more business courses to go that are much more math-based, so who knows how long this pro-biz attitude will last. For now, I get the guilty pleasure of walking into a beautiful institution each day that makes me feel a different level of special for some reason–possibly because there's a Starbucks and BREAD WINNERS *see my last blog post* on the second floor. Or maybe I think I'm cool because I live a not-so secret double life. Judge me!

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Angeli: An Ode to BU’s Forgotten Eateries

I know what you're thinking. "Has someone other than Zach Schiffman had the audacity to write a food-related post?"..."Should I even read it?"..."Wait now I'm hungry. What should I eat for lunch?"

First, don't hate me, Zach fans. While I definitely won't promise that this post will be as entertaining as one of his, I really needed to steal his beat for a sec. I've had something on my chest for a while now that I just need to set free in the blogosphere. And then give you ideas for what to eat for lunch, of course.

So here's MY question, people. Why oh WHY are Rize and Bread Winners so underrated???!!!!??! I like to think I'm a pretty forgiving person, but I have trouble looking past the shade constantly thrown at two of BU's finest gems. I actually take personal offense when people tell me they don't spend a good amount of dining points at either of those places. For my emotional well-being's sake, I won't dare comment on people who have never eaten at either. The bottomline is I think a majority of my peers are not living their Terrier lives to the fullest, and I really want to save your souls before it's too late and you're holding a diploma with no knowledge of Rize's assortment of smoothies.

Let's start with the basics. For all of you who don't even recognize the names I've given you *sheds single tear*, Rize is BU's own adorable little café/bakery located in the basement of Yawkey Center. That's right, Marciano Commons isn't the only thing putting the bae in Baestate. And no, it is not the same as Late Night Kitchen (which I also highly recommend but doesn't need me vouching for it.) Rize is only open from 7 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Its menu therefore ranges from staple breakfast foods like bagels and muffins to signature salads and sandwiches that hit the spot come lunchtime. Not to mention, their international coffee is always a delicious pick-me-up. What truly makes a trip to Rize worthwhile, though, is the plethora of fresh baked pastries available each day, along with special stuffed breads called RiZers. I wish I could describe to you how I felt the first time I ate one of those things. Maybe one day I'll have the right words, but until then here are my Rize recommendations:

Best smoothie: Mango Mantra (Just trust me.)

Best RiZer: Italian (Three words: pesto, chicken, cheese. Oh and pure happiness.)

Best pastry: Nutella banana pop-tart (In the words of the ever-wise Lizzie McGuire, THIS is what dreams are made of.)

Now that I have your attention and appetite, let's discuss Bread Winners, another tragically unappreciated BU Dining option. Any business student, or anyone (me) who pretends to be every time she/he goes to Questrom for coffee, has surely seen the little corner shop next to Starbs on the second floor. Skeptical of a name you are unfamiliar with, however, you routinely join the mile-long line between you and a Pumpkin Spice. And I am physically shaking my head right now at the mere thought, people! If just one of these mornings you instead decided to give Bread Winners a shot, you would discover that a) their line is far shorter, if not inexistent most days, 2) they have some mighty tasty breakfast options, and their STARBUCKS brand coffee and Tazo teas are CHEAPER. I'd also like to throw out there that the two women who work at Bread Winners on Tuesday and Thursday mornings put a smile on my face every visit. If less expensive yet high quality coffee and kind human beings are not pleasing enough, though, here's are my best tips for being a Bread Winner:

1) If you ever take advantage of the oatmeal bar, which you should, add chocolate chips or you're doing it all wrong.

2) If you ever know you have a busy a day ahead of you, stock up on snacks or snag one of the convenient, on-the-go lunch options. There are especially some great microwavable choices. Panera soup, anyone?!

3) If you ever find yourself painfully unsure of which kind of croissant to get (a dilemma we all must face at some point), I swear on my final project for Intro to Ad that spinach-feta is the way to go. There is no room for questions or debate.

Phew. It truly feels glorious putting my adoration for Rize and Bread Winners out in the open. I can only hope that from here I will inspire you masses to join my movement. These last few weeks of the semester can especially be rough, so at least nourish yourselves with all the delicacies dining points have to offer!

Angeli: 4 Things I’ve Learned from Hosting a Radio Show

This semester, my inner Pitch Perfect-loving high school freshman self's dreams came true when WTBU granted me the privilege of having my own radio show.

Let me clarify. In the 2012 instant cult classic film, Anna Kendrick's character Beca works for her college radio station and life only goes up from there. And, for anyone who might not be aware, WTBU is *deep radio voice* "the beat of Boston University," or in other words, BU's own student-run station. Like Beca, radio was the first extracurricular I wanted to get involved with when I got to college, and joining last fall was probably one of the best decision I've ever made. After interning for two different shows my freshman year (shoutout to Pop Cultured and Shrug Emoji) and learning the station ropes from some welcoming upperclassmen-turned-good friends, I could not wait for the opportunity to have a DJ name and programming time slot of my own. I therefore did my very best victory dance when I received an email this summer saying my show application had been approved.

Now, every Sunday from 10 am to noon, you can catch me on the airwaves as host of On the Verge, the official music and talk show of Verge Campus BU. VCBU is another organization I got involved with last year that centers around an online college lifestyle publication. Our partner site/company, GoodMusicAllDay, focuses on publicizing up-and-coming artists. My show serves as an extension of these two brands, as we talk about everything from world news to everyday college experiences (often inspired by Verge Campus articles) and play the music of underground artists usually from GMAD.On the Verge has been on air for about two months now, and I could not be happier with how it's going so far. I'll be honest, every episode hasn't been flawless. That being said, though, I've been grateful for even my most cringe-worthy moments on FM/AM. Having a radio show has frankly taught me a lot about life. Here are some of those cheesy, cliche, painfully unoriginal lessons with a DJ's twist:

1) Teamwork makes the dream work. If it wasn't for my amazing co-host and team of interns, On the Verge would be no where near as interesting a show as I think/hope it's been. Not only do they all contribute to some great talk segments and OTV's social media presence, but they've also helped me find stories to report as well as artists and students to interview each week. We can proudly say we've had a guest on-air every episode so far, and I'm more than confident our episodes will only improve.

2) Hard work pays off. A lot of the artists I've interviewed on OTV have been college students, which has been really inspiring in more ways than one. I've mainly been so in awe of how individuals my same age and often with my same workload are still managing to pursue music careers and grow as artists. Whether they're dropping full EPs or shooting industry-caliber music videos, college kids are doing insanely impressive things, regardless of all the hours that may be involved. Sure enough, they're also getting the recognition on YouTube, SoundCloud, etc that they strive for. I think their successes are testament to the dynamic duo that is passion and persistence, whom other students should befriend, too!

3) Don't sweat the small stuff. For a third-semester WTBU member, I should really be embarrassed of the amount of times I've pressed the wrong button on the mixing board or, better yet, forgot to press one at all. Anything done involving technology just naturally entails the possibility of technological difficulties, and boy do I feel like I'm prone to those. After my second episode as a host, though, I decided that I couldn't be too hard on myself for my mistakes, especially when I have guests in the studio. I've actually become a fan of turning my incompetence into a punchline. Sometimes, laughing at yourself and getting others to do the same makes for great radio. Plus, you'll look like a confident and composed host (despite the fact that you might be crying on the inside...)

4) Don't forget where you came from. Or to whom you owe your existence. Basically just love your mom, everybody!!! I know, just when you thought this blog post couldn't get any sappier, I just had to throw that one in. Though my mom might just be OTV's biggest fan (hopefully not our only listener), where I was really going with this one was your family and friends will always be your biggest support system and never forget that. Mine have continually supported my radio endeavors and really helped spread the word about On the Verge. Nothing's worse than being incredibly proud of a project and having no one to share it with. Of course Facebook likes are always appreciated, too 🙂

Now, for a final plug: make sure to check out wtburadio.org to listen to and learn more about all of the fun shows fellow Terriers host each week!

Angeli: 8 AM’s Sometimes Aren’t The Worst

It's 7:40, and I'm out the door of my adorable, century-old South campus brownstone. Off I stroll with earphones in and my favorite olive jacket on (you snuck up on us, but I see you @fall!!!) I'm heading to an auditorium in SED where, oddly enough, my Intro to Advertising class is held. I'll be honest. I wasn't aiming to take this course from 8 to 9:30 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, but that's when the professor I wanted was teaching and you know the college drill. After avoiding 8 AM's at all costs my first two semesters at BU, taking this class was quite the wake up call (I crack myself up), but I can't say I've hated it. I came to this realization just like last week as I sat beside my dear pal, and fellow COM Ambassador, Megan. I noticed that she had a cup of orange juice from Einstein's--she claims its her equivalent to coffee--on her desk yet again. Naturally, I made a teasing comment and we got to talking about attending a lecture so bright and early.

"You know, I actually don't find myself sipping my orange juice as much as I thought I'd have to." (Remember that Vit C keeps Megs energized!)

Then it hit me. I myself hadn't had to conjure up all of my might to keep my eyelids open. In fact, I was pretty engaged throughout each class. Ironically enough, I then spent ten minutes or so zoned out as I thought about how I could possibly enjoy a lecture at that hour. Here's what I came up with:

1. Maybe, just maybe, I had finally picked the right major. If you're familiar with my blog posts from last school year or have ever met me even just once, you know I'm as indecisive about everything as 8% of voters are about which candidate to pick (exercise that voting right!!!) By the end of last semester, though, I was pretty convinced Advertising was right for me and this class has really sealed the deal. Taking pleasure in completing assigned readings is always a good sign, but not minding the fact that you have to wake up at the same time as the sun--total exaggeration--is really a red flag that reads "YAS."

2. I have so much more time in my day for stuff! Being out of a lecture hall at 9:20 garners the greatest sigh of relief, especially if you're like me and have no other classes that day. You therefore have hours to kill at your own will and pace. It's soups convenient when you have an on- or off-campus job/internship--I, for instance, do my COM tours and intern on those days--and, if not, you can do other fun things like going to FitRec, volunteering somewhere, meeting up with the orgs you're involved with, or watching season 1 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schidmt, again.

3. Getting homework and projects done is easy breezy (and potentially beautiful when you get that A.) This point is basically a combination of the previous two. I've been leaving Intro to Ad pretty stoked about the material and, in turn, to get my assignments done. With the extra time I have in the mornings, I can do so and not have to sacrifice the most important thing in my life: sleep. End of point.

4. This is completely unique to the course I'm taking, but I get to watch videos!! Frequently!! Luckily, my professor is skilled when it comes to projecting his voice, so it's hard not to be tuned in. He's also pretty good about mixing things up, though, and often shows us example advertisements throughout class. This really keeps the hour and a half from dragging on, not to mention makes me pumped about entering this field. Just for fun, here's an ad we recently watched that left me wanting to bow down to its creators: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3xM93rXbY.

All in all, friends, if you like the subject enough and could use some extra hours in your day, taking an 8 am might just be a blessing in disguise.

**Special thanks to Megan Barnard and the Einstein Bros for the inspiration**