home sweet socal.

Hey guys!

So it looks like I slipped out of New England just in time...a nasty storm hit the East Coast yesterday afternoon right after I flew home to LA.

Now that finals are over I can finally kick back, relax, and sleep! It's very exciting. I plan on taking a few days off before picking up my thesis again. I know that I need to start working seriously on it, which unfortunately means a bit of work over break. Luckily I can convert data while catching up on Tivo.

What I'm really looking forward to over break is the upcoming Emerald Bowl the day after Christmas! The Boston College Eagles will be playing the University of Southern California Trojans (aka where everyone in my family has gone to school...Christmas Day is going to be fun). Bright and early on the 26th my mom and I will be flying up to San Francisco to meet up with a bunch of my friends and watch the Eagles take on Pete Carroll's Trojans. We'll see what happens! All in all I'm hoping for a great game and one last time to see the boys take the field. Other than that, it'll be awesome just to be in San Francisco with some friends, some of whom have never been to California!

Well, Happy Holidays. Happy New Year. And for those of you still filling out college applications...good luck!

Peace.
Caroline

post-turkey update

Hello!

So this might actually be my first post (honestly I don't remember). Allow me to (re)introduce myself, my name is Caroline Wilkinson and I am a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and the class of 2010's only geophysics major (also a math minor). I am from beautiful, sunny southern California but I have finally started to get used to the whole "New England weather" thing. I also am obsessed with BC sports...I will elaborate on this later.

So I actually opted to not go home for Thanksgiving this year. I went home both freshman and sophomore years, went to London to visit roommates and friends who were studying abroad last year (so much fun), and went home with my roommate, Beth, this year! She is from just about 45 minutes from BC so it was nice to stay close by but still be able to celebrate Thanksgiving (and fill myself with delicious, home-made food). Her family was totally great and welcoming, I never stopped eating! After dinner on Thursday I came back to campus to work on my thesis. I am a student in the Honors Program and as a senior project opted to write a thesis in the Department of Geology and Geophysics under Professor John Ebel. So far it has been going fairly well, but I knew that I had to use this break to get some work done. I worked all day Friday and woke up Saturday ready to keep it up. Luckily, my good friend Christina had other plans. Christina is from Rhode Island and offered to come pick me up from BC and take me back down to RI! Obviously I couldn't pass it up, so I made the trip and found out that the BC Men's Basketball team was playing Providence College in the Dunkin Donuts Center! We were pumped, and one of Christina's best friends from home goes to PC, so we bought tickets and cruised on over. It was a great game, and we ended up winning in the last minute! I was very impressed by the Superfan representation at the game as well. We had a few pockets of proud maroon and gold out there!

Now it is back to BC and the last two weeks of class! I am working on my thesis as I write this, actually. Probably should get back to it and give it 100% of my attention. Well, wish me luck. This thesis is shaping up to be quite the journey!

Peace.

Caroline Wilkinson
A&S 2010
wilkinca@bc.edu

Week before Thanksgiving break!

Hey guys!

I'm less than a week away from going home for Thanksgiving break! I have a lot to do for classes between now and then, but I'm excited for the last home football game on Saturday. The weather has been so mild this year for most of the games, so we got really lucky.

I still feel like this semester just started, and I just got back to BC, when really, we're about 2/3 of the way done! It's crazy how fast the time goes by when you're a college student. I'm really excited to see my friends and family (and, of course, my dog who I miss more than anyone) back in Minnesota for almost a week!

Class registration is coming up for next semester; I have to figure out which classes I'm taking. I know I'm taking two Econ classes, which is exciting for me, and I have to finish my core requirement in Philosophy and Theology.

I went to the Plex today after not having gone in about a week, so that felt really good! Then, I had a "turkey dinner" from Lower Dining Hall.

Well, I'm off to hit the books in the study lounge!

-Libby

The Environment of Boston College

It only takes a quick glance at any promotional brochure to realize that Boston College has a beautiful campus. Located six miles west of downtown Boston in charming Chestnut Hill, a village of Newton, Boston College’s beautiful, collegiate gothic architecture is nestled an array of plush vegetation (that turns stunning in the autumn). The superficial beauty certainly improves times spent on campus. Still other ways in which the campus is arranged subtly enhance the college experience.

Firstly, student life is closely tied to academia. Geographically speaking, the vast majority of students live on campus, with the exception of a fraction of the junior class that is obligated to find off-campus housing for one year. I particularly like this feature because it allows for easy access to university facilities and resources. Additionally, BC’s campus is rather compact and far more navigable than the campuses of large state universities. Walking to class, the library, the stadium, et cetera takes almost no time at all.

Secondly, as I said before the campus is very aesthetically pleasing, but the pretty sights around the Heights have (I feel) a stronger moral impact on students. I have found that just living in a beautiful place will positively affect my mood any given day. If finals begin to burden me with stress or if I failed to meet my goals for a recent paper, I can always find some shred of relief in my life on this gorgeous campus.

Lastly, the charm is not limited exclusively to Boston College. Downtown Boston blends aged and contemporary architecture in fascinating ways that lend it much character. And neighboring Brookline offers a homey, uptown outlet for students as well.

The beauty criterion is frequently minimized in the college selection process, and it should be when compared criteria such as academics, school size, or geographic location. It really should not be the sole rationale behind an application, but that being said the beauty of BC certainly does improve the time spent here.

Until next time,
William

Bye bye, October!

Hello again, everyone!

I can't believe today is the last day of October, and, of course, that it's Halloween! This month has really flown by with all of the activities and work I've had over the past few weeks, but I wouldn't trade any of my sophomore year experiences for the world.

One thing that's really become full swing in the past few weeks is PULSE, which I mentioned in my last post. PULSE is a class that combines service and learning, using both class time and a service component. The year-long class fulfills all of your Core requirements in Philosophy and theology with the added plus that you only take 4 classes a semester instead of the usual 5, as it counts for 6 credits. During September, each PULSE student goes through an involved process to pick a placement that they're interested in. There's a town hall meeting, where you go to informational sessions about different placements. Then, you can go on tours of different placements to see what each environment is like. Some of the placements are really competitive- one of the ones I was interested in is at Tufts Medical Center. Over 70 PULSE students applied for a placement that only takes 4 students!

Anyway, after that long and stressful process, I ended up picking Casa Nueva Vida, which is located in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, about 5 miles from BC. Casa serves 16 homeless families, which consist of mainly mothers and children, and helps the families get back on their feet. Different classes, like computer skills and English as a second language are offered to help the mothers improve their lives too. As a volunteer at Casa, I've mainly been working with the children, but hope to also develop relationships with the mothers over the course of this year. Two days a week, I get to help the kids with their homework, play with them, and, sometimes, practice my Spanish. It's been a lot of fun so far, and also really eye-opening!

Anyway, HALLOWEEN! Halloween is so much fun at BC- people get really into dressing up and some have really creative costumes. One of my friends, for example, is being a flame, while his roommate is being St. Ignatius...so overall, they're being "Go set the world aflame," which is the Jesuit motto. Some students even wear their costumes to class! Yesterday, in my organic chemistry class, I even saw someone dressed up as a student from Hogwarts in Harry Potter, complete with a full robe and Ravenclaw uniform. It was very funny.

I hope all of you have a fun and safe Halloween!! Until next time,
Lauren

Halloween on the Heights

Hey Guys!

It's supposed to be almost 70 degrees outside today! Woohoo! It has been chilly lately so it will be nice to have a warm day for the football game vs. Central Michigan. We played our fellow Irish Catholic rivals, Notre Dame, last weekend and many students flew out or took RV's to South Bend for the occasion. Although we lost, it was a fun game to watch and all of my friends who went to the game said it was a great experience.

I got hired at the BC Bookstore last week! I have worked three shifts so far and it has been pretty fun. It's cool to see what goes on behind the scenes at the bookstore and to help customers find what they need. My first rush of midterms is over, so classes were pretty low key this week and should be for the next few.

Last night, everyone was celebrating Halloween! I got free candy from my Philosophy Professor and from people in the lobby of my dorm. You will find out when you get to college that everyone is obsessed with getting "free stuff." It's pretty great. When I was walking up the stairs, I passed a really good Harry Potter and a Robin Hood! Seeing people's costumes is hilarious. Tonight will be round 2 of that!

Happy Halloween!

Hot Topics at BC

What's up ladies and gents?

Life at Boston College... at least that's what this blog is suppose to be about. Other than the tests, quizzes, the large amounts of reading, and so on, it's college! Oh except for these things some professors make you use called "iClickers" (shown on right). These little devices can be used for in-class quizzes, homework checks (making sure you did the reading), and it can ALSO be used as to keep attendance. Thanks Apple!

So lately there has been an uproar in campus about interracial communications at BC. According to the Heights, BC's independent student newspaper, Boston College is ranked 17th in "Little Class/Race Interaction" in the Princeton Review. This issue was further was raised when a freshman wrote an article in The Observer, one of BC's political student newspapers, about how Caucasian people are being excluded from ethnic groups. This article got a lot of attention from the student body, especially from the non-white student population. And a lot of these students are mad.

When you talk about race, you are bound to get a lot of raised eyebrows because it is such a sensitive topic in the US. Now, there are people writing in response to this article, and to another similar article written in the Heights. Panels are planned to discuss the issue. Open discussions, like the one tonight, are likely to attract a lot many people.

Now why are so many people interested, mad, happy or confused about this issue? There are many reasons. The positive things that do stem from this are:

1. When something happens at Boston College and it sparks interest in the student body, there is action and it won't rest until whatever the event is has come to peace.
2. The Boston College community actually cares about what students have to say and wants to discuss these things further. I am confident in saying that students and faculty do come together to discuss issues of interest.
3. College Students read the newspaper. Let's be honest. In this technological era, TV media is the primary source of news, but nothing is better than fine print.

Oh and the one thing I'm really sad about is that I was not able to go hear a child soldier from Uganda come and speak at BC, sponsored by InterVarsity. I really wanted to go, but Bio kept me away and now I am sad that I didn't go because I heard that it was amazing. Next time; I need to stop procrastinating.

Later!

Volunteering at BC

Seven weeks into the semester and the academic year is in full swing. Midterms are upon us all and the mood on the Heights is busy but not wholly stressed. I find that I always have a pressing academic endeavor, but with the help of effective time management, I am fortunately able to remove myself away from the grindstone and evaluate Boston College from the outside—as a person separate from the student in me. This salutary removal can take many forms, and for me it comes in the form of volunteering off campus every Thursday via 4Boston.

For those of you who are unaware, 4Boston is a student organization run by Campus Ministry that sets up volunteer opportunities all around Boston for BC students to pursue. The program is decidedly popular, attracting hundred of invitations annually—a testament to the importance of service to Boston College students. Each program asks for each participant to dedicate 4 hours of service per week along with an hour of weekly group reflection. The philosophy is that action without reflection risks futility and that reflection without action risks irrelevance.

My 4Boston involvement began freshman year when I began working at the Community Based Acute Treatment (CBAT) unit at the Franciscan Hospital for Children in Brighton. Without delving into details about my individual placement, I will say that the volunteer opportunities I have pursued through BC have been invaluable. It provides the chance for students, who are learning to make a difference in the world later, to make a difference in the world now; whether it be educating adults at night school, mentoring kids at an after-school program, or building a Habitat for Humanity home on an Appalachia trip, the vast array of volunteer opportunities at BC lets the undergraduate experience improve with profound episodes in the “real world.”

So to you prospective students, if and when you do arrive on the Heights for freshman year, I would strongly encourage pursuing service—whether it be through Pulse, 4Boston, Appalachia, or Learning to Serve. It is a huge part of overall student involvement, and a great way to enhance your personal experience.

Until next time,
William

Video Games!

Hey! So, this year, I'm living in an 8-man suite in Walsh Hall on Lower Campus, which is the center of everything awesome about upperclassman:

• Lower Dining Hall and Addie's
• Hillside Cafe
• Edmond's residence hall (where true friends use kitchens to cook for all their friends)
• Vandy and 90, two of the nicest sophomore housing buildings
• the seniors' on-campus townhouses
• the Mods (which are, coincidentally, hilarious to watch from above in Walsh or Edmond's on weekend nights)
• the Plex (Flynn Recreation Complex)
• Alumni Stadium and Conte Forum (and the band room!)
• St. Ignatius' church
• and, most wonderful of all, the Million Dollar Stairs!!

Oh, the joys of those wonderful stairs at 9AM every Monday, Wednesday and Friday...

Anyway, living in a suite with 8 guys, video games get pretty overwhelmingly common. Awesome, but too common - as in, Rock Band has been on more than off in the past month. Now, however, our XBox is on a little vacation cooling down while my roommate nurses it back to health. This means my video game cravings need to be satisfied in other ways. Why not, I think to myself in fancy italic lettering, seeing as I am in a Computer Science course now, make my own video games?

....Oh. Right. I have no idea how to do so - so I keep content with writing little programs I need to make for homework, like the fish tank screen-saver, or an interactive on-screen stock ticker. Now, I know, they don't exactly measure up to Super Smash Brothers, but still, the actual process of creating these little programs is pretty amazing to me - as close as my life will come to taking place in Hogwarts. So, this is what keeps me video-game content for now.

Happy travels!
~Joe
mahonjc@bc.edu

Pre-Med Woes

Hello Prospective Students!

Man, that sounds too professional for my tastes. Anyway, sorry for the rush post the other day. While I put off some homework, let me give you a better detailed background of myself.

So I am a Freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences, Class of 2013. I live on Newton in the Cushing Building. I'm currently enrolled in the Pre-Med program and thinking of majoring in Psychology. I'm in the VSA and CSA (Vietnamese and Chinese culture groups) and part of the Parkour Group (PARKOUR!). I also go to this weekly meeting called InterVarsity when I can. It's basically a Christian fellowship service. I'm a BIG Celtics fan and fairweather Red Sox and Patriots fan. Not a big hockey fan.

So let me get down to business: Pre-Med is time-consuming. I'm currently taking Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Chinese Intermediate, and Freshman Writing Seminar. Oh, and I should also add a Cornerstone Freshman Seminar, a Chemistry Lab, and a Chemistry Discussion session. The Chemistry discussion is basically tacked on to the Chemistry Class. They can be useful, depending on your TA. However, they don't hurt you and you can ask questions and review for test and quizzes and go over homework questions. Now you're probably thinking that seems like that is a lot of classes. But you know what? You're absolutely right!

For all of you who want to do Pre-Med at the schools you're applying to, you will have a lot of work on your hands! Trust me. I know some freshman are taking Biology, Chemistry, and Calculus in the same year. Word of advice: even out your workload. At BC, you don't need to take Calculus freshman year (just Biology and Chemistry). However, if you want to just get it out of the way while it's still fresh, take it.

Technically, for me, I'm taking three science courses. Psychology counts too! So every week, I'm basically reading around 90 pages for all three subjects combined! I'm lucky I ended up with good professors. Here's a little insider tip for how to pick the best professors at BC:

At the UGBC website, you can evaluations of professors made by students who have taken their classes. There is a tab that says "PEPs" which are great Professor Evaluation Profiles and a few study tips. I HIGHLY recommend it for those picking your classes.

A quick little thing before I go (because I'm looking at the time): Cornerstone classes, like the one I'm taking, are basically classes that you want to take because they're interesting and are your choice to take. My class doesn't have homework except some reading. Every Cornerstone class meets once a week, and the professor of the class is your academic advisor for your Freshman year, which is great if you're undecided and don't have a department advisor.

So that's my schpeel of the day. Any questions, feel free to email me at nguyenec@bc.edu.

Peace!

Midterms and Columbus Day Weekend!

Hello again!

Whew-my last two weeks were very stressful and the next few will be as well! I had an Accounting quiz that required a good 15 hours worth of studying and homework beforehand, an Econ midterm, a Theology paper due, and multiple papers, tests, and quizzes to come! One thing I really like about sophomore year, though, is that it is SO much easier to be motivated and stay on task than it was last year.

Anyway, enough about homework. This weekend was Columbus Day Weekend, and since we live on the East Coast we get Monday (tomorrow) off! My sister came up to Boston from Rhode Island to stay with me at my Grandmother's house nearby for the weekend. I would say about 40% of BC students go home over Columbus Day weekend. My friends from Minnesota are jealous because they do not get Monday off!

For my Intro to Sociology class, I have to do a "breaking the social norm" experiment. So, I went to a Target in Rhode Island today before I dropped my sister off. I was dreading doing this, but here it goes: I put my iPod headphones in and wore sweats, a t-shirt, and sneakers, and jogged around the inside of Target! The purpose of the experiment was to violate a social norm and gauge how people react. Some of the reactions I got were priceless!

Libby

Introduction

Hi Everyone!

My name is Lauren Malishchak and I'm currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am a Biology major, and also trying to decide if I want to either minor or double major in Spanish.

This year, I live in an eight-man (which is a suite consisting of 4 doubles with a common room and 2 bathrooms) in Walsh on Lower Campus, which is an all sophomore dorm. Last year, I lived in a natural triple in Xavier on Upper Campus. I am still living with both of my roommates from last year-- I think it's really important to note that BC does a great job of matching random roommates up together!

So far, this year has been great. I find I have a lot less class time this year, but I am also way busier. I've gotten more involved in a few different activities, which BC has a lot of! Some of the things I'm doing this year are PULSE (which is a class that fulfills both your theology and philosophy requirements in addition to having a social service component), SAP (the student admissions program), and Appalachia Volunteers (I just found out I'm leading a group and am so excited!!). I also work at O'Neill Library, the main library on campus, and have done so since first semester of last year. I would definitely recommend that anyone who comes to BC get involved right away- you meet so many amazing people and end up getting really close to them.

Well, it's the weekend and I'm so happy we have three days off for Columbus Day. This past week was pretty stressful- I even had an Organic Chemistry test today.

Hope you all have great holiday weekends too!
Lauren

Free Time in Boston

Hello, prospective Eagles. My name is William, and I am a sophomore at BC in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science.

In my time at Boston College, I have found that dull moments are few and far between. The university and the city of Boston together offer more options for entertainment than anyone ever needs. This past Saturday was a perfect example. I woke up at 6:50 (which is a little atypical, believe you me) and hiked up to the Dust Bowl for the live broadcast of ESPN’s College Gameday on Campus. It was very rainy and I got drenched, BUT I got free ESPN memorabilia and thoroughly enjoyed myself through it all. I picked up lunch around noon, and returned to my room to dry my clothes just before heading to the actual football game—a nail-biter win against Florida State. The game ended at about 7:00, and I immediately headed from the stadium to the nearest T station for dinner and a concert downtown. I returned to campus at about 11:30, and as much as I would have liked to perpetuate my ever-active Saturday, I was so exhausted that I had to just retire to my residence hall, watch Saturday Night Live, with some friends, and call it a day.

That is, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest features of Boston College. The school hosts plenty of events--lectures, plays, concerts, panels, games, the works—that you practically never need to leave campus for entertainment. Simultaneously, the city of Boston offers such a wide array of opportunities and activities--shows, shopping, restaurants, professional sports, museums, historical sites, et cetera--that tempt you to just travel downtown every day. So I’ll say it again: there’s never a dull moment during your time at Boston College. The university and the city together have too much to offer, plainly speaking.

Until next time,
William,
A&S ‘12

New Year, Done Right

Hey everyone,

My name is Joe Mahon, a sophomore in BC A&S. I am currently trying to major in Chemistry and pick up a minor in Music, but to be honest, if I have enough class spaces open, I'm hoping to get it as a second major! As for what I do here, I am part of BC's Marching Band and Symphonic Band, but know a lot about other music programs here at the school as well. I am also a part of Nights on the Heights, a student organization that organizes (sometimes quite nicely-funded, meaning prizes like an iPod Touch) activities every weekend for anyone on campus. I work for ResNet (our name is in the process of changing, though), which is an on-campus technology services organization that provides pretty much any kind of tech support you might want. And, of course, I am part of the Student Admission Program; so if you visit campus and meet me in the office in Devlin, please feel free to let me know you know of me through this blog!

Some of you may have gone back in time in this blog to see some posts from last year, and I definitely encourage everyone to do so, if you have time! I'll try not to repeat much over the course of this year, but I might, so forgive me if I do.

I know this is a pretty harsh time of year for seniors; some of my friends who are seniors now, and friends siblings, have been all panic-stricken about applications. Take a deep breath anytime you think about your application, but do not put it off! (And when it's possible, apply Early Action - it makes all the difference when you know your acceptance situation by January).

Some other random information:
- ESPN's College Gameday will be here in Chestnut Hill this Saturday: try to tune in Saturday morning to see pregame broadcasts and look out for the marching band! And then you can enjoy what should be an amazing game against Florida State!
- Something you should know about me: for whatever reason, I really love parenthesis (and use them often). Just a warning.

TTFN,
Joe

MUFASA!

Hey dudes and dudettes!

What's up? First post guys! Yes! I'm David Nguyen from Cushing TWO Newton! It's the place to be! Alright, enough of the exclamation marks. So quick bio of me:

- I am part of the FRESHMAN Class of 2013
- Psychology Major with Pre Med
- Clubs I am involved in: Parkour Group, Chinese Student Association (CSA), Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), and Southeast Asian Students Association (SEASA)

I had my interview for Freshman Representative in CSA today. I was ten minutes late for it because I thought the interview was in Campion, and that was the wrong building. But I just finished watching the Lion King with my dorm, which made it all better. It is an amazing movie as all of you know.

If you have any questions about Pre-Med or any of the groups I am in, feel free to send me email at nguyenec@bc.edu.

Alright guys, peace out!

-David

About me and my sophomore year so far!

Hi! I'm Libby and this is my first post! I will start by telling you a little bit about myself.

I am from Woodbury, Minnesota, but have lots of family on the East Coast so I have spent tons of time in the Boston area throughout my life. I actually lived in Duxbury, Massachusetts for two years when I was 7-8. I've played competitive traveling softball since I was 9 and enjoy co-ed intramural softball here at BC!

I am a sophomore and an Economics major in the school of Arts and Sciences. In the beginning of last year, I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to major in, between Psychology and Economics. It turned out, I grew to love Econ and decided to do a Sociology minor in place of a Psych major! I chose Sociology rather than Psychology because although I loved science in high school, my interests changed when I got to BC. I decided I like that Sociology focuses more on group interaction versus Psychology's study of the individual and the brain. I have always loved math! So, in addition to the Econ major and Soc minor I am hoping to take 6 classes in the business school: I considered applying to transfer to the Carroll School of Management last year, but decided I would instead take up to 6 classes in CSOM since BC allows it, and stay in A&S! I am taking Financial Accounting this semester to start my CSOM experience.

Last year, I lived on Upper Campus in Loyola Dormitory and this year I live in an eight-person suite in Walsh on Lower! I am loving it so far.

My first weekend back, in addition to watching BC dominate Northeastern in football, I went into Boston with my boyfriend (we met in Loyola in the beginning of last year!). We started at Boston Commons (the park, lots of people, grass, benches, paths) and migrated through Beacon Hill (tons of beautiful, really expensive homes tucked in a quiet little neighborhood), and walked along the Charles River all the way to a Boston University T-stop! It was really relaxing and it was a good way to spend a gorgeous day.

This weekend was Parents' Weekend. I always think it's really funny to watch all the parents walking around campus and in the dining halls and even in classes with their son/daughter! My boyfriend is from New Hampshire, so his parents came down to watch BC football beat Wake Forest. It was a very nerve wracking game! We had what seemed like a safe lead for a while, but then Wake Forest scored two touchdowns in the end of the 4th quarter to tie the game! Luckily, we made an exciting victory in overtime. After the game, we went to the North End (Italian section of Boston) for a delicious dinner!

Well, I think I'm going to head to the Plex (gym) but if you have any further questions feel free to email me at kroening@bc.edu or keep reading my posts! I hope to post about once a week.

Libby

Marathon Monday!

Yesterday was the 113th Boston Marathon, but it was my first experience witnessing the madness. At Boston College, Marathon Monday is a huge event, one surely looked forward to by all and definitely not to be missed.

In my first year, I chose to partake in the event with a club called the Campus School Volunteers. It was a phenomenal experience. The Campus School is a place for severely handicapped children ages 3-22. They require one-to-one care and many expensive pieces of equipment. The marathoners raise money for the school, and run the marathon for the kids. It was AMAZING! It's a goal that many people in December don't think they can achieve, but after lots of hard work and dedication, our dreams come true as we dash toward the finish line from Hopkinton, MA to Copley Square in Boston.

The greatest thing that I want to stress is the excitement from peers while passing BC. Everyone is so excited, even know they didn't know me, because when you see someone from BC you just feel an overwhelming sense of pride. I felt like I was flying, with everyone slapping my hand and screaming my name. With all of the pride and excitement, BC is the place to be to watch marathon hopefuls make their way to the top of Heartbreak Hill. It's such an amazing time, whether you're running or watching, and can't wait until next year's race!

From MY freshman year to YOUR freshman year

Hey all,

Here it is in early April, and depending on where you are at school right now, you may have anywhere from three to ten weeks left of high school. Everyone here at BC, however, has a mere three weeks before finals begin, a week of finals, then off we go into the early summer, eagerly awaiting the day we get to return to the Heights.

For me especially, coming back is going to be great. We "won" the housing lottery, as is an appropriate expression, and 7 of my friends and I managed to get an 8-person suite in Walsh, on Lower Campus (a long shot more convenient than Newton, but I will miss the more comfortable atmosphere). Many people were not as lucky: though one of my roommates right now had a group of 8 that also got it, my other two present roommates (in the same group) didn't get 8-man rooms, and today also missed out on the 4 person apartments. They have one more chance, then may end up on Upper Campus, in the sophomore section on College Road (fondly dubbed "Co-Ro"). Wish them luck with Lower!

It also seems to be time for me to put in a shameless plug for the marching band; we get to come back early for band camp in August (which, for perspective, takes more energy than my football doubles in high school). If you can play an instrument, it's a great way to meet people, practice playing, and keep busy early in freshmen year. You are also welcome to look into it if you decide to go to any college in the Boston area!

AND, just in case you didn't realize it, the deadline for deciding on a college is swiftly approaching. I know how much a struggle that can be, and being (relatively) fresh out of the process, feel free to shoot me an email with any question/comments/concerns, or about really anything. Best wishes and Happy (late) Easter!

Adieu for now!

One week!

Hello!

Sorry it's been so long, so much has been going on! I'm one week away from the big day-- Marathon Monday! Although I'm a little disappointed I won't be partaking in the festivities on campus, I'm really looking forward to hitting that 21 mile mark and running past all the screaming Boston College fans. As I've mentioned before, I'm running with the Campus School Volunteers, along with about 150 other BC students. I'm very excited - but will be very relieved when it's over!

Now that I'm completely done with midterms for the semester (I had 3 right before spring break!), I'm on the home stretch of this school year. Class registration happened last week, and luckily I got into most of the classes I needed/wanted to take. It's weird to think 2 years of college are already over - and some of my friends are going abroad next semester, which is also weird to think about. England, Scotland, Sweden, China... they'll be everywhere! Last week was also the housing lottery - I found out I'll be living in a 4-man in Edmond's! There were 8 of us, but with 5 people going abroad in the Spring, we figured it would be better to block two 4-mans. It should be great.

Tomorrow night I have club field hockey practice (in preparation for our game at Brandeis) and an Irish Society Movie Night-- Boondock Saints!

Well, until next time,
Megan

Random pranks and crazy friends

So yesterday was April Fool's Day, and boy did the pranks go down like crazy. I'm part of a discrete group of improvisers called Jumbo Shrimprov. We all got together and dressed up like we were going to work out (in the 80's) and had a ridiculous marathon across the Dustbowl that lasted about 10 minutes. Our instructions were to race at a .5 pace, as though we were moving through jello, very thick jello. We generated quite a large crowd, and the entire thing was not only one of the funniest things I've ever done at BC, but also made me feel like I was part of something amazing. People had no idea what was going on-which was the beauty of it.

Then later we did "ghosting" in O'Neill Plaza. Basically, we would follow people so closely it was like we were breathing down their neck, and after one person "latched" on, about 15 others would come out and follow together. Once the person (if they did) realized they were being followed, we would disperse really fast. It took a while for people to catch on but once they did they were all laughs. I love pulling silly pranks and such, and the crowd enjoyed it so much.

When I got back to my room at night, my friends and I realized that one of my friends switched all of our stuffed animals and put them in different rooms. Being here at BC is so much hard work and can be so stressful, but on the days like today, I smile and laugh more than I could have ever imagined, and I realize that I am in an amazing place with so many different, cool people, and it's an adventure every day.

Keeping you posted,

Dana

Ommmm...

Hello again,

Week's recap: Wednesday, got a chem test back - improved from last test by 27%! Thursday's chem lab went relatively well, though my partner and I were last out. Ear-training and sight-singing lab (required for music majors, open to all) went well, though I pity those around me who have to hear me sing.

Friday: in-class chem quiz I definitely needed to have studied for more (two quick questions, I got at least one right). Bio exam went well, and Perspectives quiz on Kant was all right. Friday night, silly friends and I built a bed-sheet fort in the study lounge of Keyes, hung out there all night.

Saturday: went to see BC bOp! jazz ensemble perform at biggest show of year - it was phenomenal (they compete and perform internationally). This was followed by two hours of ice skating in the hockey rink in Conte, put on by UGBC - lots of fun!

This is clearly the time of year that Student Admissions starts working overtime. The trees start to shake off the winter with little buds and beginnings of leaves, those all-important letters are being sent to and fro all across the country, and excited and - if at all like me - extremely confused high school seniors start trekking around the globe (or so it seems) to figure out what they want to do next year. For the past weeks and in ever-increasing numbers, BC students get to watch potential fellow Eagles wander around campus wondering what it is that makes our school so great.

Looking back now, I am amazed that it has already been a year since I was doing the same.

I just want to offer what advice I have, being fresh out of the dreaded Common App system: take it easy for a bit. It's always good to sift through data and tour schools and think about pros and cons or however you're trying to make a decision, but your mind and your life can't take too much of that. Take an hour a week or so to just sit back and relax: pray, meditate, write a poem, go for a jog; a general brain de-tox. It will help enormously in the overall process.

One other, more concrete tip: when it comes to choices, reactions can speak louder than anything: put the schools you're considering in a hat, pull them out one-by-one and see how you feel the instant you read it. Relieved? Check it as possible. Very disheartened? Reconsider it. Obviously not a perfect method, but it helped me out.

Good luck, and I can't wait to see any of you around campus, visiting, or perhaps, studying?

Joe

Campus events - ALC Showdown and the Bostonians!

Hey guys!

So I wanted to tell you all about this amazing campus event I went to on Friday. It's called the AHANA Leadership Council Showdown, and it features all the hottest dance clubs on campus, both cultural and technical, in a competition that no one wants to miss. Since its birth several years ago, the event has moved from the small Robsham Theatre to Conte Forum. It was an amazing display of talent, and showed how diverse our community truly is. It was amazing to see so many different cultural groups, from Brazilian to Indian to Hawaiian, all showing us what they have been working on. The dance groups were amazing. The step groups Sexual Chocolate, an all male step group, and F.I.S.T.S., an all female step group, were just fantastic. If you haven't seen step dancing, it is a sight not to be missed. The hip hop groups Synergy and Phaymus were also amazing, but my favorite was Synergy. They came in second place, leaving Fuego, the most spectacular Latino dance group, to come in first. For the cultural event, Masti, the Southeast Asian dance club, outperformed all others and came out on top. The intensity was really awesome, and with an attendance of about 3,000 people, you didn't want to be left out!

Saturday night was the Spring Cafe for the a Capella group the Bostonians. They are my favorite group on campus out of all the dancers and singers who perform. They are the oldest co-ed a Capella group and they are just phenomenal singers. Absolutely extraordinary. I've been to two shows, and both have rooms that are packed and dedicated fans who wouldn't miss the show for the world. It was an awesome weekend.

There is always so much to do on campus, and these are just a few of the events that occur. There are always events at the O'Connell House, the Rat, the Chocolate Bar, plus movie nights, theatre productions, comedy shows, and so much more. It's such an awesome place to be with never a dull moment. Of course, it's always nice to stay in with friends and pop in an old movie :)

Weekend Update

Afternoon!

Quick note: today, I saw a whole bunch of tulips starting to sprout! It’s that time of year again!

OK, so this weekend is a busy one for me – in a good way. Last night, a couple friends and I headed into the city to go to a salsa dancing club, called Mambo’s, which was amazing – it’s all ages, cheap, and they even provide lessons for beginners! This is our second time, the first trip was hosted by BC.

(This is a good time to pause and mention the T system, for non-locals – the MBTA, or Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, provides public transportation around Boston. There are two stops from BC, one right out front of the main entrance and one just down the street, accessible via the BC shuttle. A T ride is only $1.70 with a free “Charlie Card”.)

Today, we went back into the city to visit the Garment District, a two-story clothing/costume shop near MIT with all kinds of costumes and inexpensive secondhand clothing for all occasions from all eras. Here, I was looking for a green suit and shirt ($23 total), which will be used tonight at the culmination of the weekend: Middlemarch. Middlemarch is an annual tradition, a costume/theme dance here at BC, involving a secret panel of students to set it up and announce its theme and the instructions on how to get tickets, via scavenger hunt, in the beginning of March (this year's theme: Board Games! The reason I need a green suit: six of us are going as the Clue characters; I am, naturally, Mr. Green). Just imagine: such a secret and high-scale event that it has closed the O’Connell House, the hangout on Upper Campus, for the past week. I can’t wait to see how it looks!

Have to go get ready for later,
Joe

4Boston!

Hi again!

I wanted to just tell you a little about my experience volunteering with the 4Boston group. The group volunteers for four hours each week, with a one hour group reflection each week. At first, I had no idea what to expect. I knew that their three pillars, social justice, community, and spirituality meant a lot to me, and that I wanted to become a part of something important here at school.

After going through the application process and the interview that followed, I got chosen for my first choice and was so excited to get started! My choice, to volunteer with children at the Franciscan Hospital for Children, was something that I thought would enable me to gain experience in the field that I am interesting in focusing my career one while also helping families at the same time. It's been a whirlwind of an experience. I have grown so close to my group; weekly reflections, which I thought would be more of a hassle than anything, are greatly looked forward to and enjoyed. We have so much together, just sharing stories and laughing together, while also focusing on the very serious nature of the work that we do. I realize that we are a very integral community of volunteers at the hospital, and it's worth every minute I spend.

I work on a floor with newborns and a few toddlers who suffer from genetic disorders or very severe respiratory problems. Many spend their days alone, and have been in the hospital since birth, with the possibility of depending on machines to keep them alive for life. Sometimes I just get to hold the babies, and I look at their little fingers and try to give them the love and care that they deserve. I've realized that even a few minutes spent with a child in need is better than nothing at all.

I have several friends who volunteer at other 4Boston placements, and the similarities that exist are strong. Each one of us dedicates so much time to work for the betterment for others in the surrounding communities. Recognizing that others are in need of dire help is important, especially for those of us who are fortunate to be here at Boston College. It's great to know that we are recognized and greatly appreciated both within our school community and in the surrounding neighborhoods of children and their families.

The verdict of life as a Newton freshman

Hi everyone! This is my first post, but I'm really excited to be able to share what my experience has been like thus far.

I'm a freshman and I live on Newton Campus. At first, I was upset to have to rely on the bus to get to main campus and to be so isolated from the rest of the school, but the prospect of living with all freshman has greatly outweighed its few disadvantages. Living on Newton is one of my favorite parts of school. Unlike Upper Campus, you get the feeling of going "home" at the end of the day, and you have the opportunity to leave campus and classes behind you.

I found that my first few weeks at school back in the fall were eased by the fact that I knew everyone was in the same boat as me. Walking into the dining hall on Main Campus, I walked over to a young lady and asked if I could sit with her, to which she responded "I'm not a freshman". Ok, so not all people here are so rude; in fact, most aren't. But at least walking into Stuart Dining Hall I knew that everyone was a freshman and I felt more at ease walking up to people and introducing myself.

Living on Newton brings everyone really close together in the sense that we all see each other some way or another from time to time, whether it is in the dining hall or waiting for the bus, or riding the bus to and from main campus. If you're considering living situations, definitely give Newton a chance. Riding the bus is not as big of a deal AT ALL as I thought it would be. Having the beautiful campus around allows us to be able to throw around a Frisbee or sit on the ground with friends and do work. It's such a great place to be!

-Dana

Chemistry goop and other such goings-on

Well hey there!

So, chemistry lab today was probably the most fun I have had in science lab since the fourth grade. We were studying polymers and their properties – translation, we made different kinds of goop, then played with them. I just wanted to share this awesome experience with the world.

Yesterday was a big day for me, I got to office hours of two of my professors for the first time, both of which were extremely helpful (office hours = optional periods where students can come in and ask professors any questions; often regarding class, but not always – Professor Wolfman of General Chemistry talked about the closely-kept secret U2 concert being held nearby). Since I am still up in the air about what major(s) I want to pursue, I am trying to poke around a bit more thoroughly. Though my general biology lecture is around 200 students (the only larger class I have heard of on campus is an economics lecture) and general chemistry just under 100, the professors are great in small-scale office discussions. Most, if not all, professors hold office hours every week at various times. And since I came back this semester with a new drive to get everything I can out of this education, office hours and TA (teaching assistant) discussion sections are invaluable.

Unfortunately, while I would love to stay and talk more about my classes and how to choose them (PEPs are key – student reviews of many teachers throughout the university), and to continue playing with synthesized goop, I have to run to band and dinner, after which I will be reading Rousseau, writing Harmonic progressions in preparation for a take-home midterm exam, quickly going over our chemistry chapter for our quiz tomorrow, and beginning a paper on Calvin’s place in modern philosophical thought. Those Jesuit ideals of a liberal arts education and rounded character not exactly ignored here at BC.

So, until next post!
Joe

Hello again!

It's been a while, but I've just arrived back in Boston after Spring Break. The few weeks before were quite hectic, with papers due and midterms in my economics and math classes. It was a much needed break, but it's great to be back! Campus is still a bit empty... most people will probably be arriving back tomorrow. Anyway, some of my friends who went on Appalachia are back on campus now as well. They all said it was such an amazing experience, and I'm contemplating going next year. I almost regret not doing it! So far I've heard stories of building houses, playgrounds, and other little jobs around communities. It really seems like a worth-while opportunity.

An event I participated in before break but didn't have time to write about was the Campus School Broom Hockey Tournament. This was another fundraiser for the campus school, similar to that of the Marathon Team I'm a part of. A team of ten of my friends got together, made awesome team t-shirts, and headed down to Conte Forum on a Sunday afternoon to show our skills in Broom Hockey- hockey played with brooms and a volleyball on the ice rink, in sneakers. It was a GREAT time- and my team even made it to the semi-finals. It was an awesome event, all for a wonderful cause.

Well, I guess I should go make my rounds through Walsh to see if any of my other friends have returned from their breaks. Returning to campus has given me a mental block-- I'm not sure what else I wanted to write about!

Until next time,
Megan

Hi everyone! This is my first time writing on this so let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Megan, and I'm a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. Technically, I'm just a math major, but I plan on double-majoring with economics as well. Usually when I tell people that, they act like I'm crazy... but so far, it's not too bad.

Anyway, it's a Sunday night here at BC, which means I'm taking a break from most of the work I've put off for the weekend. I always think the weekends will be so relaxing and give me time to catch up, but it's always the complete opposite. There are always sooo many different things going on that make me procrastinate even more. Yesterday I woke up early to try to be productive. I went to the gym for a quick workout, but it turned out that the varsity tennis team had a match right on the courts in the Plex. I had finished my run on the treadmill, but I ended up staying for awhile to watch the boys play against Colgate. It was amazing to see that on a Saturday at 10am, there were still plenty of BC students and parents out to support their friends/children.

Later on in the afternoon, some of my friends and I went into Boston for dinner and shopping. Having the T stop right on campus is so convenient... and even if the B line is a little too slow sometimes, you can take the Comm Ave bus to the D line and it's just as simple. That's been one of my favorite parts of BC- having the city right at your fingertips, but not actually living in it. Anyway, we shopped on Newbury Street and ate, then headed back to campus.

I wish I had time to write more but I have to get back to my work. Hopefully I can get to bed at a decent time... I'm exhausted. I'm training to run the Boston Marathon with a group of about 100 other students through the Campus School. Every Sunday morning we do our long group runs, so today was a 13-miler through the streets of Newton and Chestnut Hill. Needless to say, I'm quite tired! Hopefully this will all pay off on April 20th- Marathon Monday!

Have a good week everyone,
Megan

Hello all,

I just returned to the Heights from an exciting weekend in New Jersey with the BC Figure Skating Club Team. We were competing at the 2009 Eastern Sectionals Synchronized Skating Championships, or so it says on the gold medal hanging from my neck. Wait? Did I say gold medal? Yes, I did. We won.

Something you will learn quickly at BC is that the motto "Ever to Excel" really rings true, as corny as it sounds. People here are not just excellent students, but they also are amazingly talented outside of the classroom. Take my lovely floor of Gonzaga as a microcosm for the campus. We have two varsity swimmers, a hockey player, a lacrosse player, two girls who sing in the Chorale, one of whom has just been cast in the spring musical (congrats), almost an entire intramural volleyball team, and two members of varsity crew; and that's just from the top of my very sleep-deprived head. My point is that as a university we're good at what we do. Now, what if you don't play a varsity sport? That's where club sports and intramural sports come in. If you get your "exercise" fix from hiking up the Million Dollar Stairs, then no fear there are many people on my hall alone that feel the same way.

So back to the competition. What a blast. It was my first synchro competition; I skated singles through high school and I loved it. The highlight I would say was singing "For Boston" right before we stepped on the ice to compete and having the ice monitor, a BC alum, join in. When you are walking around in BC gear, it still amazes me how many people approach you or yell "Go Eagles!!!" which happened several times in the airport. I would like to say that once an Eagle, always an Eagle rings true here. Beyond that it was great getting to spend so much time with my teammates. The win was more the cherry on the sundae if you will.

So that's all I've got for now folks. I'm heading off to a FACES meeting in a few and need to get ready. TTFN.

Kristin

Spring Awakening?

The spring semester is beginning, and while not exactly warm and relaxing, it has started with some pretty sweet moments.

First, and most importantly, of course: it is absolutely prime sledding season. Though the weather is WICKED cold, everyone came back from break with nice warm winter gear, which I enjoyed seeing after having waved goodbye to a friend going home to California in flip flops. Seriously, though – it’s winter. It’s supposed to be cold. Good old Mother Nature dropped a foot or so of snow, which I naturally had to shovel, being home for the holidays. Now, many have found hills around campus, especially here on Newton, to get trays and sleds out and fly down in all kinds of creative - and slightly insane - ways.


We started classes a week ago; we have until tomorrow when Add/Drop period ends to finalize our schedules, and I am still moving around in my schedule. So far so good, though – my professors are great and class times are really quite convenient.

I just went to a meeting for College Bowl, similar to Academic Bowl apparently, which I was never part of, but it deals with trivia. Last night was Zombie, Pirate and Ninja themed night. I hope to go to Laser Tag this Saturday at the O’Connell House, the center of freshmen social life on Upper, and maybe back into the city – my friends and I visited the Museum of Fine Arts for free, since we go to BC. Other extracurriculars abound, and I just applied for a job with the IT support staff.

In Organisms and Populations class, we learned that a blue whale’s testicles weigh over a ton, but a fruit fly has the largest sperm, longer in fact than its body… and this actually related to the lesson in evolutionary progress. In chemistry, we passed around blocks of dry ice that could freeze our fingers off if we held them for too long. Cold potato, anyone? In my philosophy/theology class, we discussed the various college-life habitats, the mating and courting patterns of freshmen, and social structure based on a BAC of 16.7 (or something ridiculous) and the goal of college students in general being able to replace their blood entirely with alcohol. Believe me, these classes are not boring – and far from being inapplicable to life. Except maybe the biology facts… but as a lesson, make sure to put plenty of effort into choosing courses at any school. The teacher can make or break your future in that subject.

Anyway, that’s it for now, I am not envying those that have to go through the selection and application process, though I do sympathize. Good night and good luck!

Joe M.