Nick: Oh the places you’ll go (in COM)

I’m an upperclassman now… Wow, that feels weird to say.

Two years ago, I was a freshman still roaming aimlessly around COM Ave. – unsure of the difference between convenience and dining points. (For the record, dining points can be used at any dining hall, other on-campus dining locations, and Domino’s while convenience points basically BU bucks – they can be used for snacks, laundry, Subway, Cane’s and more.)

Anyway, I feel that I’ve grown a lot since freshman year, and I thank COM for that. I came in as a journalism major because I knew I had a passion for writing and figured, “why not?” I combined my love for writing with my love of sports and planned on being a sports journalist. Since I also loved performance (and was in many a play in high school), I figured sports broadcast would be an ever better route to take.

That being said, I had very little formal experience in journalism – my school didn’t have any journalism classes and my school’s newspaper was in disarray – so I was nervous heading into COM. I shouldn’t have been.

The experience I’ve gotten inside the classroom and out at BU has been incredible and it’s taught me so much about journalism and broadcasting. I’ve been part of the Daily Free Press, the independent student newspaper, since freshman year, which has been an invaluable journalistic experience. I’ve covered a bunch of different BU teams on beats and am now the sports editor there. My involvement with BUTV10’s only pro sports talk show, Offsides, has taught me the fundamentals of studio production.

I’m most excited about my current classes, though. I have the honor of taking TV reporting (JO 351) with Boston legend and former anchor RD Sahl, and am also taking Sports Broadcast (JO 524) with Frank Shorr, who has won EIGHT!! Emmy Awards while the executive producer at WHDH in Boston.

These classes have broadened my horizons in ways I didn’t think possible. Each week I get to learn the skills necessary to thrive in a TV-news environment with RD while making my own professional packages on stories that interest me. In Shorr’s class, we produce “Sportsnite” each Tuesday. The show, filmed in BUTV10’s Studio West, allows me to take on a new role each week – whether it’s live reporting, anchoring, running the soundboard, controlling the switcher, or operating a camera.

So my advice to you is stick it out through those big lectures and intro classes, because as you go further and further into your COM studies, classes will become more and more interesting and will give you the professional experience needed to succeed in the job market.

COM on,

Nick

Emma: Everything That Happens When You Move Off Campus

This year, not only have I finally achieved upperclassmen status, but I am now proudly one of Allston Village’s newest residents. With two of my best friends, I traded in my extra-long twin bed for a queen, and my meal plan for, on average, three DiGiorno pizzas a week.

It’s been a blast getting to explore a new cultural hub of the Boston area, but it has not been all fun and games, living out in the real world. And with that, I give to you a comprehensive explanation of all the things that are likely to happen to you when, and if, you move off campus.

You Leave (Most) of the Rules Behind

So you’re finally out on your own, with no RA to remind you when quiet hours begin, or to confiscate the coffee maker you’re trying to hide under your bed. Sure, you still have neighbors, but chances are, the walls won’t be so paper-thin, and no one can stop you from blasting the Hamilton soundtrack at 2am while you and your roommates make brownies. Just make sure you pay your rent, and turn off the stove top when you’re done. And, of course, be sure to hop on the T for class early enough to get there in time!

You Get to Buy and Make Your Own Food

Okay, so this one could go either way. Chances are, you’ll have a fridge a little bit larger than the BU microfridge, so you’ll definitely have a lot more room for snacks and leftovers. And you finally actually make all those recipes from Tasty videos you have saved on your phone! It also means, though, that you have to make your own trips to Star Market or Trader Joe’s, to get your own meals and ingredients, and food can be pricey! Also, try to get yourself one of those metal stock shopping carts before you make a big trip to get food because you will likely underestimate how much food you need, and how heavy it is. So unless you’re looking to turn your trip into an arms’ day workout, carts are great to help you conveniently carry everything you need without spilling any containers of berries or breaking any eggs.

You May Run Into Some Critters

Not going to lie, it is hard knowing that BU won’t be there to protect your brownstone from mice, cockroaches, or other city-dwelling critters. If you happen to see one scamper across your kitchen floor, though, don’t panic! Your landlord or super can generally be pretty good about showing up at your doorstep with a can of Raid, some snap-traps, and little Roach Motels. Even though I’ve been a vegetarian for five years, and I hate the thought of hurting the animals that sneak into my apartment, even I admit that you gotta do what you gotta do to keep your home clean and pest-free. Then, just for good measure, be sure to get yourself some good cleaning supplies, and scrub your floors and countertops until they shine.

You Get to Explore a Whole New Part of Boston

Boston is an amazing city, full of rich American history with an incredible array of local shops, cafes, and restaurants that extends far beyond Newbury Street or Mike’s Pastry in the North End (nothing against Mike’s Pastry; it’s still delicious). If you spent the afternoon walking up and down Harvard or Brighton Ave, you could run into so many charming businesses with so much to offer. Just the other day, my roommates and I, in an effort to be trendy and see what all the fuss was about, headed over to Hi B3ar, which serves made-to-order Thai ice cream rolls. It was amazing to watch the employees diligently roll the homemade ice cream into neat little scrolls that, even though it looks like a killer upper-body workout. When you live off campus, you get to surround yourself with hundreds more of other trendy places like Hi B3ar, and be part of their story.

You’ll Never Want to Move Back to Campus

Compared to so many schools, BU has pretty fantastic on-campus housing, from the brownstones on Bay State, to million-dollar view of the Boston skyline from the high floors of Stuvi1 and 2. But there’s something about living out on your own with your best friends that BU housing just can’t match. Sure, you’ll spend plenty of time hanging out on campus in your friends’ dorms and apartments, using their guest swipes so you can take some free bananas for the road, but there’s nothing like coming home to your very own place, even if there’s a mousetrap behind the fridge, and you have a creaky tile in the bathroom. Your home is what you make of it, and chances are, you’ll make it so great, you never want to leave.

Jen: Being Like Elle Woods and Hanging at the Harvard Film Archive

This summer I spent time going to movies, talking about movies and reading movies (can you tell what my interest/major is?). In addition to working with Boston University’s Orientation Office, I wanted to do something that involved working with film this summer. One night, after applying and getting rejected from two internships, I was scrolling through the Harvard Film Archive’s calendar looking to see what retrospectives are coming up. Soon after I found their blog, and very soon after that I found that they had internship opportunities. I was accepted and I was able to work there for the summer. I never really thought of myself working in a place like the HFA, but after leaving the internship, I realized just how awesome of a place it is, whether you want to work with film curation or if you’re just a casual film lover, like myself. If you’re just a little tired of the  typical, multiplex with overpriced snacks and previews amongst previews, the HFA may be a place for you!

  • LUNCH SPOTS: Being in the heart of Harvard Square was a perk of working at the HFA in the summer. Located on Quincy St., it’s just a short walking distance to fantastic restaurants like Mr. Bartley’s Burgers (where each sandwich is named after a public figure), Bolocco, Clover Food Lab and my favorite breakfast spot Liquiteria. (Side Note: Having gone into Harvard Square for lunch many times, I have found the best lunch spot to be Crema Cafe. Order the Crema Chicken Sandwich with the Sweet Nectar Tea and you will have your life changed.)(This isn’t a paid ad for Crema Cafe)(I just am so passionate about that sandwich and drink).

  • THE MOVIES: This place doesn’t mess around when it comes to movies. They have a library of over 25,000 films from the beginning of cinema to now. You can find classic dramas, old cartoons, home movies, etc. They also have film series that play throughout the months. They have done the complete films of Robert Altman, a series on Oliver Stone, a retrospective on black cinema of the 1970s, just to name a few. They also have had amazing guests who have stopped by like Joshua Oppenheimer, Harmony Korine, Pedro Almodovar, Ang Lee and in two weeks Pam Grier will be there! Sometimes filmmakers will even premiere their films there too!

  • ATMOSPHERE: The theater is a one screen, two hundred seater. Outside the theater are film stills and pieces written about the filmmaker or genre.  The HFA is located at the basement of the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts, located directly next to the Harvard Art Museums. So, as you can tell it’s a very artsy, creative and educational place to be in. Whenever I would walk into work, I would be greeted by the different art pieces done by visiting faculty members of the CCVA. There are more floors above the HFA that have all types of art. One of my favorite parts of the internship was when I got to attend a poetry reading of the poems of Frank O’Hara on their rooftop terrace. I felt very collegiate and artsy in that moment.

The HFA was a fantastic place to intern at. I got to learn about film curation, and what it’s like to basically run a movie theater (which, if I haven’t told you, my plan for when I retire is to run a small theater on Martha’s Vineyard, so it was great experience). The people I worked with were knowledgeable and friendly, and they also brought food to the office which was also amazing. If you haven’t been able to visit the HFA yet please do so soon! (STUDENT TICKETS ARE LIKE $7 SO…) (GO TO THE MOVIES!)

 

(Outside of the CCVA)

 

 

(Rad posters featuring films part of the Robert Aldrich retrospective)

 

(Lobby of the CCVA)

 

 

(Hanging with some donated films, about to do some vinegar testing to prepare the films for curation)

 

(Like...the best sandwich I’ve ever had at Crema Cafe)

Claudia: Warren Dining Will Forever Have My Heart

I LOVE Warren Towers. I’m am not afraid to share my love for the BEST dining hall on campus. Laugh all you want BaeState and West is Best fans, but Warren will forever be my home. 

Last year I lived in Kilachand which is MILLISECONDS away from Marciano Commons (affectionately known as #BaeState). But unless it was in the name of friendship or a quick smoothie before my 8am Sociology class, I NEVER went to the nationally ranked dining hall. I would always choose Warren. 

On top of Warren always being consistent, it is vegetarian friendly. Everyone is always willing to either make me a veggie burger or just give me the sides. The plates aren’t preprepared like at Bay State and there are non-meat option because you're not surrounded by athletes like in West. 

Warren breakfast is the best. They have mastered my two eggs over hard with cheese and also have BREAKFAST burritos. 

Friendships are formed in Warren dining. I have walked in to Warren for a 5pm dinner and not left until late night started at 9:30 - maybe even later. I have laughed so hard I’ve fallen out those glorious plastic chairs. I’ve cried — either from laughing or real tears — in those booths. I remember being offended walking into Warren my sophomore year and seeing the renovations, but now I cannot live without the new Asian station. 

Now that I live in South, Warren is the closest dining hall. But distance has never stopped me from going to my favorite place on campus. The phrase of the semester has been “Warren is SO good now. I understand why this is where you went last year” I look at my friends and laugh because Warren has ALWAYS been and ALWAYS will be incredible. 

Warren dining, I love you. 

Samantha: Five ways my co-op changed my life

As everyone is getting back into the academic mindset, settling their class schedules and falling back into their routines for the semester, my life has taken a slightly different path. My weeknights are no longer spent in study rooms or at club meetings. Instead, I spend my time at the city desk of The Boston Globe.

 

In lieu of taking classes this semester, I am on a 6-month metro desk co-op, reporting crime and breaking news. And guess what? They’re hiring! Here are my top five favorite things about the co-op program (aka reasons journalism students should apply):

 

  1. I’ve gained the greatest writing experience I could ask for. My deadlines are generally 10 to 20 minutes long, and I write so many articles a night! Not only have I become super fast at reporting breaking news but I’ve improved my AP style and writing fluency by a landslide.

  2. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the finest reporters and editors in the country! The Boston Globe is no small operation, and the experience of working alongside these talented folk has been totally inspiring. That being said, everyone here is so friendly and open, and I’ve really felt like part of the family since day one.

  3. Covering crime and breaking news has given me a perspective on a world many wouldn’t even know existed if they live in the BU bubble. I cover shootings, fires, robberies -- you name it. Although the work is often sad or scary, it helps me realize that the world isn’t always welcoming and happy like a college campus. On the contrary, the sadness also makes me see the good in the world, especially when I talk to heroic bystanders or helpful neighbors who save lives every day.

  4. Although I admit that I miss going to class and seeing my peers every day, working 40-hour weeks and maintaining a busy schedule has prepared me for a post-graduation career in a way no classes or internships could.

  5. Living behind the scenes of a daily newspaper has totally solidified my goal of becoming a reporter someday. Not only do I see how the business of journalism is changing in the super-exciting digital age, but I get to watch happy journalists go home at the end of their shifts after they report pieces that affect the community and shed light on Boston’s most important issues. There aren’t words to describe how passionate I am about this field, and being able to put it to practice every day is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.

Alex: The 5 Lessons I’ve Learned (So Far) From Moving Off-Campus

 It has only been  three weeks since I’ve moved into my off-campus apartment in Allston, but I feel that I’ve learned enough in this short time to have lived there for months! Don’t get me wrong, though, I’m so glad I made the choice to move off-campus! It’s been so awesome having my own kitchen, my own room (with enough space for a bed bigger than a twin XL!!!), and a clear separation between school and home. But there are definitely some differences with living off-campus that can require more effort.

            I’m sure I have plenty more lessons to learn on the way, but for now, here are the five things I’ve realized from ~~Allston livin’.

1.      Be friendly with your neighbors!

You definitely don’t have to be BFFs, but it’s good to at least have a friendly relationship with your neighbors so that you can trust them, help each other out with favors, or just rant about your landlord together. There’s no RAs when you’re off-campus so if you get locked out of your apartment, it’s nice to be friendly enough with your neighbors that you can ask to wait at their apartment until your roommates get home.

2.      The Semester T-Pass is a need, not a want.

Okay, so I’m probably exaggerating that it’s a need but the Semester T-Pass been my absolute saving grace in the short time I’ve been off campus. If I’m running a little bit late to class or if I’ve just had a long day and not feeling the 30-minute walk home, I can usually count on the T or the 57 bus to be there in five minutes or so. I also love using this pass on the way home from Trader Joe’s runs so that way I don’t have to feel guilty about being too lazy to lug my groceries home.

3.      Set aside an hour each week (at least) for groceries

If you’re in a rush to buy your groceries, you’re more likely to spend unnecessary amounts and not really pay attention to what you’re buying. I’m a huge fan of Trader Joe’s because their food is so inexpensive but still good quality, but it can be a bit of a trek for some people. Take the time instead to look through the coupons for Star Market so that you can shop close by and still save a good amount of money!

4.      Make sure you have your own checkbook.

I’ve had my own for years but only written three checks at most so I’m excited to finally make a dent in my checkbook. Rent might get a little bit more difficult to pay when you don’t have checks to write out to your landlord (and by difficult, I mean not possible). You can also print out online checks too if you’re able to pay your rent that way!

When your roommates tell you not to name the mouse living in your kitchen, listen to them. You will get attached.

Speaking from personal experience. RIP Tiger the Mouse <333

Hannah: The LinkedIn Self-Stalk

In COM we do two things: 1) We tell stories, and 2) We gain as much experience as possible so that after graduation we can get hired to tell stories.

The sum of those experiences usually tells a story itself; there’s a narrative aspect of our resumes. Once in a while, I stay up late, my laptop screen the only source of light in my room, reading LinkedIn profiles as bedtime stories. I search CEOs and industry leaders to see how their previous positions equal current top spots. And in past years, I’ve peeked at the profiles of upperclassmen, trying to read how their undergraduate endeavors led them from one position to the next.

Now that I’m a senior, I’ve seen three lightning-fast years fly, and I wonder, What even have I done?  A quick scroll down my own LinkedIn profile answers my question. Oh. Yeah. That’s what. Three years of volunteering, studying, interning, teaching, mentoring, and butt-busting laid out on a web page remind me exactly how those years flew.

Last summer, the story my resume told did not impress employers as I thought it would. I applied for countless summer internships when I was in London, and I only heard back from one, informing me I, unfortunately, was not one of the 150 chosen from 13,000 applicants. Odds were not in my favor.  Eventually, I took a job teaching English to first-time US visitors from China, and I loved it.     

It’s up to me now to connect my varied work experiences so I can tell my story.  This is where a thorough resume read-through or perhaps a cheeky LinkedIn self-stalk helps.  It’s a good idea to look at your LinkedIn as a bit of an autobiography.  All your experiences can be linked together if you view them as parts of your bigger narrative.  Telling your personal tale is easiest when you identify how past experiences shaped the potential employee you are.  How coursework, networking, landing the right job, maybe even landing the wrong job has made you knowledgeable, connected, able, resilient. 

I can’t deny that even though my summer job was not the internship I originally envisioned, the teaching position made me more culturally aware, completely comfortable leading lectures, and better prepared to bounce back from rejection. The narrative of my undergraduate years is dynamic, unconventional and diverse. Telling my story will be important as I apply to post-graduate opportunities to work, volunteer and travel.

If you’re like me, in the middle of the application process, remember to practice your interview questions and dress for success.  And, most important to your personal story, don’t forget your LinkedIn Self-Stalk. P.S. You can do anything good.

L.E.: Unconventional Internships

This summer I made the unconventional decision for a Film & TV major and accepted an internship that was "technically" a Public Relations internship. I spent my summer as a Social Media Intern for Boston Children's Hospital.

Every time someone in the office asked me what my major was they would expect me to say "Communications" or "PR." They were even more surprised when they found out that what I actually wanted to do in Television was to write and produce for comedies.

So why did I do it?

I, like many others in the industry, have noticed just how Social Media has taken the world by storm. Every single show you see on television has a twitter or Facebook or instagram or all of the social media platforms. I also had done social media for COM and for some groups on campus so I had enough experience to get the job in the first place.

Currently, there are no classes for Film & TV that really focus on social media so I knew that this opportunity would expand my knowledge base and understanding. And isn't that what internships are for in the first place??

So what did I learn?

I learned A TON. Don't fret- I DID get to go on shoots and actually help film a lot of the videos that BCH uses on their Media Platforms. However, when I look at Social Media now, I understand the marketing and analytics behind it. I also understand the process it takes to create media content and advertise it online. These are processes that can be directly applied to the Television industry.

How so?

One example is a project that I got to work on my own. One of the Directors had informed me that the Boston Police Department was coming to visit a patient and bring him gifts while he was recovering from his 17th surgery. Owen is 6 years old and loooooooves the Police Department. So this was going to be a big deal.

All I had to do was go to the Hospital and get iPhone footage of the visit and then come back to our offices in the Landmark Center and get the story ready. I edited the footage together in FinalCut and sewed together the story I wanted to tell. I also had to contact his Mom and get some information so I could write the social copy for the video.

Once I got the story together, the video went live. It turned out to be our most successful post of the week, receiving 140,000 views, 4,000 likes, 1,086 shares and 140 comments. The story was also picked up by all of the local news affiliates and on Littlethings.com, which filters media through a multitude of platforms such as NBC News and the Today Show. So cool right????

Through this I understood the importance of telling stories like Owen's. I also got to have a hands on experience of finding a story, producing the story and telling the story.

Another jobs of mine was to go through all of the comments on my video and respond to the many viewers. As a producer this was amazing because I got to see first hand what my viewers were responding to my content.

You can see the video here: https://www.facebook.com/BostonChildrensHospital/videos/10157095426895333/

Lessons Learned

By the end of the summer, I couldn't have imagined myself in a better position. I learned so much about how video is taking over the internet and it gave me a perspective on the industry that will help guide me through my entire career. So no matter what your major is, if there's an experience that you think will help shape you as a person then go for it! Don't be afraid to branch out and try new things. If you want to work in Comedy like me, when else are you going to get to work for a Children's hospital??

(the legendary Landmark Center where the Communications and Marketing department for Boston Children's Hospital is located)

 

Aidan: Thoughts from the last semester of college

Hey COM-panions! So, for those of you that don’t know, my name is Aidan, and this is my last semester here in the College of Communication! It’s really great to be saving money by graduating a semester early, but also really sad that I will be leaving pre-maturely. If you have been considering graduating a semester, or even a year early, I thought it might be helpful to let you know how to do it, and what you are getting into.

First, to be able to graduate early, you have to get done all of your 128 credits fast, and you have to cover all your major requirements and your focus. For me, getting out of here a semester early meant making a couple of sacrifices. First, I started with an English minor, but had to drop it to save time. I love English, and wish I could have done the full course load to get my minor, but there came a time where it became more of a burden to find a way to get it done than it was a boon. So, sad as it was, I was not able to do my minor.

Secondly, I had to overload and do summer classes….a lot. I came in with some external credits, which helped, but overloading and taking courses over the summer is what made this all possible. Overloading, to a certain extent, is free (once you qualify to overload without charge). So, overloading is the most effective way to knock out extra classes. For those classes you can’t fit in the schedule, Summer Courses are the way to go. What I did was I found a job on campus that provided housing for free (a lot of them exist!) and also had a schedule where I could take the courses I needed to take over the summer! This freed up a lot of my semester time, and was a great help, but summer classes cost money! So be warned!

After a combo of all of these things, here I am. Not only is this my last semester, but I am part-time (meaning you take less than 12 credits) which means I don’t have to pay for a lot of the fees of being a student here. Financially, this is the best situation I could personally be in. If you think that graduating early will help ease your financial burden, I highly suggest it. But just remember, most of your friends won’t be doing this, which means that your senior year with them may be cut into by your choice to go part-time. Also, overloading and taking summer courses can really put a dent in your free time (which can also barely exist even as a regular college student). This means you have less time to do extra-curriculars, and also less time for perhaps a part-time job or internship.

What I am trying to get across is that this option has both pros and cons. You can save a lot of money, but it can also severely alter your college experience. This was, personally, the best choice for me, and I don’t regret it, but it may not be the best choice for you. If you think you should go this route, talk with your academic advisor! They can tell you if it will be beneficial, and how you can do it. And, if you want, we can sit down and chat about it. Go to Undergrad Affairs, and they can get you in contact with me.

As always: keep it cool, COM

- Aidan

Jimmy: COMe on People!

Fun Fact: When trying to think of broader name for their newly established School of Public Relations, the 1947 Boston University Board of Trustees were stumped. All they they knew was that they really liked the three letters “C,” “O,” and “M.” After failing to arrive at a consensus, they eventually ditched the idea and went with “Boston University College of Communication.” The acronym however, stuck.

After spending INNUMERABLE hours in Mugar doing research, I was able to dig up some of the original contenders. Here they are below:

College of Optional Math

Classes with One Male

Carefully Ornamented Macbooks

Competing for Opportunities and Money

Critical-thinking Overwhelms Me

Compulsively Over-watches Mad Men

CS6 Only, Mom!

Cameras, Overacting, Microphones (oh my!)

Copywriting: Objectively better than Marketing

Care for Overhyped 80’s coming of age Movies?

Continues to Overthink Major

Concise, Objective, and Missing punctuation

Caffeine Over Maintaining sleep

Contemplates the Oscars’ Motives

Convinced OITNB is Magic

Canonize Our Dear Mindy Kaling

(Just to clarify: these are all jokes or hyperbolic observations based off my limited experience as a student in the School of Communication. “COM” is short for “Communication,” obviously)