For when lo-fi study beats aren’t cutting it  By Kylie Grebinar  Graphic by Katie King The benefits of listening to music while working on school assignments have been studied for years, and results have shown that putting a playlist on can help reduce stress, encourage better flow of thinking and improve concentration . Researchers believe that the genre of music that is beneficial varies from student to student. For example, Phyllis Medina, PhD, program director of psycholo

By Marianna Gavurmadzhyan Photograph by Emma Almaraz Boston is one of America’s most beautiful cities. From public parks to historic buildings, it’s got it all. Almost. For those under 21, the city seems to lack a rich late-night food scene. But once the sun sets and the streets quiet down, a whole new side of Boston wakes up. Sizzling grills, glowing neon signs and the smell of salty, crispy goodness drifting through the air. Whether you’re studying late, heading home from a

By Richa Jindal Let’s be honest: somewhere between color-coded Notion pages, 8 a.m. lectures and pretending to have a “balanced routine,” most of us forgot what fun even feels like. We treat it like that friend we’ll “totally text back later.” Spoiler: we never do. But what if fun wasn’t something you earned after grinding through your to-do list? What if it was the secret to actually getting things done (and not crying while doing them)? 1. Fun = flow (and better grades, ac

Keeping BU Safe, Clean, and Vibrant by William White As you walk down Commonwealth Ave, stroll through BU Beach, or even relax on COM lawn, do you ever wonder how campus stays so clean? Thanks to BU’s Campus Planning & Operations team, the look and feel of campus is always a priority, one of the many things that makes BU such a great place to be. With over 900 employees, CPO’s team spans from carpenters, custodians, architects, painters, plumbers and more—supporting departmen

By McKenna Laird Graphic by Melissa Lemieux Jaywalker, I stood too close to the curb one too many times, I am no local. Vehicle wheels splashed me, my ankles thick with rubber, I don’t like wet, I prefer to stay dry, hold your jellyfish, hold your umbrella over your knees, my sweater is drenched the worms stick slick to my limbs I hate it when it rains. Rain, seawater, I don’t like wet either, the drops collect on my console, droopy tears migrating south the salt on my teeth,

The Thin Line Between Accountability and the “Hive Mind.” By Sofia Galarneau Graphic by Melissa Lemieux How many times in the past five years have we heard  “he/she was cancelled?” No one stays untouchable forever. The same public that builds someone up can decide almost overnight that they’re no longer worth a second glance. Although the phrase “cancel culture” is fairly new—first used in this context around 2016—it already has the power to make someone feel worthless and st

The love of blind boxes may be fluctuating, but they are here to stay. By Chanel Thorpe Graphic by Josie Zevin If you’re anything like me, you may give into the urge to buy a blind box  now and then. Maybe it’s the rush, or maybe it's the desire to collect cute figurines. Still, whatever it is, many people have been hooked on blind boxes ever since Sonny Angels  gained popularity. And sure, there were other figurines that people spent their money on, like Skullpandas, Monchh

Exploring the influence of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. by Sareena Haq Katie King More than 25 years after Sex and the City  premiered, one question continues to surface in current friend groups: Which SATC woman are you?  The simplicity of that question hides something more interesting. When women identify with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, or Miranda, they’re not just choosing a personality; they’re also choosing an aesthetic. Each character’s wardrobe became it

The rise of a 30-second itinerary or a well-thought-out marketing scheme? By Saniya Makenova Photograph by Sahanah Sharma When we think of “the most magical place on earth,” we often think of Disneyland. However, in today’s digital age, that title has been reclaimed by TikTok. Think about it: corner coffee shops have become productivity havens, walking trails are seen as cinematic adventures, and libraries look straight out of Beauty and the Beast . But what’s behind these 30

How it takes 10 years to become an “overnight success”  By Gianna Ucci Photograph by Diya Kapoor Sabrina Carpenter, “that girl from Disney Channel,” just earned six Grammy nominations . Songs heard briefly on the radio in 2014 are now being played in Tate McRae’s Opening Act. Hollywood’s “newest” it-girl and the Recording Academy’s latest “Best New Artist” nominee has actually been making music for a decade. In an era where TikTok rewards 15-second attention spans, long-term