Because you’re here? Because BU is sadly lacking in Answer Walls? (Just kidding!) While the two universities have many similarities, they are very different places. I would not call one better than the other, but either could certainly be a better fit for an individual student.

It doesn’t sound like much has happened. Ask yourself: Are you trying because of him? Or because of your hopes for who he might be?

Names are hard. AHANA has been in use at BC since 1979. https://bit.ly/bc-ahana. The goal then was to come up with a more inclusive and welcoming name, and that is also the goal now. https://bit.ly/bc-ahana2 The secondary point is that having a BC-specific language for discussing inclusion and diversity is not necessarily an advantage, because there is a common language for discussing those issues elsewhere. Change is hard, especially if AHANA is personally meaningful to you as a concept. But I think the spirit behind the change is the right one.

Taking time for yourself from either relationships or work can feel selfish, but it’s really not. You need to take care of yourself also. That’s partly because you deserve taking care of because you’re a person, and taking time is care. Remind your guilt that taking care of yourself is necessary to being able to do anything else well.

Read a book! Specifically, I am thinking of the ones that focus on happiness research, which has been intensely studied in recent years. Try the BF575 range (O’Neill 5th Floor, row 41.) Or enjoy this video series bit.ly/VidHappy.

What a hard position to be in! But also common, judging by how many poems, songs, and stories have been written about it. Make sure some friends or family know, and will be ready to support you. Know that you’ll get past it with time and support.

“Listen” is the best general advice I can give. Every friend wants and needs different things at different times. It’ll be easier to be there for them if you’re paying attention now. Not saying you’re not, but almost everyone can use some practice in fully paying attention.

Being gay is absolutely okay. I’m so sorry to hear that there are people in your life who have made it feel like it isn’t okay. You’re completely deserving of love, respect, and acceptance. The way you feel is unfortunately common and there are resources on campus to help you work through your own feelings and find support and connection with other students who have similar experiences: bit.ly/LBGTQBC . There are plenty of people out there who will love you exactly as you are and I hope that you’re able to find those people and surround yourself with them.

The next full moon is May 16; forewarned is forearmed!

Don’t go it alone. There is a lot of help available at University Counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling). The Office of Health Promotion (bit.ly/BC-wellness-coach) can help you work on the stress part. Wishing you a brighter future!

The BAIC restructure will bring people together which should increase awareness of intersectionality and create a more welcoming and inclusive BC. I’ve heard that Student Affairs will also be hiring someone to provide additional support for BC’s LGBTQ+ students – and more support is always a good thing.

Pursue deepening relationships with family and friends, and know that your feelings for the person will eventually settle down as you go about your life. If they don’t, and the thoughts are intrusive and getting in the way of living your life, you might consider counseling. bit.ly/BC-counseling

Racism is endemic and systemic everywhere in the US, so it’s not a simple yes/no question. BC is taking steps to counter racism, such as the annual Diversity and Inclusion Summit, many events sponsored by AHANA, the African and African Diaspora Studies (AADS) program, MLK Unity Breakfast, Courageous Conversations, Forum on Racial Justice, and many offices and divisions (such as BC Libraries) engaging in robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives …Could BC do better? Of course. So could we all.

Pastoral poetry is a genre of poetry originally about shepherds in natural settings that began with the Roman poet Virgil in the 1st C BC, and was revived in 16th C England by Edmund Spenser. It doesn’t adhere to a particular form. Many 20th and 21st C poets have pursued the theme. Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote a few that would seem to fit the theme, such as her often-anthologized “Afternoon on a Hill” (bit.ly/millay-afternoon). For more info: bit.ly/bcl-pastoral

My friend the Magic 8-Ball says “outlook good”, so that’s something. But while you’re thinking of the future, pay attention to the present. Getting today as right as possible is how you build toward a future like that.

She’s a sea wall, so her attraction lies in her strength and solidity. But admire her from afar; the wind is kicking up and things can get dangerous out there.

Usually one of the first signs you might be in love is wondering whether you might be in love.

It depends on how you’re defining Latin America. The term was originally employed by the French in the mid-1800’s, to refer to romance-language colonies, so if you’re ruling out Suriname on the basis of their official language (Dutch), it would be strange to rule out Haiti on the basis of their official language (French). And if you rule out Suriname, you may as well also rule out Guyana (officially English, though many languages are spoken), or perhaps Belize (also officially English, though in practice Spanish and indigenous languages are more common).

I don’t eat, but a soft-serve twist cone with both flavors is a thing of beauty…

Answering your questions, of course. And reading; there’s a reason I chose to live in a first-rate library.