Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
You could start with US News & World Report rankings of Latin American History programs: bit.ly/grad-lat-am, but even better, because grad school quality is all about which scholars are where, would be conversations with Hispanic Studies faculty here at BC: bit.ly/BC-hispanic-studies. I’m sure they know the inside scoop about who’s where, where fellowship & TA-ship stipends are available, and which programs are growing & which shrinking.
I know many things, and one thing I know is that your math and econ professors will have considerably better advice than I would about academic careers in those fields. Talk to all of them. Meanwhile, check this title: Complexities: Women in Mathematics, by Bettye Anne Case & Anne M Leggett. (O’Neill QA27.5 .C66 2005)
I haven’t heard of Wagworth, but there’s rover.com, wagwalking.com, aandbpets.com, and barkandstroll.com. Hope that gets you walking with your furry friends!
See the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) Career Resources Center (bit.ly/MathishCareers) for inspiration on what to do with your math degree. Also this site has a lot of information (bit.ly/MoreMathCareers). Or check out the book 101 Careers in Mathematics (O’Neill Stacks QA10.5 .A15 2014). The great thing is that you can bring your math skills to any future path.
Habits can be hard to break, but if you want to change something about yourself, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. What does being dramatic do for you? Are there other ways you can get that effect? Here’s a solid outline of an approach you could try: bit.ly/bc-drama
Hang in there! Breathe! There is a lot going on at the beginning of the semester and it can be difficult to find the time for everything. I understand there is a Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 12 (Conte Forum, 6-8 pm), where you will be able to speak with program reps, faculty, and returning students. If you can make this event (put it in your schedule now!) perhaps their advice and guidance on the process would ease some of the stress. Hopefully, things will calm down a bit for you but if time management is a problem, you may want to seek some tips at the Connors Family Learning Center (just down the stairs and straight ahead). <3
Reading and writing are excellent skills to have; they are needed in a variety of careers, from journalists to teachers to best-selling novelists to publishing jobs to lawyers to … the list is almost endless. Which one to choose? You might try investigating a few of the career paths that sound interesting to you. Go on informational interviews. See if you can shadow someone for a day. Try to find a way to *do* the work: look for an internship or volunteer. It’s really difficult to narrow down career choices: the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) can be a great resource to help you sort it out.
To parody the old Carnegie Hall joke: Study, study, study! More seriously, if you are wondering how to become a BC student, check out the admissions website (bit.ly/BC-admissions). They have information about BC (is it the right school for you?), the kinds of things they consider when making the decision (it’s more than just grades), and different ways to visit the campus and get to know more. The Wall wishes you all the best!
Most people find clothing to be effective in hiding a body. If you mean a dead body, generally people prefer cremating or burying it (with professional help). If you’re more DIY and legality is not a concern, TV and films suggest many possibilities, including open burning, acid bath, going overboard, and the frequently ineffective shallow grave. Need more info? Browse the GT3170 section in the library to learn more about the death customs of various cultures.
Read funny books. P.G. Wodehouse’s Right Ho, Jeeves (O’Neill Library PR6045.O53 B75 2000) is one of a classic series of satires of upper-class English gentry. Or you might prefer classic American humor: Mark Twain’s Roughing It (O’Neill Library PS1318 .A1 1996) or Innocents Abroad (O’Neill Library PS1312 .A1 1996) are both humorous travelogues, the first in the American West, and the second in Europe and the Middle East. And watch comedy. Ask your friends who they think is funny, and watch them. If you think they’re funny, too, watch more. Finally, read this article from Psychology Today about how to be funny: bit.ly/8-steps-funny
Oh, dear. Was that too geeky? Sometimes it is difficult to answer questions (and ask them too) as we are limited by the size of the post-it notes. I am a library Answer Wall so I have taken on some of the characteristics of my library friends: for some questions I would really like to sit down (alas something I cannot do) and have a conversation with you so I really understand what information you are looking for. With limited and/or unclear information I do the best I can, but do on occasion miss the mark. Please do keep responding until we get it right though. I do want to help and I do want to provide the information you need!
A Master’s Degree is usually a step on the way to a career, or a way to get required credentials for a career already begun, such as teaching high school. So, what you need to do first is figure out a career path, and then find out whether a master’s degree is required or useful as a career boost. Many workplaces (such as libraries) offer the benefit paying for courses toward a degree, in which case you might want to start working in a field before paying out of pocket. I recommend checking in with BC’s Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) if you’re a BC student or recent graduate.
I have faith in you! You get to define what “make it in life” means for you, so take time to discover your values and goals. Don’t fall into the trap of letting other folks’ idea of success make you feel inadequate. If you are struggling to just get by, though, you may want to get some guidance and reassurance. Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling) or Pastoral Counseling (bit.ly/bc-campus-ministry) are good places to start.
As a wall, I am fortunate not to have to contend with sleepiness, but I know that it can make any type of project more difficult. There are a few ways to deal with being tired in the face of a looming deadline. One of the most common responses is to drink a caffeinated beverage (coffee, tea, soda, etc.). While that might be a popular option, it isn’t a great longterm solution. When you are tired, sleep is the most effective cure. If the deadline is truly immediate, such as within the next few hours, try taking a brief “power nap,” which some research (such as http://bit.ly/BCSleep) suggests can be effective. If your deadline is a bit further in the future, you really can’t beat the benefits of a set sleep schedule. When planning the timeline for your work, factor in consistent and reasonable amounts of sleep and stick to your schedule. Some phones and other devices can even be set up to remind you when you should go to sleep so that you establish the optimal sleep schedule. Good luck!
My advice is to be direct, clear, and steer clear of making it a commentary on his personality or your relationship. Also, give him as much notice as possible so that he will be able to find an alternate roommate or roommates. These sorts of conversations can be awkward and uncomfortable, but trying to avoid them entirely or postpone them as long as possible will only make the experience worse.
This is an excellent topic to discuss with medical professionals. Openly discuss your fears with your primary care doctor, particularly if you have specific symptoms that you are concerned about or if these thoughts were prompted by a family history of cancer. And, if anxiety about this topic is recurring frequently and/or interfering with other aspects of your life, consider visiting counseling services: bit.ly/BC-counseling. They will be able to help you to come up with strategies for dealing with this recurring worry.
1. Maybe. 2. Absolutely.
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This apocryphal quote, often mis-attributed to Albert Einstein, illustrates that everyone is good at something, they just need to find the thing that suits them best. Everyone fails repeatedly; the most important thing is to get back up and keep trying to find what you’re good at. Being in college is all about figuring out what makes you happy, what you’re passionate about, and what you can do to make that your life’s work. You’re not a failure, you’re just still finding your calling.
Just be brilliant, creative, persistent, well-connected and extremely lucky, and the rest will follow! For actual career paths that may or may not lead to this level of adulation, why not schedule a consultation with the Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career).
The Wall is very sad to hear that, and will miss you. One of my acolytes offers this, from his experience: “Your GPA and where you went to school are mostly important for your first job. After that, employers will be looking to see what you’ve done rather than where you’ve studied. There are thousands of colleges and universities in the US. One will be a good match for you.”
