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 gain weight w/BC Dining???

How gain weight w/BC Dining???
How gain weight w/BC Dining???

I’m not sure if I can help without knowing anything about you. However, there is someone who can! BC Dining has a dietitian on staff who offers nutrition counseling as well as referrals to other providers (bit.ly/BCnutrition). In the meantime, you can also view today’s menus (bit.ly/BCdiningmenu) to find nutrition information, focusing on balanced meals consisting of calorie-dense and nutrient-rich food, such as beans, fish, and eggs.

How can I stop procrastinating

How can I stop procrastinating
How can I stop procrastinating

Procrastination often stems from a feeling of being overwhelmed by a task. You might try two things on your own: 1. break the task into smaller tasks. “Write the Paper” is not what belongs on your to-do list. Break it into a dozen steps. 2. Tell your inner critic–the unhelpful one–you don’t need their input right now, you’ll do fine on this task. So what if it’s not the Mona Lisa? It doesn’t have to be a masterpiece, it just has to be done. For help with task management, get an appointment at the CFLC for academic coaching: bit.ly/BC-connors

We can't do everything, but we can do something
We can’t do everything, but we can do something

Please recommend me 5 well-written works of fiction that feature a confident plus-size female protagonist. Thanks! [heart]

Please recommend me 5 well-written works of fiction that feature a confident plus-size female protagonist. Thanks! [heart]
Please recommend me 5 well-written works of fiction that feature a confident plus-size female protagonist. Thanks! [heart]

Plus sized female protagonists

My assistants have assembled the list below. For more, I’d suggest getting a Minuteman library card (bit.ly/minuteman-card) and using it to access NoveList, a resource built for finding book titles by interest areas. You might also use librarything.com: just plug in a title you like and see what similar titles come up.

Why is counceling not open everyday? I need.

Why is counceling not open everyday? I need.
Why is counceling not open everyday? I need.

Research has shown that weekly appointments are more effective for most people because it gives you time in between sessions to reflect and try to make small changes. Of course if you are experiencing a crisis, that’s a different story! There is an emergency clincian line always available: bit.ly/4sL6xPi

Hi Wall, life has been rough lately, it feels like rocks thrown into my window. How can I stay optimistic? – Sincerely

Hi Wall, life has been rough lately, it feels like rocks thrown into my window. How can I stay optimistic? - Sincerely
Hi Wall, life has been rough lately, it feels like rocks thrown into my window. How can I stay optimistic? – Sincerely

It’s not just you, things are rough for lots of people right now. The most important thing for humans seems to be other humans, so my advice is to reach out to someone. Call or text that friend you haven’t talked to in a while, or your relative you miss. Do something nice for a stranger. The rocks don’t go away, but you can laugh with a friend while you clean up the glass which gets everywhere.

I second this send help!
I second this send help!

See my answer to the other rock recipient: the best path is to find other humans in the same boat and work together.

I’m training starting now to run 100 miles in 24 hours on 08/13/2026

I'm training starting now to run 100 miles in 24 hours on 08/13/2026. Do you think I can do it?
I’m training starting now to run 100 miles in 24 hours on 08/13/2026. Do you think I can do it?

Yes, with serious caveats. The world of ultrarunning is intense and definitely not for beginners. While people technically can do it, there’s lots to consider in terms of physiology and decision-making to avoid injury and illness. If you’re serious, you should take a look at some ultrarunning resources to learn more about training, gear, and reputable races, such as UltraRunning magazine: bit.ly/ultrarunningmag

How do I look forward with optimism?

I turned down a job offer and now I feel regret when facing the unknown - I need to pay rent in September! How do I look forward with optimism?
I turned down a job offer and now I feel regret when facing the unknown – I need to pay rent in September! How do I look forward with optimism?

You’ll need to work at it: find people who support you and stick by them, remind yourself daily of your goals and dreams, focus on the discipline of finding positions and sending applications like a star administrative assistant for you, and when regret hits, write down 3 successes, no matter how small.

It’s been a long time since I had liked someone– and it happened this year!

It's been a long time since I had liked someone-- and it happened this year! Nothing came out of it-- not that it has too-- but it was an incredible experience. So yeah, this is not a question, more of a call to action, maybe, for people to fall in love! Because the world is complicated and it's good to feel alive! So shoot your shot and enjoy the good and bad. - from someone procrastinating
It’s been a long time since I had liked someone– and it happened this year! Nothing came out of it– not that it has too– but it was an incredible experience. So yeah, this is not a question, more of a call to action, maybe, for people to fall in love! Because the world is complicated and it’s good to feel alive! So shoot your shot and enjoy the good and bad. – from someone procrastinating

Yes. This is apparently the way. And for what it’s worth, my sources tell me that it gets harder to recreate the spontaneous college experience of meeting new people as you get older. Be brave! It’s worth it, even if it doesn’t work out the way you hope.

My roommate has been pretty down ever since he has “gotten over” his situationship. How can I make him feel better and bring life to his eyes again.

My roommate has been pretty down ever since he has "gotten over" his situationship. How can I make him feel better and bring life to his eyes again.
My roommate has been pretty down ever since he has “gotten over” his situationship. How can I make him feel better and bring life to his eyes again.

Chances are good you know some things he enjoys by now. Offer them but don’t worry too much if he’s not up for it right now, that will return. A situationship is a relationship pretending not to be, but losing one is still a form of grief, and everybody handles that at their own speed. Be a friend, give him space if he wants it, that is the best way.

Roommate here. Can confirm I'm free. "I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign"
Roommate here. Can confirm I’m free. “I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign”

I’m honored to have served as a neutral go-between.

What are your thoughts on Lamine Yamal?

What are your thoughts on Lamine Yamal?
What are your thoughts on Lamine Yamal?

He’s a generational talent and will probably be instrumental in bringing the World Cup trophy to Spain this summer. I just hope he doesn’t begin to burn out. He has played a lot of football for an 18 year old.