Nick: The Beantown Sports Scene

On the heels of the Chicago Cubs shocking the baseball world and clinching their first World Series championship since 1908 (before sliced bread was even a thing), I thought it would be fitting to talk about one of the topics nearest and dearest to my heart – sports.

You’ve heard it before – how Boston is the City of Champions. The Red Sox broke their own 86-year curse in 2004 and went on to win two more titles, the Celtics won it all with the Big Three in 2008, the Patriots have four championships in this millennium, and the Bruins took home the Stanley Cup in 2011.

Whether you’re an avid sports fan like myself, someone who wants to learn more about sports or simply a casual fan, BU has all of that for you.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can get involved with sports at COM, BU and in Boston:

1. Fenway is in our backyard
One of the biggest draws for me as a Boston sports fan was BU’s proximity to Fenway Park. We are minutes away from one of the most historic ballparks in all of sports (cc Wrigley Field), and fans can get cheap student tickets too (Student 9s). I can’t tell you how many games I’ve been to with my friends since coming to BU. Even if you’re not a Red Sox fan or a fan of baseball, taking in a game at Fenway Park is a Boston experience you don’t wanna pass up.

2. The other pro teams here are pretty darn good
Baseball not your thing? That’s fine, because as mentioned above, all four of the major sports teams in Boston are perennial contenders.

The TD Garden where the Bruins and Celtics play is just a T ride away, and Gillette Stadium in Foxboro makes for a great day trip with some friends to watch some football. Tom Brady can only play for so long, right?

3. BU hockey ROCKS
While BU may not have a football team anymore, the BU men’s hockey team is a perennial contender for a national championship. The team is off to a solid start this season, and three of its freshmen were first round picks in last year’s NHL draft.

Also, the atmosphere at Agganis Arena is always raucous. The pep band kills it and the chants are always a good time. There’s something special about coming together as a school and rooting for a common cause. Similar to attending a game at Fenway Park, watching some BU hockey at Agganis is a vital BU experience. #GoTerriers

4. The sports opportunities in COM are second-to-none

As a sports fanatic with a passion for writing, sports journalism seemed like a logical career path for me. While I’ll be in DC next semester exploring the politic scene, many of the activities I’ve gotten involved with at BU have helped me grow journalistically while also exploring my love of sports.

I’m currently the sports editor of the Daily Free Press, where we cover every BU game throughout the year. This has been an incredible opportunity and experience, as I’ve been able to foster relationships with players, coaches and other beat writers. We have a rolling application, and I’d encourage you to apply. There are also opinion, news, features, layout and blog sections.

Since freshman year I’ve also been involved with BU’s only pro sports talk show Offsides. This has been another amazing experience, as I’ve met some of my best friends through BUTV and learned so much about television production. Plus, my friends and I get to have debates about the hottest topics in sports – which we do anyway.

There are also a bunch of sports journalism courses offered at BU – like sports broadcast, sportswriting, and sports talk radio. Just another example that shows COM has something for everyone.

 

Angeli: 4 Things I’ve Learned from Hosting a Radio Show

This semester, my inner Pitch Perfect-loving high school freshman self's dreams came true when WTBU granted me the privilege of having my own radio show.

Let me clarify. In the 2012 instant cult classic film, Anna Kendrick's character Beca works for her college radio station and life only goes up from there. And, for anyone who might not be aware, WTBU is *deep radio voice* "the beat of Boston University," or in other words, BU's own student-run station. Like Beca, radio was the first extracurricular I wanted to get involved with when I got to college, and joining last fall was probably one of the best decision I've ever made. After interning for two different shows my freshman year (shoutout to Pop Cultured and Shrug Emoji) and learning the station ropes from some welcoming upperclassmen-turned-good friends, I could not wait for the opportunity to have a DJ name and programming time slot of my own. I therefore did my very best victory dance when I received an email this summer saying my show application had been approved.

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Now, every Sunday from 10 am to noon, you can catch me on the airwaves as host of On the Verge, the official music and talk show of Verge Campus BU. VCBU is another organization I got involved with last year that centers around an online college lifestyle publication. Our partner site/company, GoodMusicAllDay, focuses on publicizing up-and-coming artists. My show serves as an extension of these two brands, as we talk about everything from world news to everyday college experiences (often inspired by Verge Campus articles) and play the music of underground artists usually from GMAD.On the Verge has been on air for about two months now, and I could not be happier with how it's going so far. I'll be honest, every episode hasn't been flawless. That being said, though, I've been grateful for even my most cringe-worthy moments on FM/AM. Having a radio show has frankly taught me a lot about life. Here are some of those cheesy, cliche, painfully unoriginal lessons with a DJ's twist:

1) Teamwork makes the dream work. If it wasn't for my amazing co-host and team of interns, On the Verge would be no where near as interesting a show as I think/hope it's been. Not only do they all contribute to some great talk segments and OTV's social media presence, but they've also helped me find stories to report as well as artists and students to interview each week. We can proudly say we've had a guest on-air every episode so far, and I'm more than confident our episodes will only improve.

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2) Hard work pays off. A lot of the artists I've interviewed on OTV have been college students, which has been really inspiring in more ways than one. I've mainly been so in awe of how individuals my same age and often with my same workload are still managing to pursue music careers and grow as artists. Whether they're dropping full EPs or shooting industry-caliber music videos, college kids are doing insanely impressive things, regardless of all the hours that may be involved. Sure enough, they're also getting the recognition on YouTube, SoundCloud, etc that they strive for. I think their successes are testament to the dynamic duo that is passion and persistence, whom other students should befriend, too!

3) Don't sweat the small stuff. For a third-semester WTBU member, I should really be embarrassed of the amount of times I've pressed the wrong button on the mixing board or, better yet, forgot to press one at all. Anything done involving technology just naturally entails the possibility of technological difficulties, and boy do I feel like I'm prone to those. After my second episode as a host, though, I decided that I couldn't be too hard on myself for my mistakes, especially when I have guests in the studio. I've actually become a fan of turning my incompetence into a punchline. Sometimes, laughing at yourself and getting others to do the same makes for great radio. Plus, you'll look like a confident and composed host (despite the fact that you might be crying on the inside...)

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4) Don't forget where you came from. Or to whom you owe your existence. Basically just love your mom, everybody!!! I know, just when you thought this blog post couldn't get any sappier, I just had to throw that one in. Though my mom might just be OTV's biggest fan (hopefully not our only listener), where I was really going with this one was your family and friends will always be your biggest support system and never forget that. Mine have continually supported my radio endeavors and really helped spread the word about On the Verge. Nothing's worse than being incredibly proud of a project and having no one to share it with. Of course Facebook likes are always appreciated, too 🙂

Now, for a final plug: make sure to check out wtburadio.org to listen to and learn more about all of the fun shows fellow Terriers host each week!

Caroline: BUTV10’s The Vote 2016

Tuesday night BUTV10 covered the US Presidential Election. The Vote 2016 was a collaboration between BUTV10, the Journalism Department, the Film and Television Department, BU News Service, WTBU, DC Study Abroad, and London Study Abroad. Students were all over the country reporting from inside the headquarters of presidential nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, insides the headquarters of New Hampshire Senate candidates Maggie Hassan and Kelly Ayotte, and outside of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.. The whole show is the thesis project for journalism graduate student Natalie Robson.

We rehearsed for our two hour show for about a month leading up to Tuesday, but no rehearsal could prepare us for five hours straight of live coverage, three of which were unscripted. We had each bloc on the fly during commercial breaks. There were two anchors, a congressional reporter, an exit polls reporter, a social media reporter from BUNS, and an interviewer for us to integrate, and the five remote reporters. There was a delicate dance between calling states’ results and sticking to the plan we decided just minutes before. The most important thing is to be prepared and have back up plans. Sometimes Skype wouldn’t connect, so we would have to change the format, or a state would be called and we would have to cut out of a break early. It was hard work, but the support system around Natalie and myself allowed us to succeed.

The journalism and film and television professors were instrumental in the production. Their experience reporting and producing news really helped during crunch time. They were able to help us make informed decisions about what was next. The engineers in COM worked countless hours to hame sure the set and control room were ready for this huge production. We were lucky to have two important interview guests who have reported on elections in the past, mass communication professor John Carroll; and Pulitzer-prize winner, Dean Tom Fiedler of COM. We were also lucky enough to interview Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore.

The experience each student working on the election coverage got on Tuesday night is something very unique. No other university did the comprehensive coverage we had with all of our moving parts. This was honestly the most valuable experience I’ve had so far at Boston University. I was able to do Tuesday night essentially what professionals were doing, and I can take everything that I learned into the workplace after I graduate. I’m so grateful COM is full of professors and students willing to push the limits and try something we’ve never done before.

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Joe: Look Back At It

So here we are, just weeks away from the rest of my life. I always have said that Halloween is basically the end point of the semester, with the following weeks acting like one of those moving sidewalks in an airport. The time just seems to jump and everything is coming down to the wire so quickly. So I want to take this time to slow down. Take it all in. Stop and smell the roses, if you will.

Get ready because this blog post is about to get weirdly emotional and feel like you got kicked in the face with emotions.

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I have spent 3.5 years at B.U. and it has been some of the best years of my life. I have met people who have built me up and challenged who I am. I’ve grown and grown and grown some more. I’ve made mistakes and accomplishments and everything in between. I have learned more about the world and it’s people and how I fit in to all of it. What role do I play and how can I make the world a better place for all who inhabit it?

These are the questions I have been asking myself upon my impending graduation. What do I want to do with my life and how can I, Joe Piro, a humble boy from Long Island, make a difference in this big scary place? And will even those small efforts make a difference?

Last week, I sent in my absentee ballot to vote for the first female President of the United States. And while that seemed to have received some backlash from my family members back home, I’ve never felt more sure in my decision.  Yesterday, I cried watching Hilary’s “The Story of this Campaign” video. Even though I supported Bernie Sanders through the primaries, watching her progress made me think of my sisters, nieces, mom, grandmas, and every female friend I’ve ever had as I’ve watched them have to overcome things I as a man do not have to deal with. Yesterday may have been Election Day, but today starts the real work towards progress.

As of writing this blog post, the Presidential election is still undecided. And I just want to remind you all that the world is a wonderful place and we do not live in Medieval Times or during The Christian Crusades. And I feel now more than ever we have the power to shape this world into what we want it to be. I want to live in a place that is filled with optimism and hope and love. Wow, this sounds corny but I’m in rare form from this election and I just want the world to be a happy place.

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Christy: I Still Don’t Feel Like an Adult, and That’s Okay

I am almost half way through my junior year, and I still don’t really feel like an adult. 

Although I may outwardly exhibit signs of being an adult (“legally” of adult age, living in an off-campus apartment, etc.), I actually feel like I am no where close to mastering the art of “adulting" just yet. The initial transition into college was a taste of freedom that I never experienced before, tricking me into thinking I was actually an adult ready to take on the world. But really, everyday I find that I am still learning so much about myself and it makes me question if I am as ready and grown as I thought I was freshman year.

I actually feel less mature than I did freshman year. I think the biggest reason being I talk to my mom almost everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. Sometimes I call just to check in or tell her about my day, and other times I call for advice — both make me feel young. 

Telling my mom about my day seems like I am coming home from elementary school and giving her a full play-by-play. (Yes, sometimes I even tell her what I ate for lunch.) But she takes genuine interest and I love talking to her, so I never see any fault in calling her. But, I probably call my mom more often than my friends talk to their parents. Telling her about the highs and lows of my day not only help me decompress, but also allow me to receive advice when needed. 

Which leads me to what I think is the constant need for advice and approval. More often than not, I call her to help me make decisions. From asking her what I should do for dinner to helping me make more difficult decisions, I always seek her advice and hold her opinion above all else. Always turning to my mom makes me wonder if I am capable of making decisions on my own. Could I be satisfied with making a big decision knowing that my mom was not a part of the decision-making process/I don’t have her seal of approval? There is no shame in seeking advice, though, and especially for an indecisive and anxious person like me, it is in no sense demeaning and childish, but rather comforting.

Through it all, I am still learning. Seeking help and advice from your parents does not necessarily mean you’re a child, but rather means you are on your way to coming into your own as an adult. We have been told time and time again that college is a learning experience; you don’t become an adult the second your parents leave your freshman dorm after move-in day. Being away from your parents for the first time often makes you reach for their support more than ever before because they can no longer come to your aid by calling them from the next room over. So don’t be afraid to call your mom for advice next time you don’t know what to eat for dinner! She will love to help you out.

Amy: Best Places to Study Away from Campus

As finals start getting closer and closer to us with seemingly no end to midterms in sight, you might be getting a little sick of all the quality time you’re spending in Mugar. Or for that matter, anywhere on campus. Sometime, you just have to get away to give your mind a refresh to study. Here are some of my favorite off-campus places to go when I need to focus.

  1. Boston Public Library: In the warm weather days, there’s nothing better than grabbing your textbooks and camping out in the courtyard. Between the fountain and the open air seating area, it’s a quiet peaceful environment that you absolutely can’t miss!
  2. BPL pt. 2: When it gets cold out and the courtyard is too freezing, try the reading room! It’s a beautiful room filled with tables and gorgeous architecture, for times when Mugar is just a little bit too much like Mugar. Watch out though, they won’t let you drink coffee in there!
  3. Barrington Coffee Roaster: 100% coffee friendly. This is a small coffee shop on Newbury St. that has a slightly slower bustle than Starbucks or Pavement. I can attest, the coffee is A+ and the baristas are super friendly. Plus free WiFi!
  4. The Thinking Cup: While there are a few locations of this one, my favorite has to be the one on Tremont St. Easily accessible from Arlington or Park St. stations, The Thinking Cup is another super cute coffee shop with a bonus view of the Commons.
  5. Trident Booksellers and Café: Just try not to get distracted by all the fun knick-knacks they sell. All in all though, a great place to go for some food, a coffee, and some quality time with your textbook.
  6. Brookline Public Library: WOAH. Another BPL. This one’s a little less crowded, and also super convenient for anyone living west or south of campus. The Coolidge Corner location is super accessible from campus!

Stacy: Things to Know About Studying Abroad in Washington DC

“Abroad” usually means across the pond or even across the border… but I chose to stay in the U.S. and study abroad in D.C. for the fall of my senior year. This was 100 percent the right decision for me. And yes, there is more to D.C. than politics and the National Mall.

The first two things people will ask you are, “Where do you work?” and, “Who are you voting for in the election?” It takes some getting used to, but you are never not networking. You will hear the word networking more than you hear your own name. But it is so fun to be in the D.C. bubble. You are right where the magic happens (or doesn’t happen depending on how you view Congress) and you won’t find a better place to experience policymaking and politics up close.

The Metro is more efficient than Boston’s T system - without a doubt. But the escalators to and from the underground platform are about a 2-minute ride if you don’t walk. So naturally, half of the metro-goers walk. The best way to indicate if someone isn’t from D.C. is how he or she maneuvers the Metro escalators. The left side is for walking, and the right side is for standing. Don’t mess this up or you will get yelled at.

Another thing to know about the Metro is that it’s sometimes more expensive than Uber depending on how far you travel. So before going underground, check Uber Pool to see if it would be cheaper, and it sometimes is.  Now, if you plan on Ubering in D.C… it is a city divided into sections. So when you’re Ubering or using Google maps, never leave out the “NW” or “NE” at the end of the street address because you will end up somewhere across the city. I learned the hard way…

This is very important…. Happy Hour is a thing! Yes, alcohol is exciting, but there is FOOD during Happy Hour too. My favorite experience in Happy Hour so far is at The Hamilton because they have a sushi bar… where there is sushi Happy Hour every day from 3-7pm. Half priced sushi people. It’s a big deal.

It is impossible to be bored here. There are things happening at the national level every day. This is the hub of international and national organizations. There are think tanks everywhere, free museums across the city, networking events and screenings for documentaries and movies all the time. But D.C. also has elements of a normal city, such as theatres, sports, nightlife, parks, shopping, etc. You can’t be bored here.

I know I said there is more to D.C. than the politics, and this is true. But don’t worry; you’ll still get your Frank Underwood experience. In addition to the politics, there is a city with its own culture here too. From one street to another, the vibe of D.C. changes completely. If you love the combination in Boston of history and modern day – then you’ll feel at home here in D.C.

I know D.C. isn’t the European adventure that Lizzie had in the Lizzie McGuire movie, but you will gain so much in this program. You will learn more about our country than you thought you could, you will gain professional skills from BU workshops and networking events and you will experience an intense internship that will give you more skills than a classroom ever could. You can always have a European adventure later in life. BU D.C. is preparing me for post-grad life, and I feel more confident about entering the real world after going through this program.

Jen: The Scheduling Conundrum

It’s that time of the year again! The leaves are turning different colors, coffee shops are beginning to offer hot apple cider, and it’s time to register for classes. Yes, that time when your inbox begins to fill up with tips on how to register for next semester’s classes and what you should and shouldn’t do in order to make sure you’re taking the right classes to help you graduate. It can be a stressful time. You may even experience the five stages of grief during your registration time. However, do not worry! If you didn’t have a pleasant registration experience, or if you’re starting to feel like you’re not going to have a great registration time, I have tips to help you get through this hard time.

  1. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

  2. Checking the Student Link AFTER registration: This is my strongest tip I give to anyone who is freaking out about how badly their registration went. Yes, that class that you wanted to take did fill up on Sunday, but people change their schedule all of the time. So, wait like a week after registration and see if any seats have opened up in that class. You just have to keep checking and checking the student link. Luckily, I’ve gotten many classes that I wanted to take, that I didn’t get during the registration period, by just randomly checking the student link.

  3. Getting Put on a Waiting List: If you’re really really really stressed out about not getting into a class, email your department and ask to be put on the class’s waiting list. This will ensure you that if a spot opens up, you will be informed and then you can register for it. Sometimes, if enough people ask to be put on a waiting list for a class, they will maybe open up another section for that class!

  4. Take a Chance on a Class: Okay, so nothing that you want to take is open. Like, nothing at all. But, you see that a class that you think is interesting has a few seats in it. Take a chance, and sign up for the class! Yes, it’s not what you wanted, however if you think you’re going to be interested in it and it seems like a cool class, sign up for it! Again, you can always change your schedule before the beginning of the next semester. So sign up for that chance class, and if something you would rather take opens up, drop the chance class and sign up for the one you wanted to take!

  5. Sit Back and Relax: Congratulations! Your registration is done! Go grab yourself a nice blueberry plum iced tea from Pavement Coffeehouse. Actually, grab a scone too, you deserved it. Now you can lay in bed, put on a show (might I recommend every episode of Kitchen Nightmares?)(they’re all on Youtube, by the way). It was a stressful time, and you manage to get through it. Sure, maybe it didn’t go as planned, but it’ll all work out in the end, my friend. It’ll all work out.

Samantha: Love in the time of Polar seltzer

I've read so many articles this year about the La Croix craze and how a sparkling seltz is scientifically proven to better quench your thirst. La Croix, la *yawn.* For me, it's all about bae: Polar seltzer. One of my favorite parts about moving to Boston for college has to do with this bubbly drink and family-owned brand. I’m been absolutely hooked on this bubbly brand and if you know me, you can almost always expect to see a liter peaking out from my backpack. I even got a picture with the PolarBear himself last summer. Some experts say my teeth will rot out someday, but I try to live in the moment. I love Polar seltzer to the point where over winter break in Chicago, my friends and I drove to the only store we knew that sold this nectar of the Worcester gods. (They don’t distribute Polar in the Midwest, to my great dismay). I even posted a photo of our find, and Polar sent me a seltzer care package!

 

I’m not loyal to any one flavor, and I enjoy trying out the varieties that make special appearances from season to season. That being said, I do have a few staples I know I can always go back to in times of need.  I’m no expert in food criticism or the like, but here are my top five flavors of seltzer, ranked from best to still amazing.  (Disclaimer: I’ve tasted the majority of the 18 classic flavors and enjoyed them all. By no means is this list exhaustive, just cut down for the sake of space. I have yet to try some of the limited-edition flavors, like Egg Nog, Mint Mojitio and other questionable varieties.)

 

  1. Black Cherry

Oh, Black Cherry seltzer. My trusty pal. This is the flavor that my friends buy for me when I’m down or that I “treat myself’” to on a day when I think I deserve it. Some say it tastes like NyQuil. I say, it’s top-notch. Not too sweet, not too sour. It’s the perfectly refreshing drink to wake up your taste buds.

 

2.Lime

So light. So refreshing. This flavor is such a perfect drink to accompany a summer walk or a picnic on the BU Beach. As the Boston Magazine reviewer said it best: “10 out of 10. Would definitely drink this again.” It’s also the favorite of all my friends, so I think it’s safe to say that Lime is a crowd-pleaser at best.

 

  1. Strawberry Champagne

Every time I pull this one out of my backpack at school or work, there’s always one raised eyebrow in the room. But hey, don’t knock it until you try it. This flavor is as interesting as it is refreshing, and whenever I have the chance to snag one at the store, I do.

 

  1. Pomegranate

This flavor, in my opinion, is the fruitiest of the bunch. It even beats out some of the flavors that didn’t make my list, like Grapefruit and Mandarin. I really like this one if the store is out of Black Cherry or Lime, but it’s not usually my first pick. Still yummy though!

 

  1. Vanilla Pear

I’ve heard some say it tastes like a candle. Others look down upon a bubbly bottle that looks like dessert. I think that albeit the weird aftertaste, this seltzer is a sweet alternative to cream soda or the like. I’m a fan. Back off, haters.

Emma: Best Homework & Study Locations for Everyone On Campus

Midterms are officially upon us, and while, as COM students, we often don’t have too many exams in our class schedules, chances are, there will be some large papers, tests, or projects coming your way in the next couple of weeks.

This can be a crazy time of year, especially if you’re in your first semester here at BU. Everyone is busy making sure they do their best, all while balancing a million different tasks, and trying to remember to get more than four hours of sleep and eat more than two Cliff bars between classes.

And to make matters worse, you have to compete with 32,000 other undergrad and grad students for study space. It’s the age-old story: you pack up all your study materials, a water bottle, some snacks, your headphones, and make your way to the third floor of Mugar only to find there is not a single study carol or seat available. This exact scenario happened to me my freshman year studying for finals, except then from Mugar, I made my way to the Boston Public Library just to find there was not a seat available there either. After spending two hours traipsing around the city, I was so frustrated, and then felt even more stressed after wasting valuable study time.

So trust me, I get that moments like this can be incredibly demotivating when you’re trying to maximize your time and focus. To help you guys from running into this same issue, though, I have compiled a great list of the best places on a BU’s campus to get the most work done, and to minimize stress.

If you like to study/work in absolute silence, go to…

  1. Mugar Memorial Library
  2. Okay so I know I just bashed Mugar a little bit, and it may not be my go-to study destination, but so many people at BU have great success doing work there. The first two floors tend to be noisier, with people printing, working in groups, getting library resources, and taking campus tours. Once you get to the third floor, though, most everyone is respectful and virtually silent.
  3. Large-dorm study rooms
  4. I had some of my best luck getting things done freshman year in the Warren Towers’ study rooms, especially the one’s right across from the mail room. It does get very chilly in there, though, which really motivates you to work efficiently. There’s similar study rooms in West and Towers, too, although I have found that the ones in Warren remain the quietest
  5. Top floor of Stuvi2
  6. I guess this falls under “large-dorm study rooms”, but it’s too amazing not to have its own section. If you haven’t been to the 360-degree study room at the top of Stuvi2, you NEED to find the time sometime this week to do so. It’s truly one of the most incredibly features of this school, and it makes studying just a little more bearable. Plus, if you haven’t taken a Boston skyline time-lapse from the 26thfloor, do you even go to BU?
  7. Your dorm room
  8. Sometimes, if you know it’s going to be impossible to find a spot anywhere or you just don’t feel like getting up (but still know you have work to get done), your best-bet may be to do some work from your dorm room. The main problem here is the potential for so many distractions, so get your roommate(s) to hold you accountable, and reward yourself for being productive. Plus, you get to study in pajamas, and that’s what college is really all about.

If you work better with a little noise, or need to work with a group, go to…

  1. The COM Student Lounge
  2. This is my all-time favorite place at BU to study, do homework, and do group projects. There’s comfortable seating, charging stations for your phone, and it’s super convenient if you have some time to kill before/after a class in COM. It’s usually pretty quiet, but everyone understands that people go in there to have group meetings, so there’s always some light chatter.
  3. The GSU
  4. The GSU can sometimes be like Mugar, in the sense that it can be hard to find a seat (especially one with an outlet), but if you get there at the right times, it can be a great place to do work and meet with a partner. You have easy access to hundreds of dining options, Dunkin’ OR Starbucks, and Mugar is right in the same building if you decide you want to work there instead. Last semester, during finals, I camped out in the Backcourt area of the GSU literally all day long (I had Rhett’s for all three meals), and was able to get so much accomplished!
  5. Side-note: the Buick Street Market is a smaller, West campus-version of the GSU and it is another great option!
  6. On-campus Starbucks’
  7. Okay, so this can be hit-or-miss. While I always end up here because I am a coffee fiend, I try to avoid the Warren Starbucks like the plague. The lines are always way too long, and it can get crowded. Some of the tables in the back, though, are actually kind of secluded, and not bad places to tackle a paper. You also get the benefit of being surrounded by coffee. That being said, I would definitely recommend the Questrom Starbucks first and foremost, followed by the one in West. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can run into me at the Starbucks near my off-campus apartment at 1304 Comm. Ave!
  8. Dining Halls
  9. Just one meal swipe to comfy booths and unlimited desserts, all in an easy on-campus location that you were planning to grab food from anyways. Plus, if you live in Warren, you don’t even have to leave the building! Need I say more?

Working hard in school can already be stressful enough, you shouldn’t have to worry about finding a place to study. So with that, I leave you with this list, and wish you the best on all upcoming papers, projects, and midterms!