George L: Advice for Incoming First-Year Students, From a First-Year Student

Throughout my first year at Boston University, I realized how many opportunities BU offers for first year students to get hands-on experience right from the start. 

As a student pursuing a Dual Degree in Journalism and Political Science, I have seen how the College of Communication (COM)’s curriculum structure gives students the chance to preview the various fields of communications, including journalism, media science, advertising, public relations, and film and television. The introductory COM 101 class I took last semester gave me a brief preview of these fields and incorporated guest lectures from professionals of different industries. Alongside gaining exposure to the different career paths that a degree in communications offers, many of my classes that are part of the journalism curriculum carry BU Hub Credits. As a first-year student, I’m able to take classes that are directly related to my field of study that also encompass various skills that also apply to different professions. 

Alongside my classes, I’ve also had the chance to join different extracurriculars. I’ve had the opportunity to write for The Daily Free Press, create packages for Good Morning BU, and most recently begin writing and filming broadcast clips for The Wire. Even as a first-year student, I’ve had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in journalism and broadcasting even though I am currently still taking introductory journalism classes. 

Whether it be through the curriculum or extracurriculars, BU offers first year students so many opportunities to gain exposure to their field of interest. As advice to incoming first year students at BU, I would say don’t be afraid to get involved in extracurriculars. BU has a great community of students that are passionate about their work and are great resources to help learn and engage more with your field of interest. Even in COM, I’ve met so many people across majors who are willing to help others out and pass on advice from their experience at BU, so don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to your peers!

Kerlin C: Advice for First-Generation Students

As a first-generation latina student, I would like to share with you a little bit about my journey thus far. 

I want to start off by saying that I am so proud of you and how far you have come! Applying to college is not easy, especially when you are the first in your family to begin this journey. I am proud of you for not giving up even when doubt embraced your mind and made you wonder if you were making the right decision. Or when there were times that you felt alone and did not know who to turn to to ask for help. Despite every doubt, every fear, you made the decision to keep going and are closer to achieving your dream. And to many of us, this dream is not just for ourselves but for our families as well. 

 

I know many feelings may be encountered at the beginning of this journey and I ask that you take into account every single one of them. If I were to tell you that everything would get easier from here on, I would be lying. It does not get any less challenging but now you have so many resources available to you. Take every opportunity that presents itself and be grateful for the opportunities you are given. 

 

My first semester was hard. As I arrived on campus, everything felt surreal. I thought I wouldn’t miss home and felt like I was ready to conquer the world. I was wrong. I missed home, my family, and felt like I had no one to turn to to ask for help and worst of all I felt very lonely and like an imposter. It was hard trying not to compare myself to others. To this day I am still learning and growing. I am not sharing this to discourage you but to be honest and open. If things are not how you imagine them to be, that is ok. Good things take time and if something is meant for you, no matter how long it takes, it will get to you one way or another. 

You are capable of creating and achieving your dreams. What you get out of this life is the work you put into every little thing you do. You are creating and working for a life that will be your future. If there is something I would like you all to take away from this is to not take time for granted, to never limit yourself and that it is ok to ask for help. For the longest time, I was determined and stubborn that I did not need anyone's help. But I did need someone to guide me and go to to ask questions. It is ok to ask for help but in order to receive this help you have to allow yourself to receive it. A whole community awaits you here at BU!

 Please don’t hesitate to reach out khcampos@bu.edu.

Elaina F: Things to Do in Boston

Throughout the semester, I often find myself wanting to take a break from school and get off campus to explore the amazing city of Boston with my friends. As a college kid with limited money, I like to save money where I can, so here are some fun things to do that are free or have discounted prices. 

Free Things

BU students have free access to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum located by the Back Bay Fens near Fenway Park. All you have to do is show your student ID. It’s about 30 minutes from central campus on foot or about 20 minutes on public transportation. 

Places that are free to the public I would recommend visiting are the Boston Public Library, the Boston Public Garden, and the Boston Common. The Boston Common and Boston Public Garden are public parks located right next to each other near the downtown area of Boston, and they’re great places to hang out with your friends, do homework, or read a book when the weather is nice. It takes about 40-45 minutes of walking or about 15 minutes on public transportation from central campus. The Boston Public Library is a cool place to visit because of its beautiful architecture. One side of the building is more historic and museum-esque while the other side is more contemporary, like a typical public library with a cute café as well. In the center, there is a scenic courtyard, which is another great study spot. 

While I have never visited the New England Aquarium, I have heard you and four others can get free admission if you register for a pass on the Boston Public Library’s website using your library card. You can get a library card for the BPL by going in person and showing your ID and proof that you live in Boston (such as your BU housing agreement page). The New England Aquarium is located near the Waterfront and takes about 30 minutes on public transportation from central campus. 

Discounted Things

You can get a student discount on AMC Theatre movie tickets for $14, and there’s an AMC Theatre right outside the Boston Common. Full-time BU students can get discounted $12 tickets for theatrical productions such as The Addams Family at the Wheelock Family Theatre, which is located about 18 minutes away on foot from central campus. 

Students can get $9 Red Sox tickets the day of a game about 5 hours in advance. Students can get these offers by signing up for email/text alerts on the Red Sox website. Additionally, students can get $30 rush tickets at the Boston Ballet, which are up for purchase 2 hours before a performance. The Opera House is located in the Theatre District about 20 minutes from central campus on public transportation. 

College students can purchase a $30 Boston Symphony Orchestra College Card, which allows students to attend BSO performances at no further costs after the initial card purchase. The BSO Hall is located about 30 minutes from campus on foot and about 20 minutes on public transportation from central campus.

Emily W: Arts at BU and the Boston Theatre Scene

Growing up right outside New York City, I became obsessed with theatre. I’m not sure when I got bit by the bug: whether it was when my parents took me to see my first Broadway show, when I became obsessed with “Wicked,” or when I auditioned for my first musical in freshman year of high school. 

Regardless, at some point I started buying into the old saying that when you’re inside a theatre, everyone’s heart beats in rhythm. A huge part of the reason I chose BU over other schools was because of the strong presence of the arts on campus — and in the city. I wanted to be somewhere where I could keep the arts as a part of my life. 

My second semester, I got involved with BU on Broadway as part of the lighting team on “Heathers: The Musical.” I met two of my dearest friends in the process — they keep me grounded and remind me what’s really important. 

From that point on, I made an effort to get more involved with the Boston theatre scene. BU has four main theatre groups: BU on Broadway, which focuses mainly on musicals, Stage Troupe, which puts up straight plays and musicals, Wandering Minds, which produces indie straight play works, and Shakespeare Society, which I hope is self explanatory. 

Right on West Campus is the Boston Playwrights’ theatre. The theatre produces lots of new indie works each season, and student tickets run as low as $10. The school of theatre’s productions, which often run at The Booth, are consistently impressive as well. 

There are also loads of national tours that come through Boston, and professional theatres like Moonbox Productions in Cambridge. Lots of my friends caught “Six” at the Emerson Colonial downtown; I saw “Into the Woods” on press night for The Daily Free Press. 

My point being: if you want to get involved in the theater scene in Boston, it will welcome you with open arms, and even if you didn’t grow up a Broadway baby, it’s a great way to get out into the city and involved on campus in a really strong community.

Ellie S: Giving Back at BU

When I first came to Boston University I found it hard to find an outlet to give back to the community. I was lucky enough to be a part of FYSOP my first semester. FYSOP is the first-year student outreach program. It’s a great opportunity to find different organizations around campus that strive to help different aspects of the community. I also found that FYSOP helped me and other first-years learn more about Boston and integrate with the city. When I was in FYSOP I was part of the food justice initiative. Food justice was interesting because it was one of the programs that had the most physical labor. I cooked food in a kitchen, worked on a farm, and managed a food pantry in Cambridge. It was all a lot of fun and I made a lot of friends through this program. It also got me back into finding opportunities to give back to the community, because the best part of FYSOP was the warm feeling you get when you help others.

I am currently a member of LIME. LIME or Learn, Inspire, Mento, & Empower is a student-run organization at Boston University. This is one of BU’s many mentoring programs. In LIME I mentor a local high school girl. What I like about mentoring is it allows me to look at my past and analyze what I should have done differently in high school. But it also allows me to move forward and help someone younger learn from my mistakes. The best part of LIME and mentoring is similar to what made FYSOP so special. It provides me with a great opportunity to give back. There are many ways to give back at BU these are just a few examples, but the community is a core value at Boston University.

Irene J: Double Major! My Journey Through COM’s Rich Academic Landscape

As I approach my final semester at BU, I'm struck by how swiftly the time has passed. Soon, I'll don the regalia and mark the culmination of an incredible journey. Yet, this semester, I made another significant decision for my academic career—I chose to double major within the College of Communication (COM), transitioning my minor in Film and TV into a double major alongside Media Science.

Why this eleventh-hour shift, you might wonder? I'm eager to share the unique opportunities available at COM and illustrate my journey, hoping to inspire and guide future students passionate about deepening their academic exploration.

My studies have always been driven by a fascination with the intersection of the entertainment industry—particularly film—and the transformative role of media and consumer experience. Media Science laid the foundational understanding of media strategy and the creative aspects of branding. Over time, I broadened my scope to include insights into the film industry and its business dynamics, enriching my upper-classman years' learning experience.

However, as my undergraduate path neared its end, I felt a lingering sense of incompletion—a feeling that I hadn't fully pursued my interests. This realization propelled me to delve deeper into the film, exploring its persuasive power and impact on audiences.

Embarking on this path so late in my undergraduate career might seem daunting but thrilling at the same time. It's a reminder that the pursuit of passion knows no timetable and that it's the fervor and dedication we bring to our endeavors that define our academic and professional journeys.

I share this story not just as a personal narrative but as an invitation to future students of COM! To those who stand where I once did, teetering on the edge of decision, I say: Dive deep into your passions. The journey may be fraught with challenges, but it is also replete with unparalleled opportunities for growth, discovery, and fulfillment.

Emily F: My Favorite Springtime Activities in Boston

As spring semester is starting, I find myself excited for the warmer weather. Some of my favorite activities to do in Boston are somewhat dependent on the nice weather, so I’m waiting until I am finally able to spend more time outside, and not be rushing down the street in the cold temperatures. I figured that I would write about some of these activities and share them with you! 

The Esplanade 

First off, the Esplanade- the path that runs along the Charles River, where people can be found walking, biking, or just enjoying the weather. It’s one of my favorite places when the weather is nice, and I enjoy just walking down it, listening to music or an audiobook, or walking and chatting with my friends. If you want to do something more active, you can always rent a Blue Bike and go for a bike ride down the Esplanade. It does cost money to rent, but it can be a fun way to spend some time with your friends. My friend and I rented the bikes for 30 minutes and we’re able to bike from campus down to the North End. 

The Public Gardens 

One of my favorite days from last semester was when my friends and I went to the Boston Public Gardens and spent some time reading and relaxing. It was during reading period last spring, and I needed to get out of my dorm and away from studying. My friends and I had spent the past few days studying and preparing for group projects, and we all needed to take a break. So, we made our way to the Public Gardens. We stopped at the Dunkin nearby, laid out our blanket, and all started reading. We stayed in that spot for a while, just enjoying the weather, reading, and catching up. 

Exploring the City 

Last year, my class got canceled on a Friday, and I had absolutely nothing to do. I had no assignments due to catch up on, and no club meetings to plan for. Normally, I would’ve taken this day to spend some time reading and catching up on sleep, but since it was a beautiful day out, I knew I wanted to spend some time outside. So, I took my camera, and made my way down to the North End. I spent my day looking at the city through my camera lens. I got a ton of great pictures that day, in the Boston Common, the Public Gardens, the North End, and the Boston Harbour area. I was able to take pictures for fun, and not worry about them being perfect for a class project, and for me, it was the perfect way to spend the day. 

These were some of my favorite experiences in Boston, and the best part is that they didn’t require any planning, and weren’t too expensive to achieve. It allowed me to spend some ‘quiet time’ in the city, which I think really emphasized the beauty of Boston.

Sara H: Reasons why everyone should join AdLab or at least think about it!

1. Real-world experience and clients

You get to work with real clients and operate as a real ad agency to gain experience. Some clients that AdLab has worked with are Chobani, Asics, Celebrity Cruises, Bose Automotive, and even some great Boston-based ad agencies like Comm and Hill Holiday. The work we do for clients is real and it is so rewarding to see it all come to life during our presentations and when the client implements the work.  

2. Great teamwork and friendships

AdLab is a student-run ad agency and is the largest in the entire country. There are still faculty advisors always there to help but the students is what makes AdLab special! Our VPs and Directors work together to help produce the best possible work for the client to see and make sure our students are learning and are putting their best foot forward. The teams you form in AdLab will be people you work with all semester and some will even become your close friends because everyone is there to learn, work hard, and have fun!

3. Work on advertising skills 

There is a spot for everyone in AdLab whether you are a creative, a strategist, someone who likes to be organized, or someone who likes to talk to people! Our teams are made up of students with all different backgrounds in life and in advertising and it allows us to all learn from each other. As someone who is on AdLab Eboard right now and has been a strategist in AdLab in previous semesters, I can say it has been one of the best learning experiences I have gotten to be a part of. I have gained so many skills and improved on others as well. 

I hope you enjoyed my ode to AdLab and decide to join!

Daisy L: An Ode to COM Clubs

Everyone experiences imposter syndrome here at BU. This is an amazing school with incredibly motivated students from all over the world, and it’s easy to feel less than a lot of the community. However, one really strong asset that being in COM provides you are the really COM-specific extracurricular opportunities at your disposal. 

It’s easy to question your major, especially after COM 101 — which tells you all about each one, making you wonder if the choice you made on your Common App eight months ago really says who you are. Something that made me realize Journalism was for me was joining the journalism-focused clubs on campus, and all of which taught me real-world applications and networking. 

I know that for me, I needed to realize what form of journalism I was best at, and within that, where I should focus my time. After hopping around clubs like The Daily Free Press, WTBU, and BUTV10, I found what to spend most of my time in. Without these clubs, I never would have pictured myself on a specific career path after just one year at BU. 

Communications can seem broad, but COM extracurriculars can narrow everything down for you in a way that isn’t limiting but directional. It’s hard to come home from Thanksgiving having to talk about your major with your family, and not have taken a major-specific class yet. It’s equally as hard to make friends in your major in a giant lecture hall with every freshman in your undergraduate college. 

Not only are COM clubs the best place to grow your resume, but they’re also the most fun and productive way to spend time after class. These clubs reassure you that you’re in the right place as a COM student, and make you sure this is where you want to see your life going. I cannot recommend the COM club fair — or just Splash — enough to find your passion. I really don’t know where I’d be without that experience.

Karolina B-M: Karolina’s First-Gen Guide

I am a first-generation Latina student from the south side of Chicago and as a junior now I finally feel like I got the hang of things. If you are a first-generation Latino you can agree that the first semester is probably going to be the hardest emotionally; as it was for me being away from home and navigating university. But as time has gone by I’ve learned to adapt and how to show up for myself and my family every day and here are some solid tips I can give to help adjust to this process. My mom loves to say “todo es un proceso” and she’s a hundred percent correct, everything is a process and you will come out on top! 

Document your emotions, growth, wins, and losses 

You will never be an undergrad in a new city or school again in your life! Document precious memories of the mundane that won’t be mundane in five years. Journaling has helped me just let out my emotions that have been bottled up. I love also making monthly goals because if I write them down I feel more compelled to come back to them and make progress on what I said I would do. 

No te olvides de donde vienes 

Don’t forget about where you come from means to me that you are grateful for where you started growing to be where you are today. I was one of the few people from my primarily hispanic and black high school that went out of state for school and I do wish that my community was able to receive the same opportunities I am being provided. I show up not just for myself but for all my friends and family who couldn’t receive higher education. 

Do not compare yourself 

It's hard to do this, especially in such a competitive culture we’re put in, but I watched a TikTok that put it in a great metaphor that I always think about. When you play Mario Kart and you’re in 1st place you may focus on the side view that lets you know where everyone is and if they are catching up it takes away focus from your driving on the road and obstacles. Your focus on others is a huge disadvantage to your game aka your life and achievements. Especially when everyone comes from very different backgrounds and may have had a better starting point than you. Just try your best to do what's best for you and you’ll thrive. 

Please feel free to reach out to me if you need any support or even to have a conversation at kberm@bu.edu!