Category: Uncategorized

Eleanor S: How to Balance Multiple Jobs at BU

My favorite job I have at BU is being a COM Ambassador. I love getting to meet new people and get paid to show my love for BU. However, even though I am just a freshman, I have had to learn the importance of scheduling and organization this year. This is because being a COM Ambassador is only one of my three jobs on campus. I am also a barista at Starbucks (shout out to the Warren Towers Team!) and a sales associate at the Brookline TJ Maxx.

Though it seems pretty daunting to take on the responsibilities of three positions, especially when coming to a new environment; it is not that hard to do. Here are the tips and tricks I have learned to handle working multiple jobs and how to balance that with also making the most of the college experience.

My first tip is to create a class schedule with built-in blocks to work during. What I mean by this is try not to have all your classes spaced out throughout the day. I have classes in the morning to leave large blocks of time in the afternoon to work. It helps make my availability easy for my managers and allows me to still enjoy being a part of nighttime clubs. 

The second tip is don’t be scared to ask for help when crazier academic or extracurricular weeks come around. Most jobs on BU’s campus have a system where you can get people to cover your shift. Everyone I have worked with at these jobs has been friendly and willing to lend a helping hand.

My last tip is the saying that you’re a “student employee” and that being a student comes first. I have found knowing my strengths has been the best way for me to organize my work schedule. I realized my second semester was going to be a little more hectic, and I would have less time to commute to TJ Maxx. There is no shame in lowering hours or increasing hours of work when in college. Most establishments understand that being a “student” is our top priority.

Jobs are a lot of fun, and making money is always a plus. But just make sure you find a good balance that works for you. Look for jobs on Studentlink that work best with your aspirations or extracurricular schedule. Or even talk to fellow students about how they found their school jobs. In the end, everything will work out, and balancing any number of jobs will seem like a piece of cake. 

Vanessa L: 4 Tips to Make the Most out of COM

I’m Vanessa Lee, a sophomore in COM Journalism with a minor in Questrom Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Today I’m going to guide you through 4 tips to make the most out of your time at COM. 

Tip #1: Get involved, use your resources!

I think there’s nothing more important than being involved in organizations within the college. There are so many organizations and clubs that you can be involved in within COM. There’s something for everyone, and I’m so grateful that BU COM is so inclusive and welcoming with students who want to try new things within COM. For example, even as a journalism major, I can still be in film organizations — which was what I did last year!

Tip #2: Use your skills both inside and outside of class

This advice is kind of related to the first one. COM is really special because it’s such a creative college. Because it’s so much about creativity, using skills learned from classes and applying them to individual projects is important. For example, for Film & TV majors, you could be working on your own film individually outside of class! This would not only build your portfolio, but it can also help you gain new experiences with the skills learned in your courses. 

Tip #3: Get help from professionals in the industry on career advice and networking

Getting familiar with job and internship opportunities through resources such as COM Career Services can be helpful! It may feel a little early for freshmen and sophomores, but it never hurts to get familiar with opportunities and networking. Firstly, in COM Career Services, I like that I can find a lot of great internship opportunities. I signed up for their emails, so whenever there are great COM job opportunities, I get emails about them! Another website I like is BU Connects. This website is not necessarily a COM service, but it’s for all BU students in general. Through BU connects, you can connect with BU students or alumni who have experience working in the industry you’re interested in. You can send them a chat and network like that! I sent a message to a BU alumni who worked at NBC, which is an organization I’m really interested in. I networked with the alumni and it was such a great opportunity!

Tip #4: Embed COM in your daily routine 

As COM students, being creative in your environment and constantly being aware of changes in the industry is crucial. For me, as a journalism student, reading the news every day and knowing what’s going on in the world is important. Embedding COM into your daily routine can set you up for success and make you more knowledgeable in the area. 

That was it for my COM tips! Thank you for reading:)

Amanda W: The Ultimate Guide to Making Friends and Networking in College

Making friends and networking in college can seem overwhelming at first, but it's actually a pretty fun experience! Don’t be scared by how large the BU campus is. No matter you're an extrovert or introvert, there are plenty of ways to connect with people and build relationships that can last a lifetime. Grab a cup of coffee, relax, and let's get started!

1. Join clubs and organizations

One of the easiest ways to make friends in college is by joining clubs and organizations. These groups are a great occasion to meet people who share similar interests and passions as you. You can always have fun at meetings, events, and social gatherings and make friends. 

2. Attend campus events

BU hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from concerts and movie screenings to guest lectures and networking events. Attending these events is a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle. Keep an eye on the event calendar and make a point to attend events that interest you. By the way, you will always find exciting raffles at most campus events. 

3. Participate in class

Participating in class is not only important for your academic success, but it can also help you make friends. Engage in class discussions and group projects, and don't be afraid to ask questions or offer your opinion. This will show your classmates that you are interested in the course material and can help you build relationships with your peers.

4. Attend office hours

Make an effort to attend your professors’ office hours, even if you don't have any specific questions or concerns. This is a great opportunity to get to know your professors on a more personal level and build a professional relationship with them. You never know when your professors might have valuable connections or job opportunities to share with you.

5. Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while also meeting new people. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities on campus and in Boston. This can be a great way to connect with people who share your values.

6. Be yourself

Lastly, it is important to be yourself when trying to make friends and network in college. Don't try to be someone you're not, and don't be afraid to share your passions and interests with others. Authenticity is key to building meaningful relationships that will last beyond your college years.

Donna C: Where to go in Boston?

Hello terriers!

As winter ends and we are approaching nicer weather here in Boston, here are my top recommendations of places to check out!

  1. Boston Public Gardens– the gardens is a beautiful place to go to with the ducks swimming in the pond and the flowers blooming. My favorite thing to do there is to go on the swan boat rides because you are able to see the whole garden and it's a classic tourist attraction! It costs $4.50 for a twelve to fifteen minute ride and it reopens April 15. But, the garden is also good to go to just with friends to relax or have a picnic at and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
  2. Newbury Street– this has a variety of places to shop and eat! My favorite place to go here is Trident Book Store, where you can have a meal and also look around and buy one of the books there. For shopping, it has a variety of stores, from Urban Outfitters, to TJ Maxx, to Zara. It is also home to the first Newbury Comics, where you can buy records and shirts of your favorite artist and band! You can take the T to Hynes Convention Center or to Copley.
  3. North End– if you’re looking for a place to have Italian food, take a trip to Government Center and walk around the North End. Most restaurants don’t take reservations in advance, but it’s easy to find a place that has open seats available. Also in the North End is the iconic Bova’s Bakery. The long line may be daunting, but it moves fast and the pastries that it offers are worth the wait.

Take advantage of the warm weather that is coming and explore Boston as much as possible before the end of the semester!

Jonathan M: My Three(Unconventional) Boston Must Haves

Hey there Terriers!

As a Boston native, I know firsthand the essentials you need to survive as a student in this city. From the unpredictable weather to the surprising(but necessary!) abundance of Dunkin' Donuts locations, a few items are crucial for any Boston-based student. Here are some of my favorites that you might nice always think of:

1. Sports Gear and some Sports Pride- Boston is a sports town, and as a college student here, you'll want to represent these teams. Not only is it an easy way to make friends, but having good sports teams in the city helps us forget about the harsh winter weather. When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2018, the entire city felt wrapped up in a warm blanket…until it snowed the following week. So, make sure you have some sports gear to show off your Boston pride, and who knows, your team will win a championship while you're here. (Go BU, by the way!!)

2. A Nice Pen - I love pens; while it may seem old-fashioned, having a nice pen can make all the difference when taking notes or signing important documents(or drawing stick figures during class).  Plus, you'll never have to ask to borrow a pen in class again. Just make sure to keep it in a secure place, or else you'll end up like me, searching for your favorite pen in your backpack's bottomless pit.

3. A Sense of Humor - Boston is known for its sarcastic and dry humor, and as a college student here, you'll need to have a good sense of humor to survive. From the T delays to the crowded streets, there will be plenty of moments where you'll need to laugh it off. So, don't forget to pack your sense of humor in your backpack along with your textbooks.

If you're a college student in Boston, have some sports gear to show off your Boston pride, a nice pen, and a good sense of humor to survive the city. And always remember, as a Bostonian, it's always "wicked awesome" to be prepared.

Toby P: The Hidden Magic of Overloading

So, you’re signing up for classes. You’ve got all four mapped out, some for your major, maybe a language, a hub class, maybe you even have one for your minor. You’re all set and ready to go, but then you remember that, as a sophomore and above, you’re allowed to take up to 20 credits per semester. A lot of people wouldn’t give it any second thought and would go ahead with the standard four classes, but I’m here to tell you that there’s hidden magic in overloading.

Of course, you can graduate early if you overload, but I’m not here to talk about that. Instead, I’m here to talk about how taking a class outside of the HUB and the required coursework for your degree can actually help you understand the classes you already have to take even better. Let me explain.

This semester, I’m taking a slew of classes, one of which being the beloved FT 310, or Storytelling for Film. It’s a great class, and I’m learning a ton about how to tell an effective story and how to translate that into an effective script. At the same time, I’m taking a class in Wheelock, known as DE 351, or Deaf Literature and Visual Arts. As someone who is hard of hearing, I knew I would be interested in a Deaf Studies class, but I didn’t expect Deaf Literature and Storytelling for Film to mix so beautifully. If you’ve ever seen Ratatouille, you know the scene where Remy eats a strawberry and a piece of cheese at the same time, savoring how they blend into perfect harmony and complement each other in all the right ways. That’s what’s going on in my brain in FT 310 and DE 351.

On Mondays, I’ll walk into the Data Science building (lucky me!) and learn about the beholder’s share, or how an audience has lots of control over what the world of a book is like, but little control over what the world of an ASL poem is. The next evening, I’ll sit down in CAS and learn about how screenwriters can force a film’s audience to suspend their disbelief by providing a reason why some insane solution is the only one that could possibly work. Together, these individual lessons have combined in my mind, showing me how much power I have as a screenwriter to tell the audience what to believe, but also how I can back off and let the audience fill in the gaps.

Maybe you aren’t interested in Deaf Studies, and that’s completely fine! My goal in this short blog post is to encourage you to take another look at the course search before you register for classes. You never know, you might find that taking psychology classes could help you develop better advertising strategies, or that learning about anthropology will help you write better profiles for your journalism classes. It just requires believing in the magic of overloading.

Miya F: Dealing with Sunday Scaries

As an anxious person and planner, I dread Sundays. It is the end of the weekend and the start of a new week so I often feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. I am far from the only one who deals with the Sunday Scaries. I have found ways to cope with this feeling of existential dread and hope they can help one (or many) of you!

1. Spend time with friends!

As an extrovert (96% extroverted according to the Meyers Briggs personality test), spending time with friends gives me energy and instantly improves my mood. I always try to plan something with friends every Sunday so I walk into the day with something to look forward to. I also try to switch it up so sometimes we get dinner, shop on Newbury, or even do homework together. Keeping busy and having people who love you around makes the Sunday Scaries a whole lot more manageable!

2. Eat your favorite food

Sometimes all I need to comfort me is my favorite foods. I normally go for a big bowl of ramen or pho (can you tell I am half Japanese and half Vietnamese)! I have made an entire blog post about my

favorite places to eat at in Boston. If you are looking for something within walking distance of campus check out Nud Pob, Pho Viet, or Cafe Landwer! If you want an excuse to leave the BU bubble and venture further into the city check out Joe’s on Newbury, Buttermilk and Bourbon, or Hokkaido Ramen Santouka Back Bay.

3. Watch your comfort show

I am a tv show lover and admittedly an iPad kid. For some reason, I can never sit through a whole movie but I can binge 5 hours of a tv show straight. Some of my favorite comfort shows are New Girl, Friends, Arrested Development, and Emily in Paris. I also always need a snack to eat while watching. My snack of choice is always chips!

4. Be productive!

Like I said earlier, staying busy always makes the day feel better and go by quicker. I normally catch up on homework all day so I have something to do and feel productive. I like to go to the GSU or Mugar with friends and do work for a large chunk of the day. We take breaks to get coffee or snacks so there is an incentive to do work.

5. Get a good night’s sleep

This is the perfect end to Sundays. I try to sleep before midnight so I can feel well rested and ready to start the week!

James M: My Weekends at BU

Hey guys! I wanted to take the time to write about one of my favorite weekend experiences this semester! It started last Thursday night with some really awesome live music from BU alumni artists.  I saw a flyer for this night of free live music in the GSU basement, and I decided to go on a whim! It was so awesome!! The artists are all on Spotify (and BU alumni) and I recommend listening to them (Main Era, Zaya Marz, and Cameron lane)! The event reminded me of how BU does such a good job of giving students the ability to display their art, and that still stands true after you graduate. The George Sherman Basement is commonplace for student shows, so I would recommend keeping an eye on posters put around campus for events there. 

On Friday, a group of my friends and I checked out a restaurant called Beijing Cafe on BU Campus, which we all really enjoyed. I walk by it every day getting to classes, and the photos of the dishes they make always looked really good. It is not associated with the university, but it’s a super convenient spot that has not too expensive really good-tasting food. One of the best things about our campus is the selection of BU dining halls, restaurants that take dining points, and independent places to eat.

Finally, on Saturday, I had to go out and explore Charlestown through photography for a COM class project. It is such an awesome town and a gem within the Boston area that has really beautiful neighborhoods and a long history. For a lot of parts of Boston, it feels like a city within a city, and Charlestown is a great example of that. I think the need to stop and take photos was such a pleasant task because it really let me take the time to look at my surroundings and the history of Boston’s oldest neighborhood. 

Of course, not every weekend is like this, and I will often stay in playing Madden or watching La La Land for the thousandth time but I want this to be a reminder to incoming students you will rarely regret exploring Boston!

Analise B: If You Have to Read One Book Before You Die, Let It Be The Book Thief

I normally find myself getting tripped up and lost in a sea of potential choices when someone asks me what my favorite film or song is, and how can you blame me? There are so many good contenders out there. However, the one consistent and solid answer I can give for an icebreaker or a curious inquirer is my favorite book.

In 8th grade, I was assigned what I now consider to be the best piece of literature I have ever laid my eyes upon: Mark Zusak’s “The Book Thief.” The book takes place during the onset of World War II where the protagonist, Liesel Meminger, is taken in by a foster family who finds themselves at the center of Germany’s political turmoil as air raids and the loss of Jewish friends plague their lives.

Whether or not you know a lot about wars, the book finds its true value in the way that it can emphasize the true brute strength of words. Conflicts in history, especially on levels as devastating as the Holocaust, are presumably fought with fancy weapons and guns. While that may be true to an extent, the story proposes the idea that words could be a force equally as destructive. Zusak makes mention of the fact that Hitler was never one to raise a gun in this war, he merely planted the seeds of his hateful, intolerant words until they grew into a nation of farmed thought.

The first time I read it, I felt more sadness than anything, but what drew me back in was the opposing consideration. While it is true that words have the power to destroy, and that's exactly what Hitler used them to do, they can also be used to create change. Liesel Meminger is a book thief, she saves a great deal of people with the words off pages of a story she stole from an old woman. Later, she begins to write her own words and thoughts amid the ugliness of the world around her to preserve her own life.

I don’t like to claim that this book is what pushed me to become a journalism major because there certainly was an array of confounding factors that inspired me to enter the world of COM. However, what this book did give me was my love for words. At 14, I learned a rather harsh way, the weight that words carry. These little semantics can both tear something down, and build it right back up. Words can disband, they can unify, they can strengthen, they can kill. What changes the outcome of how words impact us is how they are used.

Zusak closes the book with this eloquent quote: “I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I made them right.” Words are difficult to articulate, verbalize, and compose, but when they do arrive, we get to witness in real-time the influence they possess.

Colbi E: Reflecting on My College Career

I’m now a senior in college, and everyday I wake up shocked that the past four years have flown by so quickly. My experience at Boston University has been incredible — I’ve met the most amazing friends, traveled the world during study abroad, ran my college newspaper and am now interning with a national outlet.

But when I first got to BU I was not living the fantasy I had imagined. I’m an out of state student, and I didn’t know anyone else coming to Boston for school. I quickly grew homesick and worried I had made a mistake. I didn’t immediately have a group of friends to call my own or have plans every day of the week, which made me feel like I was missing out on the college experience. 

I felt like an outsider at times, and I was truly worried I would never adjust to college. At one point I wanted to transfer to a school back in my home state of Texas to be closer to friends and family. 

But, I stuck it out at BU because I wanted to challenge myself. Ever since I was 15 years old I knew I wanted to go to school out of state, and I knew BU had so many opporutntieis for me — I just needed to take them.

Now, four years later, I have friends I can call family in Boston, and I’m so proud of my achievements. My life would’ve been so different had I gone to school in Texas or transferred after my freshman year. But I am so happy that I’m on this path; I’m proud of myself for moving halfway across the country and starting a new life for myself. It was difficult in the beginning and still is at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. 

To all of the highschool seniors or current college freshmen, if you’re scared about going to school out of state or if your experience isn’t shaping out to be what you wanted that’s completely normal. You’re not alone in that struggle to find your college fairytale. Just trust yourself, be confident and you’ll find a space where you thrive.