The nice folks at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) are experts at helping students with getting better at studying. Get in touch with them and ask them about Academic Coaching.
How do I get better at studying?
Hi …
Was math created or discovered?
Though the word “mathematics” was coined by the Pythagoreans in 6th C. BC Greece, it’s clear that wasn’t the first math. Records of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry go back much further, to areas in the near East, near modern Egypt and Iraq, and it’s quite possible forms of mathematics existed long before the printed word (or number). Here are a few dozen books on the topic: bit.ly/bc-ancient-math
How much wood could a woodchuck…
Here’s my answer from April 2017: According to the Poetry Foundation, a woodchuck would chuck “As much wood as a woodchuck could chuck, If a woodchuck could chuck wood.” (bit.ly/woodchuck-poem) Researchers at Cornell determined that a woodchuck could chuck about 700 pounds: (bit.ly/cornell-woodchucks). “Compared to beavers, groundhogs/woodchucks are not adept at moving timber, although some will chew wood. A wildlife biologist once measured the inside volume of a typical woodchuck burrow and estimated that — if wood filled the hole instead of dirt — the industrious animal would have chucked about 700 pounds’ worth.” Additionally, though, how much wood could a wood duck duck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Are the Dallas Cowboys going to win the Super Bowl?
It’s hard to say. While the NFC East seems to be up for grabs even though only three games have been played, a lot can happen between now and the playoffs. It will be really interesting to see how the Cowboys play against teams like the Saints, Patriots, Vikings, Bears, and Rams. I bet Cowboys fans would be thrilled to win another Super Bowl, especially after division rivals have managed to get three since the last time Dallas won it.
Orgo is so hard ….
![Orgo is so hard ',( [drawings of molecules] [response: same] [response: [in Chinese]]](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AW09252019-06.jpg)
It’s generally acknowledged to be one of the more challenging subjects. The labs can be fun, though! Ask for peer tutoring at the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors) and/or form a study group with your classmates. You can do this. (And, oh, yeah – I totally appreciated the orgo pun in Chinese. We could bond over that. Covalently.)
我 好 困 啊 (I feel very sleepy)
I’m sorry you feel so sleepy. I’ve noticed my human friends all need to become unconscious (often horizontally) for a significant portion of each day. Though I’m curious what it would be like to be horizontal (a floor? a ceiling?), I am a wall, and therefore permanently vertical. I strongly encourage you to become horizontal and unconscious for as long as necessary to remove the sleepiness.
Idk about you guys but I feel like the art of a relationship is dying out
Well, you already know about Professor Cronin, so you could try following her advice – or just take it from me, a Wall who has seen many things; the daily details of building a relationship may change a bit through the ages, but people will continue to need other people. Be brave, but also patient. Wishing you love.
Is there any way we can get the lib to rent out blankets or sweat-shirts?
It is cold, I know. We keep it colder than lots of places because books have special needs for temperature and humidity. There are some potential problems with loaning things that need cleaning regularly, but I’ll definitely pass it along to my wall friends in the Big Offices.
Tic Tac Toe
Tic Tac Toe players, enjoy! I’ll watch.
How to force myself to participate in class more?
The Wall is going to guess you’re a little shy, but let me know if it’s something else, because there are a variety of reasons that can be hard. Idea #1: Start by doing something easier regularly and work yourself up to the hard thing. Some people have trouble answering questions, some with asking them. Try doing the one that’s easier for you. Be gentle with yourself: most people need lots of practice to get comfortable being the only person talking in a big room.
Where can I access/view Obama’s speech at BC in 2005 (at the freshmen convocation)?
Audio can be found by visiting this link http://frontrow.bc.edu/program/obama/
How do I get pretty girls to like me? … How do I get boys to like me?
A certain number of people will like, dislike, and be indifferent to you after they’ve gotten to know you a little. The trick is to make sure more people get the introduction. It’s a much better idea to be yourself than to try to make yourself into what you think someone else thinks they want. Be patient, be kind to yourself. The Wall assures you that there are many possible someones for everyone. So: go say hi to one new person today, or say hello to someone you’ve talked to before. Talk to them about anything other than whether you like each other. Tomorrow: repeat.
Chaw Bruh I’ll clarify… Suh dude!?
Hi Chad! ? ?
Does everything happen for a reason?
That’s a Big Question that legions of philosophers and theologians have wrestled with for millenia. There are two distinct meanings of “reason.” If you mean “purpose,” the answer is maybe? If you mean “cause,” yes. Every event involves other events. While humans (and animate walls) have motives and purposes, inanimate objects do not, so on one level, some events (caused by inanimate objects) have causes, but no purpose(s). There are those who ascribe purposes of events to higher beings; that would be a matter of faith. If you are wrestling with this question because of an unfortunate event, and you are religious, I recommend meeting with someone at Pastoral Counseling: bit.ly/bc-pastoral-counseling. Or, if you’d prefer, someone at UCS: bit.ly/BC-counseling.
Have you seen black mirror? If so what is your favorite episode?
I have not. But human affiliates tell me that season 2, episode 1, “Be Right Back” is a good one, but warned me to have tissues at hand, even though, as a Wall, I don’t have tear ducts.
When will our doggo friends come visit us?
The dates are being finalized for the week of October 6th/ Midterm week for our therapy dogs will come back and visit us.
How to prevent breakup?
Avoid tit for tat behavior. Play nice. Be gentle with each other. Have common values. However, my helpers tell me that if it’s not jelling it’s fine to reconsider the relationship.
I don’t feel like my bf and I have a future together. But I still feel attracted to him. Should I break up…
Are you happy now? is the question the Wall would ask first. If you are, whatever future you imagine will either arrive or not on its own time.
Every practicing Catholic girl’s question: what should you do if you fall in love with your guy friend who is discerning priesthood?
Tell him. Friendship is about honesty; if you don’t, your friendship will suffer. But it’s possible he’s quite committed, so be prepared for disappointment. And in case of disappointment, be prepared to help return your friendship to an even keel, because telling him shouldn’t mean the end of a friendship. (Also: better that his resolve be tested now than after he goes through all the work to become a priest!)