Category: Academics & Studying

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I hate all the group projects

I hate all the group projects
I hate all the group projects

Group projects are a hassle in a setting like college where individual performance is emphasized so heavily. However, they are good training for the real world where you will almost never be individually responsible for a project. For most of your career, you will succeed and fail on the merits of not just yourself, but of your team. Whether you are the leader of that team or a contributor, the team is what will get it done. To put it in perspective: after your first 12 months out of college, no one will care what your GPA was. But for the rest of your career you will be judged on how good a team member you are.

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How can I survive two Math midterm right after each other?

Ho can I survive two Math midterm right after each other? 11:00-11:50 Probablility 12:00-12:50 Honor linear ?
How can I survive two Math midterm right after each other? 11:00-11:50 Probablility 12:00-12:50 Honor linear ?

Study hard but don’t procrastinate and pull an all-nighter. Get a lot of sleep the night before, and give yourself time to relax and eat a healthy brunch before your exams that will keep you full for a few hours (I’ve heard eggs are good for that!). Above all, stay calm and remember that you have a whole community here to support you and cheer you on. Good luck! The Wall is rooting for you.

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Why are my business stats teammates so rude…?

Why are my business stats teammates so rude...? :|
Why are my business stats teammates so rude…? 😐

I don’t know why. As they say, you can’t change people. But you have recognized that you don’t like their behavior. My suggestion is to take this window as a learning experience, and file it away as an example of how you will not treat people.

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How can I work in a noisy environment?

How can I work in a noisy environment?
How can I work in a noisy environment?

If you must work in a noisy environment, the O’Neill circulation desk has earplugs; you might also be able to mask sound with music via earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones, which are expensive but really work. People have different needs for work environments, and BC Libraries attempts to cater to as many needs as it can. There are certain areas that are set aside for quiet work such as O’Neill 4th & 5th floors. Take a look at these descriptions: bit.ly/BC-oneill-spaces. Other libraries also have quiet spaces, such as Gargan Hall in Bapst, & many spaces in the Theology & Ministry Library.

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At the beginning of the semester I received an email telling me that my GPA was dangerous.

At the beginning of the semester I received an email telling me that my GPA was dangerous. Cuz the lowest GPA was 1.667 I tried to work hard, but my grade was still not ideal so far. I'm afraid of being kicked off from BC. What can I do? ?
At the beginning of the semester I received an email telling me that my GPA was dangerous. Cuz the lowest GPA was 1.667 I tried to work hard, but my grade was still not ideal so far. I’m afraid of being kicked off from BC. What can I do? ?

I’m very sorry you’re struggling and worried. Touch base with your academic advisor for general advice about your GPA and options, and get lots of tutoring help from the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors). I’m cheering for you.

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Follow up question: Thank you! By Columbia College I meant the one in NYC. My question was not how to apply but how to be accepted. Thanks!

Follow up question: Thank you! By Columbia College I meant the one in NYC. My question was not how to apply but how to be accepted. Thanks!
Follow up question: Thank you! By Columbia College I meant the one in NYC. My question was not how to apply but how to be accepted. Thanks!

It’s a highly competitive process, with an acceptance rate in the single digits. There is no guaranteed way to be accepted. Your grades and test scores are what they are, so the parts you can work on include making sure your resume or list of activities is comprehensive, getting the best recommendations you can, and writing a truly remarkable personal statement. I wish you the best of luck! (But will miss you if you go.)

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Is senioritis real?

Is senioritis real?
Is senioritis real?

The senioritis struggle can be so real for a lot of students. You’re so close to the end of your time in college and while you know it’s important to study and finish strong, you want to spend as much time as you can with your friends, doing activities that you may not be able to do when you leave. Try to enjoy the rest of your time here but remember that you and your friends can have a great time studying in O’Neill!

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help I don’t want to do my homework

help I don't want to do my homework
help I don’t want to do my homework

I can understand that. There are so many exciting things to do around here, and assignments can seem tedious in comparison. I’d say, keep the goal (learning? grades? graduation?) in sight, and maybe set up a system of small rewards for getting chunks of the work done.

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How can I focus better when I sit down to do HW/study?

How can I focus better when I sit down to do HW/study?
How can I focus better when I sit down to do HW/study?

Everyone’s most effective approach is a little different, so there’s a lot of advice available. The Wall suggests running a few simple experiments. 1) Some people need absolute quiet to focus, others like some background hum. Try doing the opposite of what you usually do for a bit and see if it’s better. 2) Some people cram immediately before exams, others space it out in smaller chunks thorugh the semester. Most people have done the first; try the second if you haven’t. 3) Take care of your body and mind. It’s really hard to focus if you’re hungry, or falling asleep, or stressed out. You can also talk to my friends at the Connors Family Learning Center down one floor–they can get you set up with an academic coach to give you more detailed advice. http://bit.ly/BC-connors

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Do you ever really feel comfortable with your career choice? I think too often about the “what ifs”, especially because grad school is so expensive.

Do you ever really feel comfortable with your career choice? I think too often about the "what ifs", especially because grad school is so expensive.
Do you ever really feel comfortable with your career choice? I think too often about the “what ifs”, especially because grad school is so expensive.

The reality is that many if not most people will change careers, sometimes multiple times. It’s not a final decision. I’d check in with the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) for some validation of your career choice. There will always be “what ifs”. Even I wonder once in a while if I should have studied to be a memorial wall, like my amazing cousin, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, but I know that I have a valuable role to play here at BC doing my answering.

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Sometimes I wonder why even has BC admitted a trash like me, a good-for-nothing. Had the admissions office been insane?

Sometimes I wonder why even has BC admitted a trash like me, a good-for-nothing. Had the admissions office been insane?
Sometimes I wonder why even has BC admitted a trash like me, a good-for-nothing. Had the admissions office been insane?

I truly believe that everyone has something to offer here, and that this is your opportunity to develop as a scholar and as a person during your time here. Or, to put it another way; you’ve been admitted. Deal with it. In the best possible ways. University Counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling) is available if you find you cannot get yourself to stop trashing yourself

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How do people have time for everything going on at school and still have time to sleep and have fun?

How do people have time for everything going on at school and still have time to sleep and have fun? Every time I try, I end up doing sub-par in class.
How do people have time for everything going on at school and still have time to sleep and have fun? Every time I try, I end up doing sub-par in class.

You sound like a perfect candidate for some academic coaching and time management skill training at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors). Because I think you should do well in class, sleep AND have some fun – give it a try.