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I’m so happy to be trying to paint like an Impressionist!

I am so happy to be trying to paint like an Impressionist! It's so fun and so liberating and different from the rigorous training I had before. But I'm scared I'm not actually improving in ^technical skill. Some say it's irrelevant as long as I'm having fun, but I'm having doubts.
I am so happy to be trying to paint like an Impressionist! It’s so fun and so liberating and different from the rigorous training I had before. But I’m scared I’m not actually improving in ^technical skill. Some say it’s irrelevant as long as I’m having fun, but I’m having doubts.

How wonderful that painting in the Impressionist style is giving you so much joy! I’m not exactly a painting expert (just look at me–I’m very bland looking, aren’t I?) but I’m sure there are technical skills involved in Impressionism; just maybe different technical skills than you have used before … or technical skills you know but used in a different way. I understand one way to develop skills is to do small studies of the same image. Since they are small you can practice and compare different techniques and skills in a fairly short period of time and further develop that way. The important thing is to keep painting and learning and enjoying.

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What should I do if I feel not motivated at all? :-(

What should I do if I feel not motivated at all? :-(
What should I do if I feel not motivated at all? 🙁

If you feel this way for more than a short while, I would advise contacting the Academic Advising Center (bit.ly/BC-academic-advising) or visiting University Counseling (bit.ly/BC-counseling) or Campus Ministry’s Pastoral Counseling (bit.ly/bc-campus-ministry) for some direction on getting your motivation back.

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How do I make my library crush love me?

How do I make my library crush love me?
How do I make my library crush love me?

Can you legitimately make someone love you? Certainly, you can take the initiative in starting a conversation and inviting your crush to spend some time with you. Then my advice is to be your best authentic self and see where it goes. I can’t think of a better place than a library to find true love.

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How do I know if my significant other is right for me?

How do I know if my significant other is right for me?
How do I know if my significant other is right for me?

It can be hard not to overthink this, but resist the urge. Do you want to be with them? Do they want to be with you? If so, see where it leads and don’t worry about it. Being in a relationship is ultimately about choosing to be in it, which can feel weird after the initial period of magic fades. But that’s what you’re doing. Choosing. It’s OK to stay or go whenever you like.

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보스턴 너무 추워 Boston is too cold.

보스턴 너무 추워 Boston is too cold. 附议 I second that. 我也这么觉得。 I think so too. 나 겨울 싫어 I hate winter.
보스턴 너무 추워
Boston is too cold.
附议
I second that.
我也这么觉得。
I think so too.
나 겨울 싫어
I hate winter.

Oh, dear. If any of you think it’s cold now, just wait until January/February. (Or do you already know and are anticipating?) Prepare now; get your layers of clothing in order. Think about the good parts of winter: hot chocolate and snowball fights. And complaining … New Englanders always talk about the weather. Remember, though, you will always have a warm reception here in the library! (You are welcome to flex in your Canada Goose if you can; sometimes they are very bulky.)

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Dennis is asshole. Why Charlie hate?

Dennis is asshole. Why Charlie hate?
Dennis is asshole. Why Charlie hate?

As Dennis & Charlie are TV characters (from the long-running Netflix series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), the answer has to do with what the writers and actors intend to portray. It sounds like both are characters with psychological problems. Apparently Charlie is reacting to what some other characters on the show think was a childhood full of sexual abuse, and Dennis was, in season 10, diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I haven’t watched it myself (being a library wall, I’m averse to yelling), but it does sound like a darkly funny and sympathetic exploration of characters with psychological damage.

*Update* After conferring with my acolytes, I have revised my answer to “Because Dennis is a bastard man”. But the show wouldn’t be the same without him, so we’re all glad that Dennis is a bastard man.

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I dropped pre-med to relieve myself of a burden I didn’t even want, but now I feel like a failure. How do I find another path in life or a new passion?

I dropped pre-med to relieve myself of a burden I didn't even want, but now I feel like a failure. How do I find another path in life or a new passion?
I dropped pre-med to relieve myself of a burden I didn’t even want, but now I feel like a failure. How do I find another path in life or a new passion?

Dropping something that feels like a burden is not failure, it’s making a choice. There are lots of ways to have a happy life. If you’ve had a single goal (even one you didn’t want) for a long time, it may take a while to get out of that mode. That’s OK. Practically speaking, it’s not a bad idea to stop by BC’s Career Center–I can guarantee you’re not the only student they’ve talked to who’s made a similar choice. bit.ly/BC-findajob. Be kind to yourself, and listen to what you enjoy, to what you do for its own sake. That’s where new passions tend to hide.

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Why is BC not ranked higher?

Why is BC not ranked higher?
Why is BC not ranked higher?

Assuming you mean the US News & World Report rankings, BC has been shooting up the rankings for years, but, according to BC News, it “fell six places as a result of a major shift in the survey’s methodology which, analysts say, benefited large public universities this year.” For more discussions see: bit.ly/BCUSNWR

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I’m trying to get a youtube channel off the ground, but I can’t afford quality equipment, and I have no idea how to edit.

I'm trying to get a youtube channel off the ground, but I can't afford quality equipment, and I have no idea how to edit. Is there anywhere or anyone on campus that can assist me with this? I hate wasting time. :/
I’m trying to get a youtube channel off the ground, but I can’t afford quality equipment, and I have no idea how to edit. Is there anywhere or anyone on campus that can assist me with this? I hate wasting time. :/

You’re in luck! The Digital Studio has a recording studio that’s available for booking, and many of the staff members have experience with video editing. You can make an appointment or drop-in—check it out at ds.bc.edu.

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Why is 2018 so scary for white males?

Why is 2018 so scary for white males?
Why is 2018 so scary for white males?

On Tuesday, President Trump said “it’s a very scary time for young men in America.” On the same day, he reiterated at a rally, “Think of your son. Think of your husband,” referring to false rape accusations, and also mocked Christine Blasey-Ford: bit.ly/cnn-trump-10-2-18. According to several studies, a range of 2-10% of rape accusations are false (bit.ly/BC-false-reporting, BC login required). The Bureau of Justice Statistics (bit.ly/BJS-crime-victim) estimates a total of 323,450 rapes or sexual assaults in 2016, 23% of which (or 74,393) were reported to police. At 2-10%, a range of 1487 to 7439 might have been false accusations. It’s significant, but also a considerably lower number than rape or sexual assault. Men account for about 10% of rape victims, or about 32,000 in 2016. IOW, statistically, young men should be more worried about being raped than being falsely accused of rape.

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I don’t know what I’m feeling…I’ve been so stressed now I seem detached from myself.

I don't know what I'm feeling...I've been so stressed now I seem detached from myself.
I don’t know what I’m feeling…I’ve been so stressed now I seem detached from myself.

Stress is tough, and fall semester is for sure the season for it. Try doing some things to take care of yourself physically. Are you hungry? Tired? Feeling cold or hot? If so, try fixing them and see if you feel a little less detached. I’m a wall, so I don’t need exercise, but I hear it’s good for humans. If it’s deeper than that, or if that feeling continues for a while, it’s a good idea to check in with BC Health Services (bit.ly/BostonCollegeHealth) to make sure everything’s OK, or to chat with Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling), because stress is a common trigger for depression and other mental health issues which are super-common among students and faculty both.

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How does Paddington 2 compare to the original Paddington?

How does Paddington 2 compare to the original Paddington?
How does Paddington 2 compare to the original Paddington?

One of my helpers, who very much enjoyed Michael Bond’s books, was seriously disappointed by the first film’s action focus, and did not watch the sequel. By the numbers, Paddington 2 beats the earlier film. On IMDB it’s 7.9 vs. 7.2; on Metacritic 88 vs. 77 – all very good scores, so maybe you will enjoy them more than my helper!

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Can’t focus on what I supposed to be focused on? how to fix?

Can't focus on what I supposed to be focused on? how to fix?
Can’t focus on what I supposed to be focused on? how to fix?

Physical and mental health issues can have a negative effect on your ability to concentrate. But there are other reasons as well. You may be tired, stressed, bored, inundated. (All very typical for busy students.) Things that can help: Step away for a little bit. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and good food and just generally take care of yourself. If it’s something big you need to focus on, try breaking it down into smaller bits; a feeling of accomplishment as you go through different steps can truly help. Try eliminating some of the distractions; e.g., turn off your cell! These things can help reduce stress too … not to mention a visit with Joe the therapy dog on Friday. If you think this is a serious problem, please contact Counseling Services at bit.ly/BC-counseling.

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Why didn’t BC finish redoing the second half of Iggy? <3, B63

Why didn't BC finish redoing the second half of Iggy?
Why didn’t BC finish redoing the second half of Iggy? <3, B63

According to Facilities Management, the project “was a pedestrian access project more than a landscape improvement project.” The landscape improvements were incidental to the project of creating a connecting sidewalk to Voute so that students were out of the street. IOW, the “second half” was never part of the project.

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It’s so hard to keep on top of things.

It's so hard to keep on top of things. I just discovered I have my theatre run lab throughout the next 2 weeks. Bye, Fall break!
It’s so hard to keep on top of things. I just discovered I have my theatre run lab throughout the next 2 weeks. Bye, Fall break!

You students are so busy; honestly, I don’t know how you handle everything, though you all seem to do a good job at it. I am sorry you will be missing out on Fall Break because of your theatre lab. I hope you find that experience enjoyable and I hope you find at least some time to get off campus and do something fun, be it a walk around the reservoir, or a visit to a museum, or shopping and eating–whatever is good for you. And of course, I will be here if you need to vent or talk!

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Why can’t I steal BC’s computers if I pay for a high tuition?

Why can't I steal BC's computers if I pay for a high tuition?
Why can’t I steal BC’s computers if I pay for a high tuition?

Tuition is high, for sure. But let’s think this through. Practically, tuition pays for lots of things, including resources BC makes available for students to share. If enough students did this, BC would have to raise tuition to cover replacement costs, or stop offering those kinds of resources. Legally, grand larceny is a felony in Massachusetts and is defined as stealing something worth more than $250. bit.ly/bc-larceny. Morally, if you’re looking for a justification for doing something, you already kinda know it’s wrong, don’t you?