Bay State Road – Kilachand Ambassadors Blog

Our Fave Five Things in Kilachand Hall

Caroline Perna (SAR’25) & Veronica McKinney (CAS’25)

#1: Chrissy

On the first floor of Kilachand Hall are the staff offices, which enable students to build relationships with staff and administration. When you first walk in, you’ll see Chrissy standing behind her desk with her welcoming smile. Chrissy is one of the newest additions to the Kilachand Staff, and she is always a light that brightens our days. Throughout our freshman year, we have had the joy to get to know Chrissy. She is an awesome resource if you ever need to talk, get advice, or if you need a hug. Over the last few months, Chrissy has become a “mom” for us since we are physically far away from our families, and we have a lunch date with her every few weeks. Make sure to pop in and say hi, and tell her that Caroline and Veronica sent you!

***Veronica & Chrissy twinning (accidentally)***

#2: Kitchen

We are lucky to have a fully functioning kitchen on the first floor of Kilachand Hall (one of the only kitchens easily accessible to freshmen at BU)! The kitchen is an awesome way to bring people together to cook, bake, and hangout! Our favorite cooking experiments have been: chocolate chip banana bread, brunch eggs and crepes, and a surprise birthday cake for our friend Tanvi! Although you have to provide the food and cooking dishes, the kitchen is recently renovated, right downstairs, and easy to use. You should definitely take advantage and show off your cooking skills! (Warning: don’t use anything you find in the fridge…)

**Tanvi’s partially eaten birthday cake**

#3: Coffee & Snacks

In the offices of Kilachand Hall there is a lovely coffee machine (with more than 60 different possible drinks) and a box of snacks. We make sure to stop in the office nearly every day to get our yummy drink, or chips, or chocolate, or granola bar, or cookie… the options are endless. This has been a really convenient (and free) option to get some fuel for the day! (And we were especially grateful for the steaming hot chocolates on the coldest Boston winter days.) Chrissy stays vigilant on keeping the snack box replenished, and she looks the other way if you want to stock up on some snacks for later… 😉 If you ever have the chance, you should definitely use this (did we mention free?) pick-me-up station. (Bonus: you get to see Chrissy while you’re there!)

**Chrissy & Rick with the popcorn machine**

#4: 9th Floor Study Spaces

On the top floor of Kilachand Hall is a common area and quiet study room! The main entrance area has a dance floor and stage because Kilachand Hall used to be a Sheridan hotel. There are tables all over for you to work or hangout with friends, and a TV is available if you want to host a movie night! If you need to actually get some work done, there is a VERY quiet study room (where you can literally hear a pin drop). Kilachand Hall renovations are starting this summer 2022 (more information is up on the website), so the 9th floor will be upgraded with brand new classrooms, study spaces, and windows to overlook our stunning view of the Charles River. (Around sunset, the whole floor is aglow in warm lighting that is perfect for selfies!)

**9th floor friends enjoying a late night snack!**

#5: 1st Floor Lounge

Our recently renovated first floor lobby and common room is one of the most active places in the building! During the day, students will work in between classes, and in the evenings, the room is even busier! While working, you may enjoy some nice ambient music from the public piano, or the aforementioned snacks and drinks from the front office. If you need a quick study break, board games are available for anyone to use, and the blue couches are surprisingly comfortable if you need to take a power nap! Our monthly Kilachand Teas are also hosted on the 1st floor, where you can get free drinks and food (our personal favorites are the chocolate covered strawberries and chips and hummus!). Co-curriculars and events like the open KHC Closet (pictured below) are often held on the first floor because everyone coming into the building will pass by!

In conclusion…

WE LOVE KILACHAND HALL

and all the fun people, places, and memories made here! <3

Photos © Caroline Perna & Veronica McKinney 2022

That Moment When You Know a College is Right for You: The 9th Floor of Kilachand Hall

Gabrielle Gewirtz (CAS’24)

There’s a moment everyone talks about during the college decision making process; when you know that there’s one college that makes you feel at home and overall just feels right. Making this decision during COVID, when I could not visit any schools, was very difficult. I chose BU because it checked all of my boxes—big school, research university, in a city, close to home, but not too close—but I didn’t know if, when I got to campus, I would have that feeling of rightness.

I moved into Kilachand Hall in late August with an anxious feeling: would I fit in here? Pushing those anxious thoughts aside, I started unpacking my boxes and suitcases. After moving in and meeting my roommates, we decided to start checking out places to get more comfortable with BU campus and our dorm. Since it was already pretty late, and we wanted to stay in our building, we decided to check out the 9th floor of Kilachand Hall to see the views of the city.

We took the elevator up to the 9th floor, and as soon as we got off, I was hit with that feeling. Around us, people were either doing work at tables or playing card games and talking to friends. Everyone looked at ease, and some people were even wearing pajamas. I immediately liked the feel of the 9th floor; you could go there to get work done, or even to be unproductive, and no one would care.

My roommates and I went to one of the big windows to look at the view, and again I was hit with the same feeling. I’ve always loved the nighttime, but Boston at night is especially gorgeous with its bright lights and zooming cars. I could easily picture myself up there on another night, playing games with friends or working on a late night project. At that point, looking out the window into the city, I knew I had chosen the right school.

Since coming to BU, I have gone up to the 9th floor more times than I could count. I’ve been to game nights with friends and have worked on group projects with people also in the honors college. Going to the 9th floor has been a great way to meet up with friends, and even meet new people. It’s also a place that has given many people, including myself, that indescribable feeling of rightness; that you know you chose the right place to be.

Image © Gabrielle Gewirtz 2022

The Five Best Items on the Bay State Underground Menu

Jackson Wallace (CAS’22)

I first heard of Bay State Underground from other incoming Kilachand students in the GroupMe we used to get to know one another. It had opened not long before our first year and everyone was sharing what they knew about it. Apparently, the menu was fantastic, with a lot of options beyond what one might expect from a traditional dining hall. When I finally got to campus, Underground quickly became a lifesaver Wednesday evenings, when I did not have time to go to the dining hall before it closed. I looked forward to ordering on those Wednesdays before trying to finish my work at a decent time. After a few weeks, I quickly figured out which menu items were worth their salt and which were better avoided. I will now pass this wisdom on to you.

Fifth on the list is Underground’s fries. If you’re looking to get a little side when you’re going with friends, then these standard cut fries make for the perfect dish. The fries have a good balance of crispiness and are salted to perfection.

The next best item on the menu comes off of the dessert list. Although there may be better cheesecakes to be had, for the price Underground’s New York-style cheesecake can’t be beaten. The graham cracker crust is well-constructed, the cake itself is delicious, and sometimes it comes with strawberries.

The third best item on the Bay State Underground menu is the quesadilla. Specifically the one with chicken. I find that the plain quesadilla is not filling enough for dinner, but once you add some extras it becomes quite the meal.

The cheesecake is actually only the second-best dessert on the menu. The real treat is the warm brownie sundae. Sometimes, you are in the mood for something chocolatey and sweet and that is exactly what this menu option provides. They even put whipped cream on the sundae. The only thing keeping this menu item from number one on the list is that sometimes the brownie is not the finest quality.

With all that said, without a doubt, the best item on the menu is the chicken caesar wrap. It is delicious, it is nutritious, and it's pretty affordable for what you get. If you check out Bay State Underground, be sure to give it a try.

Jackson

The 3 Questions I Get Asked at Every Admissions Event

By Catherine Devlin (CAS’22)

As a Kilachand Ambassador, I’m always impressed by the unique perspectives that each class of newly admitted students brings. Yet, despite the individuality of each new student and class, there are certain questions that remain consistent across years and admission events. So, to close these matters once and for all, here are the answers to the 3 things that get asked at every BU admissions event:

Q1: How does BU not having a campus affect student life?

A1: This question always manifests in a vaguely passive aggressive form. We never seem to be asked to “discuss BU’s campus” in a general sense, but are instead called to account for what is framed as an obvious deficit. I completely understand the question. When I was looking at colleges, even once I realized that BU was the best choice for me, I still needed a moment to mourn the leafy oaks and grassy quads that had graced so many admissions pamphlets (and my subsequent dreams). Upon attending BU, however, I realized that the assumption that our school does not have a campus is not an accurate one. Practically every building on Comm Ave between Yawkey and West is a BU building, and when you walk down the street the air is alive with the energy of students hurrying to class, laughing with their friends, and earnestly discussing research plans with their professors. For a more picturesque walk, take Bay State Road instead, and enjoy the tranquility of trees in bloom and historic brownstones. The BU community is vividly apparent and accessible on BU’s campus, so much so that some of my fellow ambassadors have written their blogs on how to break out of the BU bubble! If you are worried about getting lost in Boston and not having a community to anchor you as a freshman, let go of that worry. BU might not have the traditional campus layout, but it definitely has a campus community. And that community is as strong and beautiful as any oak tree.

Q2: What is the Hub?

A2: As the first class to have gone through the Hub, I remember the vast number of information sessions and panels dedicated to explaining the system during Admitted Students’ Day and orientation. I also remember that, after all that, I still had no idea how to navigate the program. Now that I am planning courses for my senior year, I feel that I finally have a grasp on the Hub. Mostly. In the simplest terms, the Hub is BU’s gen-ed requirements. In order to allow students more room to explore different skills and topics, Hub requirements extend beyond specific course categorizations. For instance instead of having a history class requirement, you need to take a class that helps develop your “historical consciousness.” Some of the Hub requirements are more catered towards soft skills, such as “creativity and innovation” or “oral and signed communication.” But don’t let the fancy wording scare you! Kilachand will take care of most of your requirements, and the Kilachand advisors are great at helping you figure out how to fulfill those that are left over. Hub units can be earned through classes in your major and minor as well as electives and some AP classes, so there are a lot of ways to get it done and to explore a lot of different subjects while doing so!

Q3: Did you choose to be assigned a random roommate or did you request someone?

A3: This seems like a very specific and somewhat random question, but let me tell you I ALWAYS get asked this. I’ve found that when accepted students aren’t standing next to their parents, the questions tend to be more on the personal/social side than the strictly academic side. I think this is great! When a student asks questions about life at BU, I know that they are really trying to visualize themselves coming here, which is so important when choosing a school. To answer the question: I went random and it worked out really well for me, but I know people who chose and had great experiences as well (and of course less fortunate experiences for both random and choosing). It all comes down to your own preferences and what you feel most comfortable with. But the bigger reason I chose to share this question is because I want to encourage you to ask seemingly small questions like this! You are already into BU, so you don’t need to use admissions events to prove how smart you are (we already know that!). Take this time to ask things that are genuinely weighing on your mind, no matter how mundane they may appear. It will make your freshman year that much easier and more fun!

So there you have it! Those are the three most commonly asked questions, but there are lots more that come up frequently. To make sure you hear the answers to all of the most relevant admissions questions, and to have the chance to ask your own, connect with a KHC Ambassador, or attend one of our open house events! I can’t wait to see you on Bay State.

3 Tips for Students Attending College During the Pandemic

By Yash Patel (Questrom’23)

Living through a global pandemic has taught us to value some of the most basic things we used to take for granted. Whether it’s going to class in person, or simply shaking hands with someone you meet. As a business student at BU, the pandemic has brought both new challenges and new opportunities in my college experience.

As the smart and dedicated BU students we are, learning to overcome these challenges is something we all learn in college. Personally, the pandemic has taught me to adapt to dynamic environments and make the best of what I have. Although the learning atmosphere is not ideal, I have managed to maintain my grades and continue to expand my extracurricular activities.

I spent my Fall of 2020 semester on campus and I am currently spending the majority of my Spring semester at home. Attending college on and off campus during the pandemic has allowed me to understand some key differences. Over the past year, I have developed a list of three tips for students attending college during the pandemic. These three tips have been the key to success for me in college over the past few months. They have allowed me to create new opportunities and maintain my well-being even during these unprecedented times.

1. Virtual Attendance

Although most students are discouraged when a class or club meeting is held virtually, I have learned to use this to my advantage. Virtual class means you can attend it from anywhere! No more waking up late and running to class. Sometimes I attend class in bed still under the covers (This is a bad idea. I fall asleep 90% of the time). Attending class virtually also means everything is recorded. This allows me to prioritize what is important. Just recently I had a midterm in accounting coming up. So I decided to study for it instead of attending my IS class. After the midterm, I rewatched what I missed.

Virtual attendance does not apply to just classes but also clubs. It allows me to expand my extracurricular activities. I have joined so many new organizations across campus because of the convenience of being able to attend their meetings from my own room. Not only that but career fairs and special events are also held virtually. There is no excuse to not attend them! It’s so easy!

2. Organize

This one might sound obvious but it is extremely important. Before the pandemic, I was always an organized student. I had a list of things to do throughout the day and I checked it off as the day went by. But attending college now is very different. On top of the list of things to do, you need some type of digital planner that keeps track of all the meetings you have throughout the day. A space where you can write down all the Zoom links for these meetings is very important. Some days I have more extracurricular meetings to attend than actual classes! Keeping everything organized is very important! I learned this lesson after having to scramble for Zoom links last minute and being late to meetings haha.

3. Take a break

Sometimes it’s a good idea to take a break. Even just a 30-minute nap sometime during the day helps. Sitting in front of a screen all day can be exhausting and it drains your energy. Take a nap or do something away from your desk. When the weather is nice, I like to ride my penny board up and down Bay State Road. Sometimes my friends and I go on bike rides on the Esplanade and into the city. These types of activities allowed my brain to reset. Although it sounded silly at first, but I realized this was one of the most helpful habits I learned to do as I attend college in the pandemic.

As life slowly returns to “normal,” my college life will forever be changed. I joined so many new clubs because of my ability to attend them virtually. I have learned to constantly check my planner throughout the day and add every little event to it. Lastly, I have also learned to do small things I enjoy for at least 30 minutes every day. As talented and innovative BU students, we have to learn to come up with small and simple solutions to continue to make our college experience a successful one. Good luck with yours and be sure to share any tips you have!

Riding my penny board down Bay State Road right outside of Kilachand Hall to take a short break.