Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
![Orgo is so hard ',( [drawings of molecules] [response: same] [response: [in Chinese]]](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AW09252019-06.jpg)
It’s generally acknowledged to be one of the more challenging subjects. The labs can be fun, though! Ask for peer tutoring at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) and/or form a study group with your classmates. You can do this. (And, oh, yeah – I totally appreciated the orgo pun in Chinese. We could bond over that. Covalently.)
The Wall is going to guess you’re a little shy, but let me know if it’s something else, because there are a variety of reasons that can be hard. Idea #1: Start by doing something easier regularly and work yourself up to the hard thing. Some people have trouble answering questions, some with asking them. Try doing the one that’s easier for you. Be gentle with yourself: most people need lots of practice to get comfortable being the only person talking in a big room.
If you’re not hungry with your M/W/F classes, then we can probably rule out medical issues. Are you eating full and healthy meals? Can you bring a snack with you? It’s important not to be too hungry in class; not only is it distracting but without fuel the body gets tired and learning can suffer.
Study! If you don’t understand the material, ask your professor for help. If you think you need additional help, go to the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors)
Heavy workload? Ouch. Study in groups: not only will you learn more, but you get a little social life as a bonus. (OK maybe that’s not what quite enough.) And see tutors and an academic coach at the CFLC (bit.ly/BC-connors) to help your work become more focused and efficient, which will make time for more social life. In the meantime, ugh, but you’ll get through it.
Multiple variables are a head-spinner for sure, and algebra starts asking you to put together a lot of different math skills & concepts to solve any single problem. I recommend working in groups and working with tutors at the CFLC: bit.ly/BC-connors. Algebra is more approachable if you talk through it rather than just try to think through it alone.
In that case, she or he has my deep sympathy.
My assistants have contacted the math department; I’ll update you when they provide an answer. Update 9/20: The Math Dept. responds: “We survey the faculty as to their teaching preferences, and to the extent that we can, accommodate their preferences within the constraints of the courses we are required to offer.”
During the semester, the Roman Languages and Literatures Department offers an opportunity for Spanish conversation through the Café en español, which meets on a weekly basis. All students, whether or not they are enrolled in Spanish language courses, can participate. The Café meets on Wednesdays from 1-1:50 pm in Welch Dining Room, in the basement of Lyons.
Breathe. You are almost certainly not already failing. It can feel awful when your studies start off on a bad note, though. Things to do: talk to your academic advisor about your worries. Go to your professor’s office hours and ask for their advice. Visit the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) for lots of great peer tutoring. There is a lot of help out there.
I understand your frustration; being a wall, I’m more apt to employ Euclidean geometry, myself. But calculus seems to be useful for describing things that change over time and bodies in motion. See this handy explanation: bit.ly/medium-calculus
Consider a creative writing concentration? bit.ly/bc-creative-writing Also: talk to prof’s about how to use text analysis in ways that will serve your own writing. If those conversations are unproductive and/or the creative writing concentration isn’t for you, then talk to your advisor (& others) about another major.
I’m so sorry your education is being disrupted! The project target was that major noise would be finished before the start of classes. Alas! The deadline was missed. The major noise should abate soon. Until then, I recommend sitting at the front of the room and asking if the professor can provide notes.
That’s a tough one. Do you have a very good reason for wanting to do so? Do you feel you have the time to give each course the attention it needs, and to be able to learn as effectively as you would with a normal course load? Talk these things over with your academic advisor.
Art History can be challenging because it combines knowledge of history with an ability to identify artistic styles, influences and techniques. The latter set of skills is new to many students, so they need to be intentionally developed. It helps to compare different artists within a period as well as study multiple works by the same artist. With time, you’ll start to see the patterns that make art identification possible. It also helps to view items in real life, not just online or in books. Visit some of the local museums and spend time really looking at the art, at least 5 minutes per piece, rather than breezing through the galleries.
You could try the Conversation Partners Program, offered by the Office of International Students and Scholars. You can get more information at: bc.edu/offices/oiss/programs/cpp.html. Or you can email them at: bcis@bc.edu
Oh, no! That’s a disappointment. Not only limited to Computer Science majors, but also full! If it’s necessary for your major & your preferred course of study, perhaps you can appeal directly to the professor to be allowed in. If the answer is no this time, then at least the professor will have seen your interest, and you may have a better chance in another semester.
Update:
Hours have changed since and most recent hours can be found at bit.ly/OISSHours
Original Answer: Monday 2pm-4pm, Tuesday 10am-12pm, Wednesday 2pm-4pm, Thursday 10am-12pm, and Friday 10am-12pm. And if those don’t work for you, call for an appointment at (617) 552-8005. For more info, see: bit.ly/OISSStuff.
According to the University Catalog, there are 2 ways to graduate in <4 years; Advanced Standing through AP exams, and Acceleration by taking summer courses at BC and more than 15 credits per semester. More info is here (see “Graduation”): bit.ly/BCAcadPols, but in any case, talking to your Academic Advisor is the first step.
Here they are: 1. Distrito Federal 2. Chihuahua 3. Sonora 4. Coahuila de Zaragoza 5. Durango 6. Oaxaca 7. Tamaulipas 8. Jalisco 9. Zacatecas 10. Baja California Sur 11. Chiapas 12. Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave 13. Baja California 14. Nuevo Leon 15. Guerrero 16. San Luis de Potosi 17. Michoacan 18. Campeche 19. Sinaloa 20. Quintana Roo 21. Yucatan 22. Puebla 23. Guanajuato 24. Nayarit 25. Tabasco 26. Mexico 27. Hidalgo 28. Queretaro 29. Colima 30. Aguascalientes 31. Morelos 32. Tlaxcala
Practice & Study. The official College Board study guide for 2020 is available for a modest price via most booksellers, as are many, many other print and online guides such as Khan Academy, Princeton Review, and the SAT Prep Black Book. The Khan Academy online version is free, and was developed with the College Board. You can also take an SAT prep course, but gains are modest, given the fees & exaggerated promises: bit.ly/sat-prep-results. I’m fine, thanks for asking!
