Blog-Proj
Week 1
No. 12 BC Gets Back on Track With 2-1 OT Win Over Providence https://www.bcheights.com/2025/01/26/boston-college-defeats-providence-2-1-in-overtime-win/
Boston College is known for its competitive sports and close rivalries with surrounding colleges. Often, it’s the men’s teams that are highlighted, which is why I decided to look at the women’s hockey team. This drew my attention because oftentimes, women’s sports are not highlighted. As these sports continue to grow in popularity, hopefully, the coverage will continue to evolve with the sport as well. Boston College is currently ranked number 12 in the league, and although they have been going through a rough patch, it have remained in the top 15. They started off the season with an eight-game winning streak but have struggled since. When they originally faced off against Providence College, they unfortunately lost 4-1. This made the rematch against them last week even more important. Luckily, they got their revenge with a thrilling overtime win. This wouldn’t have been possible without Grace Campbell’s 38 saves to keep the team in the game. Having these close games creates the buzzing atmosphere that everyone strives for, not only when they participate in sports but also as a fan. It also draws attention to the team itself, especially after their original loss to Providence in their previous match-up. The more attention the team receives, the bigger the following will be. Since this is a division one college, they don’t struggle with student engagement as much as smaller schools do. Unfortunately, women’s sports don’t get the same attention and recognition even at these large schools. The more they continue to perform well, the more coverage they will receive. After this thriller, they will have to rest up as they will face Boston University on Friday, which will be an important game because of the infamous BC vs. BU rivalry!
Slow Down, BC!
After looking at the sports section, I decided to look at an opinion piece. At first glance, I wasn’t sure where this article was going. At first, they highlighted the time they got into a car accident. The song playing when they swerved was “Crash” by The Primitives, which he described as fitting for the circumstances he found himself in. It then took a turn that explained things he wished he had done in his time at Boston College as a second-semester senior. I found this interesting because it reflects on the little things students often take for granted. As a sophomore, it highlighted how fast time passes, especially at school. He also highlighted, “The more we focus on the things we need to check off, the more we probably should.t do them.” This quote stuck with me because sometimes we get so caught up in what’s going on around us that we miss out on the bigger picture. Something that may be significant today or a big deal today may not even mean anything tomorrow. I feel it’s important to read an article like this while you still have time. I’m glad I saw this now as a sophomore because I still have time to appreciate the little things about college. It also shows a shift in perspectives. The small incidents we see as something negative today are so small that we will look back on them as positive when we graduate. Overall, this opinion piece helped shift my perspective and highlight how important your attitude is towards certain situations.
Week 2
Koerec’s Shutout and Leonard’s Hat Trick Lead No.1 BC to 4-0 Win Over No. 8 UMass Lowell
Boston College’s ice hockey program has historically been recognized for its continuous winning seasons and for producing top prospects in the National Hockey League draft. This season is no different. They are currently ranked No. 1 in the league, and the Beanpot tournament has just occurred. This article closely describes the victory against Umass Lowell this past week. One of their key players, Ryan Leonard, played a major role in this victory. Leonard is currently the top prospect for the Washington Capitals and recently won his second gold medal at the World Juniors. He recorded a hat trick in this match, making nine goals in his last five games played. Another key player who was highlighted for this win was their Slovakian goaltender, Jan Korec. This was only his second start of the year. His two previous appearances came after the starting goalie, Jacob Fowler, got suspended for punching a UConn player. Korec made this opportunity worth it by recording a shut-out. This section allows those who don’t follow the team closely to have a brief overview of how the game went while keeping it engaging.
How To Make the Most of the Beanpot at BC: Game Day Tips
Relating to the article above, this magazine-style post explains the must-knows for the Beanpot tournament. This covered everything you would need to know, whether you were lucky enough to score tickets or were watching from home. For the in-game experience, they touched on what to wear, when to arrive, and where to sit, and even chanted to know. Although Boston College is a much larger school, we seem to have similar game-day chants. They also explained what would make streaming the game more exciting if you were watching from home. This included a snack guide and game day setup suggestions. The Beanpot tournament is such a huge tradition in New England college hockey. Players get the opportunity to play at the TD Garden and experience what the pros feel during a game. I enjoyed reading this article because there were some similarities to how the University of New England games go. This game is on a much larger scale, but the fan atmosphere and chants seemed to align. This is also such a huge event to be a part of, so this guide could greatly help those who have never experienced it before.
Week 3
ALC Showdown Scheduled for Night Before Hockey National Championship Avoiding Last Year’s Scheduling Conflict
Last year, Boston College endured a scheduling conflict between the ALC Showdown and the BC men’s hockey national championship game. This caused students to have to pick which event was more important to them. This conflict happened when the team advanced to the national championship, causing the ALC to be caught off guard. After this happened last year, the ALC scheduled their event between the National Semifinals on April 10 and the National Championship on April 12. This particular article stood out to me because it aligned with our in-class conversations. If someone didn’t write it, did it happen? As someone who doesn’t closely follow BC news, I wouldn’t have known this issue occurred. Being able to look back on past events and conflicts allows them to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Students won’t have to choose one event over the other if the hockey team continues to do well and can attend both events. Being able to reflect on this mishap from last year helped improve both events for those parts of the events and the student body.
One Last Dose of Teenage Angst
This article explains the shift from your teenage years to your early twenties. Specifically a young college girl who is conflicted about the expectations the world has for her now that she is in her twenties. I related to this article because I’m in the same situation. I just turned twenty in December and can no longer say that I’m just a teenage girl trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. Although I am old enough to drive or vote, I’m still in this awkward age of not being able to experience nightlife or fully be an “adult.” Toward the middle of the article, she posed the question, “Do I have to delete Snapchat?” Little things that have been everyday things are now being questioned because of our age. I also enjoyed the way she wrote this article. It was relatable and engaging. I’m often drawn to these pieces because they resonate in some ways. It’s nice knowing that everyone is in the same boat at this age and we’re all just trying to figure things out.
Week 4
Confessions of a Hoarder
At first glance, I thought this article was about the struggles of packing for college, bringing too many unnecessary things, and figuring out where to put them in such little space. As I continued reading,g it became apparent that this article contained so much more. She explained their feelings throughout college. How she has “consistently grappled with feelings of unworthiness- socially, physically, and academically.” She then compared these feelings to an overstuffed wardrobe. She took the same clothes from place to place even though she didn’t use most of them. As she has matured, changes have occurred over the years. Some clothes reminded her of studying abroad, while others reminded her of freshman year. This stuck out to me because until you look at yourself from a different perspective, you don’t notice the changes that are occurring. As we continue to age, we find out more about ourselves and come into our own. Especially during college, this is a time when we are constantly changing. Using the analogy of clothes and referencing the nostalgia we get from seeing an item from a time in our lives we no longer resonate with was a great way to hook a reader.
Eagles Get Revenge in 69-54 Win Over Georgia Tech
This article started differently than any other sports article I’ve read so far. He stated, “Pass out of bounds. Missed three. Blocked at the rim. Missed three. Intercepted pass. Swatted off the glass.” Starting in this way caught my attention and made me want to continue reading the piece. Boston College had a dominant game against Georgia Tech, specifically their defense. It took 5:36 for Georiaga to score. Eagles player Chad Venming specifically got called out for his efforts by the coach. He was described as a “junkyard dog.” In a previous matchup of the two teams, BC was unable to rally, which made this win even more important. These articles always intrigue me because they keep you up-to-date on the team without watching the games. Since my home is close to Boston, it’s nice to read up on what is happening in that area, especially the sports. I enjoyed the way this article was written and hope to read more from this writer in the future!
Week 5
UGBC Pilots Free Laundry Supplies Program for Freshman
This article explained an important issue and how they worked to find a solution. They explained that they have been giving free supplies in the freshman dorms for students who can’t afford or don’t have access. This program is mainly focusing on first-year students since it is unlikely they will have a car. Unfortunately, it has not yet expanded to all first-year dorms as it’s still in the beginning stages. They have been collecting data with Google Forms to see how students are utilizing the laundry supplies and to make sure they are using them properly. If this continues to do well, they will implement this in all resident halls as it will benefit all students. Most universities make students pay for their laundry, which can add up. BC is taking the initiative in trying to make the simple task of laundry more affordable for students. Luckily, UNE doesn’t make us pay for our laundry, but for those schools that do, they should supply free supplies.
Post-Study Abroad Culture Shock: How TO Readjust To Life at BC
This article explains the “culture shock” that students are often faced with after returning from their study abroad semester. It is filled with tips and tricks to help make this adjustment period easier. Some of these include reconnecting with old friends, supporting sports teams, exploring a new workout class, trying new restaurants in the Boston area, or even catching up with a precious professor. They emphasize that making these last few semesters worthwhile is important since they don’t have much time left. I think this article is an important read for those coming back from being abroad, especially when returning to campus for the spring semester. It’s such an amazing experience, but your way of life changes. Having helpful tips must help the students feel less alone when finding their routine back at school.
Week 6
No.1 Eagles Beat Merrimack 6-0 in Season Finale After Clinching Hockey East Regular Season Title
This article followed Boston College’s last regular season game against Merrimack to clinch the Hockey East regular season title. This article had an interview with their coach, Greg Brown, and how he gave a nod to the leadership of the team. Although Maine lost on Friday night, which made BC the Hockey East regular-season champion, they didn’t stop playing until it was secured. BC’s first goal of the game came 7:45 into the first period by Ryan Leonard, who is also their captain. My teammates had nothing but good things to say about their captain about how competitive he is and how he is always playing to win. Jacob Fowler was able to keep the score at zero and add a shutout to his stats. Now, it is time for the team to focus on the upcoming playoffs!
How to Survive Midterms Week Without Burning Out
This article gave key tips and tricks to help avoid burnout during midterms. As it is a stressful time for most college students, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of midterms. The article advised starting early and prioritizing. Using a planner or digital calendar to plan helps prioritize and section off enough time for each subject. They also mentioned using active learning techniques. Make flashcards, take practice quizzes, or act like you’re teaching someone. It also explains to take care of your physical health and to take breaks and relax. Allowing yourself to take a break helps your brain focus better while also keeping active through this stressful time.
Week 7
BC To Establish Murray Center for Student Wellness
This article explains how Boston College alumni Tami Murrary funded the Murray Center for Student Wellness, which aims to expand mental health resources for students. The center will help enhance accessibility for same-day appointments at the University Counseling Services. They also wanted to increase education, training, and resources for mental health and wellness on campus. Murray explained how she “wants anyone who is struggling to have access to services in their time of need.” She also said, “The hope in establishing the center is that no student ever feels alone and that the Murray Center will provide comprehensive care for the well-being of all BC students.” She also wants it to be an uplifting and comforting place for BC students.
Senator Discusses Potential New AI Detection Tool at UGBC Meeting
This article discusses how student senator Christina Gregory is working with Scott Cann, who is the associate vice president for systems and services in Boston College Information Technology Services, to find a tool to detect AI tools in assignments. Gregory touched on a spring break meeting with the Campus AI Steering Committee to discuss AI usage in teaching and learning. Later in the article, it also touched on the specialized meals during Ramadan that BC offers in Green2Go containers in the dining halls. Along with updates on mobile apps and the creation of a study abroad module.
Week 8
BC Falls to Villanova 76-70 in First Round of WBIT, Ending Season
This article discusses the first-round Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament matchup between BC and Villanova. BC thought their season was over after losing to UNC in the ACC Tournament. The team had 11 to 12 days off of practice, thinking they wouldn’t be eligible for post-season play. This left the team fatigued and had poor play execution when it came to playing Villanova. The Eagles started the game out strong and were able to maintain the lead in the first quarter. BC struggled with foul trouble which forced them to constantly rotate players and made it difficult to build momentum again. The game stayed competitive with a close score up until the very end. They, unfortunately were unable to rally and ended up losing 76-70.
Baby Now or Baby Never?
This article is an opinion piece that asked BC students, “If you had to choose, would you have a baby now, or never?” This was a thought experiment conducted by the writer. She explained later in the article that if you were to have a baby now, you would be able to have as many or as few children as you want in the future. If you decide on the second opinion, you would not be able to have or raise a child, not through IVF, adoption, or surrogacy. This experiment showed many different points of view. On one hand many students thought that they would have a child now since they were in college and could make it work. Others were too uncertain about the world and couldn’t picture themselves with a child for many years from now. After doing research, the writer discovered that more Americans are choosing to “opt out” of parenting or if they do have kids, they don’t have many. It’s a scary thought for future generations as they continue to shrink.
Week 9
This week, I was unable to access The Heights. Unfortunately, the site has been taken down and is inaccessible on any platform. My goal for this upcoming week is to look into this and see what is going on with the website and if it is coming back. Currently, it is still down, but I will continue to look into this.
As I mentioned above, it was a struggle due to the Boston College site being down. This past week, I’ve spent some time deep-diving why the site was taken down and if it was coming back. After trying their link through multiple search engines, looking at their social media sites, and looking for news articles/updates, it became clear that no one knew what was happening. To this day, there are still no answers; however, the site is back up. I will continue by entries as normal now and see if any articles are written about the site being down
BC Admits Record-Low 12.6 Percent of Applicants to Class of 2029
This article explains how Boston College admitted 12.6 percent of applicants to the Class of 2029, which is the most selective class to date and a 2.1 percent decline from last year’s acceptance rate of 14.7 percent. Since the class of 2021, the acceptance rates have been on a steady decline. This article was able to get one of the lucky students who was accepted and get her reaction on being selected. I thought this added a unique insight and created a relatable perspective for the reader. I remember the excitement of being accepted to my top schools, nonetheless your top choice. They also went into the specific numbers of pell grant recipants, first generation students and international students. Although this was a record-low year, the class of 2026 still has the highest number of applications. With the concerns of federal funding, BC also announced it will award $190 million in need-based financial aid, which is a 7.5 percent increase over the current academic year. This article also ended with a quote, which we have discussed in class how important and effective it is to incorporate.
Explore Boston on a Budget: Fun Outdoor Activities for Spring
This article is dedicated to BC students. They explain places like the Maloney Lawn or the Gasson Quad that readers like myself can’t visualize. Other than that, the article explains activities to do as the spring weather continues. Like UNE, Boston College also has intramural Sports. These are fun, free options to stay fit and enjoy the weather. They also have fitness-themed celebrations and currently offer free running groups. With the school being in Boston, you can go to Red Sox games and get student discounts. If that’s not your thing, they also have Swan Boats and Duck Tours. Swan Boats could be priced as low as $4.75 for a 10-12 minute ride, while Duck Boats are a bit pricier since they offer a broader tour of the city. They mentioned going to Farmer’s Markets and looking at Boston’s Historical Landmarks. Lastly, they suggested biking around. Boston has Citi Bikes that are cheap and have racks on most streets!
Week 10
BC Raises Cost of Attendance to $91,792 for 2025-25, 3.57 Percent Increase
This article relates to the previous one about the acceptance rates at BC. Although this was the smallest increase in the past three years, it is still the third largest increase in the last decade. This includes tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board. They haven’t released other cost factors like books, travel, and personal expenses, which tend to add up. Although they are charging significantly more, BC is going to increase its total financial aid awards to offset the rising cost. They approved a 7.5 percent increase in need-based undergraduate aid. This is crucial as 67 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid. After this increase, the cost of attendance is higher than Tufts, Boston University, and Harvard.
To Eat or Not To Eat: An Honest Review of BC’s Dining Halls
After reading the article above, with the rising costs of attendance, you would hope that the dining hall options are sufficient. The writer went in and rated each dining option and explained why. First, they rated the “Lower Live.” This had the highest rating at 8/10 and offers staples like chicken, pasta, pizza, a burger station, a sandwich station, and a salad bar. Most students agree with this, which causes rush hours, which is the main downfall. The Stuart Dining Hall and Eagles’ Nest both have a 7/10 rating. The Stuart Dining Hall is better for breakfast and lunch as it’s self-serve, and they offer panini stations with the friendliest dining hall workers. Since BC is so spread out, you would have to get on a bus if you didn’t like the dinner options. Oftentimes, the dinner is limited and inconsistent. The Eagles Nest is best for lunch as they offer pressers, sandwiches, customizable bowls, acai bowls, soup, and other grab-and-go items. Unfortunately they are only open for lunch. Coming in with a 6/10 rating is The Rat. They are known for their produce and playlists. They have full-size containers of fresh fruit that you can grab and go. Since it’s only open for breakfast, lunch, and late-night snacks, you can’t rely on them for all your meals. Last is the McElroy Commons, coming in at 3/10. They have small portions, and the food in general isn’t the best. Coming from a smaller school, this was interesting to read as we only have one main dining hall and two other options.
