Avery – COM Ambassador Blog

Avery: Favorite Escapes in Boston

The Best Outdoor Escapes in Boston

By: Avery Serven

Over the past few weeks we’ve had a few (strangely) warm days in Boston, and I’ve found myself wanting to spend more time outside to get some much-needed Vitamin D. With the pandemic, it’s definitely been tricky to find Covid-safe ways to connect with friends. One of my favorite ways to see people safely is meeting up outside while socially distanced. In honor of the recent warm weather, I’ve gathered a list of my favorite outdoor spots in the city to go to when it’s nice out. Grab a coffee or some takeout and make plans to go to one of these spots with a friend to safely hang out outside!

Amory Park

Amory is my go-to when the weather is nice. The park is pretty big for the city, which leaves lots of green space for you to camp out with a blanket or towel. There are also a few picnic benches, which I always try to snag when I’m there. And an added bonus- you’ll find lots of friendly dogs at this park!

BU Beach

The BU Beach is a popular and easily accessible outdoor area for those who are living on campus. It’s right by Marsh Plaza, and has lots of green space as well as benches. Since it’s so centrally located on campus, it’s a great option for a meetup with your friends who may live on the other end of campus!

The Esplanade

The Esplanade is one of my personal favorites when I’m in need of some time outdoors. I love heading over on a sunny day with a good book and my hammock, which I hang between the trees that line the Esplanade so that I’m looking out on the Charles River. There’s even an area where you can sit on a dock directly on the Charles!

Boston Common

The Common is a classic outdoor spot for those who are looking for more large areas of green space in the city. It’s easily the biggest space on this list, with ample room for you and your friends to space out on picnic blankets. This area is especially beautiful when the weather is nice, with scenic views of the city. Side note- it’s another hotspot for dogs, so you’re sure to see some cute pups while you’re there!

Commonwealth Avenue Mall

The Commonwealth Avenue Mall is pretty close to East Campus, making it a great spot for BU students. It’s another beautiful and scenic area, with lots of benches and seating options. It’s also right by Newbury Street. With all of their food options, it’s a great place to bring your takeout without having to walk too far!

Hopefully this bit of nice weather lasts a little longer so you can try out some of these spots! Stay safe, and let me know if you have any suggestions for this list- I’m always trying to go to new areas! Contact me at averyms@bu.edu.

Avery: The Best Outdoor Escapes in Boston

Title: The Best Outdoor Escapes in Boston
By: Avery Serven

Over the past few weeks we’ve had a few (strangely) warm days in Boston, and I’ve found
myself wanting to spend more time outside to get some much-needed Vitamin D. With the
pandemic, it’s definitely been tricky to find Covid-safe ways to connect with friends. One of my favorite ways to see people safely is meeting up outside while socially distanced. In honor of the recent warm weather, I’ve gathered a list of my favorite outdoor spots in the city to go to when it’s nice out. Grab a coffee or some takeout and make plans to go to one of these spots with a friend to safely hang out outside!

1. Amory Park
Amory is my go-to when the weather is nice. The park is pretty big for the city, which leaves lots of green space for you to camp out with a blanket or towel. There are also a few picnic benches, which I always try to snag when I’m there. And an added bonus- you’ll find lots of friendly dogs at this park!

2. BU Beach
The BU Beach is a popular and easily accessible outdoor area for those who are living on campus. It’s right by Marsh Plaza, and has lots of green space as well as benches. Since it’s so centrally located on campus, it’s a great option for a meetup with your friends who may live on the other end of campus!

3. The Esplanade
The Esplanade is one of my personal favorites when I’m in need of some time outdoors. I love heading over on a sunny day with a good book and my hammock, which I hang between the trees that line the Esplanade so that I’m looking out on the Charles River. There’s even an area where you can sit on a dock directly on the Charles!

4. Boston Common
The Common is a classic outdoor spot for those who are looking for more large areas of green space in the city. It’s easily the biggest space on this list, with ample room for you and your friends to space out on picnic blankets. This area is especially beautiful when the weather is nice, with scenic views of the city. Side note- it’s another hotspot for dogs, so you’re sure to see some cute pups while you’re there!

5. Commonwealth Avenue Mall
The Commonwealth Avenue Mall is pretty close to East Campus, making it a great spot for BU students. It’s another beautiful and scenic area, with lots of benches and seating options. It’s also right by Newbury Street. With all of their food options, it's a great place to bring your takeout without having to walk too far!

Contact me at averyms@bu.edu.

Avery: Practicing Self-Care Virtually

max-van-den-oetelaar-buymYm3RQ3U-unsplash

Whether you’re at home, back at school, or taking time off this semester, one thing remains the same for everyone: the “new normal” has been a tough adjustment. In times like these, it’s normal for everybody to have a lot on their minds. Therefore, practicing self-care is essential no matter where you are.

Since everything has shifted online, I want to suggest some virtual ways to keep up with your mental health. Staying in all day can take a toll, but there are some awesome resources out there to help relieve cabin fever. I’ve rounded up my top four apps for meditation, self-care, and mental health.

Headspace

Headspace is an awesome meditation app that can serve as a relaxing escape from your daily routine. It has countless meditations that are just a few minutes long, which is perfect for anyone who might feel too busy to make time for meditating.

The app also has group meditations and exercise-focused meditations that will get you moving in a mindful way. The best part? BU students get a Headspace membership for free with their Kerberos login.

Breathe

Breathe is a personal favorite of mine. This meditation app is super personalized, greeting you with a check-in page upon opening the app. It asks how you’re feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally, and then recommends it meditations for you.

Most of the meditations are under ten minutes, so they’re easy to squeeze into your day. They have meditations that range from a full-body check-in to a guide for getting a good night’s sleep, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.

Happify

I love Happify because it’s not only engaging, but also fun to use! The app provides activities and games that are scientifically proven to reframe negative thoughts, reduce stress, and relieve anxiety. The app is customized, asking about your intentions in order to provide you with the best activities for your mental state.

Yoga & Meditation by Glo

Many people love to do yoga as a mindful activity because it allows you to stay active both physically and mentally, and because it is easily doable from home. This app is great because it personalizes your yoga experience based on what you would like to focus your practice on (strength, balance, core, etc). There are tons of different classes in both yoga and pilates. This one does have a membership fee of $18 a month, but the first 15 days are free!

I hope you found these four apps helpful for practicing self-care virtually. In these uncertain times, remember to make time for your mental health. The most important thing right now is keeping yourself happy and healthy!

Avery: How to Master Time Management in College

If you’re at all like me, then you’re probably involved in seven different clubs and working three jobs on campus while also balancing an internship and multiple social events. Okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but I am definitely involved in a lot of stuff on campus, and I’m sure you are too.

So, chances are you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. Yes, we just came back from a long break, but things will start speeding up before you know it. When life gets busy, it can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of stuff happening. So, without further ado, here are my tips for mastering time management in college.

Compartmentalize. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you actually think about all the stuff that you have to do, so don’t think about it all at once! Think about things in groups or compartments. For example, I group my weekly assignments by each of my four classes in my mind. This way, I can think about the amount of work I have to do one class at a time, which narrows down the total amount of schoolwork that I have to think about. Additionally, studies have shown that using this method regularly helps our brains manage the amount of information they have to process.

Know when to stop yourself. If you’re already overwhelmed by a bunch of stuff on your plate, don’t agree to do more things! This can be hard to do, especially if you’re someone who is a people pleaser. It's important to put yourself first, which means limiting the amount of work you take on! Know your limits, and say no to things if you think they’ll be too much for you.

Eliminate distractions. If you’re someone who gets easily distracted by technology, friends, or other things, know how to balance your social life and schoolwork. If you can’t do work when you’re around others because you know you’ll just end up socializing, set some alone time aside for schoolwork. If you get distracted by your phone, then keep some distance from technology so that you can get your work done! Know yourself, and know where you need to be when you need to get schoolwork done.

I hope these tips were helpful in getting you to manage your time better! College can be quite overwhelming and busy, so being able to manage your time wisely is essential. If you need more tips and tricks, email me at averyms@bu.edu!

Avery: Quick Jobs: The Hidden Gem of BU’s Campus

If you’re a student, there’s a good chance that you want to make some extra money for your own personal funds. As college undergrads, we could always use some cash to fuel our eating out and Starbucks habits. The phrase “broke college student” may be a stereotype, but I’ve found it to be true more often than not. Whether you have an off-campus job, or maybe a work study opportunity here at BU, there’s a good chance you’ll still want a quick and easy way to bring in some extra cash, especially with the holiday season (and the ensuing gift-giving frenzy) coming upon us. Or maybe you’re too busy for a full-time job, and you’re dying to find a simple way to bring in a little extra money here and there. Well, fret no more. I am here to inform you of one of BU’s most well-kept secrets: the Quick Job Listings Page.

**DISCLAIMER: This is NOT sponsored by Quick Jobs. To be honest, I’m just a really big fan of this resource and I’ve had great experiences with it, so I thought I would share it with everyone. I swear they’re not paying me to write this, but I will say that if they wanted me to be an ambassador for them I’d be down.**

What is Quick Jobs?
This portal on the Student Link is a list of one-time jobs and opportunities, both paid and unpaid, that are available to students. Many of them are on-campus and pay pretty well (at least $15 an hour). I’ve personally participated in a couple of focus groups and studies, which were actually pretty fun and easy! A lot of the studies are done by undergrad or grad students in the lab at Sargent, which is on-campus and easily accessible. And if studies aren’t your jam, there are other opportunities listed! I have friends who have found babysitting, videography, and research assistant positions on the portal.

How to Access Quick Job Listings:
First, you have to log into Student Link. On the homepage, you’ll see a teal colored tab labelled “Work.” Click on this link.

Once on the “Work” menu, click on the link that says “Quick Jobs.” This will bring you to a menu with a bunch of options for categories. For jobs that are easily accessible, I would recommend using the category “On-Campus.”

Once you have selected this category, you’ll be brought to a page with a list of available studies and opportunities you can participate in. A lot of them pay pretty well and are easy to get to because they’re on campus!

I’ve done a couple of studies and only have good things to say about them. For a speech comprehension study, I went into the lab at Sargent for an hour a day for 5 days and read sentences off a screen for $20 an hour. Not bad!

How to Sign Up:
If you’re interested, they’re pretty easy to sign up for. Just click the title of the job you’re interested in and click on the job number for contact info. A lot of the people conducting studies are undergrad students who are super approachable, so don’t get intimidated by the idea of contacting them.

Overall, I would highly recommend trying this out! It’s an easy and fun way to make some extra money on campus, and everyone that I know who has tried it out has had positive experiences 🙂 Now go get your study on!

Avery: How To Take Care of Yourself During Midterm Season

Midterm season is upon us, and basically everyone I know is stressed and overtired. How could you not be? All midterms seem to happen for every single class at the same time, and with clubs, internships, and jobs, having free time is a rare occurrence in many of our lives.

Keeping that in mind, I wanted to take this post to remind people to take care of themselves during this stressful time. It can be so easy to down 3 coffees and pull an all-nighter the day before a big exam, but it can be pretty difficult to actually practice healthy ways of staying stress-free, remembering self care and wellbeing during this busy time.

I have compiled a list of methods that I use to maintain a stress-free life when I feel overwhelmed. Some of these may seem pretty self-explanatory, but I hope that by putting them out there I’m reminding everyone to relax and focus on the positive 🙂

1. Don’t stop doing the things you love!

This may seem obvious, but it’s important to continue to do things that make you happy if you are stressed or overwhelmed. I personally enjoy exercising (I’m on the Women's Ultimate Frisbee Team here at BU!), writing (I write for Hoochie, a feminist blog and anthology series), and unwinding by hanging out with friends. Even during busy weeks, I try not to skip too many clubs, meetings, or social gatherings because sometimes taking the time out of your day to do the things you love with the people you love is enough to transform your mindset and help you grind through that last page of your essay.

2. Practice self care.

For me, this means either spending a night in watching Netflix or a good movie, or going out and doing something new and exciting in the city. We have the entire city of Boston at our fingertips, so use it! Last night, after studying for my Comp Sci exam all day, I went out with some friends and tried a new restaurant in the North End. It didn’t take too much time out of my day, but it still got me off campus and felt like a breath of fresh air after working for so long. And if going out isn’t your thing, staying in is just as therapeutic! Have a “treat yo-self” night and watch a feel-good movie while eating comfort foods. Sometimes this simple method of self-care can make all the difference in the world.

3. SLEEP A LOT!!

Okay, we all know this isn’t totally realistic considering the fact that we are all in college and super busy all the time, but even after a night of 3 hours of sleep, napping is your best friend. To be honest, I couldn’t really nap until recently because I’m a very light sleeper and found it hard to nap during the day. If this sounds like you, consider getting an eye mask or ear plugs to help you fall asleep during the day. I did and it honestly changed my life- now I’m a huge fan of napping and you should be too!!

4. Do something nature-y (if that’s your jam).

So not all of us are inclined to outdoorsy things, but if you are, find a nice spot outside where you can study or just take a walk outside! The foliage is beautiful this time of year, and you might as well take full advantage of the weather before it gets insanely cold in Boston. I like taking walks around the Common or Esplanade to destress, or even window-shopping along Newbury Street. If you’re into more rigorous outdoor exercise, the BU Outing Club coordinates weekend hiking trips all over New England, which I would highly recommend!

5. Remember, it’s the little things that count!

Sometimes, it’s the smallest tasks that you can check off your to do list that make all the difference. For you, this may mean making your bed everyday so that your room looks a little neater when you leave for classes. In the same vein, it may mean cleaning your room more often, especially if your desk is your primary study space. I’ve found that having a clear desk to work on clears my mind as well. Other small things may be exercising more, eating healthier, or various other small tasks that have been sitting on your to do list for ages. Even if you feel like you’re all over the place in terms of schoolwork, getting other things out of the way will clear your head and make for a better mindset when attempting to accomplish tasks in other facets of your life.

Hopefully these tips were helpful! I think they are all very doable, but sometimes it just takes the extra push to get out there and get your mind off of schoolwork for a couple of hours. This is your reminder to do just that!! Remember that you GOT this, you’re incredible, and, most importantly, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF <3

Avery: The Best Thrift Stores Near BU!

As a college student, I’m always looking for ways to save money. One thing I almost never did in high school that has become a staple for me at BU is thrifting! Thrifting is awesome because it’s cheap and you can get some really awesome, one-of-a-kind pieces from thrift stores. There are some super cool and trendy thrift stores close to the BU campus, so I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you.

1. Urban Renewals: This place is awesome!! They have anything you could ever want, with endless rows of every single article of clothing possible. It’s organized by color, which is super helpful and makes the process a lot easier! Located at 122 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA.

Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 11.57.50 AM

2. Buffalo Exchange: Buffalo Exchange is a bit more pricey than Urban Renewals, but it still has some great options. The choices here are very trendy, and they have everything from clothing to jewelry to shoes to random stuff like pins and notebooks! Located at 180 Harvard Ave, Boston, MA.

Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 11.58.27 AM

3. Goodwill: Goodwill is a great option as it is right here, near the west side of BU’s campus. The store itself is massive, with options ranging from 80s prom gowns to Hawaiian shirts. If you ever need a very specific piece of clothing for an event, this is the place to go to! Located at 965 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA.

Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 11.59.16 AM

4. The Garment District: Ah, the Garment District. This store is a bit farther from campus, in Cambridge, but it has EVERYTHING you could ever want. Literally. This store becomes very popular around the time of Halloween, as they sell a lot of costumes in addition to regular vintage clothing. Located at 200 Broadway, Cambridge, MA.

Screen Shot 2018-04-17 at 11.59.45 AM

Avery: A Family Away From Home

Arguably the hardest thing about going to college is leaving your family. Your family has been with you through thick and thin, and it’s difficult to leave that support system behind. I’m an only child so I am especially close with my parents. When I left home, I was really worried about leaving behind a group of people that I could always rely on and confide in. I wanted to make sure I could make that same personal connection at BU.

My response to this was joining the Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Team (The Ozone Pilots) here at BU. I had played frisbee a little bit in high school, and I loved the community so much that I knew I wanted to continue while here. I was nervous that it might be different, but my very first practice proved me wrong. We started with a team huddle, and after, every single member of the team came up to me and introduced themselves personally. I had met kind and welcoming groups of people before, but never to this extent. The students were inquisitive, asking about what my major was, where I was from, and how I was adjusting to life here.

The women on the team have quickly become my family away from family. Anytime I need to talk about anything, whether it be personal or school-related, I know I can talk to quite literally anyone on the team. If I’m at practice and something appears to be off, there is a guarantee that at least four or five team members will approach me and check in. Having a family apart from your real family is so incredibly valuable in college, and I strongly encourage everyone to get involved with something that lights their fire and engage in the community within that group!

Flash forward to six months later, which is where I am currently. I have practice three to four nights a week, and I look forward to every single one of them. Whether it be raining, snowing, or 10 degrees, I know that I’ll have an amazing time because of the young women that I get to spend my time with. They can cheer me up after an awful day, or even just an okay one. No matter what, I know I can rely on them. They’re my family.
In summary, I would highly recommend joining a sport or club that is of interest to you! You get to do what you love while being surrounded by people that you love. What more could you ask for?