Is it more dangerous to squirt ether or acetone on someone?

Is it more dangerous to squirt ether or acetone on someone?
Is it more dangerous to squirt ether or acetone on someone?

Either one would be a terrible idea! I’m not going to issue a comparative statement on them, but here are links to safety data sheets on ether (bit.ly/etherSDS) and acetone (bit.ly/acetoneSDS), which can let you form your own conclusion. Let’s all wear appropriate lab protection and keep the chemicals in the beakers, flasks and pipettes, OK?

I love my bf

I love my bf
I love my bf

Ah, love… I hear there’s a special day coming up, one on which humans declare their love for each other. Just make sure you don’t miss it! It’s a Wednesday. (But you don’t need to wait until then to tell your inamorato your feelings!)

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

While hippos are adorable, you may want to reconsider this idea between now and next Christmas. Like all wild animals, hippos aren’t ideally suited to being house pets and it wouldn’t be fair to keep them in such a small (and dry) space. In particular, if you live near campus, it would be tough to find a home for a hippo. The BC residence halls do not allow pets other than tropical fish (bit.ly/BCHalls) and local apartment buildings also tend to have strict limitations on the types of pets allowed. However, if you would like to admire a hippo from afar, you might follow this playlist of videos of Fiona the Hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo: bit.ly/fiona-hippo

I have a lot of math homework. What should I do? :)

[in Chinese] I have a lot of math homework. What should I do? :)
数学作业多, 怎么办? 🙂 I have a lot of math homework. What should I do? 🙂

1. Set aside sufficient time. 2. Take it in short bursts, with rests for stretching & snacks (maybe even offer yourself rewards: if I get x # of problems done in an hour, I get a treat.) 3. Get help from a tutor in the CFLC (bit.ly/BC-connors); a firmer understanding might make the work go faster. Good luck! If you need a handy reference tool for problems that assume other knowledge, this book might help: Mastering Mathematics: How to be a Great Math Student. (O’Neill Library QA11 .S63 1994).

It is hard for me to study. What should I do? :(

[In Chinese] It is hard for me to study. What should I do?
学习好难,怎么办? 🙁
It is hard for me to study. What should I do? 🙁

Is it emotionally hard (Ugh, I’m not motivated to study) or cognitively hard? (I study and study, but I don’t seem to understand the concepts)? If it’s emotions, ask yourself what would have to change for studying to be something you could face? Maybe sitting down with friends would help. Maybe you just need a cup of coffee, or 10 minutes of meditation or rest. If it’s thought processes, get a tutor through the CFLC: bit.ly/BC-connors. I also suggest this book: Learning from the learners : successful college students share their effective learning habits. (O’Neill Library LB2395 .L385 2018).

Was Matt Patricia a good defensive coordinator for the Patriots?

Was Matt Patricia a good defensive coordinator for the Patriots?
Was Matt Patricia a good defensive coordinator for the Patriots?

There’s an old adage in football that ” walls defenses win championships” – according to NFL.com, the average defensive rank for Super Bowl champions has been 7th in the league (out of a current 32 teams). In the 6 seasons Patricia was the Patriot’s DC, they won the Super Bowl 2 times. 33% Super Bowl win rate in a position is pretty good. If you’re referencing the Butler incident during this past Super Bowl, I suspect that Patricia had relatively little say in the decision to bench him.

How does someone w/ high functioning Autism make new friends?

How does someone w/ high functioning Autism make new friends?
How does someone w/ high functioning Autism make new friends?

Sometimes autism makes it hard to understand what others are thinking, including whether or not they want to be your friend. I suggest you start off being around people with similar interests (clubs, classes, hobbies, etc.). If someone in that group seems like friend-material, spend more time with them. Let the friendship grow slowly. Understand that some people have many friends and others have only a few. Those with many friends may not always have time to spend with you, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like you. As you get comfortable with a friend, let them know about your autism and how it affects your interactions with others. Being up front about that will help them know how to be a better friend. There are many websites with advice for people with autism. Just like with my advice, you should try what feels comfortable and don’t do something just because it was suggested.

<3 I’ll be friends with you! <3 Me too! Me too! <3 🙂 you’re not alone

Thank you original poster for spreading awareness … and thanks to subsequent posters for your replies. The Wall feels blessed to be part of a community where people care for each other. <3 <3 <3

How do I get better at staying on top of work? (Wolfman Chem…SOS)

How do I get better at staying on top of work? (Wolfman Chem...SOS)
How do I get better at staying on top of work?
(Wolfman Chem…SOS)

It’s hard! When work slips out from under you, the first question to ask is “why”: is it the difficulty (difficult concepts or processes) or the volume? (Or… argh! both) If difficulty, arrange a tutor through the CFLC: bit.ly/BC-connors. Tutors are really good at breaking complex problems into easier-to-digest component parts. If volume, a) plan out your study times, carefully allotting how much time it *actually* takes (not how much time you wish it would take), b) arrange a tutor. Tutors are good at identifying ways to be more efficient. And go easy on yourself if you can’t finish absolutely everything. It happens.

How can you overcome jealousy?

How can you overcome jealousy?
How can you overcome jealousy?

There are many books on the subject of jealousy around the call number BF575.J4, such as Romantic Jealousy: Causes, Symptoms, Cures. Jealousy is an apprehensive, fearful emotional state that comes from a lack of trust. If you find you’re often jealous, you need to work on trust. The counseling office (bit.ly/BC-counseling) can help. If this is a specific situation with a specific person, have they done something to abuse your trust? If so, it’s unlikely you can overcome that without some effort from them. If not, then work on trust.

Can you recommend a book on meditation (or of meditations) that is not religious? I’m a nonbeliever looking for ways to be more mindful?

Can you recommend a book on meditation (or of meditations) that is not religious? I'm a nonbeliever looking for ways to be more mindful?
Can you recommend a book on meditation (or of meditations) that is not religious? I’m a nonbeliever looking for ways to be more mindful?

Plenty of options! Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Coming to our senses : healing ourselves and the world through mindfulness (BL627 .K33 2004, 5th Floor, shelf 58), as well as many other books right near by in the BL627s. Also, Chris Germer’s Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, which is available online (bit.ly/GermerMindful).

What are your feelings on Amy Poehler?

What are your feelings on Amy Poehler?
What are your feelings on Amy Poehler?

Ah, Amy.. I remember her fondly. When I was young, she & her friends’ laughter graced this building on occasion. I know she’s become quite the star because we have many tv series and films that feature her, and her book Yes Please (O’Neill PN2287.P565 A3 2014). Little known story: her road to stardom started with seeing an audition poster for the BC improv troupe My Mother’s Fleabag taped to a walkway, and spontaneously deciding to try improv (and acting) for the first time. Read more in this 1991 Heights article: bit.ly/bc-amypoehler.

How do you celebrate Chinese New Year?

How do you celebrate Chinese New Year?
How do you celebrate Chinese New Year?

I’ll be celebrating Chinese New Year with the entire library on February 16th when we are having multiple therapy dogs visit (in honor of the Year of the Dog, of course) as well as a new year’s wishing activity and some traditional giveaways. All of the events will be in the Reading Room on the 3rd floor of O’Neill. Watch the space across the lobby from me for a related book display too!

How can I prevent my (currently mentally and emotionally taxing) personal life from ruining my academics?

How can I prevent my (currently mentally and emotionally taxing) personal life from ruining my academics?
How can I prevent my (currently mentally and emotionally taxing) personal life from ruining my academics?

It can be difficult to balance struggles in one’s personal life with academics and other responsibilities, but you don’t have to try to do it alone. BC has trained professionals at Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling) who can help you to find balance between your personal life and your academic life and can give you strategies for both.

How do I rekindle my relationship?

How do I rekindle my relationship?
How do I rekindle my relationship?

I found love in the HQ801s, up on the fourth floor. But I’m not sure you’d find an easy answer there. Skimming through relationship advice columns, I culled some pointers: listen actively, learn new things about your partner, watch romantic movies together… And give it some time – feelings ebb and flow.

Do you think Migos is better than the Beatles?

Do you think Migos is better than the Beatles?
Do you think Migos is better than the Beatles?

Apples & oranges, or if we’re can compare record labels, Apple and Quality Control Music. If you’re going to go comparing remarkably different pop music groups, you’ll have to define what you mean by “better.” More popular? Reviewed more favorably? Broader appeal? More musically diverse? More musically unified? More culturally embedded? More culturally challenging? You might also want to give Migos some time to establish themselves… the Beatles have had a 50 year head start for their music to infiltrate every nook and cranny of the world.