Students: How's BC so far?

<p>With the new school year underway I wanted to get some feedback from BC students, especially freshman, on their experiences so far (good and bad).</p>

<p>Classes officially start tomorrow (9/8). My daughter is loving the freshman activities that were planned since this past Wednesday and we both were in agreement that everything was extremely organized, well thought out and everyone so friendly and helpful. A good start so far!</p>

<p>Speaking as a commuter student, I haven’t been to any of the Welcome Week activities (with the exception of the Welcoming Ceremony), but my experiences at BC have been positive so far. Everyone is pretty friendly. I have no complaints yet.</p>

<p>I must say though, that that Portico excursion was quite rough on my feet.</p>

<p>i’m not gonna lie, i’m pretty miserable here.</p>

<p>Dear cgeorge : By no means should you be miserable and I would like to offer some help. First, looking at your prior posts, you were a candidate applying to Ivy League schools, Tufts, Northwestern and likely others. Many top students have chosen BC over similar schools - perhaps some conversation with them might help?</p>

<p>Next, take a few moments on Monday morning and make an appointment to visit the Office of the First Year Experience. Speak with Father Joe M. or anyone there to help get yourself again adjusted into the campus.</p>

<p>Be sure to keep busy - stay involved. Although the football gatherings over the last two weeks are over until two weeks from now, what about some activities with your dorm mates?</p>

<p>The adjustment to college life can be hard for some - but you should not be miserable. Reach out in some of the ways suggested and please let us know over the next few days if things start picking up for you! Please do stay in touch.</p>

<p>Dear cgeorge : These are the staff members - many of these folks are probably familiar faces to you from your orientation session.</p>

<p>[Meet</a> the Staff - Boston College - First Year Experience](<a href=“http://www.bc.edu/offices/fye/about/staff.html]Meet”>http://www.bc.edu/offices/fye/about/staff.html)</p>

<p>Please reach out - they are there to help students like you who are perhaps asking some questions now that they are two weeks away from home at college. Hope that this idea helps.</p>

<p>Cgeorge:
The adjustment to college life is difficult for many. Some have difficulties with the workload, some with making new friends or socializing, some with missing friends from home, some with missing their family. It’s normal, after the initial wave of freshman orientation activities, for a new freshman to feel a bit alone. The good news is it does not last forever.</p>

<p>Take the advice from the earlier replies seriously. Every school has its pluses and minuses. It is up to you to make it work. BC is a great school. </p>

<p>If you don’t give up, the odds are heavily in your favor that come mid-January, you’ll be returning to BC from winter break feeling like you’re “back home”. It will feel good.</p>

<p>Cgeorge, in my experience, the first few days of ANYthing (new job, new school, new car, etc.) are full of disappointments and frustrations. College an be an expecially traumatic adjustment because everything you’ve been building on your whole life is suddenly gone (you don’t know any students, don’t know any teachers, don’t know your way around, etc.). I transferred to BC many years ago and it took me a whole semester to feel comfortable there. Hang in there.</p>

<p>Maybe there are a few current BC students who frequently post on collegeconfidential who could take cgeorge out for a cup of coffee and give him/her some pointers?</p>

<p>I didn’t expect college to be perfect, but it has definitely exceeded my expectations. Teachers are immensely intriguing and students are generally quite friendly. George, if you feel out of place, I’d be glad to sit down with you some time and have a chat. Where are you currently living?</p>

<p>bump this up!!</p>

<p>I’d like an update on cgeorge!</p>

<p>I am a senior at BC now and I love being here. I have found a great group of friends here and find people on the most part to be great! My professors have been one of the biggest surprises. I never expected them to care so much about their students but they really do. Despite the fact that our fans are pretty subpar, I attend every major sporting event and love going. If I had to choose again I would definitely go with BC! If anyone has any questions feel free to let me know. Would love to help guide a prospective student towards Boston College.</p>

<p>Glad to hear things are going well for you, witty. And glad to hear the professors are still very approachable.</p>

<p>The professors here are top notch- I feel truly blessed to be here. The weather could use some consistency, but hey, we can’t have it all =)</p>

<p>I’ve hated my first semester. Yes, I have made some great friends, and I do enjoy my classes, but this school’s student body is disgusting. Sports fanaticism fills the void of these peoples’ intellect and individuality. I’m only able to start up intellectual discussions and what not with a few group of students, and it seems as though everyone else at this school is the same as the next person. I make great efforts to get involved in most of my classes, since they are mainly discussion based, but I find a disgusting lack of interest from my peers. Furthermore, if you are not at all into the whole sports culture, you feel very out of place here. I seriously cannot understand how the admissions office admits the same bland and monotonous people. My peers often seem to prefer sports to academia. All of my friends with intellect, or personality for that matter, feel as out of place as I do. Besides, this environment as also too religious for me. I cannot wait to get out.</p>

<p>alex: i’m sorry to hear that. i have heard similar complaints about BC and it turns me off as well. where are you thinking of transferring to?</p>

<p>Alex do most students play sports or is it just students who follow football?</p>

<p>Alexdl, wow.</p>

<p>I would strongly disagree with Alexdl. I have met some of the most interesting and smart people here at BC. One of the first things I told my mom after my first week of classes here is how smart everyone is. I’ve felt challenged by my classmates and have had many interesting conversations with the girls on my floor. Maybe Alexdbl isn’t involved in extracurriculars, but I am a member of many clubs where I have stimulating conversations.</p>

<p>Coming to BC they should have known that the football culture is ingrained in the BC psyche. One does not have to love football to come here, but it sure does help. </p>

<p>Boston College is one of the premier Catholic Jesuit colleges in the country; there WILL be religion. But, I have never had religion forced down my throat. Last week I went to a GREAT Hillel party! </p>

<p>It’s a shame you haven’t found your fit at BC, but try and last out the year. Make some new friends, branch out in your classes.</p>

<p>I would like to agree with iMac15 and strongly disagree with Alexdl. I am just finishing up my first semester here at BC, and my experience has been completely positive.</p>

<p>One of the biggest changes coming to BC from high school was that everyone here is at a high academic level. In addition to stimulating classroom discussion, I find that I can talk to peers outside of class and have deep conversations. You would be hard pressed to find a student at BC who does not want to do well.</p>

<p>School spirit is definitely present here, and one of the easiest ways for students to express that is to dress up in maroon and gold and cheer on the Eagles in a sports game. It’s true that many students at BC are athletic and into sports, but there are a lot of different kinds of activities to be involved in, whether it be music, dance, journalism, acting, or more. There is a sports culture, but there is also a lot more to life at BC.</p>

<p>In terms of BC being a “Catholic Jesuit” university, I feel that the Jesuit part comes through much more than the Catholic part. What I mean by this is that people here are very caring, friendly, and service-oriented. You are never forced, however, to go to a Catholic service or even take a Catholic theology class (there are classes about several different religions). </p>

<p>After years as a high schooler reading posts on this website, I have only now decided to create an account. The reason is because I feel that Boston College is more than worthy of a positive review. I love everything about BC–the people, academics, campus, location, school spirit. For me, this first semester has been a dream come true.</p>