
Seems like a bad idea; here’s info on the risks, from Johns Hopkins: bit.ly/HopkinsVape
Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
This time of year really brings out the Big Feelings! It *is* sad when friends graduate and physically move far away; move away from the community they have known for several years. College students seem to be perpetually in this liminal state, but Commencement is a demarcation point: it’s this point at which students begin again, begin anew, begin the next phase. It’s okay to feel sad as you watch friends in front of you embark on that next step. And, I hope you are able to feel the Big Feelings of enjoyment and happiness at BC again soon.
I’m sorry you’re feeling a lack of confidence; I’m sure you have many wonderful qualities, and a lack of confidence often means we accentuate our faults and overlook our virtues. It’s important to know that many people suffer from the same problem: it’s called “negativity bias,” and seems to be universal. But sometimes it governs too much of our lives. If you find it’s getting in the way of living a full life, I recommend counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling). Also, just look for ways to turn down the volume of the negative self-talk, and turn up the volume of the talk about your virtues and past successes.
I’m not a doctor and can’t diagnose, but those sound to me like signs of an eating disorder. It sounds more like bulimia than anorexia. I hope you’ll consider getting some professional help with this. University Counseling Services is here for exactly this kind of thing. http://bit.ly/BC-counseling . The things you list are good reasons to be concerned. I’ll leave the larger questions of the environment and religion aside for the moment, and focus on you: you’re weak from lack of food, you’re having trouble sleeping, you’re doing damage to your gut and throat, you recognize that you could die. If it’s affecting your ability to live your life it’s worth checking in with a professional. You mention ideal body shape. One of the things that often comes with an ED is an inability to see one’s body accurately. A counselor can help you see more clearly.
Thank you for being so open with me. I love being a space people feel safe sharing these questions with. That said, I urge you to speak to a counselor as soon as you can. Counselors work through these situations with folks all the time and they will help you both address what is going on with you and how to communicate with your family. Please, please reach out to someone very soon: http://bit.ly/BC-counseling . And yes, your parents will worry, especially if they’re far away–that’s what parents do. This toolkit might help. It’s designed to give them some context and suggestions for ways to help: https://bit.ly/bc-ed-toolkit
Variation in sexual orientation is a regular occurrence among all animals, including humans: bit.ly/same-sex-animals. Statistically, it’s at least as unlikely for all organisms of a species in any given generation to be heterosexual as it would be for them all to be all gay or lesbian, so neither is really worth considering. I encourage you to seek out sources grounded in empirical research; researchers go to great lengths to account for their own biases. When our personal beliefs aren’t grounded in the research of experts, we risk basing our decisions and actions on falsehoods, and causing harm in the process. If you’re at all uncertain about the facts, here’s a good rule of thumb: be kind.
Absolutely, although whether they can find a club willing to take on his wages is another matter entirely. Lukaku’s signing has been an unmitigated failure and Chelsea would be better served in bringing through academy players, especially given that they no longer have access to Roman Abramovic’s riches. It could be a rough few years for The Blues.
Looks like it is the Hoag Basketball Pavillion (see bit.ly/BCHoag)
Do you love her or do you love an idealized version of her that fits the hole in your heart? Fill that hole in your heart with the love of friends and family, and come to terms with the fact that your idealized version of her is not reality. You’ve elevated her above being human. But she’s human, and has faults and struggles like all humans.
Switch up your student organizations. Talk to classmates before or after class instead of being on your phone. Organize a book club. Organize group trips with other folks in your residence hall: go to a museum, go out for food and espresso in the North End, get safety certified for BC Bikes & pick a local destination… .