COM Ambassador Blog

Caroline: Being Sick Away From Home

Its that time of year again when everyone and their mother is sick. Except your mother is actually no where to be found and you’re in your room at college, alone, wishing she could bring you some soup. One of the biggest differences with being sick at school versus at home is that everyone around you just stays away because they don’t want to get sick either. Your mom doesn’t care about getting sick, she just wants you to get better! And of course your friends want you to get better too, they’ll just help you from a distance. Like throwing you a tissue from across the room or translating for you when your voice is too sparse.

Probably the worst thing about having a cod at college, especially BU, is that you have to walk 20min to and from class. Walking the the cold with a sore throat and runny nose is probably the equivalent to swallowing a cup of nails and screw. Vivid image, I know, but just imagine how I felt. The other thing that’s hard is having all of your classes on Tuesday/Thursday. No class on Fridays? Sounds great until you have a 12 hour day and only one pack of tissues to get you through.

Some tips for surviving:

1. Take a day off from class. Its okay to miss if you’re really feeling under the weather. You have all the syllabi and know the work, just contact your professors to let them know ahead of time. Your health is more important than your school work (no matter how much you might think otherwise). This is one thing I didn’t do, but definitely wished I did because I honestly think I wouldn’t have been sick for as long.

2. Go to bed early. First of all, it takes way longer to fall asleep when you’re sick. Not to mention you need to give your body a rest and time to heal itself. I went to bed at 10pm every night.

3. Puffs tissues. Yeah they’re a little more expensive, but your nose will thank you. I promise you that when I was away from home using travel packs of two-ply tissues and folded toilet paper I felt like one of those poor red-nosed children in the puffs commercials.

4. Zicam tablets. I text my mom and told her I was sick (a few days into my torturous illness) and the first thing she said to me was “take zinc”. You have to let Zicam dissolve on your tongue and its unpleasant but it really does help shorten colds.

5. NyQuil? I’m not quite sure if my off-brand version of DayQuil/NyQuil actually helped me sleep. It seemed like it took forever to fall asleep and once I did, I woke up every two hours. But some people swear by it. Maybe next time I’ll splurge on the real stuff.

6. Tea. Hot Tea. My cold started off as a sore throat, so tea (and hot water when un-caffinated tea was unavailable) was key (like that rhyme?). I had my

7. Take some tips from Florida. One of my favorite (often under the weather) Floridians, L.E. Charles, recommended to me two of her state’s great contributions to the world: Gatorade and Oranges (well, vitamin C, but its the same thing). Boost your immune system and get your body super charged to get rid of this cold!

I finally made it through a week or more of pure torture to realize that no matter how hard you try or how healthy you normally are, no one is immune to the common cold. (This is actually a scientific fact, because the virus is constantly mutating.) Just have loving, understanding people around to support you through this difficult time and use my tips for surviving. Also, a call home to mom can’t hurt, plus she’ll tell you everything you should do to get healthy, fast! But patience is key and you just have to let the virus run its course. Next time I have a cold, I think I might experiment with taking no medicine to see whether its even worth it… Hopefully you won’t read that blog post for a while because I do not plan on being sick again for a long time.

Christy: Top 5 favorite “homework shows”

I am not one to sitting in silence. When I do homework, I need to have some source of noise or I can’t get any work done. Although I love Spotify, my go-to for homework noise and entertainment is Netflix. Netflix typically occupies the upper left corner of my screen while I use the rest of academic purposes. I have become a professional at homework-Netflix multi-tasking - it’s easier than you think. Here are my top 5 favorite shows to watch on Netflix while doing homework:

1. Glee
Is there anything better than singing to choreographed dance numbers and high school? Glee is a great homework watch because it doesn’t demand all your attention contains catchy songs so you can get your fix of music in while you do homework.

2. How I Met Your Mother
Of course How I Met Your Mother would is “totally going in my blog!” It is one of my all time favorite shows. It always provides me with a laugh and is easy to turn on in the background and tune in and out of.

3. Parks and Recreation
Similar to How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Rec is another easy watch. The 20 minute comedy doesn’t demand all your undivided attention to pick up the gist of the episode.

4. Friends
I believe I have seen most every episode of Friends more than once, so sometimes I just start a random season and let it play through while I do some class reading

5. Baby Daddy
Thank you ABC Family for this gem. The perfectly cheesy feel-good sitcom complete with a cute baby.

Nick: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Hey guys! My name’s Nick, and I’m super stoked to be joining the COM Ambassador team. I’m a sophomore studying journalism, and have spent much of my time at BU on WTBU’s airwaves, working in Studio West to produce Offsides, a weekly sports talk show through BUTV10, and covering various teams as a beat writer for the Daily Free Press. But for my first post, I’d like to tackle a topic that’s near and dear to my heart: the stage.

College is absolutely a place to try new things and step out of your comfort zone, but it is also a space where you can return to old passions, even after some time, and be welcomed with open arms. I recently found this out firsthand after auditioning for BU On Broadway’s production of American Idiot.

I did theater in high school, but for one reason or another – maybe it was a fear that I wouldn’t fit in or worry that I couldn’t balance a show and schoolwork – I hadn’t tried out for a show at BU until this semester. We’re just over a week into the rehearsal process, and do I ever wish I jumped onto this team a long time ago.

BU On Broadway is one of the student-run theater groups on campus, and much like all the experiences I’ve had here, everyone is incredibly friendly. I have some friends in Stage Troupe as well, and they put on some amazing performances. Whether you’re a first time actor, simply a fan of theater, or a performer who is looking to make his or her return to the stage like myself, I would encourage you to check out one of these groups. If you’re not into the whole acting business, there is plenty to do behind the scenes as well, with stage-managing and tech opportunities (or just come out and support – these shows have both had me cackling to a point of exhaustion and on the brink of tears).

Much like the On Broadway group, there is something for everybody on BU’s campus. I encourage you to check out all there is to offer at BU – see what you like (box combo from Cane’s anyone??), see what you don’t (8 AMs…). One lesson I’ve learned through my first year and a half as a college student is not to hold back. If you want to try something out, go for it. You’re only in college once, and we’re in a pretty great spot. You name it, BU probably has it.

Don’t be afraid to sit next to that random person in the GSU and make a new friend. Or join that table-tennis club because you’ve always admired their intensity. Or try out for the new musical. BU’s campus is your oyster, now go out there and do.

Geena: My Four Tips To Surviving Boston’s Winters

Hi everyone! My name is Geena. Trust me, deciding to come to BU was one of the most exciting times of my life. But as an island girl through and through, the thought of leaving the Jamaican heat to brave Boston’s stormy weather was terrifying and exciting all at once. Here are my four best tips to help you fellow warm weather lovers to not only survive but LOVE your first winter!

1. Stock up on winter gear as soon as possible!

Boston’s weather can be quite unpredictable. Just two days ago it was 50 degrees, but one day later we had to brave an all day snow storm. It can be really exciting to go out in the snow to go to classes, to watch a movie, or to go get dinner. But if you're not prepared for the weather you might be tempted to stay snuggled in bed all day. So my tip is always be prepared for whatever weather The Bean throws at you so that you can still get up, go out and enjoy the city.

2. Ensure your Charlie Card is stocked up!

For those of you who don’t know, one of Boston’s major transport systems is called the “T”. It’s my personal subway savior for those days when even walking to class feels like too much of an undertaking. BU’s city campus facilitates its warm-weather students well because the T runs all through campus. On those days when the snow mounds appear to be impassable and you don’t have the will to walk to class, hopping on the T is the perfect alternative. So I suggest making sure those Charlie Cards, your subway card, is always stocked up so you can hop on the T and make your life a lot easier!

3. Make a note of all the entertainment options nearby!

One of my favorite weekend adventures is going out to do simple things like eating out, going to the movies and shopping. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you should stay in your dorm all day! Find out where all the nearby entertainment options are so you still get to go out and have fun with your friends, but don't have to walk too far to get to. My personal favorites are going to Newbury Street for shopping and eating which you can get to on the T, Regal Fenway movie theatre which is just a 10 minute walk from Kenmore Square and taking advantage of all the restaurants on the Fenway and Kenmore compounds.

4. And finally, find a way to have fun with your friends in your dorms.

With all that was said in point 3, sometimes it’s nice to just chill and have fun with your friends (especially if you’re not up to snow-walking late at night). So have game nights, hot chocolate, movie nights and even dance parties with your friends in your dorm rooms. It’s great to spend time with your friends and having chill nights is one of the best ways to form real and true bonds.

There is absolutely no need to fear coming to school in Boston if you’re coming from a warmer city. Just follow these tips and you’re sure to love your experience here at BU!

Rachel: Deciding to Apply to Go Abroad

When I first looked at schools, abroad programs were not on my list of priorities. I looked for schools with active student bodies, internship opportunities, and engaging professors. You know, all the usual, positive things and things that BU has.

It wasn’t until I got to BU that I realized going abroad is something people actually did. In fact, it started to seem like the norm for COM students. After talking to some people and bringing it up with an advisor, I started to consider my options. Was abroad really for me?

The more I thought about it, the more sense it made and the more excited I got. Not only would I be able to explore the world but I would get to do it while taking classes. I looked at the programs and talked to some of my friends that went abroad to help me solidify my decision.

That’s when I decided I would go for it and apply to the London internship program. I talked to an advisor about the best track to take and which major to go abroad for (I’m PR and Journalism, so it made sense to pick one to focus on). How could I go wrong? I would be taking classes, doing an internship, and they speak English in London! I told my family my plan and how excited I was, and they were mostly supportive.

I live really close to BU (about 45 minutes away), so being in another country would really be stepping out of my comfort zone. I also was planning to go abroad in the fall semester, so I would be missing Thanksgiving and a lot of family members’ birthdays. Most of the time while I was considering to apply, I was excited and ready to go, but occasionally I got a little flip in my stomach about missing so much back home.

Now, the time is almost here to submit my application, and I know for sure this is something I have to do. When else in my life will I get the same opportunity? I have the application on my computer and am actively filling it out. All I have to do is get an advisor to sign off for it, send it in, and hope to be accepted. It was a tough decision to decide to apply. Sometimes if I think about it too much I get a little nervous, but the nervousness never out weighs the excitement.

Jen: Twenty Years, Twenty Lessons

Last Friday, I turned twenty years old.

That is the strangest sentence I’ve ever typed.

In the days leading up to my birthday, I felt I like I was have an almost-quarter life crisis. What have I done? I have never won the National Spelling Bee, I haven’t starred on a hit Disney Channel show, and I haven’t even seen The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (I know. I’m sorry).

Though I wasn’t a child prodigy or even a teen one, I have done and learned a lot.

Here are twenty things I’ve learned in my twenty year life time:

It’s better if you do something earlier than later.
It’s better to known up to being late than make a dumb excuse.
Unsweetened, black iced teas will help power your day when sleep isn’t enough.
Watching a movie can cure any bad feeling.
Major in something that will make you happy instead of making your family happy.
Sometimes, being your own quirky self is better than being like everyone else.
You will never be as cool as Mick Jagger, but you sure can dress as cool as him.
Being by yourself sometimes is better than being surrounded by people.
Nap often.
You’re going to fail and you will get better.
Cape Cod has the best warm lobster rolls.
Go to that weeknight concert (unless you have an exam or work the next day).
Care about people as much as you would care for yourself.
Having a venting session once in awhile is the best kind of detox.
Drink as much water as you can.
Make great things.
Each day, find something that will make you laugh.
Know when to be serious and know when to be goofy.
Know when it’s time to leave and go somewhere else.
You are your own person. You have your own life. Stop trying to compete with the people around you.

Obviously, being twenty years old, I haven’t cracked the surface. I still have a lot to learn. So for now, instead of focusing on the things I didn’t do, I’m going to focus on the things I’m going to do...like figuring out when I’m going to go back to Naco Taco for their plantains and tostones.

“If I turn twenty, that means I can have twenty tacos...right??”

Sam: Why I take a one-second video every day

It’s come to that point in the year where writing “2016” on paper ceases to be awkward and it becomes more and more apparent that time is flying by. I just officially declared my major (Yay! Journalism!) and I’m looking for a summer internship, but sometimes it still feels like I never even graduated high school. Well alas, time slows for no one, which why I decided that this is my semester to record each day and hack into my memory instead of blankly watching my youth escape into the ether. Who wants to look back at college and only have documentation via Snapchat or Instagram?

At the start of the semester, I downloaded an app called 1SE, which stands for 1 Second Everyday. The premise is that I take a one second video every day and upload it onto the app, which has a calendar showing every day of the year and whether or not I shot a video for a specific day. I programmed the app to send me a notification once in the morning and once at noon, so I always remember to shoot my mini video. I’m no Film & TV student (to my FTV roommates’ disappointment), but the app is very easy to use and my iPhone 6 shoots video quality that, in my eyes, definitely does the job.

Since using the app, I take time from my day to reflect on the best clip to use. Sometimes it’s a clip of a super-exciting win at a hockey game. Other times, it’s just my co-editor at my newspaper making coffee. Some videos are memories I never want to forget, like sharing a Green Monster frappe at Tasty Burger with my best friend or FaceTiming my little sisters, who are back home in Indiana. Other videos are just simple moments, like friends blowing out their birthday candles or footage of the puppy who visits my office on occasion. No matter the quality or importance of the video, I appreciate taking the time to make my day memorable. Not to mention, I’ll have a really cool six-minute video by the end of the year, which is a pretty big return on a very small time investment.

As a journalism student, I’m constantly looking for opportunities to tell the stories of others in the community. But by stitching the little moments of my life into a single, continuous chronological movie, I am creating a personal narrative of my BU experience, which is chock-full of memories I definitely never want to forget.

Emma: New Semester, Newfound Love for My Planner

Hi everyone! My name is Emma, and I am so excited to be one of the new COM Ambassadors. The whole process of becoming a CA has helped me fall even more in love with COM, but today I want to give a shout-out to my other true love: my planner.

Before, you scroll down or look up a video of goats in pajamas (the Internet is a wonderful thing), just hear me out. With the first two weeks of class under your belt, the spring semester is officially in full swing, and if you’re anything like me, it’s going to be a busy one. But in no way does busy have to mean bad! And one of the best ways to ensure that, is by getting organized.

This is where your planner comes in! Before you contemplate destroying your syllabi and taking a series of denial naps, grab a pen and try to map out your schedule.

With your planner, you can keep track of class times, assignment due dates, club meetings, professors’ office hours, and cool COM events in one, accessible place. Sure, a ten-page paper may seem overwhelming at first, but when you have all of the components of your schedule written down, it’s easy to see where you have time to work on it, even if it’s just 20 minutes a day. Then, you can space out the workload and see when you can drop in and ask the professor for help, if need be.

Also, writing things down really holds you accountable. Assignments and obligations are always there as soon as you open your planner, and only you can make them go away by finishing/acing them. It is so satisfying to finally get to cross off a major final project or presentation from your planner. More importantly, when you look back in your planner on a nearly impossible week, it just acts as another reminder that you are a rock star and can do anything.

And, sure, if you are more tech savvy than I am, you can do all of this on your phone and/or laptop. But then if you do that, you don’t get to pick out a planner with a super awesome cover design, which, I argue, is possibly the best part. Frankly, you will be missing out.

It is a brand new semester full of opportunity and great achievements to be made. Just don’t forget to try to stay organized, break down assignments little by little, and seriously make time for that video of the goats in pajamas. That one is a no-brainer.

All I can hope is, that by the end of the semester, you and your planner will have started a love affair of your own.

Claire: If You Aren’t Involved in BUTV10, This Is Why You Should Be

https://vimeo.com/91764902

If that awesome and inspiring video didn’t get you pumped then let’s see if I can.

BUTV10 is Boston University’s student produced and managed television station. Our programming includes news, drama, science fiction, sports broadcasting, and even a cooking show. If you aren’t interested in the creative side of television students can be involved in our Marketing, Programming, or Graphics department.

What is so special and unique about BUTV10 is that you do not need any experience to get involved. Students can simply go to butv10.com, find a few shows that they are interested in, and e-mail the Producers directly to get involved.

I got involved in BUTV10 as a freshman. First I worked as a research assistant, then as the show liaison on the management board, and now I am continuing my work with the management board as the general manager.

Now I am a second semester Junior and planning to go abroad for the entire of my senior year, which means that this is my last semester with BUTV10 (tears). As I reminisce about my time with BUTV10 I realize how much it shaped my time here at BU.

BUTV10 is honestly one of the most amazing student groups at BU and if you have any interest in media you should definitely get involved. As I prepare to leave Boston it makes me sad to think that some students go through their time at BU without being a part of BUTV10. That’s so sad!!!

L.E.: The best part of my sorority experience

Being from Florida, I was pretty familiar with the idea of Greek life. I knew that Greek life was not as popular at BU as it was in the south, so I didn’t feel obligated to go through sorority recruitment. When I got to BU, I met so many amazing and inspiring women who happened to be involved in Greek life. I learned that the Greek environment at BU was much different than in the south. Once it became time to sign up for recruitment, I decided to go through the process because most of my friends were signed up and I thought that it would be a great way to meet more COM and non-COM friends that were girls (most of my friends at that point were guys in COM).

The recruitment process is extremely physically and emotionally draining. I had to wake up early and head to the Marriott Copley to spend the majority of my weekend visiting different sorority rooms and having a lifetime of conversations with different girls. After a few identity crises and deep thinking, I finished the recruitment process and awaited Bid-day (the day you find out which sorority offers you a bid for membership).

There are 10 amazing sororities on campus, which makes recruitment SO challenging. However I felt that ADPi was the best fit for me. What I didn’t know at first was how much an impact that my sorority was going to have in my life.

I don’t have enough space to cover all of the great aspects of being in a sorority, so I want to focus on the one that has had the most profound impact on me: sisterhood. Through ADPi, I gained a home filled of so many girls that inspire and support me daily.

This year I am living in a suite with 5 other girls, 4 of them being in my sorority. Before we decided to live together our primary connection was our sorority, we’re all in different schools and are involved in different activities. However, it’s only the beginning of spring semester and these girls have already impacted my life in such a positive way.

In a busy and stressful work week, I know that when I go home I have an amazing support system that is always there for me. I know that if I ever need advice or someone to vent to, there will always be someone there for me. The memories we’ve made are endless and the love and joy that my roommates have poured into my life is immense. I’m already dreading the end of the year and the fact I won’t get to live with them forever.

The best friends that I have gained through my sorority extends beyond my roommates, as I have made so many relationships that I know will be lifelong. Whether it’s needing to talk to someone to talk to at 2 AM, an intern or guest for my radio show, or someone to watch a movie with, these girls have always been there for me. In my college experience this far, there is nothing I am more thankful for than the best friends that I have made here. Friends who constantly inspire me and remind me of who I am and the type of person that I want to be.

My best advice for girls who are any bit interested in recruitment is GO FOR IT! I was never even planning on accepting a bid and if I didn’t take that chance of going through the recruitment process then I never would have met some of my best friends. Greek life is filled with incredible women that work to better the world around them. Whether it’s through philanthropy or friendship, being in a sorority is a great opportunity to mold you as a person and enhance your college experience.

The picture above is from a sisterhood event and below is my roommate and I on our big comfy couch

Roommates + Sophie + Emily for a birthday celebration: