Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
For being more analytical: Thinking Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman (O’Neill Library BF441 .K238 2011). For reading: How to Read a Book, by Mortimer J. Adler (O’Neill Library & Theology & Ministry Library PN83 .A43 1972) For other, more practical recommendations, I’d advise a visit to the Academic Coach at the Connors Family Learning Center: bit.ly/BC-connors
Sigh… we all feel these things, but most people, wanting to project an image of total competence & happiness, don’t say so. Sometimes I feel like a weird, dimly lit wall that doesn’t really fit in with other walls, and at those times, I feel lonely, like other walls don’t care. I recommend pursuing your interests to the utmost & not worrying about whether you fit in. But feeling like nobody cares about you is another issue; if it’s hard to shake that feeling, I recommend seeking counseling of some kind. bit.ly/BC-counseling
The Career Center offers this list of resources for finding internships nationwide: bit.ly.internship-list. If you are still having trouble, try contacting the Career Center directly for some assistance: bit.ly/BC-career. Good luck; I know it can be difficult to find the perfect internship when you’re far away, but you have my best wishes and support (that’s what we walls do best, you know).
I’ve got plenty of life, but could always use more life.
I’ve never thought of music as a competition. Who’s better, Bach or Handel, Fats Waller or Fats Domino? They’re all good, and create music that appeals to different people.
The Academic Advising Center has this wonderful piece on choosing a major: bit.ly/choose-major. It serves as a reminder that choosing a major isn’t the same as choosing a career and that you should study what brings you joy. The Center also has more resources at bit.ly/BC-academic-advising, including videos/transcripts of how other students have chosen (and changed) their majors. You can do it; I have faith in you! <3
Get a job at BC! You would remain in a university environment and could take most classes for free. The only downside is that for many positions, it is harder to get hired by BC than it is to get accepted at BC as a student.
There was a conference about that a couple of years ago and a number of prominent scientists and philosophers weighed in: bit.ly/bc-cs1. You can look up their work in the library catalog or articles search. The article by Bostrum mentioned there is here: bit.ly/bc-cs2. If you want to dig a little deeper, discussions of the nature of the physical universe usually go under cosmology–here’s an article which covers scientific and philosophical positions equally: bit.ly/bc-cs3
“I won’t dance, don’t ask me.” (bit.ly/Iwontdance)
You is so smaht. You will get job. Career center will help you make resume and research job market. bit.ly/BC-career
When two people have different experiences, assumptions, and family life, they likely have to work harder to understand each other. Since you asked about studies, here’s a literature review of 50 years of research on interracial marriages: bit.ly/50-years-loving (BC access only). For a more narrative perspective, try the recent film Loving (Law Library feature film collection), about the couple in the landmark Supreme Court case. The advantage of ethnic and SES differences is that you can’t help but recognize & address them; many couples have differences they never acknowledge until it’s too late. In that sense, differences are universal, and you just need to focus on honesty, trust, and compassion.
These, from GLAAD, are a good start: bit.ly/TransAllyTips
HOOYAH! and a bonus OORAH! and (why not?) HOOAH!
Well, there’s more than one variable controlling that 😉 Seriously, though, if the studying is stressing you out, consider peer tutoring at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors), right downstairs.
Aristotle can be tough, partly because some of what we have of his is kinda like lecture notes. I’m told he’s much clearer in Greek…but assuming that isn’t feasible, here are a few things you could try. 1) Try a different translation–we have lots of all of his works. Sometimes that can make a confusing passage make more sense. In addition to reading the Aristotle, you could 2) Try reading something that tries to summarize Aristotle, like this Very Short Introduction to Ancient Philosophy. bit.ly/bc-vsi, or a general history of western philosophy. 3) Mortimer Adler’s Aristotle for Everybody was written for exactly this reason. bit.ly/bc-aristotle-everybody.
It’s hard to say, as with anyone. Here’s a short biography that might provide some context: bit.ly/bc-plato-bio
You’re so sweet! <3 u2
Two good sources for more information on making this decision are your academic advisor and the BC Career Canter – one of their Career Coaches would be happy to schedule a consultation for you (bit.ly/BCCareerCtrGradSchool). Best of luck whatever you decide!
It all depends on my mood. I love The Acoustics, Against the Current, the Bostonians, the Common Tones, the Dynamics, the Heightsmen, and the Sharps, and when I’m feeling more Renaissance, the Madrigals. Anyone interested can find some recordings here: bit.ly/BC-acapella.
Well, I would if I had an Instagram account. I can nearly smell the coffee through the pictures… or am I smelling the coffee from the first floor coffee vending machine?
