So many possible reasons: they don’t find someone they want to commit to being with forever, they fear commitment, they propose but are rejected, they are unwilling to expose their orientation, they feel their finances or health are not secure enough, they have taken a religious vow… Probably many other reasons as well.

That sounds rough and even confusing. You might want to check out Emmy the Great’s album Virtue — she wrote it after her fiance became a missionary and broke off their relationship. Not the exact situation, but similar enough that you might find some comfort there.

The future is unwritten, and that can be scary and thrilling simultaneously. There is always uncertainty about what’s to come, but know that there are so many wonderful new experiences to be had and delightful people to build community with! “We have to-morrow / Bright before us / Like a flame…” starts the poem Youth by Langston Hughes. March forth, my friend, and as you embark on this decade, finding your community and your way, remember to be compassionate towards yourself, always <3

Can walls blush? I believe they can.

Oh the torment. Hands down, it has to be Brel. As a lyricist he is far more influencial than Edith Piaf, and was able to make a significant cultural impact outside of the French speaking world. Check out the covers of his songs by Scott Walker, David Bowie and Nick Cave.

Despite the obvious similarities (Boston area, mid-size, competitive private research-intensive universities on the B line – oh and that bit about the name…) they are two very different institutions. Though clearly I’ve found my place here (and so have you! And Everett the Squirrel!) I wouldn’t say BU is inferior, and it may suit some students better.

I’m not a theologian or philosopher (who are the people often tasked with answering this question), and yet I’m asked this regularly. I hear so many questions that I’m starting to think that at least one meaning of life is the pursuit of the meaning of life. But there could be as many meanings as lives. I think another involves gratitude for the incredible mysteries and miracles that life gives us daily.

I always love hearing about a poet new to me! Thank you! Having tasted a few poems I’m pretty sure you’d also like Kay Ryan’s short-lined poems & Wendy Cope’s wry rhymes. Others that come to mind from earlier generations: Elizabeth Bishop, Louise Bogan, Hayden Carruth (Asphalt Georgics), and Ellen Bryan Voigt. Christian Wiman has a similar tone. Have you ever tried LibraryThing? Search a book or author & find out what other books the people who own that book also own: librarything.com.

So many fab walls… even my Dad’s from there! He’s a load-bearing interior wall of a formal dining room in a prewar classic 6 on the upper east side. I have relatives in residences, businesses, and schools in all 5 boroughs including my stunning cousin in The Bronx (bit.ly/BxSciMural). So NYC will always have a warm place in my heart.

It is what they’re accustomed to? It provides a structure to their lives? They can’t imagine another, better existence? Fear? Hopelessness? Powerlessness? So many possible reasons… We have books on the psychology of oppression around the HM1250 range (4th floor, row 104) that might interest you.

Life is short. Go for it!

Agree, it’s good. Taylor’s on a roll!

You’re asking a wall why BC is weird. And the wall is answering you. There’s at least part of your answer.

There is help available. Call or visit the Connors Family Learning Center (2-0611 or O’Neill Library 2nd fl.) and sign up for peer tutoring. Meet with your professor, either during their office hours (that’s what they’re for) or by setting up an appt. with them, and let them know you are working hard but struggling. I’d also advise checking in with your advisor if you think you are failing. We all want you to succeed!

Hi, Everett! I don’t eat, so I don’t stock them, but it seems like this campus is a pretty great place to forage. Happy hunting!

IDK, I think I’d rather have a sweet dream and wake up and tell someone about it. I’m concerned that you’d prefer not to wake up. The waking world can sometimes be awful (bad things happen even to good people) but it can also be joyful. I hope you can stick with it through the hard times so you can get to the good times. If that’s difficult, please talk to someone about it: a friend, a family member, or a counselor at University Counseling: http://bit.ly/BC-counseling.

YouTube is great and you can learn all kinds of things there, but not all people learn well that way, and not all subjects can be taught that way. You’re paying for the prestige of a top-ranked college and the networking opportunities that offers. You’re paying for the location. And most importantly, you’re paying for the professional expertise of the faculty, librarians, and staff who make the college run.

Hello! Pleased to meet you!

У меня все хорошо! I’m always happy to see someone learning a language.

Beautiful! Thank you for introducing me to a lovely poem and a poet I was unfamiliar with. I look forward to reading more of Nizar Qabbani’s work. We have several books in our collection in O’Neill at call number PJ7858.A2.