COM Ambassador Blog

Mike: My Final Days Abroad

Hey all,
I can’t believe it’s already nearing the end of the semester and my time abroad here in Madrid. These past few months have been the best of my life and I am so sad to leave Spain. The people I’ve met, the amazing places I’ve traveled to and the delicious food– it has all been such an incredible experience. If I have one piece of advice for underclassman, it is to go abroad. And try to go to a country where they speak another language and you can stay with a family because it really is the best way to master the language and immerse yourself in the culture.

We finally wrapped our documentary last week and have the screening this week. After months of hard work filming, interviewing and editing, we assembled a final product that i am really proud of and can’t wait to show everyone.

I’m currently writing this from my hostel in Portugal. This is my final trip before the program ends. We have a 5 day weekend because of the Spanish holidays next week. I am finally able to relax a bit and enjoy the last few weeks abroad.

It is bittersweet to leave Spain. I know how much I am going to miss Madrid but I am excited to go home to New York City and hopefully get an internship there this summer. I also was accepted into the Los Angeles internship program for this fall so I will heading to LA in August to get some hands on experience in the industry. Its going to be a very different “abroad” experience from Madrid, but I’m excited to meet new people and conquer a new city.

Unfortunately I will be apart from Boston for yet another semester but I’ll be back in the spring to spend my last semester on campus. See you all soon!

Kaitlin: Finals

Finals. Now, I’m sure you can relate to Boston University students as they cram, cry and complain about finals week, because whether you’re in college, high school or junior high, finals are just no fun.

But here at BU, we’ve realized some tips and tricks to survive the atrocity that is finals week, and I’m going to share them with you!

1. Sweat it out.

It’s been scientifically proven that working out helps decrease stress levels dramatically. Since BU students are very intelligent, we’ve figured that out, and for this reason, you’ll see an exceptionally packed Fitness and Recreation Center (FitRec, our awesome gym) towards the end of the semester. So when you have a test and can’t read another word out of the textbook, give it a break; go for a run; lift weights at the gym; take a yoga class. It’ll give you a productive way to put off your work, and will actually help you out in the long run (beach season is coming up, after all!).

2. Find a buddy or two.

Studying in groups can be a great way to get work done. Get together with friends and perhaps other students from your classes to cover material for the tests. Living on specialty floors (like the COM floors in select BU Residence Halls!) can be extremely helpful for this! Have a question? Shoot over to your classmate who lives across the hall. You’ll be able to get another perspective on a topic that may need some clarification. Plus, the bit of distraction that comes with being with friends can be healthy after stuffing your mind with words or numbers all day.

3. Eat some yummy goods.

Finals can be a good time to overindulge in the most unhealthy way possible- but try not to allow yourself to do that! Eating tons of pizza, candy, and other heavy foods will only slow you down, making you more tired, anxious, and stressed. Instead, find light, healthy foods to accompany your late night study sessions. Instead of ordering Pizza Hut, grab some veggies and hummus or a bowl of fresh fruit. It will keep you more willing to get your study on because you won’t be regretting that 6 pound hamburger.

4. Fall in love with Boston all over again.

While I’m studying (especially on the 26th floor of Student Village 2!) I like to close my book or my laptop, and just look at the city I live in and love. After living in Boston you may start to take for granted the marvelous things around you. So allow yourself to be distracted for an hour or two. Stare at the beautiful Charles River. Take the T to a site you’ve never seen. You’ll give yourself the chance to clear your mind before a big exam, and will remind yourself why you love Boston.

Lauren: New School, New Experiences, New You

This is my last blog of the school year, so I wanted to leave you guys with a little piece of advice! The first week of your freshman year can be the scariest, most exciting time of your life! But you’ve got to make the most of it! By attending summer orientation, students get a glimpse of what to expect as a student here at BU, and trust me, it’s a great adventure! Here’s a few great ways to make sure that your first semester at BU rocks!

1. Come prepared for Move-In

Start buying all the items you’ll need for your dorm NOW! It’s never too early to start organizing all your belongings! You can use this checklist to make sure that you have everything you need! Move-in can be crazy, but if you have everything packed and organized, it makes the whole experience less painful! My particular advice: brings tons of pictures and some things that remind you of home! As corny as it seems, chances are you’ll get homesick, especially during your first semester. Having these sorts of meaningful things in your room will make home seem closer than you think!

2. Socialize

Talk to people, especially the first couple weeks of school! This is no time to be shy! All the other freshman students are in the same situation asyou: they want to meet friends too! Leave your door open, have a conversation with someone on your floor, accept your classmates offer to grab lunch or go see a movie with kids in your building. You could end up meeting one of your best friends!

3. Get involved!

The student activities fair, SPLASH!, is the perfect time for BU students to check out all the extracurricular activities on campus! From the bee-keeping club to the Quidditch team, I think it’s safe to say we have something for everyone! Stop by the booths of organizations you’re interested in and join their e-mail list! You can even do a little research now to figure out which ones you want to check out! It’s the easiest way to meet new friends, and helps make BU a little smaller!

4. Explore the city!

One of the best parts of being a student at BU is living in the city of Boston! There are so many amazing places to explore! Some of my fellow COM ambassadors Anna and Tiffany have listed their favorite Boston hotspots! Check them out! Some of my personal favorites include the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall!

5. But, don’t fall behind from your classes!

While socializing and being involved in extra-curriculars are important to the college experience, you also need to make sure that you’re focusing on your schoolwork! Take notes in all your classes, and don’t fall behind on any reading assignments! And don’t wait until the last minute to start writing a paper! Staying on top of your school work will give you more free time to do other things!

I hope you take my advice into consideration when you come to BU in the fall! Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! I can’t wait to meet all of you COMers!

Julianna: Listen Up, Budding Journos!

Here are my Top 5 tips on how to up your game as a student journalist:

1. Join BU’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalist (SPJ)

Shameless plug alert! Our chapter is still in its infancy, however our presence at COM continues to become more and more known. We host Q&A’s with local reporters and editors and even toured the Boston Globe building in November. If you become a national member of SPJ then you have the opportunity to flash a legit press card to prove that you’re a journalist and uphold your First Amendment rights. Look out for a BU SPJ table at “Splash” in September! Also follow us on Twitter @BUSPJ.

2. Clips Clips Clips

Do yourself a favor, and rack up those clips! The best way to do this is to start writing as soon as freshman year begins by applying to be a staff writer for a publication, such as The Quad (online blog/magazine). If you’re into broadcast journalism then get involved with BUTV10 and/or our radio station, WTBU. Photojournalists can join the Photo Club or apply to be a photographer for a publication. No need to look for an internship during your first semester of college, just start with the extracurriculars here at BU to build up experience.

3. Keep a personal blog

I must accredit this piece of advice to Courtney Hollands, the senior lifestyles editor at Boston Magazine and BU COM alum. At a recent BU SPJ Q&A, Courtney stressed that keeping a personal blog is key to developing a voice as a writer and expertise in subjects that interest you. During those times that your budding journalism career appears to be at a lull, it’s a good idea to make sure that you are frequently writing, and a blog is the easiest way. As a former Tumblr addict who only reblogged hipster-worthy photos, I am making it my summer project to create a blog that actually features...you guessed it, MY WRITING. So stay tuned to read about everything from album and movie reviews to issues in Israel and re-caps of breaking news.

4. Stay up on the news

I always say one of the perks of COM is that we get the Boston Globe and New York Times FREE everyday. By the way if you bring a copy of the newspaper to journalism class your professor will definitely notice, so take advantage of this privilege. Of course one of the best ways to constantly be on top of breaking news is by following a slew of news organizations on Twitter. If you have an iPhone then do yourself a favor and get the Associated Press app. It’s free and will send you alerts when important news breaks. The app also syncs up to local newspapers, such as the Boston Globe and Boston Herald, to give you local AP-wired stories.

5. Résumés...Le Sigh

I feel as though I’ve gotten so much advice on the do’s and don’t’s of résumés that when it comes time for me to update mine I end up staring at the screen in freak-out mode. My fellow e-board members of BU SPJ recently attended a journalism convention in New York and came back to BU with résumé tips from professional journalists. They learned that the first and most important section should be your related news experience, followed by work, education and miscellaneous/skills. They also learned that employers in the news business want to see that individuals are keeping themselves busy with other things other than reporting, so include your part-time job, hobbies and so on. Make sure to include your Twitter handle only if your tweets are appropriate and free of opinions. Also create an online résumé and/or LinkedIn to link-up to your online clips, personal blog, broadcast packages and best work done in your journalism classes.

Jon: School’s Out for Summer

Unfortunately for Alice Cooper, school’s just out for the summer. However, for the rest of us, that means three months of sunshine, beaches and lazy afternoons! I can already hear the waves crashing against the sand.

“But wait!” you ask. “How can I spend three whole months loitering in front of Dunkin’ Donuts and making semi-legal bonfires on the beach? Won’t I get sick of the endless sunscreen and shutter shades?” (Clearly your priorities are straighter than ours).
Fear not, for in college, summer is not just a time for mindless hours of watching T.V. and seeking out air conditioning. With a whole three months off from school, there is plenty of time for relaxation and fun, and it’s definitely important to get to the beach, or the pond, or the local movie theater with your friends. Vacations are a valuable chance to de-stress from the school year and catch up with friends and family. However, there are also productive and fun ways to spend the summer, which may not have been available to you in high school:

1) Take a summer course

Though you might groan at the idea of summer school, summer courses are a useful way to get ahead on some core requirements or take that one class you couldn’t fit into your schedule last semester. You also benefit from taking them in a lower stress, less intense environment, as most students only take one or two summer courses at a time. BU offers a wide range of courses in all of its colleges over the two summer sessions, and it is often possible to get credit for courses at a local college or university if you can’t spend the summer in Boston.

2) Take a workshop or a skill-building seminar

I have to confess, this is how I plan on spending the summer, so bear with me if I seem a little excited about it. Has there ever been that one design program you just wanted to learn to work with but could never figure out on your own? Perhaps you want to learn a bit of programming so you can design your own mobile apps? Maybe you’ve always fancied picking up a bit of casual glassblowing or ceramics? The summer is a great time to explore interests that might not net you any college credit, but could expand your capacities and knowledge as a person, and possibly even apply to your professional life. Personally, I plan on taking a two-day seminar at Massachusetts College of Art called InDesign in 2 Days, where I’ll learn to use the Adobe InDesign software to create brochures, mailings, and every other imaginable type of publication.

3) Do a Summer Internship

As perhaps the most illustrious and awe-inspiring summer occupation, the summer internship is sought after by many COM students every year. Let’s face it, summer internships are great. They offer an opportunity for you to work in the real world, getting professional experience and making contacts in your industry of choice. They may not always be paid, but the work experience and job prospects that come out of them are more than worth it. They can also give you a chance to get exposure to an industry that you may think is right for you, and figure out if that is true or not. All in all, as long as you make it very clear to your potential employer that you want to be doing real work and not just serving as a glorified barista, summer internships are one of the best ways to spend your school break.

4) Get a Job!

There’s nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned summer job! In this economy, having a little extra cash is a never a bad thing, and the summer provides a lucrative opportunity for enthusiastic students. Just make sure to start looking for summer jobs early. Late February or early March is usually about the right time.

If those can’t keep you occupied over the summer, then you require inhuman levels of entertainment. In that case, you might want to try volcano boarding, extreme trainsurfing, or mountain unicycling (Note: Boston University does not condone volcano boarding, trainsurfing, unicycling, or other insane and life-endangering sports. Participate at your own risk).

See you all next year! Enjoy the summer.

~Jon

Taylor: Professors, COM’s Greatest Resource

When forming my perception of a college professor before entry I pictured an archaic individual who found comfort in solely beckoning his or her hand towards a chalkboard. My childhood vision was, fogged and….WRONG. From the moment that I set foot into my first lecture on campus, which happened to be COM 101- taught by associate Dean Tammy Vigil- I immediately noticed how down to earth and personable the professors and faculty members at BU are.

Prior to entry, I would have never thought that an early morning lecture would be enjoyable but again college changes your perception. From watching and discussing short clips of animated films like Pixar’s “Up” to analyzing the marketing strategies embedded within pop culture shows like Modern Family the college classroom is the definition of engagement. These exampled encounters extend to the entirety of the BU community. For instance the history department sponsored a bus trip to view the Gilded Age mansions in Newport Rhode Island. I have tagged along with my friends assigned scavenger hunts within the Museum of Fine Arts and at historical sites. COm101

One bit of advice, GO TO OFFICE HOURS. At the beginning of every semester a syllabus is personally distributed, emailed, and posted online. On the top corner of those detailed course bibles are posted hours of teacher availability. VISIT. Trips to professor office hours create an increased opportunity for students to mold a better relationship with faculty as well as clear up questions of confusion. Teacher LOVE to see the presence of a student, it shows that you’ve taken the time to discuss the material even more depth. Every professor has office hours along with teaching assistants; BU is swarming with an abundance of resources and conversations.

Just the other day I attended a panel discussion about pop culture. This discussion was put together by all of the RA’s on the COM floors (see previous blog post for more info). The panel consisting of professors within COM offered a great conversation about the impact of pop culture to society, social media, and the media at large. The event was held later in the night, yet professors sacrificed their time and energy to be with students to share their passion for communication. The amount of commitment that I’ve noticed professors and faculty members uphold motivates as a student. I realize more and more, by the day, how this is truly one united Terrier Nation.

Taylor W.

Dany: Things to Look Forward To

First off, congratulations to all you new COM kiddies! I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet all of you next fall. I’ve been able to meet some of you already at our Open Houses and you are all so wonderful. I hope you’re as excited for next year as I am!

Wait what am I talking about? Of course you guys are excited. Why wouldn’t you be? You have so many fantastic things coming your way in the next few months. Prom, graduation (graduation presents!), parties, summertime, orientation, the list goes on and on. Believe me, once you come for orientation, you will never want to leave Boston. But here are some more things to look forward to once the year starts.

1. That amazing moment when you successfully do your laundry for the first time.

Now I know some of you probably do that already, but for me, this was one of the first “independent” obstacles I had to overcome. I had my mom write out on an index card the basic directions plus a few helpful tips so I wouldn’t ruin any particular items. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I finished and nothing was ten times smaller or ten times pinker than it should be.

2. The Friday after your first full week of school.

This is a different sort of accomplishment. There is always excitement that comes with the first day of school because everything is new. In college, this excitement is magnified. That first week will make you feel like you’ve been here forever. You’ll know your professors and classmates, and most importantly, the exact time it takes to get from your dorm/dining hall to your class. Minutes are not wasted here at BU, especially when those minutes mean more food in your stomach before a lecture!

3. Your first college all-nighter.
Self-explanatory.
(ProTip: Sugar. Lots and lots of sugar. Also, the buddy system.)

4. Spending an entire day sitting in the Warren dining hall because you are running out of meals and each swipe counts so you bring everything you have ever needed to work on for all eternity and leave your seat only to go to the bathroom in what I like to call the BU Hunger Games.

....No? Just me? Okay.

Anyway, I could go on forever with everything you guys are going to experience once you get here. These are just the basics, but there are so many awesome opportunities you’re going to have that you can’t even imagine! For example, this year alone I have held an Oscar that was awarded at this year’s Academy Awards, met the producer of Mad Men (she’s a COM alum!), interviewed Gym Class Heroes, and fulfilled my lifelong dream of filming the Friends theme song intro, couch and fountain and umbrellas and all (as most of you saw in our Open House video!)

I never imagined I would have the chance to do all those things, and I’m so excited for what the next few semesters have in store for me.

In short, I hope you guys are prepared to have the best four years of your life. Welcome to BU!

Kate: Recap- Accepted Students Open House

With admissions decisions out and May 1^st fast approaching, I am getting more and more excited to welcome the new class of 2016 to COM. I remember getting my acceptance letters and feeling the pressure to make that final decision. These past two weekends, the COM Ambassadors welcomed over 250 admitted high school seniors and their families to take a look at the school. They were able to hear from faculty, have lunch with current students, meet our amazing Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore, and take a tour of the COM building. For all of you who did attend, my hope is that you felt all of the energy we exude and it made you your upcoming decision a little easier. I was unfortunately not able to attend any Open Houses when making my decision and for those of you who are in my boat, I want to share with you three big take-aways that I think became a running theme of the past two Saturdays.

1. COM is here to help. But not to just hand you things. Between the Career Services office, the COM writing center, Student Services, and the COM Ambassadors, there are bunches of people who want to help you succeed. However, I think everyone can agree that you need to be a go-getter and take advantage of all of these people who are here for you. Ask questions, get advice, and use their expertise to make your many opportunities into realities.

2. Boston is a great city. There is no other way to put it. Whether you’re a local or coming to college in the fall will be your first time, Boston has something to offer you. It is an amazing place and with over a quarter of a million college kids, there is always something happening. Walk around, take the T, explore the this college city.

3. Get ready to be busy. I had a lot of parents ask me if the students they met at Open House were just the 1%, those who are really exceling and doing great things. And I was proud to say they aren’t. I used my roommate as an example—she is a full time student, an intern, a club water polo player, and a member of Greek Life and she wasn’t present at Open House. People who come to COM are passionate and want to get involved in everything. When you get on campus in the fall, get ready for a crazy four years.

I, and my fellow COM Ambassadors, had a fantastic time meeting with students these past two weeks and we hope that Open House helped you make your decision, whether it be BU or one of the other amazing school we know you were admitted to. As you make your final decision, please feel free to email me (katescott10@yahoo.com) with any last minute questions, concerns, or problems.

Steph: Academic Advising at COM

Hey you guys! I can’t believe this is my last blog of the semester. It feels like only yesterday that I was writing my first blog about all the great movie theaters in Boston…

Anyway, before I get all nostalgic and sentimental like I do, I’d like to talk about one of the best resources COM has: the academic advisors.

At COM Student Services, we have five incredible academic advisors for students to make appointments with throughout their four years at BU. You can meet with them about planning your schedule, planning your study abroad, or anything that relates to your academics at BU.

Last week I had my first advising appointment. With registration coming up this Sunday for rising sophomores, I thought it would be a good idea to check in and get some advice about what classes I should take. In my meeting with Ryan, one of our advisors, I learned that I have enough AP credits and foundation requirements to take two COM classes next semester (Intro to Advertising and Understanding TV), along with a really awesome higher-level history course (American Pop Culture), and I have the possibility of studying abroad, twice! (I’m thinking London and LA, but we’ll see what happens).

I never would have known about these possibilities if I hadn’t gone to meet with one of our advisors at COM. So when you’re on campus next year and just want some advice on what your path should be academically, don’t be afraid to come to Student Services and make an appointment. Our advisors—Ryan, Bryan, Katie, Bill, and Erik—really are the best. I would know. I work with them.

Congrats again to all the members of the class of 2016! It was so great to meet some of you last Saturday at Open House, and I can’t wait to meet more of you this Saturday! See all of you next year!

Alexa: Looking for a Place to Live?

So you’re going to Boston University? Congratulations! After I submitted my enrollment deposit I know the next thing on my mind was, where am I going to live and whom am I going to live with? Housing selection can be somewhat of a stressful process so it’s helpful to know a little bit about the perks of living in each housing offered.

West:

Cough. West is best. Cough. This year I lived in Rich Hall located in West Campus. Even though I knew COM would be on the other side of campus, I still had West as my first choice. I wanted to be able to go to class and then get away from the chaos, which is exactly what West lets me do. West is great because it’s located right next to Fit-Rec, Agannis Area, Nickerson Field and Case Gym. The dining hall is arguably the best at BU. The only downfall is it’s about a 15 minute walk to most classes, but there’s a free BU shuttle and two T stops at West so when the cold comes you don’t have to walk. Plus, exercise is great anyway!

Warren:

Warren is a great choice if you want to wake up ten minutes before class starts and make it on time. It’s mainly freshmen and each floor has a common room so it’s easy to bond with your floor. The dining hall is located on the fourth floor so there are some days where you will never have to leave the building if you don’t want to!

The Towers, Danielson, 575 Commonwealth Avenue

These are also places where freshmen typically stay and are a lot like West and Warren except for a little bit smaller. 575 Commonwealth Ave tends to have more triples and Danielson has bigger rooms. The great thing if you live here is that there will be a new student center in East Campus with a huge, amazing dining hall. Even though I’ll be living in West again I will definitely be coming to eat there when I can!

You’re probably thinking, ok I chose where to live, how do I choose whom to live with?

BU lets you request a roommate or you can also choose random. Personally, coming from California I didn’t know anyone coming to BU and didn’t want to rely on Facebook or Roomsurf to pair me up with a roommate (Although I know a lot of people who did and it’s great option!) I chose to have a random roommate and don’t regret it at all. I know on one end of the spectrum it could have been the worst or the best, but luckily it has worked out and we are rooming again together next year!

Overall, if housing comes around and you don’t get your first or second choice I promise you it’s not the end of the world (that’s December 21, 2012 ;)). You will make friends and have a great experience as long as you want to. BU is what you make it and housing is just one aspect of the BU experience.