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How can I work in a noisy environment?

How can I work in a noisy environment?
How can I work in a noisy environment?

If you must work in a noisy environment, the O’Neill circulation desk has earplugs; you might also be able to mask sound with music via earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones, which are expensive but really work. People have different needs for work environments, and BC Libraries attempts to cater to as many needs as it can. There are certain areas that are set aside for quiet work such as O’Neill 4th & 5th floors. Take a look at these descriptions: bit.ly/BC-oneill-spaces. Other libraries also have quiet spaces, such as Gargan Hall in Bapst, & many spaces in the Theology & Ministry Library.

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At the beginning of the semester I received an email telling me that my GPA was dangerous.

At the beginning of the semester I received an email telling me that my GPA was dangerous. Cuz the lowest GPA was 1.667 I tried to work hard, but my grade was still not ideal so far. I'm afraid of being kicked off from BC. What can I do? ?
At the beginning of the semester I received an email telling me that my GPA was dangerous. Cuz the lowest GPA was 1.667 I tried to work hard, but my grade was still not ideal so far. I’m afraid of being kicked off from BC. What can I do? ?

I’m very sorry you’re struggling and worried. Touch base with your academic advisor for general advice about your GPA and options, and get lots of tutoring help from the Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors). I’m cheering for you.

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I noticed the same person posted 12 or 13 notes on suicide/sec 12/LOA… are you alright?

I noticed the same person posted 12 or 13 notes on suicide/sec 12/LOA... are you alright? I mean that completely in an "I care about you" way. I see you, I hear you, and I worry it's not just for info/research but for yourself. Holding hope for you. [response1: Speak up--you matter. Stay Fearless. Always. Response2: Thank you for the kind words. Yes -- I'm alright. BC has great support & resources the Dean of Students Office, UCS, this wall, and everyone. So I do also encourage ppl reach out should they need help, and pls show great appreciation to the faculty/staff. P.S. The question are mostly about resource & policy, NOT suicide. But, still appreciate your kindness]
I noticed the same person posted 12 or 13 notes on suicide/sec 12/LOA… are you alright? I mean that completely in an “I care about you” way. I see you, I hear you, and I worry it’s not just for info/research but for yourself. Holding hope for you. [response1: Speak up–you matter. Stay Fearless. Always. Response2: Thank you for the kind words. Yes — I’m alright. BC has great support & resources the Dean of Students Office, UCS, this wall, and everyone. So I do also encourage ppl reach out should they need help, and pls show great appreciation to the faculty/staff. P.S. The question are mostly about resource & policy, NOT suicide. But, still appreciate your kindness]

Thank you for your care and support! Your caring note has inspired this Wall to help people care for people. Many people around us are suffering silently. If you know of someone who’s suffering, put a note of care & support here for them. (No names, please, to protect privacy.) [posted on a temporary wall annex in O’Neill Library: I’m sorry, there’s no capacity to accept notes of care and concern on this blog.]

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What’s a safe amount of coke?

What's a safe amount of coke?
What’s a safe amount of coke?

Coca-Cola? Though it is delicious, there is no safe amount to drink. It is loaded with sugar and has been linked to many health conditions including diabetes, obesity, and cavities. Water on the other hand is wonderfully healthy and hydrating. I do hope you weren’t asking about cocaine, but if you were the only safe amount is nothing – zero, zilch, nada.

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Thank you for the great answers, great offices & resource & people on this campus.

Thank you for the great answers, great offices & resource & people on this campus. I'll try not to bother this wall anymore after these few questions about referrals, hospitalization, HIPAA, & confidentiality, etc. ❤️ P.S. UCS is great so pls do seek support and don't be discouraged because of these previous posted questions.
Thank you for the great answers, great offices & resource & people on this campus. I’ll try not to bother this wall anymore after these few questions about referrals, hospitalization, HIPAA, & confidentiality, etc. ❤️ P.S. UCS is great so pls do seek support and don’t be discouraged because of these previous posted questions.

You’re welcome. I hope your posts have inspired other people who need help to seek it.

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Will your grade/classwork/academic be affected if you seek support and get hospitalized?

Will your grade/classwork/academic be affected if you seek support and get hospitalized? --Just curious.
Will your grade/classwork/academic be affected if you seek support and get hospitalized? –Just curious.

It would be the same as for any hospitalization, such as for a broken bone or an acute infection. I’d stay in close contact with your advisor, who can send notices to your professors about a medically-excused absence. It would be wise to contact your professors yourself, too, when you’re able, in order to arrange ways to make up lost work, get class notes, etc.

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There are so many people in this world who are suffering, need support, and fighting for their lives. With the privilege and resource to be here, I don’t know why am I feeling suicidal???

There are so many people in this world who are suffering, need support, and fighting for their lives. With the privilege and resource to be here, I don't know why am I feeling suicidal??? Shouldn't I be grateful for how blessed I am, and not complain?? How?
There are so many people in this world who are suffering, need support, and fighting for their lives. With the privilege and resource to be here, I don’t know why am I feeling suicidal??? Shouldn’t I be grateful for how blessed I am, and not complain?? How?

Suffering takes all kinds of forms. No suffering is de-legitimized by social station or privilege. Gautama Buddha, who had been in line for a throne before he renounced, said suffering is a given for everyone. Christianity says much the same thing but in different words: we live in a fallen, post-Eden world. It sounds like at the moment, you’re suffering more than many. I hear you. I care about you. I believe you can get through this intense bout of suffering. Remember, anyone suffering like this has people they can talk to, such as the PEC at university counseling (call health services at 617-552-3225 and ask to talk to the PEC) or at the national suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255.

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Do you have a list of off-campus therapist who will not refuse to work w/ client just bc the client has a long list of treatment history?

Do you have a list of off-campus therapist who will not refuse to work w/ client just bc the client has a long list of treatment history? Oh, and can you get the list w/o having to walk into Gasson? -scary!!! BTW, most on insurance website aren't available.... so.... P.S. Well, to be fair, they are ALL great ppl at UCS, so anyone in need should not hesitate to seek support. :)
Do you have a list of off-campus therapist who will not refuse to work w/ client just bc the client has a long list of treatment history? Oh, and can you get the list w/o having to walk into Gasson? -scary!!! BTW, most on insurance website aren’t available…. so…. P.S. Well, to be fair, they are ALL great ppl at UCS, so anyone in need should not hesitate to seek support. 🙂

No, I don’t. I wish I did. I know it can be very hard to arrange good therapy. All I can recommend is the usual channels for referrals, or this site hosted by Psychology Today that can do regional searches: psychologytoday.com/us/therapists. Look for therapist descriptions that include specialties in the diagnoses you’ve encountered. But I’m pretty sure I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.

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What’s the most peaceful, painless, yet efficient way (or perhaps, highest success rate) to suicide? Also, is suicide a sin?

What's the most peaceful, painless, yet efficient way (or perhaps, highest success rate) to suicide? Also, is suicide a sin? --No, I'm not trying to provoke the behavior I'm just curious. Can you give concrete/specific info?
What’s the most peaceful, painless, yet efficient way (or perhaps, highest success rate) to suicide? Also, is suicide a sin? –No, I’m not trying to provoke the behavior I’m just curious. Can you give concrete/specific info?

Anyone at BC in a crisis always has someone they can talk to, such as the PEC at university counseling (call health services at 617-552-3225 and ask to talk to the PEC) or at the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. I cannot give concrete, specific info about medical problems; I am a library wall, and librarians are duty-bound to provide resources, not medical advice. You can search our catalog for “suicide” and find a lot of material on the subject. Regarding sin, for Catholic doctrine, search with the subject heading “Bioethics — Religious aspects Catholic Church,” which covers a number of different areas such as euthanasia and suicide.

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Does Walsh really have mice?

Does Walsh really have mice?
Does Walsh really have mice?

Mice move into many buildings at BC during the colder months. I don’t know specifically if Walsh does, but it wouldn’t surprise me. They’re probably cousins of the mice who live in O’Neill’s walls.

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Isn’t religion B.S. since it’s all written by men (aka people) and mostly a means of social control + story telling?

Isn't religion B.S. since it's all written by men (aka people) and mostly a means of social control + story telling?
Isn’t religion B.S. since it’s all written by men (aka people) and mostly a means of social control + story telling?

Given the number, longevity, and ubiquity of religions, I doubt any generalization about all of them could be true or meaningful. However, it’s quite likely power has played a role in some parts of at least some religions, and some aspects of power are gendered. If you’re interested in that subject, I recommend James Laine’s Meta-religion: Religion and Power in World History (E-book link: bit.ly/BC-meta-religion) as a starting point.

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Follow up question: Thank you! By Columbia College I meant the one in NYC. My question was not how to apply but how to be accepted. Thanks!

Follow up question: Thank you! By Columbia College I meant the one in NYC. My question was not how to apply but how to be accepted. Thanks!
Follow up question: Thank you! By Columbia College I meant the one in NYC. My question was not how to apply but how to be accepted. Thanks!

It’s a highly competitive process, with an acceptance rate in the single digits. There is no guaranteed way to be accepted. Your grades and test scores are what they are, so the parts you can work on include making sure your resume or list of activities is comprehensive, getting the best recommendations you can, and writing a truly remarkable personal statement. I wish you the best of luck! (But will miss you if you go.)

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How do I know if a racoon attacked me on Dec 1st?

How do I know if a racoon attacked me on Dec 1st?
How do I know if a racoon attacked me on Dec 1st?

Think back to December 1st. Did a you get attacked by an animal on that day? If yes, was that animal raccoon-like? If yes, was that animal a raccoon? There you are. In all seriousness, if you did get bitten/scratched by a wild animal and you’re not sure what kind of animal it was, you should probably go to a doctor to have them check it out. There are a lot of nasty diseases out there.

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Do you have any questions for me?

Do you have any questions for me?
Do you have any questions for me?

What suggestions do you have for things you would like to see at the library?

Solar powered desk lamps at Bapst, hot water faucet, remove hyper masculine graffiti, stress ball :-P
Solar powered desk lamps at Bapst, hot water faucet, remove hyper masculine graffiti, stress ball 😛

All great ideas! Keep ’em coming! I’ll pass them all along to people who might be able to make something happen.

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Why did they turn the fans off in the plex? And they don’t open the door for air anymore. It’s 100 degrees & SUFFOCATING even in the winter.

Why did they turn the fans off in the plex? And they don't open the door for air anymore. It's 100 degrees & SUFFOCATING even in the winter.
Why did they turn the fans off in the plex? And they don’t open the door for air anymore. It’s 100 degrees & SUFFOCATING even in the winter.

Terry Gilman (Plex Facilities Mgr.) tells me they work hard to maintain the “ideal” temperature of about 72F; it’s hard in an aging building. They can’t open doors if it’s below 65F, because the heating system will crank up. Fans are put in place in warmer months. The spin room and multipurpose room have ac; the main gym does not, but they will open the big doors when it gets to 65-70F.