Christy: Breaking Free from the End of Semester Slump

As the weather gets colder and the dark, dreary skies become the new normal, its easy to fall into a slump. We wake up, look forward to going back to be and alternate our favorite end of the semester activities: going to class, doing school work and stressing out.

Last year, I found it hard to break free of this slump, but this semester I have found some ways to force myself to break this trend: the most important being get out and get a change of scenery.

1: Make a date with yourself
Plan a date and time to go to Starbucks or Pavement to get a change of scenery. I know it sounds silly but designating a time to get yourself out is a great way to break habits and routines. Even if you do homework while you’re there, it’s nice just to be somewhere other than the library or your desk.

2: Make a date with a friend
Sitting alone not your thing? Plan to go to lunch with a friend! Whether you plan to go to Starbucks to get some work done or hit up Newbury Street for a nice lunch and conversation, hanging out with a friend will distract you for daily stresses, while catching up with a friend you have probably neglected to talk to as much because your lives have so consumed with stress.

3: Go see The Nutcracker
I grew up both performing in and seeing The Nutcracker so I always associate December with this iconic ballet. There is nothing that compares to the magic of The Nutcracker (in my objective opinion.) Never seen a ballet? The Nutcracker is the perfect first ballet! It is beautiful and upbeat with a timeless story. Take a night to head downtown to the Boston Opera House and get lost in the Land of Sweets rather than your COM101 textbook.

At the end of the semester, don’t be afraid to change it up, go somewhere new and have some fun!

Kreag: Boston: Winter Wonderland?

As the winter months approach, a lot of people end up stuck in their dorms as the snow buries our dorms and traps us inside.  Especially for those coming from rural or more suburban areas, its unusual to not be able to run out of your house and jump into the snow.  The city is a totally new experience during winter, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to do!  So, today I’m going to share some potential activities around the city that you can do even when there’s a few dozen feet of snow on the ground.

 

  1. Personally, my favorite thing to do in the winter, especially right after a fresh snow fall, is to take a trip to the Public Garden and Boston Common.  The whole area is absolutely beautiful after it has snowed and its perfect for those of you who love photography.  This is also going to be your only chance to visit the little island that lies in the center of the pond in the public garden, as the water freezes over and you’re able to walk out on to the ice and journey out to the center of the pond!

 

  1. The Esplanade typically has a big snowball fight after the first big snowstorm.  Last year it got cancelled because the storm was soooo bad, but hopefully this year it’ll be back on.  I’ve heard that it’s a lot of fun, and people come from all over the city to take part!  The esplanade in general during the winter is a beautiful place to visit, and also super close to campus!

 

  1. Another great opportunity is ice skating on the frog pond at Boston Common!  I had a few friends who went last year and claimed it was a super fun time.  I plan on going sometime before the end of the semester.

 

  1. The tree lightings across the city are also wonderful events that I wish I could have attended this year!  There’s a great lighting in Faneuil Hall that already happened, but Faneuil Hall during winter in general is a beautiful place to visit.
  2. Literally just wandering the city.  Last year I had to do a photography project out in the city in the middle of February and it was a great way to see the city from a whole new perspective.  Somehow I ended up at the fishing pier, which was entirely empty for once and it was super cool to see.  Honestly, losing yourself in the city during the winter is a great experience.

So, there you have it.  Five different activities to keep you busy during the frozen winter months!  Now here's to hoping that we don't break another snowfall record this year...

L.E.: COM’s Most Special Classes

For Film & Television majors there are so many interesting classes that you can choose from that are listed on the degree requirement form. However, what a lot of eager film-gurus do not realize is that there are additional special topics courses that are offered each semester. These special topics vary semester to semester and get specific in course description.

This semester I had the opportunity to take a special topics TV studies class called "NBC: The Anatomy of a Network." In this class we study the multiple facets of network TV using NBC as a case study. Not only was this a great focus since NBC was the first American broadcast network, but I have also loved NBC for as long as TV has been a part of my life (aka always).

When I first heard about this class from an upperclassman friend, I knew I had to take the class because I never knew if they were going to offer it again (the scary thing about special topics courses). I was also nervous to take a graduate level course as a first semester sophomore. Thankfully a spot freed up and I ran to the Film & TV department and had them add me on to the class.

The class is once a week and is a long 3 hour session. However it never feels like a long class because everything we talk about is so entertaining and interesting. We watch full episodes of NBC's best (and worst) shows like ER, SNL and Hill Street Blues. Also you know it's a great class when the professor starts the discussion each week by asking us what TV we've been watching.

Speaking of my professor, if you are interesting in studying TV you MUST take a class with Professor Jaramillo at some point of your BU career. She is brilliant and knows SO MUCH about the TV industry. She's literally a TV scholar and I wish I had the opportunity to learn from her every single day. Next semester, she's teaching two special topics courses: "Uncensored TV" and "Feminist Television." If just the titles of those classes don't intrigue you right off the bat, you can find their course descriptions at http://www.bu.edu/com/files/2015/10/Spring-2016-Special-Topics.pdf

So take a look at the list and see if there are any classes that spark your interest and if you're thinking about adding "Inside YouTube: Understanding the Rise of a Media Juggernaut" I'll see you in class next semester!

Zach is Back: Ranking The GSU Options

The rankings ensue! As we finish this semester I will answer one of the most burning questions at BU, which is the best location at the GSU. Now I know what you are thinking: this. is. tough. But if anyone can handle it, it’s me. I am the biggest GSU lover ever and should receive infinite dining points for even making this post, but I digress.
(I will rate from worst to best.)
10: Panda Express
No, Panda is not bad by any means, nothing at the GSU is actually bad. However, this is the least original and you can’t deny that you always feel gross after eating something from Panda Express. Also they are always out of Teriyaki which is a big no-no in my book. There is something comforting though in having it, as it is a real brand that you can have realistic expectations with its food. But at the end of the day… it’s still panda
9: Grab N Go
Honestly, just wait the 5 extra minutes for a good option or go to City Co.
8: Takin’ It To The Street
What a beautiful, but unreliable concept. I love the idea of rotating themes (more on that later), and I love that we get to experience new food all the time. But some of the themes aren't great. Has anyone ever like “The Codfather”? Also some of them are good but could be better, the burrito and Mediterranean ones are nice but subpar versions of real chains. The meatball one is cute, but who wants a meatball. Bonus: the options are usually pretty cheap.
7: Cheesology
Another cute option gone mildly wrong. First of all, just as Takin It To The Street is soooooo 2014, this is sooooooo 2009. That’s not a bad thing per say, but fads should not be permanent student establishments. The options are good here, but they are small, expensive, and take a long time to make for so little food.
6: Charles River Bread Company
I love it! But blah, these are just (much) better dining hall sandwiches and the salad territory is covered.
5: Cranberry Farms
I LOVE CRANBERRY FARMS! I am only ranking it this low for two reasons. 1: It is a polarizing place, some people don’t like it and I can see why. 2: I want more sides without paying more, I’m in college like come on. However, the food is so good and so filling and like good for you.
4: Rhett’s
I’ve discussed Rhett’s in a previous post, but Rhett’s is the biggest surprise of BU. You’d think it would be disgusting but it’s very good. The burgers are solid and there are a lot of options. The bagel sandwiches are HEAVENLY, and the fry options are good. The new quinoa bowls don't belong at Rhett’s, but they do belong in my stomach. I’m rating this lower because the wait is always bad, and other options do other things better.
3: Pinkberry
Do you need froyo? No. Do you want it? YES! Need I explain more? No.
2: Loose Leafs
slgkjhsadlkjghsdajlkf MY HEART AND SOUL!! kjhfaskdjhflkj Loose Leafs is ALMOST perfect. The themes are amazing (except for Pacific Rim which isn't thaaat) bad, the toppings are amazing, the breads are amazing, the meats are amazing, the dressings are amazing. I wish we had more lettuce options. Overally, I cannot contain my immense LOVE for Loose Leafs.
1: Basho
 This was a shock for me as I decided between Loose Leafs and Basho, but a sushi bowl is ~revoluationary~ and so good. Like I have never had a bad sushi bowl. They are wildly expensive but so worth. BU has never done anything smarter than putting one in Warren. I’m counting the breaths until it opens.
CityCo and Starbucks do not count because we have those everywhere on campus. Now remember kids, DINING POINTS ARE FINITE! See you next semester with a review of the new BASHO!

Amy: Winter is (finally) Coming

It's been a weird, super warm fall, but I think we are all starting realize that winter is finally on it's way to Boston. Winter in Boston is a tough journey, but if you're prepared with the right stuff, you can make it a great season. I'm originally from northern Massachusetts, so coming into winter my freshman year I thought I had it all figured out. I was SO wrong. I never thought about the fact that at home, I was usually driving everywhere I needed to go all winter, so I never had to walk too far in a blizzard or in the freezing wind. Here are a few tips I've picked up on how to make winter more manageable:
1. Get an amazing pair of boots. You'll want boots that you don't mind wearing every day for about 4 months that can stand rain and snow. It's also good to have boots with some traction because there are certain areas of campus (looking at you, BU Bridge) that get super slippery. I'm a fan of Bean Boots, but any trip to REI or another similar store will give you plenty of options for great winter footwear.
2. When choosing a jacket, choose carefully! Boston is windy, especially during snowstorms. Getting a jacket that doesn't protect against the wind won't do you much good during the winter season here.
3. LAYERS ARE EVERYTHING!! Get ready for it to be beyond freezing outside, and boiling hot inside most buildings. It's annoying sometimes, but if you wear the right layers, you'll be prepared for both. It's better to pile on the layers to go outside than sit through freezing classes all winter.
4. Considerably one of the most important things: SmarTouch gloves (or whatever pair lets you tweet about how cold you are without having to remove your gloves to use your phone).
Stay safe and warm everyone! I'm heading abroad to Dublin for the Spring so good luck to everyone here and I'll see you all again in the fall when Boston is gorgeous and not trying to turn us all into icicles.

Claire: Boston University COM Career Development

The COM Career Development provides a bunch of services and resources to COM students and alumni. Career counseling is available to help you explore and research communication careers and internships. Its a great place to discuss proposed career goals and receive professional input on the appropriate steps toward reaching those goals.

A variety of workshops and seminars are offered throughout the school year including information on resume and cover letter writing, job search strategies, networking using LinkedIn, job interviewing skills, portfolio presentation, negotiating salaries, and understanding benefits.

Visit them as early and often as you can. The Career Development Office is not just for graduating Seniors, they are there to help you! I met with them several times to go over resumes and cover letters. I even got this fancy headshot taken for my LinkedIn Page.

For more information concerning COM Career Development, call 617-353-3490 or email comjobs@bu.edu.

Caroline: Holiday Travel

Disclosure: This blog post was written while driving through Manhattan on a bus home. Home meaning Boston, because that city has my heart 🙂

I’m lucky enough that I don’t have to take a plane home for Thanksgiving— or so one might think. The past two Thanksgivings it has taken me 8+ hours to get from Boston to Wyckoff, NJ. The traffic on Tuesday afternoon before the holiday is crazy. First you get probably 20% of the Boston population leaving the city for home—wherever that may be. Then, if you’re on a bus that leaves anywhere from 1-5pm, you will hit NYC and Connecticut commuter traffic. Just when you think you’ll make it with in an hour of your scheduled arrival time, your hit bumper to bumper traffic from Norwalk, CT all the way to Manhattan. You finally cross the bridge to Manhattan and you think you’re home free, then you sit in grid lock for another hour as you travel 100 blocks to the 42nd St Port Authority. Once you’ve arrived there, you have to run to the top floor where the NJ Transit or Coach USA buses are to actually get to New Jersey, because even though you made it to the city, you’re still about an hour away from hugging your cats. Last year my bus got in so late, my mom had to drive into the city to pick me up because the NJ Transit buses had stopped running on a regular schedule. This year, I missed the last Coach USA bus to my town by one minute— the one minute I spent waiting in line for the ticket. I was running around Port Authority trying to figure out how I was going to get home, then finally got on a bus that I knew was going to a town near mine, but I wasn’t even sure exactly where I was going to be dropped off. I ended up getting home around 10:45pm, after leaving my apartment in Boston at 2pm.

Here’s the thing that really grinds my gears: if my roommate who lives in South Florida left our apartment at the same time as me, 2pm on Tuesday, I promise he would’ve gotten home before I did. Home in FLORIDA before I arrived home in NEW JERSEY. But, the bus is cheap, so I take it. Next Thanksgiving I am definitely splurging to take the train, because the traffic is just so mind numbing. I don’t have a problem any other time of the year taking the bus, its just Thanksgiving is so bad. My parents keep hounding me to find someone from North Jersey who has a car up in Boston— which is definitely not as easy as my sister finding someone with a car in Ithaca, NY. People don’t drive in the city! But I’m going to try for next time to find someone to give me a ride, because the hour detour to NYC makes the journey much more difficult.

Sorry to everyone who has to fly far and has to spend a lot of money on plane tickets. I salute you for only being able to go home a few times per year and the amount of time and money you spend traveling. If only it was socially acceptable to fly from Boston to Newark and it was as inexpensive as a bus/train ticket— I’d make it door-to-door in two hours. But until that’s a thing, or maybe even teleportation (that’d be dope) I’ll just be spending my time on the bus. Here’s hoping winter break traffic won’t be bad, because I already booked my bus tickets.

Esra: Books to Read Over Break

I know what you’re thinking: Esra, why would we want to do readings over break?!

Reading may be the last thing on your mind considering the never-ending scholarly articles, textbook chapters, etc. that you have assigned for your classes, BUT that shouldn’t scare you away from the amazing books out there. I’m personally a huge book nerd and even still I barely read anything non-school related during the semester because honestly there isn’t enough time. While you’re relaxing at home over Thanksgiving, and then winter break, enjoying doing absolutely nothing, consider checking out these books.

If you liked The Hunger Games…

Try: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

I’m a huge fan of futuristic/dystopian/utopian novels. This is the first book in the trilogy and I think it’s one of the most unique in its genre (you know how some books seem super similar to others in terms of plot, characters, etc?). It follows a girl named Juliette who can’t touch anyone — the last time she accidentally did, the Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why her touch is fatal, but she has now intrigued the higher-ups as a potential weapon.

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10429045-shatter-me?ac=1&from_search=1 

If you like romance novels…

Try: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover.

This isn’t your average romance novel, which is why I think I liked it so much. One of the main characters is a deaf musician and it talks a lot about how he taught himself to play guitar. It’s a beautiful story that makes you feel for all the characters.

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788403-maybe-someday?from_search=true&search_version=service 

If you need some inspiration for life…

Try: Rules for a Knight by Ethan Hawke.

My mom recommended this book to me, and it’s applicable to absolutely everyone. It takes life lessons, if you will, and breaks them down to you in a really understandable way through mini stories. It’s one of those books that you can read multiple times and take away something new each time.

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25241473-rules-for-a-knight?ac=1&from_search=1 

Happy reading!

Kaley: Danny’s Guide to Big Decisions

We’re rounding the corner. Away from late fluorescent nights in front of the computer screen. Away from walks down Comm Ave with eyes half open, feet dragging. Away from hurricaning thoughts about career paths and internships and away from nightmares about unemployment.

We’re rounding the corner, into Thanksgiving break. A break that, in my opinion, is long overdue. But regardless, Thanksgiving break is a break. A time to reflect.

In a moment of desperate indecision last week, I dialed Danny. Danny worked on the same BUTV10 show as me, and graduated last year. He picked up the phone to a slew of concerns about different options and “what-ifs” and potential consequences I’d thought up. I could barely breathe between all of the varied ideas about how to achieve.

But to achieve what? He challenged me. To achieve a career? To achieve success? No decision between choice A and choice B would make or break my career, he said, with the wisdom of a person who’d held a Bachelor of Science for six months. The wisdom of a person whose student-loan grace period had just expired.

In the end, Danny said, I needed to make the decision that made my heart happy. Should I do the LA abroad program or stay in Boston? I asked. Go with the one that “felt right,” he answered. I was not satisfied with those words in the moment they crackled through the receiver. Even later that night, his words still had me feeling lost.

Days later, though, the words have begun resonating. I’m so focused on how to be successful that I forget to consider how to be happy. Lucky for us, as COM students, what makes us happy is often synonymous with what makes us successful. But instead of beating my over-worked brain into the ground and penning pro and con lists until my hands cramp up, maybe I should start making the big decisions of junior year with a little more input from my heart.

Sorry if that’s a little cheesey. I’m a Film/TV major, after all. Rounding the corner into my final semesters at COM.

 

Claudia: My heart beats for the beat of Boston University

Now I know I’m not the only person whose heart starts beating ridiculously fast when they walk up to the third floor, but it’s not because of the three flights of stairs. It’s beating in sync with the beat of Boston University, aka WTBU. WTBU is my home away from home (away from home). While I spend the majority of my time in COM, I spend even MORE time tucked away in WTBU.

For those of you who don’t know about WTBU, it is the hidden gem of COM. WTBU is our campus radio station (and CMJ Station of the Year winner - DYNASTY!!) We broadcast 7 days a week from 6 AM - 2 AM. And just a side note: I applaud you 6 AM shows, I know how tough that is (never forget Broadwaves Fridays 6-8AM Spring 2015). WTBU is home to every show imaginable. We’ve got talk shows, sports shows, music shows, a show that reads Tarot cards. You name it, we have it. And if we don’t, you can pitch it.

And while yes, we can be the stereotypical college radio station (you definitely know what I’m talking about), we are so much more (prepare yourself for the cheese).

I love the welcoming click of the door (god bless swipe access — thank you Julia!) and walking into the studio to warm welcomes from DJs or e-boarders. I love the ‘zine, the shows, street team, the rat posters (but not the rats), the gifs, and the PIZZA! (Yes, we get pizza AND gifs at GSMs). I love playing music at the GSU on Fridays (shout out to the Happy Friday crew - Mer, Jonathan, Angeli and Alex) and getting to gush about WTBU on my tours.

WTBU is a community. We’re interns turned DJs friends — maybe even turned family? (I like cheese… Sorry ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) The Howard Stern Lounge is our family room and you can almost always find an e-boarder relaxing or watching TV (hey Christiana) during the week. Intern Director Ben Coller is always ready to talk about absolutely anything. And I mean anything (Nickelback, Shrek, Titanic the Musical, etc.) DJ or Ingrid post up in the office, while Xander runs around begging people not to break anything.

So thank you, WTBU, for an amazing three semesters so far. I can’t wait for the next five.  And if you haven’t joined WTBU yet, GET ON IT and intern next semester!

Also ~shameless plug~ but listen to my radio show Pop Cultured on Thursdays from 2-4pm!