COM Ambassador Blog

Hannah H: A Few Favorites About New England’s Fall

I’m either obsessed with alliterations or feeling a little too nostalgic about being a senior, but no matter the case, it has me loving on fall. Don’t get me wrong – I love summer as much as the next person and I can appreciate a good couple of snow days in the winter, but Fall has really become the unsung hero of my time spent here in Boston. Not only is the weather awesome – there’s so much going on on-campus and around the area.

Looking back here’s few things I’m excited to enjoy one last time in New England before shipping out after graduation:

1. Back to Classes

Yes. I said it. I like going back to classes. There’s something reassuring about the fresh start and consistency that the fall brings. You’re excited about new classes and you’re back to a normal schedule. If you have a crazy professor or a class that’s going to become a thorn in your side – you probably don’t know it yet. You get to pretend to be organized for a few weeks even though you know you’ll have lost your agenda halfway through the semester. All these reasons and more are one major reason that come next fall – I’ll really miss going back to classes.

2. The Nature Fix

Boston and its surrounding areas have awesome outdoor landscapes. Sure it’s not like you’re walking through Yellowstone everyday, but it’s also not a concrete jungle. You can watch the leaves fall in Boston Commons. Take a few extra long runs on the esplanade before the air gets too cold and watch Head of the Charles on the river. Day trips to Natick for Apple Picking each fall have become a fall-staple for me to get off-campus and take a break from the chaos of midterms. There’s always a 5k or charity walk that gets you out and about exploring the city. Trust me when I say there are plenty of ways to get your nature fix in Boston and Fall is the perfect time to do it.

3. Moving

It’s widely known and (partially) accepted that everyone moves during the same week every year (August 27th – September 2). That is often mine and most people’s least favorite week of the year. For the record, that week also falls in the summer not the fall. But, by the time fall hits you are all moved in, be it a fancy new suite in Stuvi, an awesome off-campus apartment or an upgraded brownstone double. No matter the case – once you’re all moved in and settled it always feels like an upgrade. And the icing on the cake – fall means no more A/C dreaming, because you don’t need air-conditioning in the fall and I promise you won’t miss all that Boston summer humidity.

On that note – I leave you. I’m off to enjoy a day of boots and a temperature under 75 degrees. Fall is here, Boston. Get ready.

Claire: Getting Involved in butv10

If that awesome and inspiring video didn't get you pumped then let's see if I can. BUTV10 is Boston University’s student-operated media production and distribution service. Live-streamed and on-demand programming is available online at butv10.com and on the campus' channel 10. Established in 1989 as BUTV and rebranded BUTV10 in 2005, the organization produces an array of news, information, sports, drama, comedy, and variety programming. Our content has received multiple Associated Press, NATAS, Telly, and Webby recognitions, I must stress this by saying there really is a spot for everyone. 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 consider joining our Marketing, Programming, or Graphics department. Membership exceeds 250 people and is growing exponentially. If you are looking to gain experience writing, editing, or producing BUTV10 IS PERFECT FOR YOU. Learn what you love and perfect how to do it before anyone else. We also have tons of super famous alumni - so maybe you can be one of them too!

If you missed our General Interest Meeting and still wish to sign up please complete this form: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1aCPs2sq6wKkNyHEdseiJS2RXpGo-vEYOeR2yWUBMCkM

Claudia: The Lady Lounge

Bae State Babes. The Lady Lounge. These are the two nicknames for 404 Kilachand - aka my sophomore year dorm.

I had already started a countdown for sophomore year on my last day as a freshman. Although I wasn’t really ready to say goodbye to Warren (I will always love you, 720B), I was so excited to move to Bay State with my best friends and christen the Lady Lounge. Countless TV shows have documented living with your friends and I was excited. Were we going to have a Chandler-Joey and Rachel-Phoebe-Monica living set up? Who would be our Ugly Naked Guy? We’re looking at you MIT frats.

Jen and Meredith are in the double and I’m in a SAMwich with Sam and Sammi. We’ve got the perfect set up, with each of our personalities proudly displayed on our respective corners. We’ve also got AC, a record player, and a whole bunch of seltzer. So basically, the Lady Lounge is where it’s at.

I have to admit, although I was beyond excited to live with my best friends, I was also a little nervous. Why was I nervous? Was it the ghost of Eugene O’Neill that haunts the fourth floor of Kilachand? Unfortunately, no. There hasn’t been any paranormal activity (that I know of). I was living with some of my favorite people in my favorite city, but I was worried that living with my Bae State babes could possibly hurt our friendship. Would we get sick of spending all of our time together? The answer is never. Our friendship has only become stronger, especially now that we share a bathroom (there is no such thing as privacy).

I have so many memories with these incredible ladies and I know we’ve only been at school for two weeks, but these past couple of days might be tough to beat. Here are some of my favorite roommate bondings — for new and old friends!

DANCE PARTY

We at the lady lounge are very fond of dance breaks. Especially to ABBA. Mamma Mia is our JAM.

MOVIE NIGHTS

Movie nights were a staple of our friendship last year. We laughed. We cried. We watched Rent and the Last Five Years on Valentine’s Day. Movie nights are the absolute best. Especially when paired with popcorn and pajamas.

TRADER JOE’S RUNS

Because who doesn’t love Trader Joe’s?

“OLD LADY” ESPLANADE WALKS

Grab your roomies and get those arms pumping. The Lady Lounge is very fond of slow walks on the esplanade as our main form of exercise. All we need is matching tracksuits.

Cheers to the new year and to a new year of roomie lovin'

Aidan: The Resources You Didn’t Know About On Campus

Hey gang! So today, I thought I would share with you something that is kind of an embarrassment to me: it took me being a student here for 2+ years before I actually had an academic advising appointment. Yeah, I know. Well, on reflecting on that, I have started to think about all the resources here at the University, and what some people don’t take advantage of enough, or even know exist. So here is my list of what I believe are the most under-appreciated, but also most useful, resources at Boston University:

1. The Com Writing Center

Come on, there is a writing center on campus that is just for COM STUDENTS?! WHY AREN’T WE USING THIS MORE?? Staffed by graduate students in the Com Program, they can help you with your scripts, your ad pitches, and even your COM101 papers. That’s right, they are experts on COM101. A very great resource for incoming COM Freshmen. The writing center is located in the basement of the COM Building.

2. The Center for Career Development

Okay, this is a place that has done a lot of good for me. Not only can they help you prep for a job interview (resume critiquing, interview skills and practice, how to write a cover letter), they can even help you find that job interview! The CCD is located at 100 Bay State Road, this isn’t one you want to miss.

3. The Educational Resource Center

This is a good one. The ERC (also at 100 Bay State Road) has a lot of programs to help students do better in their classes. This is where you can find tutoring for any subject, as well as resources if you are a first generation student or an international student who needs extra help with interpreting the English classroom. To be honest, if I had known about these as a freshman, I would have used them much sooner. So, in essence, don’t be like me. Reach out and get help on what you need help on! You will be glad you did.

To be honest, if I had known about these as a freshman, I would have used them much sooner. Reach out and get help, you will be glad you did!

Hannah C: Season Three

Aaand we’re back. Starting off yet another fall semester has never been better. Third time is the charm, right? Here’s hoping!

The only thing cuter than my fresh new set of stationery is the fact that back-to-school always seems like the return of a long-running but beloved television show. At the start of the new season, everyone comes back a little older, with new stories to tell and new haircuts to flaunt. There are always a few new cast members added to the crew, and storylines are bound to change. Freshman and sophomore year strung me along many different lines, and I’m excited for what path junior year has in store.

If college’s cyclical structure is like each season of a show, then junior year is the one with all the enticing promos and a count down til the end of the hiatus. I had the most unforgettable summer (blog post to come), but at its end, I found myself more than ready for the academic year ahead.

It’s finally time for internships, taking classes in my major and knowing my way around enough not to get lost on the first day of class. And studying abroad! Spoiler alert: I won’t be in Boston next semester. But for now, I think junior year is a time to be influential in the communities I’ve joined. By the time I graduate, I want to have made positive changes on campus; I didn’t come to college just to make a cameo.

We have a successful premiere behind us, and we’re in for a good season. Stay tuned.

L.E.: Why I need Inspiration and people like Stephen Colbert

Last night was the premiere of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I have been watching Colbert on television for as long as I can remember and I could confidently say that he is a leading factor in why I am here at BU. Now Colbert isn’t an alumnus, nor is COM directly related to his show, but he as an entertainer is what inspired me to want to become a comedy writer. I believe the inspiration that I have drawn from Colbert throughout the years, and from other people I’ve met, is why I am the person I am today.

It’s important to find people throughout life that teach you how to become a better person. That doesn't necessarily mean that you're supposed to model their exact personality or career, but that certain aspects of their character initiate a development in your own character. I like to think of myself as an individual, however I would be nothing without the role models and mentors in my life. Although I draw inspiration from nearly everyone I encounter, I’m just going to focus on three different categories of people that have taught me a lot about what kind of person I want to be and want kind of impact I have in the world.

Obviously I am going to start with Stephen Colbert. As I have a laundry list of comedians that inspire me, I always say that if I could be anyone on the planet I’d be Stephen Colbert (ok he is tied with Lorne Michaels). Character traits spanning from his amount of energy to his captivating sense of excitement, allow him to light up an entire room with just his spirit. His use of satire that extends from the Colbert Report to outlets such as twitter is not only witty but also insightful. He challenges people to not only see the corruption of the media but to question the moral validity of trends and issues in society. He points out absurdity in everyday sexism and continuously challenges people to be active on solving problems. He also uses his platform to fight for things that he believes in and uses politics to solve issues. Does anyone remember the Stephen Colbert Super Pac?

Its inevitable to have a teacher and/or professor that does something that makes you think to yourself “wow you're smart and I want to be like you.” That happens to me a lot more than the average student so there are multiple people I can write about, however I am going to single out my high school English teacher. Mr. Foley is one of those teachers that can get even the students who only care about math or science to care about writing and literature. Not only have I become a better student because of learning from him, but he also taught me a lot about myself and the type of person that I want to be. I could go on and on about him but here is one quote from him that really resonated with me: “There’s not much in this world that you can control. The only thing that you can control, though, are your actions and what you do. When you’re going through life make sure the actions and choices you make reflect the type of person you want to be and the one that you think everyone else would want to be.”

If there were one thing that I’ve learned since coming to BU, it would be that there are so many incredible people here to learn and grow with. At my job in Undergraduate Affairs alone I have so many mentors and peers that have shaped me throughout my first year in COM. One specific role model of mine is my co-worker Jon Mayer (not the singer, I know). From the moment you meet Jon Mayer, his welcoming personality and sense of authenticity intrigues you. I don’t think I ever even had a constant work shift with Jon, but the conversations I’ve shared with him are ones I’ll never forget. Our deep talks about life and philosophical issues range from social and economic equality, the film industry, and education all the way to music and old television. Jon not only recognizes what is going on in the world around him, but he actively seeks out ways that we can create a better future. Jon’s passion for knowledge, film and people in general is something I try to emulate everyday and I am so thankful that COM brought him into my life. It’s people like Jon that you see every now and then on campus that become constant motivators and reminders of the bigger picture.

It’s important to recognize the people that have influenced you to be the person you are today. I hope anyone that is reading this is not only reminded to reflect on those kind of people but also reach out to them and let them know the impact that they’ve had in your life. Or at least write a letter dedicated to them for your COM blog post.

Hanna: De-Stressifying Dos and Don’ts

I like staying busy and I like staying involved, but both of those passions come with the obvious cost of stress. Everyone is different, but here are some dos and don’ts I use to plow through the crazy.

DO exercise. I am very guilty of convincing myself that I simply do not have time to do so. In reality, when I’m stressed, I spend about as much time thinking about my stress as I would if I went on a quick walk. It is very rare that one of your pressing things-to-do cannot wait 20 minutes. Some of my favorite work out videos from Tone it Up are under 10! A run under half an hour can make all the difference, and I even bring my homework to Fit Rec to at least get something done on the elliptical. But working out and still managing productivity is not the hard part for me. I find the most trouble in reminding myself how much better I’ll feel afterwards. Now, I have corny phone reminders of exercise quotes to inspire me to go. I won’t judge you at all if you do the same.

DON’T eat your favorite junk food. Comfort snacks seem like a great idea at the time. Actually, they seem like the best idea…the ONLY idea. Hold yourself back! If you have a lot to do, you need your body at its best. I have learned that there are many foods which fill you up fast, provide you with healthy energy, and don’t require excessive eating. Try almonds, celery and hummus, a green apple, some avocado, or a hard boiled egg. Whenever I feel like I need to stuff my face in mini oreos (my one true love), I pop half a sweet potato in my microwave. It’s delicious, way more filling, and pretty darn good for me. Should I eat a sweet potato every night? No. But on those stressful and seamlessly endless nights when I’m bound to turn to something unhealthy, it’s a much better option for me (and it’s cheap). You’ll feel more energetic and less guilty. Save the junk food for break-ups and use the good food to accomplish that to-do list.

DO things you love. Half of my stress comes from BU On Broadway, an on-campus theatre group that has given me some of my greatest memories and friends. Yes, it adds to my stress level when rehearsals are busy and pressure is on, but in the midst of my classes and my jobs, it never feels like a chore to get the On Broadway stuff done. In addition, I’ve tried to find jobs that interest me so that the stress they cause doesn’t dishearten me either! I am a COM Ambassador and a writer for a travel website. I enjoy both of those things and can find the good in any stressful activity they provide. I thought about working at Starbucks first, and although I’m sure that is a fantastic job, I knew I would not enjoy it nearly as much as the others. Try your best to stress yourself out with things you at least enjoy.

DON’T stay up too late. The weekend will tease you, but if you know your week is about to hit you like a hurricane, limit your nightlife and be kind to your body. Your friends will be bummed in the moment, but they’ll get it and forgive you. There will be other times to go out until the early hours of the morning, but if you’re stressin’, you should be sleepin’.

DO say ‘no’ sometimes. I just said no to my best friend via text about three minutes ago. I haven’t seen her in a few days and I want to more than anything. But this upcoming week is about to be nuts and I can’t afford to stay up late gossiping with her right this second. Guess what? She totally gets it. She knows I’ll find time for her very soon. Your friends will get it too.

DON’T keep it to yourself. You have advisors, parents, friends, and mentors lined up to help you. A lot of times I felt guilty venting about my stressful days to others, but soon I found that within a few weeks, those people would usually find themselves venting to me. People who care about you want to help you because they know you would help them too (that’s another DO: help your friends when they need you, especially with stress. You’ll need them eventually too!). Sometimes just verbalizing everything you need to do makes it seem way more attainable.

Aidan: Looking Ahead!

So, I have had a hard time figuring out what to do for this blog post. It’s the last post of the semester, and so I feel this great sense of responsibility to end the blog semester the right way.

And it terrifies me.

That’s so much stress! Especially considering all of the fantastic blog posts we have had this semester. Come on, we have had CA’s create killer playlists, tell you how to get a summer job, pour their hearts out about bad college experiences, and share their triumphs. How do I top that?!? FLERG??

So, I decided… I WONT! HAHA

That’s right, COM-panions, I won’t make a blog post summing up what a great semester we have had, all the cool people who have joined the CA program, and the STELLAR accepted students I have met who are #BU2019.

Instead, I am going to spend this time telling you what I am looking forward to, during the summer, and for next year.

Orientation

Shouts to #BU2019 who puts down there deposits THIS WEEK! As you may or may not know, I am one of the four student advisors for COM who will be meeting the Class of 2019 during the summer at Orientation. I can’t wait to meet you all, be your weird camp counselor/friend, and set you up to come into BU in September like an all-star.

The Next Generation of Com Ambassadors

This semester, we hired something like 13 new Com Ambassadors. WE DOUBLED OUR ENTIRE OPERATION YO! In that group are individuals who love radio, people who film rockets being launched, people whose snapchat game is ON POINT (side note: follow us at comsnaps). Needless to say, I can’t wait for these youngins to get the chance to have their own freshman COM Ambassador group, and to start spreading the love their own special way.

Social Media FOR DAYS

Lets get down to brass tacks. I LOVE SOCIAL MEDIA. In this semester alone, @COM_Ambassadors has doubled their followers, and new terriers means NEW FOLLOWERS WOO! I have a good feeling that all COM social media (@comugrad on both twitter and insta included) is going to have a major year. I look forward to spending my free time finding GIFs.

Most importantly, I am excited for next semester. With it comes new experiences, new people, and infinite fun. I don’t have wise words to leave you with, so I will just leave you with wise GIFs. See you next year, COM-patriots.

Kaley: Your Summer 2015 Playlist

Summer is on its way, meaning that beachy Instas, Snapchat stories with the temperature filter, and the return of the somewhat embarrassing Abercrombie jean cutoffs are also on their way. These glorious summer staples, though, wouldn't be complete without a playlist blaring in the background. Get to the beach, set Spotify to my playlist, "Summery Afternoon," and caption those sandy Snapchats "Sound on!"

A sampling from the playlist:

"You Make My Dreams Come True," Hall & Oates
"Bang Bang," will.i.am
"Safe With Me," Sam Smith
"Stutter," Maroon 5
"Play it Again," Luke Bryan
"Ho Hey," The Lumineers
"Primadonna," Marina and the Diamonds
"XO," the Beyonce AND the John Mayer version
"Dog Days are Over," Florence and the Machine
"My Eyes," Blake Shelton

There's definitely something for everyone on this easy-going, upbeat playlist. Happy listening and have a great summer!

Kerri: My Five Regrets

In a few days I will be done with my undergraduate career. No more classes, no more daytime naps, no more weekday Netflix binges. Even though I am very excited to graduate and enter the working world, there are a few things that I wish I did during my time at BU. So, learn from my regrets young ones!

Not doing FYSOP.

All of my friends did FYSOP and got involved as staff leaders as upperclassmen. I have only heard great things about the program and SO many of my friends met their closest friends during that time. Also, I hear it’s an absolute blast.

Not attending any student theatre productions.

Take a Friday or Saturday night to appreciate the talent here at BU. I wish I went to a production during my time here.

Not utilizing the resources at the career services until my senior year.

Although I am one of the lucky seniors who have a job locked down for after graduation, I wish I had started my career journey earlier. The COM Career Services is awesome for internships, cover letters, resumes, and connecting with alumni!

Not exploring Boston while it was still warm out.

Especially after a winter like this year, you really will appreciate the warmer months in Boston. I never took the time to go out and really enjoy the city while it was above 60 degrees! Take a blanket and a book and read along the Charles River. Or take a walk along the Freedom Trail. There is SO much you can do outside in this city!

Not taking advantage of student discounts!

What else can I say… we are all broke college students! TAKE ADVANTAGE- by your senior yea, you’ll be searching for any and all discounts.