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

Earbuds and Strangers

So, here I was walking down Linden Lane about two weeks ago (above). I was headed towards the bus stop to go back to Newton campus, coming from the fourth floor of Lyons Hall, where I had been practicing piano skillz for my music theory class (and just for fun - consequently, there are 10 or 11 practice rooms in Lyons and some elsewhere around campus with pianos in them that are almost always available, if you want to play).


Anyway, I was walking back, listening to my iPod, when I happened to run into my Perspectives professor (Perspectives is a core curriculum course that combines two semesters of theology and two semesters of philosophy into one year-long course, gets rid of core requirements and is one of the most interesting - albeit most difficult - classes I am taking and that I have heard about). We talked for a little bit, which struck me as awesome, considering the size of the school and the number of things she probably had to get done (we have a pretty intimate class, 21 kids, though my largest lecture is Gen Chem and is only 51). When we were leaving, she said, "You know, you shouldn't have both of those ear buds in when you're walking around; it makes it seems like you're trying to avoid interaction" (which, as you may have guessed from my posts, I generally don't do - I am pretty outgoing). So, I tested this theory, and low and behold, in the past two weeks there has been a noticeably different connection with people around me when I wear one, none or both ear buds. Even between strangers, get a head nod or smile with at least one ear open, but when I have both in, I get the *glance/avoid gaze* type deal. So there are two lessons: most people here are friendly enough to make a connection while walking by a complete stranger, and when in public, try not to wear both earbuds and it will open you up a little.

Hooray extracurricular lessons! Thanks to my professor for the insight, and please come back to see another update within a week!

BBFN, YFN Joe! (see last post)