Hot Takes on BC’s Campus

Showdown, Marathon Monday, and the Beanpot all carry that same element of school spirit. But, it’s those first warm days—the days where the sun shines over students playing frisbee and spikeball and eating lunch on the Quad—when we see a whole new kind of spirit that simply cannot be beat.

2. Carney is a great building—and may even be the best building on campus.

Whether you believe green apples are better than red or winter is better than summer, we all have at least one hot take that constantly finds a way into our conversations.

So, as the school year comes to a close, I think it is time to finally share some of the Boston College hot takes that have accumulated in the back of my mind over the past two years. After all, hot takes do make for some of the best discussions.

1. BC spring is better than BC fall.

Fall at BC means game days.

We wake up early and race to the Mod Lot before flooding into Alumni Stadium decked out in maroon and gold. The BC tailgating tradition is like no other. Many students even choose to go abroad in the spring lest they miss the football-inspired spirit in the air.

But, with four semesters under my belt, I would argue that spring semester at BC is better than the fall.

We, as BC students, pride ourselves on our campus’ beautiful and aesthetic architecture.

The gothic archways, symmetric columns, and green grass around campus are all pleasing to the eye. There is even an Instagram account dedicated solely to Gasson Hall that has over 8,000 followers. But what about Carney Hall? As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Carney’s hospital-style lighting and high school–hallway vibes are oddly calming. Its classrooms have the right amount of natural light and quietness— something Gasson’s just doesn’t.

So, I say we should stop judging a book by its cover and give Carney the recognition it deserves.

3. Walsh isn’t “more grimey” than Vandy or 90.

“Beware the Walsh rats!” is an all too common BC refrain.

When I was a freshman sharing my housing plans for sophomore year, my eight-man and I got this warning from everyone we told about our future Walsh Hall residence.

We heard horror stories about the showers not working, the rugs having stains, and the air quality giving everything a “stuffy” smell—however that is even possible.

But, after living in Walsh for a full year—with many of my friends in the supposedly-superior Vandy and 90—I can attest that Walsh is not much different from its favored competition.

Walsh, Vandy, and 90 are all college dorms. Dorms. Not the Four Seasons. Every dorm room, regardless of where you live, is going to have its charmingly off-putting and off-puttingly charming aspects to it. It’s up to the residents to make a dorm room feel like home.

Feel free to think what you want—everyone has a right to their own opinion— but these are three of my “BC hot takes” that I will stand by regardless of what you say to try and convince me I’m wrong. Start voicing your opinions around campus these last few weeks as well. It’s time to set the world aflame with our hot takes!

Campus Bouquets

Although we occasionally roll our eyes at the amount of money Boston College spends on its landscaping every year, there are few things as joyful as walking past plots of newly bloomed flowers. From BC-shaped designs to our famous tulips, these buds fill our campus with color and life. So, we at Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down have a challenge for you—when the study days start to drag on, go for a rainbow walk around campus and try to find one beautiful plant in every color.

Extensions

With all BC students swamped with schoolwork and stress, there is truly nothing better than when a professor grants a student an extension on an important paper or project. Even if it just means turning an assignment in at midnight instead of noon, the extra time gives us the chance to really put our best foot forward. So, to those kind professors, thank you for your generosity! And to any professor who boldly (literally) outlines in their syllabus that they offer “NO EXTENSIONS,” we kindly ask you to grow your Grinch heart a few extra sizes.

101 Final Projects

With finals on the horizon, BC students expect some combination of five final projects, papers, and exams—and that’s if there is just ONE final assignment per class. Yet, many of us are finding ourselves stuck with far, far more. Finals week is stretching from one week into four as we find ourselves already swamped with projects counting for far too much of our final grades. As you push through the next few weeks, be sure to sleep, eat, and take a break from time to time. We’re almost there.

Meal Plan Woes

It’s that time of the year—time to carefully analyze the numbers in your GET Mobile and determine your fate for the rest of the semester. At this point, you either have tragically little meal plan money remaining, or you have way, way too much. And although we might not love eating in the dining hall every night, we won’t be happy until all our balances reach a net zero. So find yourself a buddy in the opposite situation and start playing meal plan exchange. We are men and women for others, and we can make this work!