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I am a generally uptight person who likes to have control of my life. Recently I have been a bit trapped by expectations I feel other people put on me. After consulting my therapist (one of my friends) we decided I should make a list of things I want to do in order to break out of my shell. I wrote said list one night while I was struggling to fall asleep.

After a night of comedy shows (Liquid Fun and The Daily Show’s Jessica Williams) I was a bit hyper and eager to explore. My friend Bronsen suggested venturing down town. I assembled a group, who also happen to be my roommates for next year, and we set on our way.

We got outside of Warren Towers and didn’t know where to go: downtown, Cambridge, Coolidge Corner? I chose Cambridge because I hadn’t crossed the river since before I arrived at BU. We walked on a beautiful night through Kenmore square, across the bridge measured in smoots (a unit of measurement conceived by MIT students). We, particularly I, goofed off the whole way and just enjoyed each others’ company. 

We walked through MIT and found a sculpture that made me feel smarter just looking at  it (see picture). After another 20 minutes or so we arrived at Harvard. I remember saying “my IQ went up five points just looking at the brick buildings”. After walking for almost an hour, we decided to find somewhere to sit. There we talked about life, sang songs, and improvised ice skating on a still-melting patch of ice. 

After we Uber’d home to Warren, I sat down at my desk and took out my journal where I had written down my “To-Do List”. I checked off “go on an unplanned adventure”. I really enjoyed not knowing every step of the night and on a whim deciding to go straight or turn left at a light. For someone who has everything from homework assignments to television shows programmed in her calendar, I think I handled not have a plan very well. I embraced it and I have no regrets.

College is a place for self-discovery. Its important to step out of your comfort zone. I am trying to do that, and will continue checking things off my list in search of a better me. Each item represents something I am afraid of. Overcoming those fears will open myself up to new opportunities. “Try a food you’re afraid to eat” may just lead to a new favorite food. Its important to get out there and see the wonderful world around.

After we get back from spring break feeling like we could use another week or two away from exams and homework, it seems like everyone hits a wall with work. I won't lie, I feel myself hitting it now. The sun starts to come out, everyone starts talking about summer plans, and the end of the year is in sight. 

Unfortunately, school is still in full throttle and we've still got to be on the ball with things. Here are a few tips to keeping up the motivation when the urge to slack off hits hard.

1. Try to change up your schedule a little bit. We've been at it since January and sometime things can get old. Maybe sometimes instead of going to FitRec to work out, try running along the river or downtown!

2. Make a kick-ass playlist. Listening to a great playlist always keeps me pumped up on my way to class. Check out some artists you haven't listened to before and get some fresh energy into your life.

3. Get out when you can! It feels like since January, the snow has made it impossible (or at least really annoying) to leave the BU bubble very often. Take this spring to get into Boston once a week and try a new restaurant, coffee shop, or museum.

4. If you're having trouble being motivated in class, try to attend a talk or watch a speech online that will inspire you to do what you love again. Maybe even talk to your professor about the class and see if they have any words of wisdom for you. Sometimes it just takes one person to remind us why we want to be studying what we study!

As much as we're all looking forward to summer, try to make the most out of these last few weeks!

One valuable lesson I've recently learned is in order to keep up and have success in my school work I must keep busy.

In high school I was always very busy. I would have ballet classes or rehearsals and musical rehearsals that occupied much of my time. When I wasn't training or rehearsing I was usually eating or sleeping. Somewhere between the school day and after school activities I would have to find time to do my homework, and I always did.

Some people crack under the pressure of having a packed schedule, but being busy allowed me to thrive. I believe I would not have succeed in my academic career without time consuming extra circular activities. Being busy forced me to make and schedule time for my homework because I knew it was important and had to be done.

This “keep busy to keep up” mindset has followed me to college. First semester I wasn't very involved due to a personal illness. This took a great toll on me for about 2 months, half of the first semester. Not only was I fatigued often, but I also had no activities so I had too much free time. I will admit though, I couldn't have participated in extra circular activities because I was too sick to manage it. Whenever I did not have class, I would be sleeping. A combination of illness and having too much free time unfortunately took a toll on my academics and I did not perform to my usual standards.

Now during second semester I have gotten very involved. I joined a new show on BUTV10 and I am a news writer for The Daily Free Press on top of two on campus jobs. Because of my busy weeks, I always have my work done in advance because I know I will not have time if I procrastinate. The presence of procrastination in my life would be a death wish.

Of course, being involved in campus activities is also a great way to meet new people and participate in activities that interest you while having fun. However, activities also keep you on track with your social and academic life, making you see your true priories and living every wonderful day at BU to the fullest.

Frank Sinatra once said, “Life always calls for a good playlist.” Okay...he didn’t say that, but it’s true! Recently, many artists have been releasing new music for the spring. Which means there is new music to add to your playlists! Making playlists is fun but stressful. With thousands of songs on Spotify and iTunes, new and old, it’s kind of difficult to find the right song to make the right playlist. Lucky for you, I have a few suggestions to make your playlists perfect!

Workout:

Just the sound of that word makes many people cringe and then go back to their bag of Doritos. Having great music to put on your workout playlist can make any trip to the gym feel like an intense scene from Rocky. Before working out, fill your playlist with songs that make you want to get up and move! Great workout music can pump you up and motivate you to get “swole”.

I recommend: Floorfiller by A*Teens, Jesus Walks by Kanye West, Bo$$ by Fifth Harmony, Lose Control by Missy Elliot, Close Your Eyes by Run The Jewels, Break The Ice by Britney Spears

Relaxing:

There are times (all of the time) when everyone just wants to chill in their bed and relax. A playlist that is relaxing and mellow will help you quickly chill out, even on your most stressful days. So make yourself a cup of hot tea, put on your favorite pair of pajamas, grab a few pillows and mellow out!

I recommend: Sorrow by The National, Hold Back The River by James Bay, Someone New by Hozier, 10,000 Weight in Gold by The Head and The Heart, Apart From Me by The Avett Brothers, Home by Now by Bombay Bicycle Club

Dance Party!:

Let’s be honest, we all have had impromptu dance parties in our dorms at some point during our college lives. Whether it’s because you’re excited about something that happened during your day or if its because it’s two in the morning and you are starting to go crazy, dance parties are always fun! With the right music, a three minute song can feel like an hour long workout because you’re dancing so hard. Dance parties are guaranteed to improve any day or night.

I recommend: Love Shack by the B-52s, King by Years and Years, Steal My Girl (88 Ninety’s ‘Raiders of the Lost Art’ Remix) by One Direction, Tightrope by Janelle Monae, Skip To The Good Bit by Rizzle Kicks, Norgaard by The Vaccines

Walking on Comm Ave:

By just listening to the right music, you can make your walks to class on Comm Ave exciting. Why walk to class listening to some random song, when you can listen to a song that makes you feel like you’re on a runway at fashion week? Though it won’t make the class you’re walking to fun, listening to a song that makes you feel like you’re in an action movie will at least make the trip feel exciting.

I recommend: Left Hand Free by Alt-J, Knee Socks by Arctic Monkeys, My Song 5 (Remix) by Haim, Lampshades on Fire by Modest Mouse, Trying to Be Cool by Phoenix, Best Friend by Foster the People

As everyone who’s anyone already knows, admissions decisions for Boston University’s class of 2019 were released this weekend. Woo, new Terriers! In light of the big decision thousands of high school students will have to make over the next couple of weeks, I’ve decided to compile a list that should help all of us approach some major quandaries about summer that are either overwhelming our minds now, or will inevitably do so by the end of spring.

Let’s start things off easy:

Should I go to BU?

Stop it. I literally can’t even with you right now. Feigning disinterest in the greatest university in the world will not increase your scholarship or financial aid (as far as I know). Just click that “I accept my admission into Boston University and choose to enroll” box and come have the greatest, most productive four years of your life.

Now for the current students:

Should I take that unpaid internship for the summer?

Definitely use discretion with this one. Consider the cost of living you’ll have to take up, how beneficial the position will be toward reaching your professional goals, and how appealing the work actually is to you. One common option is to manage time so that you can intern part-time and work part-time. Doing this while living at home is probably the most cost-efficient option, but depending on your personal financial situation, a full-time, unpaid spot far away form home could be the most productive option.

Or:

Should I take that paid internship?

More likely than the unpaid one, yes, of course. However, this decision should naturally be approached with the same discretion described above. In a lot of cases, I’ve seen people take paid internships over unpaid ones, despite the fact that they’re actually putting themselves in what they consider a less appealing position or environment. However, if a position is paid, it’s highly likely that you’ll be doing work of import, or that you can incorporate into some sort of portfolio. Therefore, this sort of position might have a greater chance of landing you an even greater internship or job in the field that interests most, just by the level of work you’ve proven you can do.

Should I return home for the summer?

I highly recommend spending at least one summer among your college years at home. I did so after my freshman year (the best summer to do so, in my opinion), and I don’t regret any moment of it. Think about your relationship with your family and your financial situation. The best way to guarantee yourself a profit at the end of a summer is to live for free and work. Ideally, your parents will let you spend a few more months at home, and it’s never too hard to pick up that old high school job, or to find a new one where you can work extra hours here and there. And if you’re graduating, I personally believe there’s nothing wrong with reconnecting with the fam one last time, collecting your mind and resources, and taking the time to carefully sort through all potential futures — even if this takes a season or two.

So, speaking of us spring seniors:

Should I take that job that has nothing to do with the field I’ve spent four years studying and dedicating my life to?

Yes, Tyler, God … I mean, yes, you probably should. If anything will undoubtedly make the next period of time easier for just about anyone, it’s an income. I hate to be that guy who resigns to the power of money over other principles, but listen: The best time to look for a job is when you have a job. I’ve heard this from a number of people who seemed to know a thing or two about being adults. Because they were. But as long as you can support yourself to some extent, you can comfortably search for other opportunities with the knowledge that you’re at least good enough for something. And once you’ve inserted yourself into a professional setting, networking is always beneficial. You never know, you might even love that job.

And finally:

Should I finish that Ben & Jerry’s Pistachio Pistachio in my freezer?

Yes. You do you.

I wish someone told me this three years ago when I started BU. That’s not to say I didn’t take risks – I traveled across the country to LA and interned in a city where I didn’t know a soul. The next summer I took an internship I knew I wouldn’t be in love with because I thought it would be a good life experience. And you should do this too. Push your boundaries because you’ll never know how much you love something, or maybe don’t love something at all, if you don’t try.

However, what no one told me is this – don’t be afraid to do something just because you want to do it….not because it’ll look good on your resume or  because you’re trying to keep up with all the COM kids (yes, that unspoken pressure). If you want to take the summer off, work a mindless job and take the time to figure out if PR/Advertising/Film/Journalism is really what you love, then do it. Work on your own creative projects. Research the things you love outside of your chosen field. If you can’t take one more day of excel spreadsheets and fact checking, then give yourself a break. Don’t let the pressures of college and racking up internships stop you. Or maybe you do find an internship that sounds really cool, but it’s not like anything you’ve done before and you don’t know if you’re qualified. Well, this is your sign – DO IT!

In seven very short weeks I’ll be graduating college, and to be honest, I’ve never been on the PR agency boat that a lot of other students seem to be on. I want to do something completely different with my degree and I’ve finally come to peace with doing what I really want, instead of just taking that agency job I know I could get. Sure it’s scary, but haven’t the most successful people taken risks? After all, we’re young and have been given the privilege that maybe our parents and certainly our grandparents didn’t have to embark on a journey where we find out what makes us tick. It sounds cheesy, but you know it’s true.

My only hope is that you remember that its ok to do something different. Follow your heart. Take risks.

Nearly three years ago when I first got to BU I pictured myself as a journalism student, but very quickly found myself changing my mind and going into advertising. At the same time I thoroughly enjoyed sports journalism and did not want to give it up completely.

Luckily for me, BU held “Splash,” which is an event that follows matriculation and allows new students to go on Nickerson Field and walk around dozens of tables featuring different clubs and student organizations. It was there I found the Daily Free Press, BU’s independent student newspaper and signed up for more information. Days later, I was assigned to the field hockey beat, and was able to continue as a sportswriter.

During my time with the FreeP, I covered field hockey in the fall, men’s basketball in the winter, and softball in the spring.

Fast forward to February 2014, I was presented with a unique opportunity to write for a small site covering college basketball only, which was a result of a connection I built during my two years with the FreeP. So for the last four months I have been focused on covering the Patriot League (BU’s basketball conference) as best as I can for OneBidWonders.com.

One of the best perks that came out of this new experience was the ability to do quite a bit of traveling. Over the course of the season I covered games in my own backyard at Agganis Arena (where BU men’s basketball and ice hockey teams play), TD Garden, Barclays Center in New York City, and even Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.

For most, the NCAA tournament, otherwise known as “March Madness” is the craziest time of the year for college basketball as people obsess over their brackets and who they pick to win the tournament, I view it quite differently. For me, these last few weeks are when I finally get to rest and enjoy college basketball as a fan.

The first week of March was one of my busiest as I found myself on the road covering the Patriot League conference tournament. On Tuesday March 5th when I covered Loyola-Maryland at the College of the Holy Cross, Boston’s accessibility really saved me, I was able to run right from class to the commuter rail station, jump on a train and go out to Worcester.

Two days later, BU was taking on Lafayette College and then I really learned how great the BU community was. Lafayette is in Easton, PA and being from New York City I do not drive, which would make the 5-hour trip extremely difficult. Luckily for me I was able to get a ride from two BU alums who go to nearly every BU game and were making the trip down. With the game beginning at 7PM we left Boston at 10AM. Unfortunately, BU would fall to the Leopards who would eventually win the Patriot League Tournament and take part in this year’s national tournament.

The next morning we arrived back in Boston at 3AM, after editing my articles and organizing photos I found myself falling asleep at 4AM, only to wake up four hours later so I could get to work and class. The next day I felt extremely tired but accomplished after thinking about all I had done this season, and it all came from one little choice I made at Splash back in 2012.

The transition from living at home into the first year of college can be trying at times since you are forced to take on a new environment by yourself. I have found that one of the biggest struggles of being away from home is getting sick.

 I went from living 365 days in heat and humidity to going through semesters in dry, cold and windy weather. My first semester of BU was not only full of memories of Boston adventures, but also trips to Student Health Services and a relentless cough and fever. This semester it was my goal to try to take every precaution in order to avoid getting sick; however I didn’t think to also include my friends getting sick into the picture.

At BU, my friends have really turned into my Boston family because we’re always looking out for each other. Therefore, when one of us gets sick, it’s a group effort to help make that person get better. The first few weeks of this semester were filled with snow days and sick days, so I figured it would be a good idea to make a standard plan towards taking care of yourself and others in college.

1. Student Health Services will be your best friend, especially if your immune system isn’t the best. You can make appointments online or by calling them. If it’s an emergency then they are flexible and will be able to help you as soon as you can get over to west campus.

   Their website is http://www.bu.edu/shs/ and should be added to your bookmark bar ASAP as possible.

2. CityCo is our campus convenience store that has multiple locations around campus. If you don’t feel like trekking to CVS to get cough drops, CityCo has your back with cold relief. They’re stalked with medicine, tissues, Gatorade and an assortment of different soups.
3. Rhetty-to-go meals are BU dining’s secret life saver. If you have a jam-packed day or you don’t want to leave your bed to sit in the dining hall, you can go online and order a Rhetty-to-go meal. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Rhetty-to-go meals can be made to pick up at any time the dining hall is opened. You can order them athttp://www.bu.edu/dining/where-to-eat/things-to-know/rhetty-to-go/
   1. There are also Rhetty-to-go Flu Meals that are made specifically to cater to students feeling under the weather. You can have a friend pick it up for you, or they will deliver it to your room. So if you’re sick, don’t waste a meal swipe and save yourself a couple bucks and order a flu meal that’s stalked with Gatorade, soup, yogurt and other food that will help you on your road to recovery. You can order them here at http://www.bu.edu/dining/where-to-eat/things-to-know/rhetty-to-go/rhetty-to-go-flu-meals/

If you find that you’re getting sick while you’re here at BU, take some time off to rest in front of your Netflix account and use some of these helpful tips and you’ll make it through the semester alive and well.

Wondering what to do over your spring break? Looking for a cheaper alternative to flying home? Interested in service and making friends that will last a lifetime?  DO BU’S ALTERNATIVE SERVICE BREAK!

I just came back from Greenville, South Carolina after spending a wonderful week volunteering with underprivileged youth. In the afternoons my service group volunteered at the Frazee Center, which is an after school program for children. We spent time playing with them, reading, making crafts, and mentoring the young students. Later in the week we volunteered at Pendleton Place, a shelter for displaced teenage girls. We did various tasks around the shelter and got an opportunity to spend time with the girls and hang out with them.

It was such an unbelievable experience being able to work with the kids and hear their heartbreaking stories. However, it was even more inspiring to see how, despite their difficult situations, they are flourishing and filled with happiness. Having the opportunity to volunteer with the Frazee Center and Pendleton Place has truly changed my perspective on life and will continue to influence me forever.

BU ASB is far more than just volunteering; the people I volunteered with quickly became some of my best friends and the memories I made with them will last a lifetime. It was so fun being able to explore Greenville and immerse myself in the culture (and food). Not to mention, escape the cold.

Take a look at http://buasb.com to find your next adventure!  There are so many different opportunities available. Look though all of the various service focus areas and amazing locations.

Spring Break has come and gone. Whether you spent a week in Florida lounging by the pool, hitting the slopes in Colorado, or even relaxing at home, it was probably warmer than Boston. I arrived at Logan Airport late Sunday night, landing to “freezing temperatures.” Ok, it was actually 40 degrees, but that was cold in comparison to my week of 80 degrees or higher.

Spring has still not officially hit Boston, and despite the “warmer” days, the forecast predicts more chilly days in March. Despite the cold temperatures, we are no longer bound to Netflix marathons and the Warren dining hall. The slightly “warmer” temperatures are perfect for exploring Boston’s indoor hotspots!

Museums

If you couldn’t already tell by my last post, Instagram feed, or art history sock collection, I LOVE museums! Boston’s art museums are spectacular with stunning architecture housing amazing and highly praised collections.

The MFA: FREE WITH YOUR STUDENT ID!

Isabella Stewart Gardner: FREE WITH YOUR STUDENT ID!

Institute of Contemporary Art: $10 with your ID or FREE on Thursday nights!

Restaurants and Cafes 

Boston is overflowing with cafes and restaurants. You can hit the North End for a cannoli or stuff your face with all the seafood you can eat before you leave Boston at the end of the semester. Boston’s restaurant scene is thriving! Here are some of my favorite spots beyond Comm Ave.

Trident Booksellers and Cafe: It’s a bookstore AND cafe that serves breakfast ALL. DAY. LONG. With its amazing menu (they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day) and its open yet cozy atmosphere, Trident is definitely one of my favorite spots in Boston. The apple and brie omelet is a must have, along with the lemon ricotta stuffed french toast! Trident even has trivia night every Friday so bring your appetite and friends!

Tatte: I love breakfast — it’s the most important and delicious meal of the day — so most of my year in Boston has been spent searching for the best breakfast spots. Tatte Bakery has multiple locations all over the Boston area, serving delicious pastries and breakfast sandwiches accompanied by a mouth-watering lunch menu. The cafe bakes everything fresh and has a location right in South campus on Beacon street! Follow @tattebakery on instagram for endless temptation!

Thinking Cup: Another spot with multiple locations, Thinking Cup is the perfect place to grab a coffee and pastry with a friend. Small but mighty, the Newbury location is always packed, with customers out the door waiting for a tea or gourmet grilled cheese — a must have! In addition to the delicious grilled cheeses, Thinking Cup also has a fabulous breakfast menu.

Entertainment  

Brookline Booksmith: The quintessential bookstore, Brookline Booksmith is a bookworm and nicknack lover’s paradise. Minutes away from West campus, Brookline Booksmith is the perfect way to spend an afternoon and support local bookstores! You’ll loose track of time wandering through their incredible collection. Visit the basement for the Used Book Cellar or join their book club — Brookline Booksmith always has a great line up of free in-store events!

Coolidge Corner Theatre: A cultural landmark, the Coolidge Corner theatre is an independent movie theatre in Brookline. The theatre plays a variety of movies, both new and old. I am a huge fan of their After Midnite series, where they play screenings of weird, campy, art-house and cult films. The beautiful theatre often plays movies from 35m prints. Last semester I saw Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and Mean Girls at the After Midnite series, where both movies played to sold out crowds.

Though spring still seems so far away, Boston will keep you busy and before you know it you’ll be reading on the BU Beach or sprawled out on the COM lawn trying to soak up the sun in between classes.