COM Ambassador Blog

Nearly three years ago when I first got to BU I pictured myself as a journalism student, but very quickly found myself changing my mind and going into advertising. At the same time I thoroughly enjoyed sports journalism and did not want to give it up completely.

Luckily for me, BU held “Splash,” which is an event that follows matriculation and allows new students to go on Nickerson Field and walk around dozens of tables featuring different clubs and student organizations. It was there I found the Daily Free Press, BU’s independent student newspaper and signed up for more information. Days later, I was assigned to the field hockey beat, and was able to continue as a sportswriter.

During my time with the FreeP, I covered field hockey in the fall, men’s basketball in the winter, and softball in the spring.

Fast forward to February 2014, I was presented with a unique opportunity to write for a small site covering college basketball only, which was a result of a connection I built during my two years with the FreeP. So for the last four months I have been focused on covering the Patriot League (BU’s basketball conference) as best as I can for OneBidWonders.com.

One of the best perks that came out of this new experience was the ability to do quite a bit of traveling. Over the course of the season I covered games in my own backyard at Agganis Arena (where BU men’s basketball and ice hockey teams play), TD Garden, Barclays Center in New York City, and even Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.

For most, the NCAA tournament, otherwise known as “March Madness” is the craziest time of the year for college basketball as people obsess over their brackets and who they pick to win the tournament, I view it quite differently. For me, these last few weeks are when I finally get to rest and enjoy college basketball as a fan.

The first week of March was one of my busiest as I found myself on the road covering the Patriot League conference tournament. On Tuesday March 5th when I covered Loyola-Maryland at the College of the Holy Cross, Boston’s accessibility really saved me, I was able to run right from class to the commuter rail station, jump on a train and go out to Worcester.

Two days later, BU was taking on Lafayette College and then I really learned how great the BU community was. Lafayette is in Easton, PA and being from New York City I do not drive, which would make the 5-hour trip extremely difficult. Luckily for me I was able to get a ride from two BU alums who go to nearly every BU game and were making the trip down. With the game beginning at 7PM we left Boston at 10AM. Unfortunately, BU would fall to the Leopards who would eventually win the Patriot League Tournament and take part in this year’s national tournament.

The next morning we arrived back in Boston at 3AM, after editing my articles and organizing photos I found myself falling asleep at 4AM, only to wake up four hours later so I could get to work and class. The next day I felt extremely tired but accomplished after thinking about all I had done this season, and it all came from one little choice I made at Splash back in 2012.

The transition from living at home into the first year of college can be trying at times since you are forced to take on a new environment by yourself. I have found that one of the biggest struggles of being away from home is getting sick.

 I went from living 365 days in heat and humidity to going through semesters in dry, cold and windy weather. My first semester of BU was not only full of memories of Boston adventures, but also trips to Student Health Services and a relentless cough and fever. This semester it was my goal to try to take every precaution in order to avoid getting sick; however I didn’t think to also include my friends getting sick into the picture.

At BU, my friends have really turned into my Boston family because we’re always looking out for each other. Therefore, when one of us gets sick, it’s a group effort to help make that person get better. The first few weeks of this semester were filled with snow days and sick days, so I figured it would be a good idea to make a standard plan towards taking care of yourself and others in college.

1. Student Health Services will be your best friend, especially if your immune system isn’t the best. You can make appointments online or by calling them. If it’s an emergency then they are flexible and will be able to help you as soon as you can get over to west campus.

   Their website is http://www.bu.edu/shs/ and should be added to your bookmark bar ASAP as possible.

2. CityCo is our campus convenience store that has multiple locations around campus. If you don’t feel like trekking to CVS to get cough drops, CityCo has your back with cold relief. They’re stalked with medicine, tissues, Gatorade and an assortment of different soups.
3. Rhetty-to-go meals are BU dining’s secret life saver. If you have a jam-packed day or you don’t want to leave your bed to sit in the dining hall, you can go online and order a Rhetty-to-go meal. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Rhetty-to-go meals can be made to pick up at any time the dining hall is opened. You can order them athttp://www.bu.edu/dining/where-to-eat/things-to-know/rhetty-to-go/
   1. There are also Rhetty-to-go Flu Meals that are made specifically to cater to students feeling under the weather. You can have a friend pick it up for you, or they will deliver it to your room. So if you’re sick, don’t waste a meal swipe and save yourself a couple bucks and order a flu meal that’s stalked with Gatorade, soup, yogurt and other food that will help you on your road to recovery. You can order them here at http://www.bu.edu/dining/where-to-eat/things-to-know/rhetty-to-go/rhetty-to-go-flu-meals/

If you find that you’re getting sick while you’re here at BU, take some time off to rest in front of your Netflix account and use some of these helpful tips and you’ll make it through the semester alive and well.

Wondering what to do over your spring break? Looking for a cheaper alternative to flying home? Interested in service and making friends that will last a lifetime?  DO BU’S ALTERNATIVE SERVICE BREAK!

I just came back from Greenville, South Carolina after spending a wonderful week volunteering with underprivileged youth. In the afternoons my service group volunteered at the Frazee Center, which is an after school program for children. We spent time playing with them, reading, making crafts, and mentoring the young students. Later in the week we volunteered at Pendleton Place, a shelter for displaced teenage girls. We did various tasks around the shelter and got an opportunity to spend time with the girls and hang out with them.

It was such an unbelievable experience being able to work with the kids and hear their heartbreaking stories. However, it was even more inspiring to see how, despite their difficult situations, they are flourishing and filled with happiness. Having the opportunity to volunteer with the Frazee Center and Pendleton Place has truly changed my perspective on life and will continue to influence me forever.

BU ASB is far more than just volunteering; the people I volunteered with quickly became some of my best friends and the memories I made with them will last a lifetime. It was so fun being able to explore Greenville and immerse myself in the culture (and food). Not to mention, escape the cold.

Take a look at http://buasb.com to find your next adventure!  There are so many different opportunities available. Look though all of the various service focus areas and amazing locations.

Spring Break has come and gone. Whether you spent a week in Florida lounging by the pool, hitting the slopes in Colorado, or even relaxing at home, it was probably warmer than Boston. I arrived at Logan Airport late Sunday night, landing to “freezing temperatures.” Ok, it was actually 40 degrees, but that was cold in comparison to my week of 80 degrees or higher.

Spring has still not officially hit Boston, and despite the “warmer” days, the forecast predicts more chilly days in March. Despite the cold temperatures, we are no longer bound to Netflix marathons and the Warren dining hall. The slightly “warmer” temperatures are perfect for exploring Boston’s indoor hotspots!

Museums

If you couldn’t already tell by my last post, Instagram feed, or art history sock collection, I LOVE museums! Boston’s art museums are spectacular with stunning architecture housing amazing and highly praised collections.

The MFA: FREE WITH YOUR STUDENT ID!

Isabella Stewart Gardner: FREE WITH YOUR STUDENT ID!

Institute of Contemporary Art: $10 with your ID or FREE on Thursday nights!

Restaurants and Cafes 

Boston is overflowing with cafes and restaurants. You can hit the North End for a cannoli or stuff your face with all the seafood you can eat before you leave Boston at the end of the semester. Boston’s restaurant scene is thriving! Here are some of my favorite spots beyond Comm Ave.

Trident Booksellers and Cafe: It’s a bookstore AND cafe that serves breakfast ALL. DAY. LONG. With its amazing menu (they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day) and its open yet cozy atmosphere, Trident is definitely one of my favorite spots in Boston. The apple and brie omelet is a must have, along with the lemon ricotta stuffed french toast! Trident even has trivia night every Friday so bring your appetite and friends!

Tatte: I love breakfast — it’s the most important and delicious meal of the day — so most of my year in Boston has been spent searching for the best breakfast spots. Tatte Bakery has multiple locations all over the Boston area, serving delicious pastries and breakfast sandwiches accompanied by a mouth-watering lunch menu. The cafe bakes everything fresh and has a location right in South campus on Beacon street! Follow @tattebakery on instagram for endless temptation!

Thinking Cup: Another spot with multiple locations, Thinking Cup is the perfect place to grab a coffee and pastry with a friend. Small but mighty, the Newbury location is always packed, with customers out the door waiting for a tea or gourmet grilled cheese — a must have! In addition to the delicious grilled cheeses, Thinking Cup also has a fabulous breakfast menu.

Entertainment  

Brookline Booksmith: The quintessential bookstore, Brookline Booksmith is a bookworm and nicknack lover’s paradise. Minutes away from West campus, Brookline Booksmith is the perfect way to spend an afternoon and support local bookstores! You’ll loose track of time wandering through their incredible collection. Visit the basement for the Used Book Cellar or join their book club — Brookline Booksmith always has a great line up of free in-store events!

Coolidge Corner Theatre: A cultural landmark, the Coolidge Corner theatre is an independent movie theatre in Brookline. The theatre plays a variety of movies, both new and old. I am a huge fan of their After Midnite series, where they play screenings of weird, campy, art-house and cult films. The beautiful theatre often plays movies from 35m prints. Last semester I saw Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion and Mean Girls at the After Midnite series, where both movies played to sold out crowds.

Though spring still seems so far away, Boston will keep you busy and before you know it you’ll be reading on the BU Beach or sprawled out on the COM lawn trying to soak up the sun in between classes.

I submitted this blog post one day late. I set reminders on my phone about it and wrote it down in my calendar book, yet I still found a way to push it off until the day it was due. However, I am going to cut myself a break because this past week was hectic. Not a little hectic, or even a decently sized amount of hectic, but a monstrosity of events walzing into my day one after the other until it seemed like they would never end. That kind of hectic. But even with my series of events this past week, I have survived to tell the tale, and I am pretty darn proud of it! After nearly two years in college, I think I am finally getting the hang of how to balance the schedule, which includes countless surprises every day. If I could learn to power through a week like the one I most recently conquered, anyone can, and I would love to take this entry to share some of the ways I take on the busy days of a college student. Thus I present to you:

A Busy BU Kid’s Guide to Staying Productive, Healthy, and Happy

1. Write everything down. I’m talking appointments, homework, reminders, and thoughts. Firstly, you will be far less likely to forget important things. Next, if you write down the details of a task, you probably will not perform it the wrong way (like doing the wrong homework problems). Also, writing things down helps you better absorb them. I am a list-making fan, so I always write down tasks I have before I set out to do them just to visually comprehend everything I have. It makes it feel more tangible. In addition, I make time to write down thoughts and feelings. When you are scheduled almost every minute, emotions can get in the way. As soon as you start feeling sad, excited, angry, or anything about something unrelated to the task at hand, you will get as distracted as a dog who finds a squirrel. In order to keep moving while managing to give those feelings the attention they deserve (suppression is no good), let yourself have five minutes to jot them down. I promise those five minutes are worthy of letting go, and afterward, you will have a firmer grip on whatever you are feeling and will be able to move forward no matter how tightly it holds on to you.
2. Take PDPs at Fit Rec. These free credit courses are a no-brainer for busy yet committed students because they force you to get some exercise into your schedule. Right now, I shake my booty in Cardio Jazz Funk twice a week and I do not just love it, but I need it. At this point, it is as constant in my weekly schedule as any other academic class, therefore it requires me to schedule around it no matter what is going on in my life. Because of this commitment, working out becomes a definite in my week. Although I try to hit the gym more than just during the class, it is a bare minimum that is very important for someone fighting a busy day. “Exercise gives you endorphins,” says my role model, Elle Woods. “Endorphins make you happy! Happy people don’t shoot their husbands.” Amen.
3. Plan the night before. If you know you need to wear a certain outfit for an interview in the afternoon, think about whether or not you will have time to change beforehand. If not, you better have that outfit ready to go when you leave your room in the morning. During this past week, I became a bag lady; I had to wear both business casual for a job fair and dance clothes for a theatre rehearsal, all while walking through the snow throughout the day. Would I have time to go back to my room? Nope, but luckily I was able to prepare for this long day beforehand. Otherwise, I would have either added more stress in needing to find a way to go back and grab items I’d forgotten, or I would have been unprepared. Just check the to-do list before bed and make sure you are all set.
4. Talk to the people around you. Communicate. If life is hitting you with everything it’s got, you may need help. That’s ok! Ask a professor for an extension on a paper if you know you will truly do a better job working on it after the midterm in your other class. They may say no, but it’s worth the shot, especially if you feel like it will make a significant difference. Furthermore, reach out to coworkers or friends involved in any of your tasks and see if they are available to pick up some of your slack. If they do, buy them coffee, and/or make sure you are there for them next time they have a crazy week and you have time for Netflix. 
5. Sleep. I know it is so easy to push off, but it is the key factor in keeping you healthy during Boston winters. If you’re sick, how will you get it all done? You won’t. Just get to bed.
6. Also about staying healthy: Emergen-C and DayQuil for fighting the colds that come with winter! A water bottle for hydration! Coffee for, well, coffee! Nutritious yet yummy snacks for energy and motivation! Even if you eat on the go, you should eat to keep yourself moving. Great grab-and-go spots on campus include: Rize, GSU (avoid the long lines of lunch time if you can!), Einstein’s Bagels, Extreme Pita!, and City Convenience. If you are like me, you can always benefit from a healthy snack. Depriving yourself of them will only hurt your other work.
7. Finally, take each task one at a time. This is how I thought about the SATs: it is not one large test, but a series of small, conquerable tests. Avoid letting the big picture daunt you and just focus on what has to come next. Of course, this step comes after you have made sure you are prepared for your day in terms of assignments, appropriate clothes, and other necessities, but once you are on the move, just take things as they come. If surprises appear or something does not go quite as planned, remind yourself that it is going to be alright. It is. I promise! You can get it all done if you go one step at a time and apply your focus, determination, and maximum effort to each task. 

Good luck with your busy days, weeks, and semesters! Stress is something we all battle, sometimes more than others, but we can all come out on top if we pummel through. As tough as it is to be caught in a busy schedule, the productivity it brings is far more rewarding than sitting around all day. Be thankful for your busy weeks, for in the end, they give you amazing  opportunities to shine. 

I am one of those girls… I am addicted to The Bachelor. This is the first season I have watched from the start and I have to admit, it is a great guilty pleasure.  Every Monday my apartment couches and chairs are filled with friends eager to see what will happen this week.  This past week was the “Women Tell All” episode where the women who were sent home discuss the drama and get their questions answered. But that is not what I am excited for… It is down to the two final women, Becca and Whitney, and one will be Chris’ girlfriend or fiancé by the end of the three-hour special. My apartment is split. Some of my friends want Becca to win and some want Whitney. Personally, I don’t see it as a competition. Whitney is my favorite and I will actually be sad if she isn’t chosen! Anyway, for those who also watch The Bachelor, these are my five reasons why I think Whitney is the best for Chris:

 1.     She is super enthusiastic!

2.     She is a fertility nurse aka she loves helping others and is very caring.

3.     She has never trash talked any of the other women.

4.     She’s always smiling!

5.     And… she blonde. 🙂

Yeah, I said it. You can all praise your Yeezus’s or your Taylor Swift’s or whatever music you like, but I still hold one fact true:

Musical Theatre soundtracks are the best walking music.

Imagine this: you take your favorite genre of music (country, 90’s, rock) and you combine that with your favorite audio book. What do you get? Musical Theatre soundtracks.

It’s a two-for-one deal! Not only do you get tunes you can jam to, but you also get story. And some of you may be thinking, “Uhhh, musicals are so lame they are just big orchestras and ladies belting tap numbers.” Uh, NOT TRUE. Ever since the turn of the century, musicals have started to bend the rules of genre. Now we have rock musicals, musicals based on the pop hits of specific artists, even rap musicals!

Listen, I know I can’t sway everyone with rhetoric, so here’s the deal: If the description of any of these musicals piques your interest, then give it one listen as you walk to class this week. I bet that you will be surprised at how much you like it

In The Heights

I want to start off with something unusual. This show took Broadway by storm in 2008, eventually winning the Tony for Best Musical (so you know it is quality). Combining the music of Latin America with modern rap, this musical follows a Dominican man in a New York borough trying to live the American Dream. The first rap in the opening number was enough to turn many Musical Theatre Fans to rap, perhaps it can also have the reverse effect….

Heathers

Based on the hit movie Heathers with Winona Ryder, this musical plays upon the musical stylings of the 80’s well also incorporating some hardcore rock. Songs in this show can range from hilarious to downright dark. Not for people who may be uncomfortable with dark themes, but definitely a cool, grungy soundtrack that pumps up my walk to campus each day.

West Side Story

I have to put this here. West Side Story is just some of the most beautiful music written, period. I semi-consider it everyone’s duty as human beings to give this soundtrack a listen, just once. So many modern day songs, stories, and other cultural motifs have been based on the work done in West Side Story #ripTony

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Did you like Fall Out Boy, All American Rejects, or any of that other punk genre growing up? Then you will love this show. Bloody Bloody is a historical rock musical chronicling the life of President Andrew Jackson. But there is a catch: Jackson is portrayed as a bad boy rock star throughout the show. Definite jamming music, and it will definitely put some pace in your walk to class as the guitar solos blaze.

As you can see, Musicals aren’t what you first think they are. Every year, musical theatre ventures brilliantly into a new sound of music (ayyyyyy). Just give it a try; you will be glad you did.

It's the most wonderful time of the year - and no, not because Boston is a Frozen Tundra, but because Spring Break is just around the corner and with that first taste of the summer around the corner, there's also the fun of laying out summer plans. As you may have guessed, I'm a planner through and through, so since summer can bring a certain level of uncertainty in terms of where I'll be living and what I'll be doing, I can't wait to have a concrete plan laid out. Some people go home for the summer to either intern, work or just lay in the sun. (If I was from Florida or California, I'd probably stick to the third option). That being said, a lot of students are also making plans to either spend the summer in NYC, L.A. or our very own Beantown and with that comes it's own set of exciting challenges. I'm going to run through a few pertaining to internships and the process as a whole.

In terms of Boston - there are a plethora of options and the perk is that the interview process is simplified since you won't have to travel out of your way to get to an interview, etc. (Although some places are pretty open-minded in terms of Skype interviews if the distance is too much to bear). Another perk of staying in town is that subletting is made easy. There are always kids who live off-campus looking to sublet their room for the summer. It's easy to stop by and see the place firsthand and also get a feel for your potential new roommates. BU also has a ton of summer jobs that include on-campus housing for the summer. Depending on the position, there is also often plenty of time to intern a few days a week or work a second job.

New York, similar to Boston - begins screening intern applicants around December, but most deadlines aren't until early March. Christmas break is a good time to submit applications and then follow up early February. Boston is only a short train ride away from NYC so it's fairly easy to make a quick day trip to interview or look at potential sublets. It's also obviously a great city to make connections for post-grad employment opportunities. Just be sure to get ahead of the game since lots and lots of people flock to New York to intern for the summer.

For student's looking to intern a little further, i.e. L.A., there is a wonderful COM study abroad internship program for the summer, that students are encouraged to take advantage of. Housing is provided. You complete your application shortly after winter break and then find out mid-March if you've been accepted into the program. The program puts you in contact with different companies looking for interns that fit your experience and interest. Then you interview and head out to spend your summer in sunny California.

In the mean time - fight through this dreary weather and remember, Spring Break is just a week away!

There is one word that I love... FREE. I'm going to venture out on a limb and say that's a universal truth. Believe it or not, I haven't purchased a writing utensil in four years thanks to pencil and pen loving distributors on campus.

Right now I'm coming to terms with a new addiction- apps. Combine the two bold words and well you have a common fixation among millennials.

I spoke with 7 students at random yesterday and all of them were glued to Facebook, Twitter, or Snapchat. Here are a few app’s that have COM students and faculty transfixed.

1. Storehouse

"This app is meant to tell stories... It's an incremental step in easy web publishing."

Michelle Johnson, COM journalism professor

 

 

2. Linkedin 

"I really think that Linkedin is a great way to connect with employers. People really underestimate having it on the go."  Anya Gonzales COM15' Advertising

3. Saavn 

"It's a Spotify equivalent but only for Indian music. It's the easiest way to access the music I want to listen to.”

Dahiren Garg, COM16' Advertising

4. Trivia Crack

"I feel like kids our age while we are distracted by technology we are good multitaskers and it's not mindless... I usually beat my mom."

Alyssa Ciofani COM17' Film/ TV