The concept of being “in between” has always fascinated me. One of my long-time favorite music albums is called Somewhere at the Bottom of the River Between Vega and Altair by La Dispute, drawing on the Chinese folktale “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.” Despite the original story being written in Chinese, the language of…
College Dating: Should We Lower Our Expectations?
A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through TikTok—as I do far too often—and came across an old Bo Burnham skit. In the video, accurately titled “Lower Your Expectations,” Burnham mischievously serenades the audience from behind a keyboard, opening with the lines “You want a guy that’s sweet, a guy that’s tough / A feminist…
We Are Way Too Polarized
I think everyone can agree with me that all extremes are bad: too much sugar, too much salt, eating too much, not eating enough, drinking too much water, or not drinking enough water. This concept, however, does not apply solely to the nutritional aspects of our lives. Just like we need to balance our diets,…
Vapes Aren’t Just Hurting You, They’re Hurting the Environment, Too
I’ve heard many adults refer to vaping and juuling as the “epidemic of our generation”—a title that has lost its bite in the past year due to the actual pandemic. But the sentiment remains as campaigns across the country continue to crack down on vape usage. Boston College followed suit by updating its smoking policy…
Left at the Stops: What’s Wrong With the Newton Bus?
Boston College campus tour guides often have to bend the truth. In some cases, they might even snap it in half. Perhaps the biggest lie any BC tour guide provides to their unsuspecting group of high school seniors is about Newton Campus. “Newton isn’t all bad. In fact, I know so many people who found…
A Love Letter to BC Football from a Recovering Sports-Hater
When it comes to sports, I was wrong and pretty much everyone else was right. That’s the short version, at least. I grew up in a family of sports fans. Mainly football, baseball, and tennis, but really anything if it was on and exciting enough. My family dragged me to games, and in turn I…
The BaconEggandCheese Dilemma, and Other East Coast Things
Coming from San Francisco, it feels like every other person I’ve met on campus is from New Jersey, Connecticut, or somewhere in Massachusetts. As a freshman in my first month of college, I have felt a little isolated at times because no one seems to miss home as much as I do. While I knew…
Coughing on Campus: The BC Plague
I remember the night that everything went wrong. Just like every other night, I was sitting in my twin XL bed mindlessly scrolling through social media, responding to emails, and of course, checking Herrd. Normally, checking Herrd means that I silently cackle at a variety of different, sort of stupid (but still funny) posts as…
Witchcraft is the New Black
Black cats, broomsticks, and big bubbling cauldrons are most likely the images conjured up when someone mentions Witchcraft, but what about a notepad and pen, positive affirmations, or an amethyst crystal? Maybe surprisingly, the latter is a more accurate representation of what it means to be a Witch in the 21st century. In fact, the…
All that Glitters Isn’t Maroon and Gold: Waste at Athletic Events
Ah yes, the return of Boston College football, or rather, the return of fans to BC football. The early Saturdays and tailgate atmosphere were dearly missed last season by current students, alumni, and parents. Of course, missed most was the crux of game day: actually being in the stadium. As BC’s Athletics Director Pat Kraft…