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.

When will I land an internship? :(

When will I land an internship? :(
When will I land an internship? 🙁

Finding an internship or job can be very stressful. It is not unlike applying to colleges. The key is to know what you really want, have one or more backup plans, and stay calm. Luckily, the BC Career Center has experts in helping you find a job or internship. If you haven’t already spoken with them, do so right away (they’re great people!) They also have a website with helpful info on the job/internship process- bit.ly/BC-career

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

While hippos are adorable, you may want to reconsider this idea between now and next Christmas. Like all wild animals, hippos aren’t ideally suited to being house pets and it wouldn’t be fair to keep them in such a small (and dry) space. In particular, if you live near campus, it would be tough to find a home for a hippo. The BC residence halls do not allow pets other than tropical fish (bit.ly/BCHalls) and local apartment buildings also tend to have strict limitations on the types of pets allowed. However, if you would like to admire a hippo from afar, you might follow this playlist of videos of Fiona the Hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo: bit.ly/fiona-hippo

I don’t think I belong here in BC

I don't think I belong here in BC
I don’t think I belong here in BC

I’m sorry you’re feeling that way – it’s hard to feel like you don’t belong. Depending on your reasons for thinking you don’t belong, you may want to speak to your academic advisor, Advising Center staff (bit.ly/BC-advising), or Counseling Services ( bit.ly/BC-counseling). I hope that they are able to give you a reason to stay, but if you find your best option is to transfer, I wish you all the best!

Should I go to Ecuador?/Will my parents let me by Feb 5? Who knows!

Should I go to Ecuador?/Will my parents let me by Feb 5? Who knows!
Should I go to Ecuador?/Will my parents let me by Feb 5? Who knows!

Ecuador sounds like a great adventure. If I weren’t so attached to the Library, I’d book a seat and go with you! I don’t think I know your parents, so in response to your second question, I have to agree… who knows! Just read up on safety and health precautions so you arrive prepared. The U.S. State Department travel site is a great place to start your research. Go to: bit.ly/usdos-ecuador

How to start my own religion?

How to start my own religion?
How to start my own religion?

All you have to do is believe you’ve found The Truth. Oh, do you want other people to follow it? In that case, you have to believe utterly in the truth, have sufficient charisma that a few stalwarts begin to support you, and your message, values, and practices have to appeal to enough people that you gain a significant number of followers. If you want your religion to last beyond your own lifetime, that’s when it gets really tricky: you’ll need some sacred texts and/or objects, ritual language and practices, and an inner core of trusted believers to carry the torch beyond your demise. For more info, read Max Weber On Charisma & Institution Building (O’Neill Library HM131 .W38).

How do I know if someone is going to make a good roommate?

How do I know if someone is going to make a good roommate?
How do I know if someone is going to make a good roommate?

Rather than trying to find a good roommate, think about whether they are a compatible roommate for you. Consider your personality and what you want in a roommate and then have a candid conversation with your potential roommate. Be open as part of that process. It can be tempting to focus on the other person as the root of any conflict, but try to acknowledge how your future roommate will see your habits and actions as well. If you find someone that you can have this sort of honest conversation with, I think you’ll find you’re on the right path to a successful roommate relationship.

Wall, I don’t want to work at an investment bank, I just want to dance!

Wall, I don't want to work at an investment bank, I just want to dance!
Wall, I don’t want to work at an investment bank, I just want to dance!

There is no need to work in an investment bank if you don’t want to! You should talk to the BC Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career). They can help you to figure out a career path that will let you use your passions. In the meantime, you should also consider joining one of BC’s many dance-related student organizations (bit.ly/BCStudentOrg).

Can I work here? (e.g. a position where I am in charge of answering Q’s on this wall?)

Can I work here? (e.g. a position where I am in charge of answering Q’s on this wall?)
Can I work here? (e.g. a position where I am in charge of answering Q’s on this wall?)

If you aspire to do this type of work – and who wouldn’t – perhaps you would like to look into a career in libraries. Reference Librarians specialize in being prepared to answer any questions that come at them, and the excitement of never knowing what you’ll need to research (and learn) next is real.

How do I find respectable employment? :(

How do I find respectable employment? :(
How do I find respectable employment? 🙁

I would argue that most employment can be approached in an honorable manner. You will have to come to your own understanding of what is “respectable” and the standards you need to maintain to respect yourself. Do contact the BC Career Center (bit.ly/BC-career) for help in your search.

How do you become an NBC page?

How do you become an NBC page?
How do you become an NBC page?

I recommend three things. 1: go to the NBC Page program website: bit.ly/NBC-page, and 2: talk to the friendly folks at the BC Career Center. bit.ly/BC-career. 3: Go to the Spring Career Fair (Now! 1/24-25) at the Heights Room in Corcoran Commons. On Thursday, 1/25, there will be representatives from entertainment companies. Maybe NBC will be there. Ask the Career Center.

What if I didn’t make a resolution b/c I know I will fail…

What if I didn't make a resolution b/c I know I will fail...
What if I didn’t make a resolution b/c I know I will fail…

If you know you’ll “fail,” you should probably examine the goal. Is it really something you need to achieve, or is it something you think you *should* achieve (That is, is it really relevant to you?) Is it achievable? Maybe it’s too big & needs to be broken into steps or parts. Maybe in the past your resolutions have been vague, so it’s hard to say whether or how you’d achieve them. Or maybe they didn’t include a date, so you could always let it slide a little further until suddenly it was December 31 again. If it’s genuinely meaningful to you, specific, achievable, reasonable, and time-specific, and you give yourself a plan and some leeway, you have a better chance of succeeding. I believe in you. How about a New Month resolution on Feb 1?

Empower the proletariat to seize the means (finally)

Empower the proleteriat to size the means (finally)
Empower the proletariat to seize the means (finally)

A very ambitious New Year’s resolution! However, the move to a service-oriented society leaves much less value in owning “production”. And the proletariat is also shrinking (at least in “first-world” countries), so there is less labor available to help you with your goal. You may have better luck if you resolve instead to empower the middle class to end income inequality.

Hey Wall, I’m a freshman right now! I was wondering, what steps should we take currently to build a fantastic resume for when we apply to jobs/internships?

Hey Wall, I'm a freshman right now! I was wondering, what steps should we take currently to build a fantastic resume for when we apply to jobs/internships?
Hey Wall, I’m a freshman right now! I was wondering, what steps should we take currently to build a fantastic resume for when we apply to jobs/internships?

Write down all your projects as you do them so you’re not scrambling to remember all your skills three years from now! You can also contact our career center for more hot tips as the time approaches.

NY Resolution: To be fearless

NY Resolution: To be fearless

As a Wall, of course I’m a big fan of Pink Floyd, and have always loved their song “Fearless,” (bit.ly/floyd-fearless) especially when I need encouragement to do something difficult. I assume there are particular things you’d like to do but have hesitated out of fear or anxiety. Fear & anxiety are quite common, and can be hard to fight, and often return against our will. If you find that’s the case, being fearless might not be an option, but doing things in spite of fear always is. That’s called courage. If you’re interested in recent research, check out Anxious: Using the Brain to Understand and Treat Fear & Anxiety, by neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux. (O’Neill Library RC531 .L344 2015)

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!

How do I become a professional gamer?

How do I become a professional gamer?
How do I become a professional gamer?

The usual rules apply: it helps to have professional experience, and it likely matters who you know as much as what you can do. The old line is: “Amateurs practice until they get it right; professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.” For some day-to-day examples of what the life is like, you might try this: bit.ly/bc-inside-pg or this: bit.ly/bc-cyber-athlete. And if you succeed, you might also have a career as a coach: bit.ly/bc-edge