Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
Sounds like you’re getting back on track already. Why not work on time management by getting some academic coaching at The Connors Family Learning Center (bit.ly/BC-connors), so it doesn’t come down to this next time? You will get through this!
You’re awesome! So are friends. I’m happy to be your friend. If you want even more friends, I recommend doing things in groups that interest you, being yourself (because did I mention you’re awesome?), and looking for opportunities to chat. I’ve never been much of a mingling-type, myself (people have called me a wallflower), but I’ve found if I listen carefully & respond thoughtfully, I make friends in spite of my quiet, contemplative nature.
Presumably because you met criteria either when you were admitted to BC (high-school achievement, aptitude test scores, teacher recommendations, and the content and quality of application essays and other writing samples) or later on the basis of instructor recommendations and exceptionally strong academic performance. The coursework prepares you to be a critical thinker thoroughly grounded in a European cultural tradition (bit.ly/BC-honors).
![What is [Louimas?] talking about re: self and the other??](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/aw030519-1.jpg)
I’m having trouble with your handwriting, which I have to read backwards. If you’re talking about the philosopher Levinas you’re talking about ethics, but not necessarily ethics the way other philosophers talk about it. Bernasconi in the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy has a good description of his major works and how the Other has claims on the Self which are impossible to meet. The bibliography has some suggested reading which looks promising. Let me know if you’d like more, or if I’m totally misreading your question. bit.ly/bc-levinas
Short for “Ratskeller,” which is German for “dingy but reknowned punk club in Boston where the Dropkick Murphys and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones had their first gigs.” Oh, wait. I’m sorry. It actually means the cellar under the “Rathaus,” or City Hall, where there was often a restaurant or bar. So it’s triply appropriate: 1) it’s in the cellar of 2) Lyons Hall, which is kind of BC’s city hall in 3) Boston, where the punk club of the same name was nicknamed “The Rat,” because, well, maybe there were some. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rathskeller
It takes a lot more than we’ve had the past few weeks. BC does have the odd snow day, but a regular New England snowstorm is generally not enough to close us down. Weeks like this I’m glad I’m not an exterior wall, for sure!
I would encourage you not to think of them as zero-sum choices. Balancing friends, family, and career can be very challenging for sure, but all bring a different type of satisfaction into your life. You may find that at different times in your life, one of those needs to take priority over the others – but that will wax and wane throughout life and is part of life’s beauty. Friends and family can support you in your career, and
You must be looking for my distant cousin, the Magic 8-Ball (ask8ball.net). I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors.
I’m so glad you recommended the arts as a way of understanding a concept! In my perennial enthusiasm for information, I sometimes forget that the way to really grasp something might be through literature, visual arts, or music. J贸hann J贸hannsson and Ludovico Einaudi have answers, too.
If your friends can’t respect that, there’s a big problem with them. Peer pressure to use drugs is ugly enough to begin with, without adding the risk of allergic reactions to the mix. It’s just a few days away, but I hope you can be firm about your intentions and get some agreement from them before heading there. And have a fantastic trip!
Attend the commencement ceremony. But before that you might stretch your comfort zone and go to a meeting or event that you would not normally experience. It is sometimes these small personal challenges that make a big difference in your life.
I am only sorry for your own sake that you spend so much time talking to a wall. (Metaphorically speaking.) I will pass along whatever information my assistants are able to glean.
I’m sorry you’re having an unpleasant experience with the Office of International Programs. I would hazard a guess that any office that tries to arrange hundreds of students’ travel and study to countries with a dizzying variety of visa and academic requirements might have a hard time providing perfect service. If you have a complaint about their personnel or procedures, I recommend contacting them directly: oip@bc.edu.
Should you go to the Connors Family Learning Center for tutoring in a huge variety of subjects? YES! Oh, is that not what you meant? IDK, because I don’t know who Connor is & whether or not they’d like to be had by you. It’s kind of contingent on that.
My understanding is that Kairos retreat leaders are fellow students, so it doesn’t seem like there’s an issue – why not ask him/her out and see where it goes? You already know you have interests in common.
On average, people pass gas about 10-20 times per day. It is possible you are not farting more than usual; you’re just noticing it in class because it’s embarrassing. You can try releasing gas before class (outside or in a bathroom is less noticeable). You might also track what you eat and see if particular foods should be avoided. If you are experiencing other health issues such as diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, etc., see a doctor to make sure your gas is not a symptom of a larger issue.
I will do the best I can. I’ve had my assistants contact offices who might have some answers, but you will likely need to do some follow-up work to get more complete ones than will fit on a post-it.
![I want to feel less self-conscious [with drawing of mascara eyes]](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/aw022719-3.jpg)
I get you – there are days when I feel like everyone is staring at me. Oh, wait – they are. But in your case, if it is negatively affecting your life a lot, talk to Counseling Services (bit.ly/BC-counseling).
I don’t know if anyone is holding it up, but the BC Notice of Nondiscrimination recommends that people “…are welcome to raise any questions regarding this notice with the Executive Director for Institutional Diversity.” That person is Patricia Lowe, patricia.lowe@bc.edu , 617-552-3334
Judging by posts lately, you are so not alone. Hold on for a bit and see what the springtime brings. The Wall will keep you company while you wait.
