Category: Hannah

As a self-proclaimed bagel aficionado, I’ve spent my fair share of time (and dollars) trying to find the best bagel on and around the BU campus.  

There are so many factors that can make or break a bagel — chewiness, crispiness, pillowy-ness, you name it. After taking into account those criteria, here’s my take on the world of BU bagels: 

Rhett’s 

Rhett’s is located in the GSU, making it one of the more accessible bagel stops for BU students. It offers a few basic choices (plain, onion, etc.) as well as cream cheese and some breakfast bagel options. While the bagels are serviceable in a pinch, they tend to be fairly chewy and there isn’t great variety — especially considering that Rhett’s frequently sells out of the most popular flavors. 

Best Bagel: Egg and cheese sandwich on Onion 

Einstein’s 

Located in the CAS Basement, Einstein’s is another easy one for BU students to pick up on the way to class. Einstein’s has a much greater variety of flavors, cream cheeses and sandwiches, plus an array of cold and hot drinks. The bagels are soft with just the right amount of chewiness, and they’re always warm when you arrive to pick them up. The only con I’d give is that the wait tends to take the longest out of all the shops on campus, so be prepared to order at least 25-30 minutes ahead. 

Best Bagel: Asiago bagel with cream cheese or as any sandwich 

Pavement 

While Pavement isn’t technically an on-campus location (meaning that dining points don’t apply), it’s right across from the GSU. It offers a smaller selection of bagels but has a few unique flavors and sandwiches that make it stand out, such as the ever-popular Rosemary Salt. If you can find a seat inside, Pavement is a great place to study, grab a bagel, and also order one of their coffee and tea drinks. The con? Pavement is on the pricier side, especially considering that college students comprise the vast majority of its customer base. 

Best Bagel: Sunrise sandwich on Rosemary Salt 

Kupel’s 

If you’re willing to travel farther off campus, Kupel’s is a cute, stop-in bagel shop off of Harvard Avenue in Brookline. A traditional Jewish bagel shop, Kupel’s offers Kosher options and a variety of bagel flavors and Jewish pastries, such as hamantaschen. While the only disadvantage of the place that I’ve experienced is the farther commute time, it’s more than worth the wait and you can save time by ordering ahead on the Kupel’s website. 

Best Bagel: Honestly, you can’t really go wrong with anything 

Finally, if you’re looking for a sit-down option, Zaftigs (also off of Harvard Avenue in Brookline) is the way to go. 

Good luck, bagel adventurers! 

Best Places to Travel to on Massachusetts Public Transport 

I grew up in a place notoriously devoid of efficient public transportation (thanks for that, Southern California) — so you’ll imagine my amazement when I first learned about the vast reaches of the MBTA. 

Silly as it sounds, I couldn’t believe how many different places in the Greater Boston area I could easily take Massachusetts public transit to. Many Charlie Card refills and Commuter Rail weekend passes later, I still haven’t stopped exploring what Massachusetts public transport has to offer. 

With that said, here are a few of my favorite places to take MBTA to: 

Fresh Pond (Cambridge) 

At the far end of the northbound red line is Fresh Pond, a hidden gem of a park just 10 minutes away from the Alewife T stop. The park is oriented around a giant reservoir, with a 2.25 mile walking loop surrounding the water. Dog enthusiasts can spot pups of all shapes, sizes and colors at the pond’s dog beach and grassy lawns. There’s also a golf course adjacent to the water if you’re looking for a local spot to tee off. 

Ipswich 

There are few places more beautiful than Ipswich’s Crane Estate and Crane Beach along the North Shore, which are located a short bus ride from the Ipswich Commuter Rail station. The highlight of the estate is the 56,881-acre mansion on the property’s hill that overlooks the ocean. Visitors can take a tour of the house, peruse the estate’s rose gardens and lawns, and end the day with a trip down to Crane Beach at the far edge of the property.   

Natick Mall

The Natick Mall isn’t quite as scenic as some of the other locations on the list, but hear me out — the retail behemoth is a sight to behold for anyone unfamiliar with the area. The mall offers a wide array of shopping and dining options, including all-time mall classic California Pizza Kitchen, a personal favorite. The mall’s lineup of entertainment options isn’t lacking either, with Level99, a challenge-based recreation center, and Dave & Buster’s on the list.  

Cleveland Circle 

Cleveland Circle is the final stop on the C leg of the green line, leading riders right to the base of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The Reservoir itself is a great place for a power walk alone or with friends, and the nearby Cafe Landwer and Eagle’s Deli are two solid spots to refuel afterward. The best part? If you head down the C line to Cleveland Circle in the fall, you’ll be treated to scenic views of colored leaves and old-timey apartment buildings for much of the ride.

It’s with a heavy heart I’m writing my last blog post as a Com Ambassador, but I guess I should count myself lucky since that just means my heart is really, really full. Senior year came all too quickly. When people tell you college went by too fast – they’re not kidding. I guess the jokes on me this time! Four years ago, I can honestly say I had no idea what Boston University and the College of Communication would do for me.

Here’s one last monologue about some pretty gosh darn amazing people, places and experiences that made BU home and are now making it oh so hard to say goodbye to this second home of mine. And I look forward to see how these remarkable things will change somebody else’s life when they fill my shoes. Consider this my Oscar speech (in case I’m a few years out from actually making it onto that stage).

1.        COM Undergraduate Affairs – Every tour that comes through COM is told what an asset these guys are (trust me I know since I’m one of the people giving them) and it’s no lie. We are lucky to have one of the most phenomenal staff of advisors. From minor ‘stupid’ questions to figuring out how to add a second major mid junior year – not one of these guys has ever left one of my questions unanswered. Talk about some miracle workers!

2.       My Internships – The work experience and insight I gained from the hands-on intern environments at both Red Bull Boston and Allied Integrated Marketing gave me the enthusiasm and confidence it takes to enter the job force. Both companies worked to make me an appreciated and integral part of their office life and I know that’s not the case at every place so I must have hit the jackpot. On top of that I met a whole host of characters who encouraged me and pushed me to succeed at Boston University and beyond.

3.       The Professors – We all hear about our COM professor’s impressive backgrounds, but I don’t think we hear about their compassion and genuine interest in their students enough. Coming to a big University like BU can be intimidating, especially when you hear that COM101 is a class of 300+ people. I never thought I would make such meaningful connections with my professors (even in classes that size). From offers to proofread scripts, go over interview prep-work, or even just to touch base and make sure I’m feeling okay after a sick day – not all professors go out of their way to make sure they connect with their students, but BU’s definitely do. The college dean knows me by first name. I talk to my department chairs on a daily basis, and all of them sincerely care about my wellbeing and my future. That just doesn’t happen at every school.

4.       The Amenities – Huge shout out to the computer labs I’ve spent all-nighters in, the gear from FPS that made me look legit on film shoots and the studios for acting as a perfect backdrop to my college experience. Along with that – I owe a big shout out to Jamie Companeschi and Jose! Talk about some serious lifesavers in terms of technical difficulties. They’ve saved more than a few of my projects for me.

5.       The Extracuriculars – I’d be wrong if I didn’t mention things like WTBU, my sorority, the COM Ambassador Program, the National Student Advertising Competition, AdLab, book club, HerCampus and all the other out of this world programs COM offers it’s students outside of the classroom. There were always plenty of options and ways for me to make friends and meet people with similar interests.

On that note – the Oscar music is definitely playing to let me know that I’ve rambled on way to long, but I leave you with these few words. I hope that when it’s all of your turns to walk across that graduation stage that BU and the College of Communication have become just as much of a home to all of as it has become to me.

My name is Hannah and for those of you who don’t know I’m a current senior double majoring in COM and like most seniors – I did exactly what every advisor, teacher and alum tells you not to do – I saved the vast majority of my intro courses for senior year. The only difference is I saved the vast majority of my intro courses for both Film/TV and Advertising.

Now after experiencing it first hand, I’m siding with those wise, wise people who told me not to, but probably not for the reason most people think. It’s not because I already know everything from the intro courses or because the courses don’t relate to my career path. It’s actually the opposite. I’ve learned so much in the courses that my brain has been on overload for the past month and a half trying to take it all in.

Intro courses are actually inundated with information – so it’s really nice to have time that you can dedicate to understanding and mastering the concepts. As you work your way up the class chain – there’s a lot more work outside of the classroom. It can be really difficult to take the time necessary to focus on intro courses when you feel pressured to get work done for your other upper level classes. If you don’t take the time to learn the concepts from intro courses then it really won’t benefit you though. Even if you think you know everything the course is going to teach you – I guarantee you you’re wrong. I find it’s best to go into these types of classes with an open mind and some open time.

Technical classes can seem daunting if you’re an advertising major like me who’s never even spent time in photoshop (who knew there was a whole suite of similar applications? Not me). Whereas I was comfortable in my film/TV technical world – I was more than happy to hop on Production I and get a camera in my hands – it was the opposite with digital and creative classes which was totally absurd on my part. If anything – I enjoy my design class now more than my production one.

Another common misconception is that studies courses are boring, lengthy classes with not a lot of applicable information. Not the case at all. In Mass Com Research I created one of the most thorough projects I’ve ever done in my time at BU, which I now use in my book. Let me tell you, future employers are all about those fancy graphs and Questrom level numbers. Also as it turns out, you learn some really interesting and transferable concepts in film studies classes so I really wish I took that intro class sophomore year rather than my last semester of senior now.

Long story short, I don’t think I’ll be changing my focus to design or film studies anytime soon, but I do wish I was aware of the potential sooner, because it most definitely plays more of a part in copywriting or filmmaking than I ever thought it would. Don’t write off the intros right off the bat.

I’m either obsessed with alliterations or feeling a little too nostalgic about being a senior, but no matter the case, it has me loving on fall. Don’t get me wrong - I love summer as much as the next person and I can appreciate a good couple of snow days in the winter, but Fall has really become the unsung hero of my time spent here in Boston. Not only is the weather awesome - there’s so much going on on-campus and around the area.

Looking back here’s few things I’m excited to enjoy one last time in New England before shipping out after graduation:

1. Back to Classes

Yes. I said it. I like going back to classes. There’s something reassuring about the fresh start and consistency that the fall brings. You’re excited about new classes and you’re back to a normal schedule. If you have a crazy professor or a class that’s going to become a thorn in your side - you probably don’t know it yet. You get to pretend to be organized for a few weeks even though you know you’ll have lost your agenda halfway through the semester. All these reasons and more are one major reason that come next fall - I’ll really miss going back to classes.

2. The Nature Fix

Boston and its surrounding areas have awesome outdoor landscapes. Sure it’s not like you're walking through Yellowstone everyday, but it’s also not a concrete jungle. You can watch the leaves fall in Boston Commons. Take a few extra long runs on the esplanade before the air gets too cold and watch Head of the Charles on the river. Day trips to Natick for Apple Picking each fall have become a fall-staple for me to get off-campus and take a break from the chaos of midterms. There’s always a 5k or charity walk that gets you out and about exploring the city. Trust me when I say there are plenty of ways to get your nature fix in Boston and Fall is the perfect time to do it.

3. Moving

It’s widely known and (partially) accepted that everyone moves during the same week every year (August 27th - September 2). That is often mine and most people’s least favorite week of the year. For the record, that week also falls in the summer not the fall. But, by the time fall hits you are all moved in, be it a fancy new suite in Stuvi, an awesome off-campus apartment or an upgraded brownstone double. No matter the case - once you’re all moved in and settled it always feels like an upgrade. And the icing on the cake - fall means no more A/C dreaming, because you don’t need air-conditioning in the fall and I promise you won’t miss all that Boston summer humidity.

On that note - I leave you. I’m off to enjoy a day of boots and a temperature under 75 degrees. Fall is here, Boston. Get ready.

Open House is one of the most exciting days of the year for us CAs, but also all of our newly accepted students. It’s a chance for you all to find out the necessary answers to the questions that will help you decide where or whether BU is the best fit for you. Each year there are a few of the same questions that everyone seems to have – so here’s some quick answers for those of you who can’t make an Open House or didn’t have a chance to get these questions answered for you while you were on campus.

Q: Where do most people live on campus?

A: The vast majority of freshmen live in one of our dorms – primarily Warren Towers or Claflin, Rich or Sleeper in West. The short version: West has more of a campus feel, but its about a 15 minute walk from COM. Warren is the center of campus right next to COM, but also a 15 minutes walk from the athletic fields and fitrec.

Q: Is the winter actually that bad?

A: Yes, as you all probably know we had a bad winter. It was cold. It was ugly. We had a whole bunch of fabulous snow days. I’m not new to snow, but I was definitely new to BOSnow this year, because this was my first bad winter in Boston. If only one out of my three years in Boston is a real winter then I think I’ll be just fine and so will you. Just make sure you grab a good winter coat and some snow boots. Worst comes to worst – you have a good excuse to stay in bed all day and drink hot chocolate.

Q: What COM classes am I taking as a freshman?

A: COM101 and COM201. COM101 is a large lecture with your whole freshmen class. It covers the communication field and introduces you to some distinguished panels of communication professionals so you’re learning the basics from the pros. COM201 is writing for communication in small classes of about 12 students. You’ll write press releases, a screenplay, a journalism profile and some snappy copy too.

Q: Do I have to go orientation?

A: Yes! At orientation you will dive into all the fun that is Boston University. We have a great group of Student Advisors that will help you get your feet wet while planning your schedule, making new friends and spending time in one of our dorms at BU. That being said – there’s a bunch of different orientation dates that are flexible with your own schedule so sign up for the date that works for you today!

Q: Where can I find COM and the COM Ambassadors on social media?

A:         Twitter:          @COM_Ambassadors

@comugrad

Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/BUcomugrad

Instagram:      @comugrad

Snapchat:       comsnaps

P.S. If I didn’t answer one of your FAQs from Open House – shoot me an email at hannaheh@bu.edu and I’ll be sure to get an answer for you.

With flu season in full swing, no one is safe and one of the scariest things for a new college student is facing the doctor’s office alone. Luckily, BU’s health services tries to make the experience as painless as possible. Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to tackle the doctor’s without mom.

First, you have two options on how to schedule an appointment, online or by phone. If your calling in advance, they might be booked for that date, but every day they also open same-day appointments you can schedule the day of. The appointments are first come, first serve so be sure to call earlier in the day if you want an immediate appointment. You can call starting at 8 a.m.

For a preregistered appointment, you check in at the computers with your student ID. Don’t forget the basics like identification and your medical card. Also make sure you are on time for your appointments, because it’s usually pretty busy.

If you need a prescription filled, there’s a CVS right across the street. Most of the medications prescribed are fully covered by the Student Health Insurance plan. If you are interested in getting a flu shot, also keep an eye out for one of their clinics throughout October.

Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor this flu season.