My eyesight is getting worse. What can I do?

My eyesight is getting worse. What can I do? (Angry face)
My eyesight is getting worse. What can I do? (Angry face)

Apart from scheduling an appointment with an optometrist to get a better idea of how your eyes are doing, I would recommend doing your best to protect your eyes from potential hazards. Examples include: wearing sunglasses when outdoors, limiting your exposure to bright screens, reducing the amount of blue light exposed to your eyes, and getting an adequate amount of rest each day.

Do you feel emotions?

Do you feel emotions? If so, which one's your favorite? Thanks
Do you feel emotions? If so, which one’s your favorite? Thanks

Walls are generally characterized by flat affect, so no, I don’t have personal experience with them. But I’m really interested in how central love is to the BC community, both personally and religiously. It seems to be tied to lots of other emotions. Humans are fascinating!

I’ve only ever read Roald Dahl’s fiction for children…

I've only ever read Roald Dahl's fiction for children. Now that I've read his "Lamb to the Slaughter" its amazing how dark his work can be.
I’ve only ever read Roald Dahl’s fiction for children. Now that I’ve read his “Lamb to the Slaughter” its amazing how dark his work can be.

Seriously, after enjoying James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as a little wall, those short stories – especially that one – were quite a shock. Although there were some pretty harsh elements even in his children’s lit, including Aunt Spiker and Aunte Sponge… and their fate. We have many works by and about Dahl; check the catalog at library.bc.edu.

Why our dorms can be broken in by RAs???

Why our dorms can be broken in by RAs??? A invasion of privacy and property rights
Why our dorms can be broken in by RAs??? A invasion of privacy and property rights

My assistants are looking into this and will respond when they receive an answer. My assistants are looking into this and will respond when they receive an answer. Update: 10/16/19 From Office of Res Life: “Health and fire safety inspections are the main reason a student room would be keyed into. These are always performed in tandem with a graduate or professional staff member (resident director) and an RA. Additionally, if there is a health or safety concern, RAs in consultation with a professional staff member may key into a room to ensure the community safety. For example, if they smell something burning behind a door and no one is home or answers.” If you think a situation arose that was outside of these bounds, please speak to someone in Res Life: bit.ly/res-life.

Why didn’t BC send out a notice about a peeping tom on campus?

Why didn't BC send out a notice about a peeping tom on campus? I found out from the news and that is unacceptable that we weren't notified
Why didn’t BC send out a notice about a peeping tom on campus? I found out from the news and that is unacceptable that we weren’t notified

My assistants are looking into this and will respond when they receive an answer.

Update 10/25/19 from BCPD: “When a crime on or near the campus is reported, BCPD promptly assesses the potential danger or threat it presents to the campus community or a portion thereof in an effort to determine whether or not an immediate threat exists, which would result in a timely notification. Many times, incidents are isolated to specific areas, and a community awareness bulletin is issued and disseminated to the affected area.”

我 太 丑了, 怎 么 办?

我  太  丑 了,怎  么  办?wǒ  tài   chǒu  le ,  zěn mo  bàn ? (I am too ugly. What should I do?)
我 太 丑 了,怎 么 办?wǒ tài chǒu le , zěn mo bàn ? (I am too ugly. What should I do?)

I would suggest trying to avoid thinking of yourself that way. The most important thing is feeling good about how you look. Try not to let any negative criticism have such an effect on you that it gives you a low opinion of yourself. Finally, if there is something or several things you don’t like about yourself, try and develop a positive attitude that strives to help make you the best version of yourself.

Nothing brings me joy???

Nothing brings me joy???
Nothing brings me joy???

I’m sorry you’re feeling that way right now. I do appreciate how you took the initiative to post your question despite the fact you‘re feeling down. I hope that your willingness to look for things to enjoy eventually leads to you finding an activity or people who can be a positive source of joy.

Studying isn’t working.

Studying isn't working. I need help, I always get a B or lower in class and it's getting to me
Studying isn’t working. I need help, I always get a B or lower in class and it’s getting to me

I’m sorry you’re stuck in the B’s. The Connors Family Learning Center (CFLC: bit.ly/BC-connors) has exactly what you need: 1) tutors who can help you get unstuck, and approach your subjects in new ways. 2) An academic coach who can help you adopt new study strategies, because different subjects and different workloads demand a variety of approaches. Good luck! I know you can do this!

How is ~17% of the BC population in the top 1% richest in the country, yet still has students who cannot afford 3 meals a day? How does BC allow this?

How is -17% of the BC population in the top 1% richest in the country, yet still has students who cannot afford 3 meals a day? How does BC allow this?
How is ~17% of the BC population in the top 1% richest in the country, yet still has students who cannot afford 3 meals a day? How does BC allow this?

Food insecurity among colleges students is a widespread problem. (bit.ly/food-insecurity-college) Thanks for acknowledging it. I’m a wall, so I don’t need to eat; I have great sympathy for humans and their need to eat. Did you know there’s a national campaign to address college campus food insecurity? challahforhunger.org/campushungerproject. Perhaps you could start a chapter here.

Being at BC makes me feel dumb

Being at BC makes me feel dumb
Being at BC makes me feel dumb

I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure you’re quite smart; you’re at BC, after all! Story: a human I know was a high-performing figure-skater as a teen. She had a world-class coach at a competitive skating center. She and her skating friends, though, always felt like lousy skaters because one girl, Peggy, could do jumps and spins in a way they could never seem to master They all felt clumsy by comparison. Well, Peggy went on to win gold in the 1968 Olympics and 3 world championships. You know her as Peggy Fleming. There are some world-class brains at BC. Let them shine, and don’t worry about it. (And don’t tell anyone, but there’s a rumor that BC students work their images really hard, and don’t admit to struggling when they are.)

There’s this girl who I really like…

There's this girl who i really like + we got lunch a couple of times--but IDK if she sees me as just a friend or maybe a potential partner she also just got out of a year long relationship so I really don't know where I stand right now or what to do, Any advice? I am terrible at this stuff.
There’s this girl who I really like + we got lunch a couple of times–but IDK if she sees me as just a friend or maybe a potential partner she also just got out of a year long relationship so I really don’t know where I stand right now or what to do, Any advice? I am terrible at this stuff.

It is terrifying but true that the only way to find out is to ask. Best case: she’s asking herself the same thing you are. Worst case: you find out she wants something different from you. Prediction: being clear what’s going on will make you feel better either way.

Should I go for something risky…

Should I go for something risky but high-rewarding or something safe but not interesting (recruiting/job).
Should I go for something risky but high-rewarding or something safe but not interesting (recruiting/job).

Everyone has a different comfort level, and most people end up having a number of jobs in their lifetime. You have time to experiment and see what works for you.

Why am I so sleepy in class?

Why am I so sleepy in class?
Why am I so sleepy in class?

It depends — are you sleeping normally at night? If not, that’s definitely a reason for falling asleep in class. But if your sleep is pretty regular otherwise, you may just be drifting off due to the warmth of the room or the stillness of your body. Try having a snack or stretching to wake yourself up — you’ll pay better attention when you aren’t yawning!

Is it worth it to get a Comp Lit PhD?

Is it worth it to get a Comp Lit PhD?
Is it worth it to get a Comp Lit PhD?

It depends on what you mean by “worth” and “it.” If you’re passionate about literature and want a career engaging in it – studying it, writing about it, teaching it – then yes, that’s the path to that career. It’s not easy, and the PhD is just the opening salvo of challenges on the way to a tenure-track job in academia. If you just want to keep a hand in literature because you like it, I recommend pursuing any other career, and fostering groups of friends who read and talk about literature. I recommend talking to people with comp. lit. PhD’s to get their perspective.

Why do I fail tests?

Why do I fail tests?
Why do I fail tests?

It’s distressing, for sure.There could be many reasons. Academic coaching and tutoring at the CFLC (bit.ly/BC-connors) may be just the thing, but I’d also suggest a talk with your advisor. We all want you to succeed here!