O’Neill Library

Hi, I’m the Answer Wall! I’ve been perched in the O’Neill Library lobby at Boston College since February 2017, except for a year in 2020 when I went fully online. Ask me a question by posting a post-it on me in O’Neill Library. I’ll answer within a day on weekdays. I snooze on the weekends, because answering questions is hard work!

how do I as a girl on a Date?

how do I as a girl on a Date?
how do I as a girl on a Date?

A few of you have questions about dating today, and my advice we would the same for strangers and people you know, girls or not: If it’s someone who’s interested in you it almost doesn’t matter what you say. But I suggest being direct. “I think you’re great! Would you like to go out on a date with me to do X?”. Be prepared to take “no” for an answer. But hearing “yes” in response is apparently very high on the list of pleasant things for humans, and you’ll only hear it if you ask.

how do I ask someone to go on a Date? Random person BTW.

how do I ask someone to go on a Date? Random person BTW.
how do I ask someone to go on a Date? Random person BTW.

If it’s someone who’s interested in you it almost doesn’t matter what you say. But I suggest being direct. “I think you’re great! Would you like to go out on a date with me to do X?”. Be prepared to take “no” for an answer. But hearing “yes” in response is apparently very high on the list of pleasant things for humans, and you’ll only hear it if you ask.

Am I cut out for a job in scientific research

Am I cut out for a job in scientific research if I think reading scientific papers is incredibly boring? Even if I'm interested in the subject, I just can't get through/understand the papers.
Am I cut out for a job in scientific research if I think reading scientific papers is incredibly boring? Even if I’m interested in the subject, I just can’t get through/understand the papers.

This is a question that ultimately only you will know the answer to, but you can ask some others to give you information. First, I’d ask scientific researchers you know, or a professor, how they feel about reading scientific papers and if you lack of interest resonates with them. Then, I would recommend finding out if there are tips to reading. Maybe the not understanding the papers is making you not interested and some reading tips from those professors (or some librarians – they are at the reference desk and love to talk about this sort of thing!) might help. Then you will have more information to decide what you want to do, and what you are passionate about.

Tips for networking coffee chats

Tips for networking coffee chats
Tips for networking coffee chats

Ask the questions you are curious about. Do you want to know career path, advice on goal setting, how to balance work and life, how to live meaningfully in work and otherwise? What do you want to learn? Networking is about building connections and will serve you, but also, even if you don’t get a job from it, you can still learn and build relationships.

Favorite type of apple?

Favorite type of apple?
Favorite type of apple?

As a wall, I don’t actually eat. Still, the newish (2020) release from Cornell Orchards, NY73 ” Pink Luster”, bred for its “bright pink-red skin, crisp texture and juiciness” sounds very appealing.

Justin Fields or Caleb Williams :(

Justin Fields or Caleb Williams :(
Justin Fields or Caleb Williams 🙁

It’s very hard to pick sides in a quarterback drama. It’s also really hard to know which spectacular college players will make good NFL quarterbacks. I wish both of them well in their new homes.

If I become rich and famous one day, can I adopt a bunny? ❤️

If I become rich and famous one day, can I adopt a bunny? ❤️ [drawing of bunny with clouds around it]
If I become rich and famous one day, can I adopt a bunny? ❤️ [drawing of bunny with clouds around it]

Wealth and fame are not pre-requisites for bunny adoption! As long as you do your research about proper care, diet, and enrichment, a bunny can be a great companion. It’s pretty different from adopting a dog or a cat, but still completely within reach if you’re well-prepared. House Rabbit Network is an excellent resource to learn more about adopting a bun.

I need some new friends. Who wants friends? ans. here

I need some new friends. Who wants friends? ans. here [drawing of arrow]
I need some new friends. Who wants friends? ans. here [drawing of arrow]

ALL EYES HERE! Seems like we have a lot of you who haven’t found your peeps yet, and it is hard, I know. I am putting a call out to all BC students to try and include some new people in your lives, be brave, ask someone to go have lunch or join your activity. It is a small but oh so powerful way to make the world better.

I HAVE NO FRIENDS :(

ALL EYES HERE! Seems like we have a lot of you who haven’t found your peeps yet, and it is hard, I know. I am putting a call out to all BC students to try and include some new people in your lives, be brave, ask someone to go have lunch or join your activity. It is a small but oh so powerful way to make the world better.