COM Ambassador Blog

Will A: Guide to My Final Semester

GUIDE TO MY FINAL SEMESTER

This is my final (that’s right, FINAL) semester here at Boston University, and to be honest it is bittersweet. While I am sad to leave the place I called home for four years, I am also excited to begin life in the “real world!”

However, the real world is often stressful, especially in the field of communications where there is not quite a job cycle to follow. It can be incredibly stressful to watch students secure jobs after graduation when you are still searching for leads. That being said, I also think it’s incredibly important to manage that anxiety and try to enjoy the final stretch of college. Thus, I made a goals list to combat my fear of missing out on all the fun and hopefully relax while my job hunt begins! Here are some general ideas around which I’ve made my goals, and you can use them as guides for yourself, too 🙂

Career

This is the biggest stressor on my mind right now: will I have a job when I graduate? Well, we all hope that we have one, but hope needs to be turned into action. As graduation approaches, I am trying to manage my application process to avoid cramming by the end of the semester, and I would recommend you do the same! If you’re applying to a million jobs near the end of the semester, I can almost guarantee the applications will feel too overwhelming and monumental to complete. So create a spreadsheet, keep track of applications and start applying early!

Social Life

As important as it is to apply to jobs and look ahead to life outside of the school routine, it is also important to focus on the now. This is my final semester in my undergraduate career, and I want to savor every single moment that I can! Make plans with your roommates and friends while you still live a block away from each other. Go watch a BU hockey game and experience the chanting, loud and loveable student section right next to the band. Make reservations and explore the city of Boston while you are here, as I promise that the city has more to offer outside of Newbury Street (lol).

Self Care

Self care is the most important thing to focus on when things get stressful, yet it is often (at least for me) the most neglected. If you are anything like myself, you tend to cram as much into your schedule as possible. While I did do this in prior semesters, I plan on taking a break from some activities to focus on myself. Making myself quality food, watching YouTube videos and exercising when I can are major ways that I try to relax. I even signed up for a rock climbing course in FitRec to destress once a week. Find activities that bring you peace and try to include some of them in your weekly routine. You will feel less stressed, I promise 🙂

Anika B: How to Feed Yourself in College Without a Dining Plan

It's Called ~Adulting~

Coming back to college after a year at home, I was nervous to go from having guaranteed home cooked meals everyday to needing to plan my own meals, keep track of ingredients, buy groceries, and, of course, cook. The last time I had been on campus — my freshman year — I had a dining plan and ate most of my meals at Bay State Dining Hall.

Coming back as a junior without a dining plan, I was sure that after a week of trying to cook, I’d be eating instant ramen every day. But here we are, in November, and I am pleasantly surprised with how I’ve been able to pretty consistently make myself food that I enjoy.

Tip 1: Learn basic recipes that you can apply to many different ingredients

This, like most (okay, all) of my cooking knowledge, comes straight from my mom. In my last couple of months at home, I practiced making recipes with her that I’d grown up eating my whole life. The most surprising—and reassuring—thing I learned was that if I could master one recipe, I could almost automatically master two or three others at the same time!

For example, the recipes for the two types of beans pictured below (garbanzo beans and kidney beans) are actually exactly the same! They both contain chopped onions, potatoes, and tomatoes along with all the same spices — the only difference is which beans I added.

This method is a super easy way to mix up your meals without having to learn too many different recipes.

Tip 2: Know what kitchen items you absolutely need stocked

As you learn more recipes and get in the groove of cooking for yourself, you’ll start recognizing which ingredients you use the most consistently and which run out the fastest. These will differ for everyone depending on what type of food you tend to cook, but for me, I’ve noticed that I use olive oil, garlic, and a variety of spices in almost every recipe I make.

For large items, like olive oil, my roommates and I have one big bottle that we share. If everyone in your apartment agrees to it, sharing some big items (either splitting cost or repurchasing on a rotating basis) can help you keep your kitchen free of clutter. And, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of whose is whose if everyone is using the same thing!

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Tip 3: Make last night’s leftovers today’s lunch

I always make at least two servings of food for myself when I cook, sometimes even more if I know my next day or two are super busy. Having a shared refrigerator with limited space makes it impractical to meal prep too many items, so I try to be smart about how I can use the same leftovers in combination with a few distinct ingredients to make different second-day meals.

For example, one way I repurposed the kidney beans (pictured under Tip #1) was to eat them with rice and other vegetables the next day. This way, you’re still getting some variety in your meals, but you don’t have to go through all the effort of cooking an entire new meal each time.

I recommend getting a few light tupperware you can take with you to campus for the day if you won’t be home for lunch, but still want to eat your cooked food instead of spending money. You don’t need anything fancy or even a lunchbox -- I usually put my tupperwares in a plastic bag (in case of spills) that I slip into my backpack, or if I’m bringing a sandwich, I just wrap it in plastic and tin foil and I am good to go! (If you can find more eco-friendly alternatives, that is even better!)

Learning to cook for yourself can be daunting at first, and there is definitely a learning curve that comes with it. The best advice I have is to practice, practice, practice. If you can, ask someone (parents, other family members, older siblings, friends, etc.) to write down recipes for you that you can follow along with as you are learning. It may seem like overkill, but it really helps mitigate the stress of all the multitasking you’ll inevitably do in the kitchen.
Lastly, know that you can do it! No matter how much I practiced at home, I didn’t feel confident in my ability to cook at all until I actually got to school and was fully responsible for my own diet. It may seem like you’re diving off the deep end, but you are probably better equipped to handle it than you think!

Joe P: Upcoming BU Games You Should Mark on Your Calendar

You Won't Want to Miss These Upcoming BU Games

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, it’s hard not to get excited about the fast-approaching holiday season. Before diving headfirst into the festivities, there are a handful of exciting BU sporting events coming up that warrant the strongest possible showing from the Dog Pound.

Hockey season is in full swing already, with high-profile matchups coming soon, while basketball is starting this month. Without further ado, here are four can’t-miss matchups in Terrier athletics:

Women’s Basketball: Nov. 9 vs UMass Lowell (6pm)

First is the women’s basketball home opener against the River Hawks. Although it’s a non-conference matchup, it will be the start of a new era. It will be Head Coach Melissa Graves’ first game at the helm of the program after the previous coach, Marisa Moseley, departed for the University of Wisconsin.

While First Team All-Patriot League guard Katie Nelson, who led the team in points and assists per game last year, joined Moseley at Wisconsin, the rest of the top 10 scorers on the team are returning.

Junior guard Sydney Johnson was second on the team with 11.9 points per game and led the team with 1.8 steals per game. Senior forward Riley Childs also returns after leading the team with 8.0 rebounds per game.

Last year’s team fell just short of a Patriot League championship, and with a similar roster, the Nov. 9 opener will give you a chance to witness the start of what could be a special season.

Men’s Hockey: Nov. 12 vs. UMass (7:30pm)

There are numerous good matchups coming up at Agganis Arena this month, including the first matchup against Northeastern since Mar. 2020, but the one highlighted here is a home date against the reigning national champions.

The Minutemen again look like one of the top teams in Hockey East, and while BU is hovering around .500 so far this year, the Terriers swept UMass in a two-game weekend series last year.

Junior forward Wilmer Skoog leads the team in goals (4) and points (7), while junior defenseman Domenick Fensore leads the team with five assists. Sophomore goaltender Drew Commesso is 3-3-0 on the year with a .901 save percentage and a 3.27 goals-against average.

When the puck drops against the reigning champs, it will be a must-watch.

Men’s Basketball: Nov. 16 @ Northeastern (7pm)

The men’s basketball team opens their season at URI before hosting Division III Gordon College, but if you’re willing to trek into enemy territory, the Terriers will travel to Matthews Arena to face Northeastern.

Despite it being a non-conference matchup, tensions always run high between the two Boston schools. The Terriers have lofty expectations this season, and the early test against Northeastern will require some help from the stands.

The Terriers are led by Preseason Patriot League Player of the Year Javante McCoy. The senior guard led the Terriers in scoring and assisting with 16.1 points and 2.2 assists per game last season.

Like the women’s team, the men retained most of their roster from last season and should be among the top teams in the Patriot League this season.

Women’s Hockey: Nov. 21 vs. BC (3pm)

We couldn’t get through a list like this without including the Battle of Comm Ave.

The Terriers will play the Eagles for the first time this season just days before Thanksgiving at Walter Brown Arena in a Sunday matinee.

Regardless of where each team stands, BU vs. BC promises to be hotly contested any time the two sides face-off.

This year, senior forward Courtney Correia leads the team in scoring with [points], and senior goaltender Kate Stuart is leading the charge in the net with a .926 save percentage and 2.16 goals-against average.

Whether you can make it to all four of these games or just one, make sure you don’t miss out on some of the best games BU has to offer this month.

Sophie J: What You Should Do Now That Midterms Are Over

How to stay on track before finals

It’s finally past the midpoint of the first semester! Midterms happened the last couple of weeks, but there are still so many assignments and probably ANOTHER midterm coming up next month!

With so many upcoming assignments and exams, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind!

Make a planner! It’s great to keep a planner with you everywhere you go! With a planner, you are able to write down the assignment and tasks you have to complete by a certain time. There is also usually a calendar in the planners, and it is great to write down your future plans to think and prepare ahead of time. In case you forget anything, your planner is a good resource to look at for a refresher or reminder. Planners also help you stay organized with what you need to do for the day or complete beforehand. You never know what might come up!
Find your Study Space! Sometimes where you are studying might be a distraction. When you're in your dorm, your bed seems tempting and since you are with your electronic device, it is alluring to use it and forget about the time. Personally, I like to work outside such as the library at BU. The Mugar Library has multiple floors and is a great location to study in your own personalized desk. There are plenty of library spaces to work at and those are great places to complete your assignment and study for exams in a concentrated area.
Go to office hours! If you need aid or elaboration on a problem you are having, attend office hours! Professors are available during their office hours and are happy to answer any questions you have. These times are great to ask away your questions and get them answered before your hand in your assignment or take your exam!
Don’t Procrastinate! This might sound cliche since most people know about this, but really don’t procrastinate. If you cram everything into one night, you might regret it and the outcome might not turn out the way you hoped it would. It’s better to plan out everything beforehand and split the assignment up so that you can have more time to carefully do each section every day. Trust me, procrastination is sometimes not worth it! Sleeping is the best!

Leah H: Favorite Coffee Shops Around BU

For your next study Session

Whether you go for hot or iced, one of these cafes will have everything you’re looking for in a coffee shop and study spot! Plus, great food too? Make sure to stop by one of these adorable places to get your caffeine fix.

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Pavement

Location: 736 Commonwealth Ave
Go-to order: iced almond milk latte with simple syrup and a rosemary salt bagel with plain cream cheese

Pavement is a BU classic. It’s always packed in between class sessions and on the weekends, but sometimes it’s hard to find a spot to sit down and enjoy your food. The coffee is one of my favorites and is always great quality. As a New Jersey native, I’m picky about my bagels and have found Pavement’s to be some of the best in the area. Pro tip: order on the app if you’re in a rush… that line can be a killer!

Cafe Landwer

Location: 900 Beacon Street
Go-to order: iced almond milk latte with simple syrup and an almond croissant

Cafe Landwer, just known as Landwer by my friends, is the perfect place to sit down and study for hours (we would go there multiple times a week last year). You can reserve a table which is especially helpful during the lunch and dinner rushes. Also, the scannable menu and online payment system mean no extra human interaction is needed if you’re on the study grind. Landwer offers a lot of Mediterranean-inspired dishes if you’re looking to expand your palate, and the coffee and pastries are some of my favorite in the area.

Tatte

Location: 1003 Beacon Street
Go-to order: iced almond milk latte with simple syrup (can you tell I like these?) and a pastry (depends on the day!)

Another campus favorite is Tatte, an Israeli-French bakery and cafe. Tatte has the best selection of pastries and baked goods, like morning buns and chocolate mousse cakes. Their coffee is top-notch but is a little bit on the pricier side. The multiple locations around Boston mean you’ll get the same great things no matter where you go, but I typically go to the Fenway or Brookline cafes. The aesthetic inside is also PERFECT for those morning brunch dates.

Phinista

Location: 96 Peterborough Street
Go-to order: Phin Sữa Dừa (vegan Vietnamese coffee latte) and a crepe

If you’re out adventuring in Fenway, stop by Phinista, a Vietnamese crepe cafe! All of the baristas are so friendly and the decor inside is adorable. Phinista’s coffees are strong and rich if you’re in the mood for some quality caffeination. The location is about a 15-minute walk from campus if you need a little break from the bustling Comm Ave. It’s a great little spot to grab a coffee and go, sit down and study, or catch up with friends! Also, who doesn’t love a good crepe for breakfast?

Colbi E: The Disney Channel Halloween Episodes You Have to Watch this Year

China Anne Mclain singing Calling All the Monsters … need WE say more?

We have officially arrived at my favorite time of year. Fall is here — leaves are turning, the air is crisp and it’s (kind of) socially acceptable for me to solely order pumpkin spice lattes every time I get coffee.

The best part of October is undoubtedly Halloween and all the festivities it brings. So, happy spooky season to all who celebrate. As a child, a key part of my Halloween season was watching Disney Channel movies: Halloween Town, Twitches, Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire, Hocus Pocus, The Haunted Mansion — must I go on?

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But, a highly underrated aspect of Disney’s Halloween content is the specific Halloween episodes for each Disney Channel show. I’m not a certified Disney adult, but I certainly know my stuff. Here are my Top 5 Disney Channel show Halloween episodes

That’s So Raven — Season 2 Episode 2: Don’t Have A Cow

As a That’s So Raven fan, I think this show is highly underrated, including its Halloween episode. Chelsea and Raven turn into cows after botching a spell, and they have to figure out how to turn themselves back to humans. I love that they were able to incorporate a bit of magic into this Halloween episode, which already aligns well with the main storyline. This is a great, goofy watch.

Jessie — Season 2 Episode 1: The Whining

Will I get some complaints about including Jessie over Wizards of Waverly Place? Probably. But, hear me out: the Jessie Halloween episode has a better plot line and title (the Wizards episode is literally named “Halloween”). The kids think Jessie has turned on them and is trying to kill them. In reality, Jessie is just tired and stressed from trying to get her manuscript to a magazine owner at a Halloween party, and she wanted the kids to be in bed before she left for the party — see, that’s funny.

Good Luck Charlie — Season 2 Episode 25: Scary Had a Little Lamb

Good Luck Charlie always did holiday episodes well, and Halloween was no different. The costumes — notably Bob Duncan’s blonde wig — the decor, the plotline, everything! It’s a 10/10, and it gets bonus points for its Mrs. Dabney feature.

A.N.T. Farm — Season 1 Episode 14: mutANT farm

China Anne Mclain singing Calling All the Monsters … need I say more?

The Suite Life of Zack & Cody — Season 1 Episode 19: Ghost of 613

There is no question of whether or not this episode of Suite Life deserves the top spot. The crew gets stuck in an infamously haunted room, and they try to speak to a ghost. Esteban has a notably spectacular performance. The effects, the eerie music, the wonderful scriptwriting, the acting — it WAS the moment and still is.

Harper W: Fall Must Do’s While at BostonU

FALL-ing for these Autumn Activities

As a Senior and California native, fall definitely has amazing festivities that you must do at least once while living in New England.

Screen Shot 2021-09-28 at 8.41.46 PM — me apple picking lol

Apple picking

This one might be obvious and I promise the fresh produce will be a nice addition to your dining plan. Apple picking my freshman year made me 1. Understand how little variety of apples California has and 2. How amazing the smell of apple orchards is.

Grab a group of friends or find a school-sponsored trip and make your way out to a local orchard. It can be a nice break from the city and a fun day trip.

Dog show at Faneuil hall

Every year around Halloween there is a dog costume event in Faneuil hall. It is fun to go downtown and see some puppies. I know I miss my pets a lot at school so seeing all the furry friends looking cute is nice before thanksgiving break.

Pumpkin drop

Multiple universities around Boston and Cambridge have done a pumpkin drop event in the past in October. Students and whoever else was a part of planning the event will drop pumpkins (sometimes in sync with music) from really high buildings on their campus.

Sounds simple, but is rather pleasing to watch.

Apple cider + Cider donuts

If you can’t make it to an orchard, try to find some hot apple cider and cider donuts and have a little picnic in the park! Your tastebuds will thank you and you’ll find yourself craving these two treats all year round.

They are also nice to accompany you on a stroll as the leaves change along the esplanade.

Leaves changing

Walking around campus might feel like enough sightseeing after a day full of classes, but I promise it isn’t! Try and find time at the beginning of fall to check out Boston neighborhoods and parks as the leaves begin to change color.

It might spike your allergies, but it isn’t anything Zyrtec can't fix.

I know as a freshman juggling all the firsts of college can be overwhelming, but try reminding yourself half of college is immersing yourself in where you are living. Living in New England for the past 4 years has been both very cold but also very colorful. I hope you give yourself the chance to see it for yourself.

Nick M: A Definitive Ranking of the BU Dining Halls

The Dining Halls: Ranked By A SENIOR WHo LOVES Food & Lacks a Dining Plan.

As a senior, and I guess technically almost an adult, I often find myself longing for the availability and structure of having a dining plan, and access to a dining hall. However, not all dining halls are created equal. BU has four open dining halls at the moment, so here is my ranking of the four open dining halls on BU’s campus. dan-gold-4_jhDO54BYg-unsplash

Coming in LAST PLACE is the “Fresh Food Co. at West Campus.” To be completely honest, this is probably my least favorite because I’ve eaten here the least; I’ve never lived in/near West. That being said, I don’t think I’ve had a memorable meal here either. Perhaps a pasta carbonara here or a slice of pizza there, but nothing that sets it apart from other dining halls.

In third, we have Fresh Fuel at Granby Commons – commonly referred to as Hillel. Granby offers lots of Vegan and Kosher options, and they’re always fresh and delicious. I so enjoyed their vegan pizza that my group of friends named a group chat “Vegan Cheese.” On top of the fresh food, you get an excellent view of the Charles river and a less travelled dining hall for a more quiet and intimate meal.

Marciano Commons, also known as Baystate Dining Hall, has without a doubt the most pleasant atmosphere of any of the dining hall’s on campus. Wide open spaces with plenty of natural light make eating here feel relaxing and rejuvenating. My favorite food from Baystate was always the fresh fried cod sandwich. It was always deliciously crunchy and the tartar sauce was perfect.

This may stir some controversy, but I really like Warren Dining. There’s certainly some nostalgia leftover from living seven floors above it freshman year, but the mainly I enjoyed many meals there. From build-your-own mac n’ cheese and burger stations, to larb and tofu bahn mi’s from the “Asian Wok Station” I’ve usually left Warren feeling satiated. It’s also incredibly convenient: next door to the COM building and CAS and literally underneath the second largest non-military dorm in the country. Warren is my winner.

Steven G: If I’d Only Known…

Things I Wish I Knew As a First Year

It’s officially my Senior year at BU (AHHHHH), so I’m hoping that with one of my last COM Blogs I can impart some wisdom to the Class of 2025. I’m not the wisest admittedly, but I do know a thing or two about a thing or two, so here’s what I wish I knew as a first-year.

Baby Steve — Here I am my first week at BU, awe baby Steve <3

1. It Goes By Fast...Too Fast!

Right now it may feel like you’re going to be in college forever, but it goes by much sooner than you think. Throw in a global pandemic and that time goes by even faster. Don’t take this time for granted. Put yourself out there, join lots of clubs, and make lots of friends. I did, and it made my college experience all the better.

2. Escape the BU Bubble

BU’s campus is great, but one of the biggest resources we have as students is the City of Boston. Explore the city. There’s so many museums to visit, small businesses to support, and new places to discover. Make sure to pick up a Charlie Card and get out there!

3. The COM Rat Race Isn’t Everything

COM is full of talented students, and sometimes it can feel like you need to constantly be working, applying to internships, and doing your best to be successful. I’m here to tell you that that’s not the case. Yes, you should still be doing all that—but it’s not everything. It’s equally important to take time for yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and get enough sleep!!!

4. You Belong

When I first came to BU, I was dealing with some serious imposter syndrome. Even though I was doing well in classes, I felt like a fraud, and that I didn’t actually deserve my accomplishments. I’m here to tell you that you do deserve the opportunities you discover in COM, and you belong here.

So there you have it! I hope some of this advice helps you as you progress through your first semester. Cheers to your first year at BU, and good luck!

Mia P: Advice for this Year’s Sophomores

College Advice for Sophomores

So, BU is back! It’s so exciting to see campus so lively, but it’s obviously super different from last year –– especially for sophomores. We experienced our first year of college in a way unlike any other, and now that we’re all back, things are SO different.

In a way, we — sophomores — are second-year freshmen. Everything is so new to us! Some of us weren’t even on campus last year, making this year such and new and impactful experience for all of us.

As a sophomore myself, the past few weeks have been exciting, crazy, intimidating, and stressful at the same time. So, here is my advice for us sophomores who are having a very unique start to our college experience.

yassine-khalfalli-L4qEWaF91pY-unsplash 1. It’s not too late to make friends.

Something that I was scared of is that people would have set friends groups from last year already. But, what I’ve realized is that SO many people are new to campus. And if they aren’t so many people have been willing to meet more people!

I’ve tried to make more friends in my classes (which are now in person!). Try reaching out to the person sitting next to you in class, or maybe someone that you’re sitting with in the dining hall. If you still might be having trouble making friends, join some clubs or student organizations! This brings me to my next point…

2. Take advantage of clubs and organizations!

Even though Splash has already happened, so many clubs and students groups have yet to hold their first meetings. If you weren’t able to join a certain club at Splash, try to find their Instagram or email to inquire about joining!

3. Boston is back! Explore!

It’s easy to think that you’ve experienced all of Boston already, but that is so far from true! Boston is so much more lively, and there is SO much to do. Make sure to check out the Boston Public Library, baseball games at Fenway Park, and concerts happening all around town.

Last year was unlike any other, but this year will be unlike any other as well! This is such a unique experience for us sophomores, and it’s so important to remember that although last year may not have been the year we expected or wanted, this year will be SO exciting and fun.