Megan: Dealing with 8 AM Classes

8 a.m.

A time that strikes fear in the hearts of many a college student forced to wake up way too early and pay attention way too long before the sun has officially woken up for the day.

8 a.m. classes strike in different ways. Some are requirements, and some are classes you really want to take but have to be up at an ungodly hour to go to.

I have been through both of these situations, and I have the answers on how to survive Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 until 9:15.

  1. Wake up wicked early. Like 6:40 early. That way you can either take a shower to regenerate yourself or just lounge around and give yourself ample amounts of time to be awake. Checking Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat makes you feel more engaged and ready to start the day.
  2. Go somewhere for breakfast. I recommend Einstein’s. It is fantastic, has so many options, and, best of all, takes dining points. Even if you feel like you can’t have a full breakfast that early in the morning, have a little snack just to get some energy. I always get a bagel and the orange juice.
  3. About the orange juice. Don’t drink it while you eat your bagel. Save it for class, because that’s how you really stay awake. The best trick I have (and that I absolutely swear by) is taking a sip of OJ every five minutes in class. Sometimes I’m so awake I miss a sip, and that’s how you know you’ve conquered your 8 a.m. Its just something to focus on so you don’t fall asleep!
  4. Don’t wear lots of layers. If you are feeling warm and cozy you might get drousy: I wear light clothes so I’m cold and awake the whole lecture. The goose bumps are worth it!

I skip coffee because the taste and smell makes me sick, but if that’s your thing try it out! A secret of mine is that I don’t even really like orange juice, but it has really saved my grade the past two semesters.

Surviving your 8 a.m. is all about finding the tricks that make you awake and alert. Some days will be harder than others. You may have noticed that I skipped going to bed early because that’s pretty much impossible in school. Just do your best!

Tyler: The Life and Times of a Boy in Boston (during the Summer)

A summer in Boston is a summer in heaven.

JK. It’s not that amazing. But it’s pretty close.

This past summer, I was fortunate enough to stay in Boston while I worked on campus and interned nearby. Both were excellent educational/professional experiences, but in additional to that, I got to spend more time in the place I called home.

Okay, so here’s my summer low-down:

INTERNING AT PBS

I was ecstatic to work at WGBH, the largest PBS affiliate and content producer. WGBH is a great opportunity for any BU student looking to get into a media-related field, as it is such a major player in public radio/television -- and it’s only down the road from campus! I was hired to intern (alongside fellow CA Claudia) in WGBH’s Studio Six, which produces a variety of nationally-syndicated PBS lifestyle series: Simply Ming, Rough Cut Woodworking, Moveable Feast, Lidia Celebrates America, and the new Point Taken. The position was primarily administrative and was specifically titled under “National Content Development.” I worked with producers to conduct research and development on existing projects and oversaw production operations for the above shows. In addition, I aided the development of new pitches for PBS and outside networks (but my lips are sealed!).

Now that I’ve said the official details of the internship, let me tell you about the actual experience: it was fantastic. Not only did I gain a solid network of industry professionals, but I got to watch so many exciting things occur. I was lucky enough to shadow on set for the season 14 shoot of Simply Ming, where I met nationally-acclaimed chefs and watched a real the unfolding of real TV production. Or there was the time I spent several days calling Norwegian production companies to recruit crew members for an international shoot. Or how about that time that Claudia and I found our supervisor’s closet full of Emmy awards? Yeah. That happened. I was meeting with producers from other major PBS series like Frontline and Nova for lunches. To say that I learned a lot and that I enjoyed it is an understatement.

For those of you interested in a local, highly-regarded internship: I would recommend WGBH. Not only is it a great, accessible starting point, but it’s a huge accomplishment.

WORKING AT BU

During the school year, I work as a desk assistant at the Boston University Center for Career Development and Educational Resource Center (a.k.a. the BU CCD and ERC; the former is just a mouthful). I extended my employment through the summer, and I was granted housing in a South Campus apartment. Balancing this with my internship was simple and allowed me to live in Boston at no charge, and I couldn’t have been happier.

The CCD and ERC are great resources on campus, of which everyone should take advantage. They are at virtually no cost to you and offer professional services that aid in your job search/application/hiring process, assess and develop work skills, help you to find out what to do with your life (the dreaded question), receive peer tutoring, and improve academic skills. Their resources are endless, and the staff members are the friendliest people I’ll ever meet.

After spending two months with them and my luxurious view of the Charles, I was more educated on what BU has to offer and formed deep connections with BU faculty that will endure for years to come.

WHAT THE HECK IS A SOCIAL LIFE?

Between these two things and other commitments, I was sometimes spending up to 50 to 60 hours/week at some form of a job. And, surprisingly, I was okay with it. I was doing things that I enjoyed. And, with the exception of some long hours, I still found time to have a life.

I was doing all of the tourtisty things (roll your eyes all you want, but it’s FUN), exploring areas of the city I’d never been to before, and making memories with new friends. It was probably the most important component of the summer. For a number of BU students, the #1 reason they came here was to be in Boston, and it was time to take advantage of that.

So, I guess the point of all this is to say, “STAY IN BOSTON!!!” I think every BU student should experience at least one summer in the city. See what Boston has to offer you year-round and experience the city when it’s above 60 degrees outside. Make this place your home.

Katie: Best Non-Committal Shows to Binge Watch on Netflix

While some of us are already diving head first into our schoolwork for the semester, some may still have some free time to kill. And how do we kill that time? Netflix, of course! But starting a new binge-watch can be pretty dangerous, especially when the show is so addicting you’ll think of nothing else throughout the day. Don’t get me wrong—I love a good “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Jane the Virgin,” or “Breaking Bad” binge. However, instead of getting sucked into an hour-long dramedy, consider the following short-term options that allow for breaking away once classes and jobs get more demanding.

1.     Friends

 I’ve seen the entirety of Friends three times now (and then some), but something about this show never gets old. 

2.     Parks and Recreation

There are some episodes of Parks and Rec I watch over and over and never get sick of. I’m a firm believer in the fact that Leslie Knope is one of the best female characters ever written. And you can’t go wrong with Ron Swanson, Tom Haverford, or Andy Dwyer, either.

3.     The Office

The Office was never my first choice when I was in high school, but now it’s impossible to resist. Every character has such a distinct personality, and Michael Scott really changed the game in comedic television.

4.     New Girl

 I myself have only seen a few episodes of New Girl, but I’ve definitely enjoyed it. It’s funny, sentimental, and just quirky enough.

5.     Bob’s Burgers

Again, I’ve only seen a few episodes, but Bob’s Burgers is not one to miss. I am usually not a fan of adult cartoons (they just don’t do it for me), but this one has me laughing out loud whenever I watch.

What I love about these shows is that they are all so well done, but few require a deep understanding of plot and most can be stopped for a few weeks or months and picked up again pretty easily. Go forth and binge! 

Hanna: A Vegan Senior

Here are two things I didn’t think would ever happen to me:

            1) I would become a senior.

            2) I would become a vegan.

Senior year of college was inevitable, but that did not make its arrival any easier to believe. To make the transition even more bizarre, I found myself having a strange burst of inspiration to try this new route to healthy living. I have had my fair share of food-related health goals in the past. I have gone weeks of cutting out bread, pasta, and other carbs I convinced myself were satanic, only to falter after a night out ended at T. Anthony’s. I tried Isagenix, a 30-day intensive eating system that provided meal-replacement shakes, guided cleanses, specific snacks, and a very serious limit on which foods you can and cannot consume (the only unlimited items were celery and cucumbers, basically crunchy water). This summer I tried a hip diet called starving-intern-living-in-New-York-City-by-herself-for-the-first-time. My internship provided enough of a salary for me to cut my parents slack and pay for my entire existence, but as soon as I excitedly headed to the store to buy ingredients for all the healthy recipes I had found on Pinterest, I learned the true agony of what it really takes to be healthy: lots and lots of money.

For example, every recipe I found on exercise-related sites suggested I incorporate chia seeds into my diet. Stick ‘em in your shake, in your oatmeal, in your salad, in your birthday cake (they did not suggest this but I’m sure the health icons of the internet wouldn’t shy away from doing that. If they even eat birthday cake). Do you know how much a small bag of chia seeds costs? DO YOU? Guess. Nope, more. At least where I was shopping in hipster little Brooklyn, those suckers were about $15! My resentment toward chia seeds has yet to shy away.

Needless to say, I took advantage of the free food in my office and ate a whole lot less due to my fear of losing all my money. I would suggest that others avoid this lifestyle.

Some of the diets were great. I lost some weight, I felt energized, but they certainly took a hit at my enjoyment and my wallet. Plans are expensive and the mindset they require was difficult for me to maintain. Everything was an uphill battle to reach the end of the 30 days, to win the internal war of “I shouldn’t eat this but I want to…” every time something tempted, and to fight off the guilt when I cheated. I was constantly struggling to stick with whatever I was trying at the time, and while my usual habits are inherently healthy (I am an active person who enjoys a good run on the Charles and the Warren Dining Hall salad bar) none of the plans became my lifestyle.

About four weeks ago, a new co-worker named Alex mentioned she was vegan. Yikes, I thought. How can a college student with a meal plan and zero income pull off being vegan and healthy?

“It’s such an awesome way to keep up your ideal health in college. And it’s cheap!”

That chick read my mind. I had always thought veganism, and even vegetarianism, would not be worth the costs; I’d resort to eating unhealthy snacks and too many carbs, I’d spend too much money, or I’d go hungry due to limited options on a college campus. But suddenly a person with my lifestyle was raving about it.

“I have so much more energy, and my body has been able to regulate itself in terms of eating enough, eating enough of the right things, and adjusting to the food I avoid now. There are vegan alternatives to everything, too, so while most of my diet is the right protein and nutrients and stuff, I can still have great food. Oreos are vegan!”

Oreos are vegan? Sold. Alex, my vegan spirit guide, encouraged me to start small with just a few meals for a week, but after that I was hooked. All of the mental struggles of previous diets disappeared when I didn’t even have the option to debate certain temptations. I didn’t feel a huge void without meat, and I felt way less bloated and gross from cutting out dairy (Sorry. TMI). Excessive vegetables became a great source of protein and fruit became a perfect dessert. Every now and then I allow myself to “cheat” out of convenience for others or, again, a late night ending at T. Anthony’s, but because my daily habits are so much more naturally healthy, I don’t feel the same guilt I used to whenever I slipped in a slice of pizza.

Alex was nice enough to share a little guide she’d made for how to keep it up in college, and I thought I’d share some of it here!

Breakfast

An essential start to your day! This should be full of carbs to power you through a workout or busy morning.

  • Cereal: grape nuts/rolled oats with almond or soy milk and lots of fruit
  • Oats: these should be your go-to breakfast, GREAT before a workout!
    •  Add-ins:
    • Maple syrup
    • Fresh or frozen berries
    • Cocoa powder
  • Hash Brown Waffle with mixed veggies
  • Fruit
  • Toast with jam, low-fat peanut butter, Engine 2 hummus, veggies, etc.
  • PRO TIP: your bananas should be a little spotty for optimal digestion and nutrition (they also taste better)

Lunch/Dinner

 The bulk of this should consist of a grain/starch, vegetables, and beans/legumes.

  • Basics: rice or potatoes, veggies (fresh or frozen, at least 2 cups), beans/lentils
  • Idea: Burrito bowl: rice, refried beans (TJ makes a great vegan kind), veggies, salsa, whatever you want!
  • Sushi wrap or bowl: rice with avocado/carrot/cucumber in a seaweed wrap or a bowl, add soy sauce, sriracha, wasabi, or anything else.

Flavor

Rice, beans, and veggies can get boring if you don’t change up the flavors you’re adding!

  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Oil free dressings and sauces
  • Salsa
  • Hot sauce
  • Garlic powder/onion powder/paprika are my favorite spices to add while cooking
  • Nutritional Yeast
  • Maple syrup

A lot of people think this lifestyle is “boring” because it can be repetitive, but most Americans cycle throughout the same 4 or 5 meals…just saying.

Reminders & Eating Enough

  • It is SO IMPORTANT that you are eating enough!!!! You shouldn’t be feeling weak or hungry and if you are, start eating more food.
  • A lifestyle change like this is a big adjustment and it takes some time and getting used to but it is SO worth it. If you are ever feeling unsure, remember why you are doing this and how great you feel, your body will thank you.
  • It does take a while to figure out how much food you need because you’re now eating much less calorically dense diet, give it time and do what makes you feel the best.
  • You should never feel deprived! If you are hungry, eat a snack!
  • Eat intuitively, eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full; don’t obsess about calories and macros. If you are constantly hungry/thinking about food, you aren’t eating enough.
  • If you are craving something specific, it’s ok to treat yourself (to a vegan treat, i.e. TJ’s coconut based ice cream/vegan snacks) every now and then but look for a healthy option most of the time.
  • Don’t be overly concerned about protein, if you are eating enough calories, you are getting enough protein.

Tips

  • Drink a BIG glass of water every morning right when you wake up! It’s a great way to feel awake, get your digestion going, and get hydrated!
  • Bring a piece of fruit or a bar with you everywhere you go! Being hungry sucks so always be prepared!
  • When eating out, breakfast tends to be the most difficult meal to order; my go-to is normally a few slices of dry wheat toast with jam or avocado or a bowl of oats with a big side of fruit!

Exercise

  • A high carb lifestyle such as this is actually ideal for active and athletic people, you will feel so strong and energized during your workouts!
  • CARBS are your main source of energy so try to eat a serving of whole grains/starches about 60 minutes before a workout.
  • You can have a serving of protein after a workout if you feel your muscles really need the help with recovering, but you don’t need things like protein shakes or powders as much as you may think.

And so, four weeks later, here I am: a senior vegan. Sure, it hasn’t been so long, but the improvements I’ve felt through something that has seemed so easy makes me confident in keeping it up. This is the first time a health change hasn’t been a conscious burden. I do not feel restricted about what I can eat nearly as much as expected, much thanks to the diversity of BU Dining options, killer salad bars, and the affordability of meatless options (really! Saving money is motivational! Woo!). I also have liberty to eat as much of the healthy stuff as I want…you can never have too many vegetables, so I really don’t ever feel hungry. Easing myself onto this lifestyle has been a very positive experience, and I’ve managed to do it at college no less. Hey, it also helps animals and the environment! With all my previous inhibitions busted, I can’t even remember many of the negatives.

If you’re thinking of trying vegan out, give the above guide a try, know that your food will not taste like cardboard, and enjoy the feeling of an energized, low-stress, refreshingly healthy lifestyle. Have a great year and stay healthy, kids.

Zach: Best Apps for College

I am always on my computer and phone, in fact I should put them down more. But whatever! Here are some apps that have made my life easier at college!
1: Mint
I’ve mentioned this app in a blog post before but it’s a banking app that allows you to see how much money you have in all of your accounts. It allows you to set budgets (like ONLY SPEND $30 ON STARBUCKS THIS MONTH) and keep track of how much you spend and in what ways.
2: GroupMe
If you are like me, you hate it when people have green texts. We all know what that means, especially in terms of group chats. So, anytime you need to have a group chat, save yourself the hassle of seeing if everyone has an iPhone and make a GroupMe! There’s ton of fun things you can do that you can’t in a normal group chat (like “heart” people’s posts) and it’s super fun.
3: Find My Friends
This one is a recent discovery for me, but it’s built into an iPhone. You can track your friends. I know how creepy this sounds but its amazing. You will never have to send a “anyone in the GSU” text again, because YOU’LL KNOW! Things can get weird when people leave campus and you know where they went but whatever.
4: Foursquare
I eat out very sparingly, and when I do, I make sure it’s a damn good restaurant. In my option, Foursquare is better than Yelp because it collects your tastes and foods you like and matches restaurants to you. It also has a tips section, where people can let you know what is good on the menu, Plus, there is a more specific scale for rating restaurant than just 5 stars.
5: Transit 
THIS APP SAVES LIVES! This app tracks the MBTA and tells you when the T or Bus is coming! It also shows you where Hubway’s and Uber’s are!
6: Overcast
I love podcasts, but don’t have time for them. This app lets you listen to them quicker. It has a feature where you can erase silences and where you can speed up the tempo, without messing with the pitch. Amazing!
7: Self Control (for Mac)
BLOCK FACEBOOK! BLOCK BUZZED! SET A TIMER AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

Eliza: Thank you, Trader Joe’s

Since moving into an apartment at the beginning of this semester, two things have become evident to me: I didn’t appreciate my dining plan the way I should have, and Trader Joe’s may or may not be the promised land.

My appreciation for Trader Joe’s comes largely out of respect for the way it has provided me with things to eat other than Annie’s mac & cheese (although I will never lie about the deep sense of love I have for that gift from heaven).  Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook – I find it relaxing and enjoyable – unfortunately between classes, work, exams, papers, and my rigorous Netflix schedule, the time isn’t always there.  I quickly found my saving grace in Brookline, thankfully only a short 20 minute walk from StuVi.

So, this is it.  My shout out to the frozen foods and snacks sections at Trader Joes, thanks for getting me through this semester with semi-proper nutrition and my sanity.  Late nights on the 26th floor of StuVi2 wouldn’t have been the same without Inner Peas and mandarin sparkling water.  Getting home late from club meetings or work would have killed me if not for frozen burritos and pineapple salsa.  Afternoons writing papers would have been much less enjoyable if not for frozen peanut butter cups (shoutout to my roommate for always keeping them stocked) and pre-brewed iced coffee.  It’s been a semester of the books, for the books, and by the books, and I couldn’t have done it without snacks. Here’s to study period and finals week, I can’t wait to snack my way through it.

Jen: When One Door Opens, The Opener Comes In

 

Recently, I was on the phone with my mom and she asked me what I was doing this weekend. I told her I was going to a concert and her response was “another one?! Haven’t you been to enough concerts this month?” Now, I don’t go to a ton of concerts, but I do go to enough to make my parents and friends wonder if I do anything else with my free time. I love going to concerts in Boston. I’m from a place where the only concerts are basically Dave Matthews Band and Rascal Flatts (not that there is anything wrong with those bands, it’s just those are basically the only ones that come to where I’m from) (and sometimes it’s exhausting). I’m fortunate to go to school in a city where a bunch of my favorite bands and artists play. One of my favorite parts about going to a concert (besides getting there an hour early to get in the front, and then eventually getting hearing loss the day after) is seeing the opener before the main act! I think that any indicator of a great concert is if there is a great opener. Not only do you get to jam out to a band you may never had heard of before, but you also may find your next favorite band! So, enough beating around the bush, here are a few of my favorite openers from concerts I’ve seen here in Boston!

Young Rival (opened for Born Ruffians, 10/29/2015): I knew this band was going to be great as soon as they walked on stage in gold glitter blazers. They were the second opener for Born Ruffians at The Sinclair in October. They have a pretty chill vibe that’s perfect to listen to if you just want to mellow out and hang with friends.

Listen To: That’s Chemistry ( on Spotify )

Jamie N Commons (opened for Catfish and the Bottlemen, 10/16/2015): This was one of the first times where I knew the opener before I went to the concert. The reason why is because one of their songs was in the trailer for the new Coen Bros. movie Hail Casesar! This bluesy/folk-rock band gives off a gritty vibe that makes it hard for you not to jam to their songs. You probably have also heard their song “Jungle” in the Pitch Perfect 2 trailer. They also had another one of their songs in The Walking Dead!

Listen To: Rumble N Sway ( on Spotify )

Tess and Dave (opened for Father John Misty, 4/22/16 ): Okay, this couple is my newest obsession. This couple, who are in the band for Father John Misty, also have a very chill vibe. They gave me a chill space alien couple vibe. They probably had one of the best performances I’ve seen by an opener. I don’t even know what I loved more! Was it because the had synchronized dances? Was it because the lead the audience in a sing-a-long to one of their songs, which is about a Subaru? Was it their rainbow lights? Please please please listen to them!

Listen To: Social Chess ( on Bandcamp https://tessdave.bandcamp.com/releases)

 

Some More Bands ( Quickfire! )

Milo Greene ( listen to White Lies, on Spotify )

Dirty Bangs  ( listen to Pleasures, on Bandcamp https://dirtybangs.bandcamp.com/album/standards-4)

Cherry Glazzer (listen to Had Ten Dollaz , on Spotify)

Night Terrors of 1927 ( listen to When You Were Mine, on Spotify)

Kreag: Surviving the End of the Semester

I don’t know how many other people deal with this problem, but for me, the end of the semester typically signals stress-time.  This isn’t necessarily due to the amount of finals or final papers I have, but sometimes everything coming to a close for the semester becomes very overwhelming.  Whether its projects in the weeks leading up to finals or the stresses of trying to figure out your summer situation, things seem to pile on quicker than ever as you approach the end of the school year.  Today I am going to share with you some of my favorite ways to escape the stressors of the end of the semester.

  1. Go see a movie-  This is my favorite thing to do when things start to get crazy.  I know it could potentially just sound like I’m avoiding my responsibilities, but sometimes you just need a break from reality, and a movie is a perfect way to do that.  Recently, I went to see Zootopia with a few fellow COM Ambassadors after Open House, and it was a super fun time.  Also, if you haven’t seen it, I totally recommend Zootopia.  It was better than Inside Out.  And I’m sure you know how people feel about Inside Out!  Zootopia is that good.
  2. Take a walk/go on adventure in the city- We are in Boston!  There are so many places you can reach just by walking for a little while!  At the end of last year I would walk with friends from campus to the harbor and then spend some time in the North End before typically getting some form of pastry (a lot of people would recommend Mike’s for a cannoli, but I really enjoy Modern).  You could also just walk to the Boston Public Garden and spend an afternoon doing some reading or work there.  Its one of my favorite places to go in the city, especially on a nice April/May afternoon when the sun is out and the weather is warm.  Alternatively, you could just take a walk along the esplanade.  Its beautiful in the spring with all the trees in bloom, and if you walk down far enough you can end up at this super fun playground with this weird spider-web playscape.
  3. Go to FitRec- I have found that this is one of my favorite ways to escape the stressors of finals period.  Being able to go and  work out is a great way to take your mind off things.  An hour on the elliptical can work wonders fro your mental state.
  4. Go to Target- Whoever decided to build a Target near Fenway is my personal savior.  There is something very therapeutic about entering a Target and wandering around for hours while you do your shopping, and that’s a feeling you are most definitely not going to get at other stores like StarMarket.

I know that a lot of these suggestions could just sound like tips to procrastinate doing your work, but remember, breaks are necessary!  The last few weeks of the semester can be a rough time, and if you don’t take a moment for yourself every so often, stress is just going to build up even more.

Good luck with finals, and enjoy the last few weeks of the semester!

Claudia: COM Ambassadors

Move over Taylor Swift’s girl gang, there’s a new squad in town — The COM Ambassadors! As a COM Ambassador, I have met some amazing, interesting, talented and overall wonderful people. Some have already graduated and others are fresh faces, but either way, I have made friends for life.

Open House is the deciding factor for a lot of admitted Terriers and each year COM kicks off the day with a fun video.

This year for Open House, a group of us got together and created a Full House parody to introduce the COM Ambassadors. The video was a blast to make as we all channelled our favorite family sitcom!

 

Want to watch the whole thing? Check out the link below!

https://youtu.be/lJm2DQW37h8

(I promise the theme song will be stuck in your head for WEEKS)

The COM Ambassador program has not only helped me adjust to life at BU, but has also introduced me to some fabulous people! So no matter who you choose as your CA (THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING PEOPLE TO CHOOSE FROM YOU LITERALLY CANNOT GO WRONG), you’ll not only have a mentor, but also an amazing new friend.

We had such a fun time meeting you guys at Open House and cannot wait for the fall! Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions throughout the summer!

Hanna: Classes

I wanted to take this blog post to give a shout out to my favorite classes/professors at BU! I know many of us have already registered for the Fall semester, but there still may be time to switch around a bit! Here are a few of the courses that have truly made my time in COM, and at BU, worthwhile:

 

  1. Creative TV Producing.

Professor Garland Waller is a gem. She is a talented producer with a phenomenal work ethic – one that I try to emulate every day. Every project we did felt practical and useful. I knew I would be able to apply everything I was learning to my work in the real world (gasp!) and that cannot be said about every college class. We focused on reality TV, talk shows, and documentaries, learning everything from pitches to premieres. I was challenged in the class. Her grading scale is based on industry standards and will force you to question everything you thought you could do well. However, the end result is improvement beyond any expectations, and possibly new found skills, goals, or interests you wouldn’t have stumbled upon otherwise! I will owe my career to this class, as well as to the genuine care and kindness of Professor Waller.

 

  1. TV Theory and Criticism.

This graduate-level course was TRICKY. Lots of readings. Many readings with big words I had to look up and look up again. But the discussions, contributions from other classmates, and chose subject matter by Professor Deborah Jaramillo (she’s amazing) were mind-blowing. I thought I loved being a Film & TV major, but this class gave me a brand new respect for the field and its possibilities. Especially during such a fickle time, media and television specifically are places to watch. I’m sure you already know that, but exploring the theoretical basis for how we got where we are, where we’re going, and what can be done to influence that future dives deep into scholarship and philosophy – all of which will challenge you intellectually. Sure, it took a lot of reading, but it took me to a new level in terms of my understanding and appreciation of TV.

 

  1. International Relations and Religion.

Maybe not for every COM kid, but if you’re an IR or Political Science minor/concentration, check it out! Professor Menchik leads this graduate-level course with great precision. He is subtle, but every move he makes guides the class toward very important, relevant, and innovative lessons. I personally love the study of religions, especially from an objective perspective, and this class has not only taught me so much but has given me many ideas for great stories...every COM kid’s dream! Religion affects the world on a larger scale than world leaders appreciate. Especially in global affairs, secularists often neglect the political role of religion, the influence of its philosophy, and the potential its study can have for improving relations. Maybe a Film & TV major can take that understanding and apply it to a project or two.

 

  1. Production 2.

I have this class with Professor Mary Jane Doherty, a funky and beautiful filmmaker who teaches you to work from your heart and your gut. It is important to come into the class with a strong foundation in the technical side of filmmaking, but you certainly do not have to know anything. You never will, and MJ knows this! She wants you to make mistakes as much as you can. This gives her opportunities to dance around the room as she points out to the class how that mistake could teach every single person a thing or two about film language. She loves the world and she loves to capture it with a camera. In a sense, she’s a cinematic choreographer with the ability to bring you into a world where you forget about the frame and the screen – a brilliant role model if I’ve ever seen one. More than that, she encourages you not to follow the herd. Try everything, find your fit, and allow that fit to work for you and guide you toward better versions of yourself. Those lessons are more valuable than anything I could find in a textbook.

 

  1. Writing the Situation Comedy.

Not only is Professor Loman a skilled professional with an IMDB list that will make your jaw drop, but he is fantastic to work with in a classroom! This class taught me what it might be like to sit in a writers’ room, surrounded by loony people trying to create and improve and improve and improve. For me, writing as a team was a brand new experience and one that I appreciated more than I could have expected. It’s incredible to know that you are all working together on a joke – that your initial idea could be just the thing that sparks the perfect punch line from someone else. I wrote a useable spec script in this class…that’s not too shabby! But more than that, I felt like my work inside the classroom mirrored what I may find outside of BU, and I did this while getting to know some wonderful, talented students in COM. Hopefully I’ll get to work with them for real someday!

 

These are just a few of the many inspiring classes offered at Boston University. I have been lucky to meet great professors, learn important lessons, and surround myself with enthusiastic students every step of the way. It even makes an 8am class or two worth it in the end!