Category: Academics & Studying

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If I like something a lot but often struggle in it should I keep pursuing it as my major?

If I like something a lot but often struggle in it should I keep pursuing it as my major?
If I like something a lot but often struggle in it should I keep pursuing it as my major?

I would recommend focusing less on the struggle and more on whether your major gives you a sense of fulfillment. Just because something is difficult or we struggle with it, does not mean that it is not worthwhile. However, difficulty alone does not make a topic or activity worthwhile either. So, I believe that thinking about what your goals are and what you get out of your major will be a more helpful tool in deciding what path to take. Do you feel a sense of accomplishment as you struggle with it? Is it in an area in which you hope to work? Despite the struggle, do you find periods enjoyment or joy from your major? If you find it tough to answer these questions, you might want to talk to someone at the BC Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) or Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling) to get some advice.

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Hi Wall, It’s midterm week and its hard to get a seat here. Its there anyway that I can save a seat for myself for a certain period of time? By the way, I’m by myself so I don’t think I can register for the group study room.

Hi Wall, It's midterm week and its hard to get a seat here. Its there anyway that I can save a seat for myself for a certain period of time? By the way, I'm by myself so I don't think I can register for the group study room.
Hi Wall,
It’s midterm week and its hard to get a seat here. Its there anyway that I can save a seat for myself for a certain period of time? By the way, I’m by myself so I don’t think I can register for the group study room.

I’m sorry you’re having a hard time finding a place to study. You’re correct that you shouldn’t register for a group study room when your intent is to study alone. I’m sorry to report that O’Neill Library – fine establishment though it is – does not take reservations for other seating. I recommend checking out other spaces on campus, such as in our other libraries (e.g. Bapst Art Library, Educational Resource Center, Social Work Library, Theology & Ministry Library) and other spaces on campus conducive to study, such as common areas in academic buildings & residence halls, empty classrooms, or even dining halls, if you don’t mind a general hum of activity.

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Yuan Yin is Midterm 真难，写不完。SuperSad! (I didn’t finish my paper because the midterm was so hard. SuperSad!)

Yuan Yin is Midterm 真难，写不完。SuperSad! (I didn't finish my paper because the midterm was so hard. SuperSad!)
Yuan Yin is Midterm 真难，写不完。SuperSad! (I didn’t finish my paper because the midterm was so hard. SuperSad!)

It can be tough to keep up with all of your coursework, so don’t be too hard on yourself! If the paper isn’t due yet, you might want to talk to your professor about an extension or talk to the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) about techniques for finishing it up or suggestions for how to better manage your work in the future. Most of all, remember that grades (and particularly one single grade) aren’t the most important thing in life!

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will we pass our Microecon midterm tomorrow?

will we pass our Microecon midterm tomorrow?

The Wall wishes all students best of luck on midterms – it’s a stressful time! I feel very hopeful about your chances. If you don’t end up doing as well as you hope, and are struggling with the concepts, please consider spending some quality time with a peer tutor at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors).

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学习太好了! 怎么办? (My studying is so great! What do I do?)

学习太好了! 怎么办? (My studying is so great! What do I do?)
学习太好了! 怎么办? (My studying is so great! What do I do?)
学习太好了! 怎么办? (My studying is so great! What do I do?) Become a stripper Go [redacted] a [redacted].
学习太好了! 怎么办? (My studying is so great! What do I do?) Become a stripper Go [redacted] a [redacted].

Translation: My studying is so great! What do I do? Unfortunately, one of the things you’ve found out is that one potential response to announcing you’re doing well is a rude response. I congratulate you on your success thus far. One thing you can do is help other people succeed: offer encouragement, study strategies that have worked for you, or even tutoring. Depending on the subject, the CFLC (bit.ly/BC-connors) might be looking for tutors.

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Why is learning arabic so hard?

Why is learning arabic so hard?
Why is learning arabic so hard?

If you are a native speaker of English, I think the hardest thing for starters would be that you can’t even hazard a guess  (unlike, say German or Latin), because of the alphabet. There are some sounds that just don’t exist in English. But for a contrarian view, here’s a page from the University of Warwick (UK): bit.ly/ArabicEZ. And please don’t hesitate to seek help from the CFLC (bit.ly/BC-connors) or your professor.

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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).

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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).

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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.

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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.

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Answer Wall! It’s so good to be back!

Answer Wall! It's so good to be back! I was just abroad and feel so grateful to have the resources the B.C. Libraries offer back at my disposal. Truly a privilege!
Answer Wall! It’s so good to be back! I was just abroad and feel so grateful to have the resources the B.C. Libraries offer back at my disposal. Truly a privilege!

It’s wonderful to have you back! We don’t like to be left behind when you travel, so do know that many of our resources are available across the globe. Go in through the library homepage (library.bc.edu), and you should be able to access our ejournals, eBooks, and databases. Reference help is also available by email, phone and 24/7 chat at libguides.bc.edu/ask-a-librarian.

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What is the Woods College? Is that a part of BC? Are their classes easier?

What is the Woods College? Is that a part of BC? Are there classes easier?
What is the Woods College? Is that a part of BC? Are there classes easier?

The Woods College of Advancing Studies (bit.ly/BC-Woods) is part of BC. It offers 13 undergraduate majors, 5 graduate programs, and 9 professional  studies certificate  programs. It is designed for students who have to work full time or have other daytime commitments. The courses are as rigorous as any others at BC (many of the professors also teach regular graduate and undergraduate courses.) Notable alumnus: Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

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I feel hopeless trying to figure out what I want to major in. Any tips?

I feel hopeless trying to figure out what I want to major in. Any tips?
I feel hopeless trying to figure out what I want to major in. Any tips?

Will your head explode if I told you this was a good thing? College is the time to sort things out, and the process you’re going through is part of you becoming the person you are meant to be. it’s not always linear, and you may change your mind; your major is not your career – it’s not even very likely your first job; and there are probably many majors that would work out fine for you. Major advice from the Advising Center (bit.ly/AdvisingCtrMajors); from the Career Center (bit.ly/CareerCtrMajors). Best wishes!

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How do I gain enough motivation to get a 4.0 here? It’s so hard. (:

How do I gain enough motivation to get a 4.0 here? It's so hard. (:
How do I gain enough motivation to get a 4.0 here? It’s so hard. (:

Break big goals like that down into small, achievable goals (such as “will draft 3 pages of history paper today”) and focus on them. Intrinsic interest in the subject of study is also important: earning a 4.0 is already like climbing a mountain; if you’re not interested, it’s like climbing a mountain when you’d rather be sailing. Keep in mind, too, that there are many other avenues to success (and other kinds of success) to be had in college: making and keeping long-term friends, for instance, who can help support you throughout the long, successful life in store for you.

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How to become more Disciplined?

How to become more Disciplined?
How to become more Disciplined?

Discipline is all about getting yourself to do things you resist doing, and/or not to do things you really want to do. So, one could rephrase the question: How do I get myself to do things I don’t want to do, and not to do things I want to do? There’s a recognition implicit in these questions that what we want to do and what we really ought to do are different. So, the first thing you need to do is define your wants and oughts, and perhaps rank them. Which wants are getting in the way of which oughts? It might help also to read what psychologists have learned about deferred gratification. The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control, by Walter Mischel (BF632 .M57 2014) is a good place to begin.