27 Tuesdays, 27 Terriers, 27 Inspiring Pieces of Advice

Collage of 12 different Boston University students.
Student Voices

27 Tuesdays, 27 Terriers, 27 Inspiring Pieces of Advice

Highlights from a year of #TerrierTuesdays

December 13, 2023
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This year, our Instagram series, #TerrierTuesdays, featured remarkable students and their journeys at BU. Each of these Terriers took control of the BU Instagram for a day, using the platform to recount their experiences from the moment they arrived at BU, speak about life on campus, and share their aspirations for the future. Throughout the day, they took us on a journey through their lives, generously sharing their interests and hobbies. They engaged with fellow students, who eagerly posed questions and joined in for the experience.

These takeovers play a role in helping fellow Terriers perceive BU from a unique perspective, shedding light on what it’s like to be a student at Boston University. While each Terrier has a different experience to share, all students respond to the same question: “What advice would you give to your fellow Terriers?” Take a moment to be inspired by the profound wisdom they’ve shared below.

Andrés Marquez Santacruz (ENG’25)

This photo is courtesy of Boston University student, Andrés Marquez Santacruz. He is laying on green grass, wearing a yellow hat and black shirt, squinting at the camera.
“Don’t forget to eat!”

Joey Russoniello (SHA’26)

Photo is courtesy of Joey Russoniello. He is outside at a restaurant at dusk wearing a grey Boston University hoodie. He is smiling with his mouth closed and has ginger hair.
“Do not be afraid of hearing the word no. Too much of our lives is determined by our internal fear of being rejected. Don’t let the fear of rejection stop you from doing something you want to do! Audition for that play, interview for that internship, and join that club for something you are interested in!”

Nsikan Umoh (CAS’24)

This is a photo of BU student, Nsikan Umoh (CAS'24). He is smiling and looking off to the right. He is wearing a black polo shirt with a gold chain around his neck. The photo is taken in front of a plain white back drop.
 “Find your passions quickly and pursue them relentlessly.”

Esther Yang (COM’25)

This photo is of BU student Esther Yang. She is standing in front of a fairy light wrapped evergreen tree. She is wearing a pink jacket and has her hands in her pockets. She's looking off into the distance with a small smile on her face.
“College is a learning journey! It may seem that many people already have their minds set on their career path, identity, and life in general. This may feel discouraging to see if you are still figuring things out. I know it because I felt it too. But in reality, more people are still figuring life out, and YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”

 Sarah Benhalima (Pardee’23)

This photo is courtesy of Boston University student Sarah Benhalima. She is wearing a professional blazer and is smiling. Her hair is down and straight and she is standing in front of a building. This is a professional headshot.
“There is so much to explore on campus, especially in student organizations. Each individual is bound to find an organization that fits their interests perfectly!”

Brianna Bourne (CAS’24)

This photo is of Boston University student, Brianna Bourne. She is wearing a black longsleeve with blue jeans and she is leaning against a building. There are students blurred and walking in the background. She is smiling for the photo.
“Allow yourself to learn and grow. We are all human, and we each make mistakes. Do not let those mistakes define you. Rather, use them to move forward and grow.”

Anna Rafferty (CAS’23)

This photo is of Boston University student Anna Rafferty. She is wearing yellow pants and a patterned black and white top. Shes sitting on steps and is leaning her weight on one knee.
“Be confident in who you are and what you do. As long as you have a passion for the material you’re working with, there are no limits to where you can go with your studies!”

Isadora “Izzy” Bernasconi (CFA’23)

This photo is of Boston University alum, Isadora "Izzy" Bernasconi. She is wearing a yellow and black patterned shirt with her hands above her head. She is looking at the camera with her mouth slightly parted.
“Enjoy your time in college; it goes by SO quickly!”

Andrew Ciali (CAS’24)

This photo is of Boston University student, Andrew Ciali. He is standing inn front of green trees, and is in golf attire. He's holding a golf bag on one shoulder, standing to the side, smiling at the camera.
“Something super important to me is always trying to live in the moment. For all of my fellow Terriers, take every day as it comes and try to cherish these four years!”

Brendon Jones (CAS’24)

Boston University student Brendon Jones. He is wearing a green sweater with gold jewelery, leaning forward in a chair. He has sunglasses on and he is lowering them to look at the camera with one hand. His other arm is sticking forwards.
“Take advantage of every opportunity available. Whether at work, college, or in daily life, a single action can change the course of your career and lifestyle, so utilize every resource around you and ask yourself, what else can I do to succeed.”

Navya Kotturu (Sargent’24, CAS’24)

Boston University student Navya Kotturu. She is in the city with buildings lit up behind her at dusk. She is wearing a black tank top and has her hair up. She is smiling at the camera.

“Don’t be afraid to try new things at BU and take your time figuring out what interests you want to pursue. BU has so many opportunities that it can be overwhelming, especially for someone like me who did not have nearly as much back home. I encourage everyone to attend different events on campus, join clubs, and meet new people!”

Matthew Pruitt (CAS’23)

Boston University student Matthew Pruitt. He is wearing the Boston University mascot Terrier costume, holding the head to the side, smiling at the camera. He is in an office building with blue carpeting.
“There’s no ‘supposed to’ with college! Lean into the opportunity to learn more and be curious about new experiences. My passions and paths have changed as I took the time to learn at BU, so taking a step back to explore all of BU’s options can be so rewarding!”

Paulomi Mukherjee (COM’25)

Boston University student Paulomi Mukherjee. She is sitting on a stool wearing all black with a white sweater over it. She is smiling and has her hair down, looking towards the camera. She is in front of a white background.
“As graduation season approaches, job hunting can be a daunting and disheartening experience, especially given the current job market. However, regardless of your field, cold emails can be a powerful tool in your job search arsenal. Many of my acquaintances and I have successfully secured jobs and internships through the power of cold emails. So don’t be afraid to take the plunge and reach out—you never know where it might take you!”

Noa Blitz (CAS’26)

Boston University student Noa Blitz . She is wearing a beanie hat on top of her head with a black puffer coat on. She is sitting at a restaurant outdoors holding up a hot chocolate. She is looking off into the distance with a soft smile on her face. There are yellow fairy lights above her.
“Let yourself enjoy—it’s YOUR life—just do your best.”

Hanna Dworkin (CAS’24)

Boston University student Hanna Dworkin. She is sitting on a stool in a coffee shop. She has her hair down and is wearing a black shirt with a plaid, tan scarf. She is smiling at the camera.
“Your comfort zone is your worst enemy! You are more than capable of doing the things that scare you.”

Sofia Lee (COM’25)

Boston University student Sofia Lee. She is standing on a beach while the clouds have a pink hue to them. She is wearing a green satin dress and is smiling at the camera.
“Be the first one to reach out. Everyone in the BU community is willing to help—sometimes, you just have to take the first step! I know it can be scary, but I promise you it’s worth it. You never know what connections you’ll make.”

Maggie Borgen (COM’25)

Boston University student Maggie Borgen. She is wearing blue jeans, a cream longsleeve top, and a red baseball cap. She is leaning against a white wall while holding a directors take in her hands.
“This is YOUR college experience. There will always be someone to compare yourself to and be something else to do. As long as you are happy with how you spend your time, that’s what matters.”

Bill Yao (COM’24)

Boston University student Bill Yao. He is sitting cross legged on a bench in front of what appears to be a cafe. The wall it tan and there is a palm tree to his left. He is in shorts and a white t shirt.
“Seek discomfort. It’s in uncomfortable environments that we learn and grow. But it doesn’t have to be something extreme. For me, moving to Boston initially by myself was a discomfort. Waking up at 3 a.m. to shoot sunrise is another form of discomfort. Even something as small as going to a general meeting for a club that you think you may not fit in at—attending those meetings helped me make a group of friends that mean the world to me. There is a sense of self-pride that comes with growing, learning, and eventually getting to the place where the uncomfortable becomes comfortable. When you do so, you will be very proud of yourself.”

Vincent Semidey Jr. (Wheelock’26)

Boston University Student Vincent Semidey. He is wearing a green polo with a black cardigan over it with black jeans. He is standing on a pier while the sun is setting. There is blue water behind him with lights in the distance. He is holding onto the railing behind him, smiling at the camera.
“College serves as your crucible of growth, where potential evolves into possibility. Embrace the challenges, as within them, you will forge the strengths that shape your journey. With each lecture, friendship, and discovery, you are crafting the canvas of your future. Always remember, the true beauty of this chapter lies not solely in the degree, but in the transformation of oneself.” 

Pamela Arjorna (CAS’25)

Boston University student Pamela Arjorna. She is standing in front of the blue ocean with cliff rocks behind her. She is wearing black jeans and white plain crop top. She has her blonde hair pulled back and she is smiling at the camera.
“Don’t worry about what everyone else’s life looks like! Chances are, it isn’t what it seems anyway. Everyone moves at a different pace and has different goals, so don’t compare yourself. Give yourself time and grace!”

Rukshana Khan (COM’24)

Boston University student Rukshana Khan. She is wearing a tan shirt with a tan jacket over it, smiling at the camera. She is abroad in this photo, standing in front of an intricately designed gothic style building.
“Have a set schedule for every week and write down when you’ll get each task done; start your graduation plan early, create boundaries for yourself, and respect them!”

Miri Chan (Questrom’25)

Boston University student Miri Chan. She is sitting in a chair outside, on a brick road. She is wearing a white tank top with a striped orange shirt tied around her neck. She is smiling at the camera.
“Get involved! My best experiences at BU have come from the clubs and organizations I am a part of, and getting involved is the best way to find your community of people. Also, I would encourage exploring Boston and outside of Boston! There’s so much to do.”

Tabitha Fortner (CAS’24)

Boston University student Tabitha Fortner. She is wearing patch worked jeans and black tank top. She is leaning against lockers that are covered in stickers. She is looking off into the distance, to the right.
“I know it sounds cliché, but try new things! You don’t have a chance unless you take one. I’ve found so many friends in places that I least expected, but at the same time, don’t push yourself too hard. BU has so much to offer—it may feel overwhelming at times, but finding a few things that you are really interested in and investing your time into those few is best, rather than doing a lot of things.”

Wahaaj Farah (Sargent’26)

Boston University student Wahaaj Farah. He is outside on green grass, with a cherry blossom tree to his right. He is standing with a Somali flag in his hands. He is wearing a red USA sweater and blue jeans, smiling at the camera.
“‘Everything happens for a reason.’ This is a principle I live by, and it means always reflecting on what you have achieved and accepting that life takes unexpected turns. Persevering through obstacles leads to greater lessons and personal growth. It’s an opportunity to bounce back and succeed.”

Walter Nelson (COM’24)

Boston University student Walter Nelson. He is outside on the grass with fall foliage in the background. He is wearing a black t shirt with a black and white flannel over it. He is looking off into the distance with a straight face.
“While you’re at BU, approach everything with love and care. Cherish every friendship you make, embrace the late nights with your roommates, and even find joy in the late-night studying for exams. Fill those moments with as much love and excitement as possible. Once you graduate, it’s the moments infused with love that you’ll remember most, so savor them as much as you can.”

Sophia Caffrey (COM’25)

Boston University student Sophia caffrey. She is sitting on white steps in front of wooden doors. She is wearing white pants and a black leather jacket. She has one knee up and her other leg stretched. One of her hands is fixing her hair while the other is resting on her lap.
“Start showing up to events alone. You don’t always need a buddy. Your presence alone could open up a lot of pathways and networking opportunities. Don’t hold yourself back with what feels comfortable. Also, order ahead at the GSU 20 minutes earlier than you need it. Thank me later.”

Aananya Asnani (Sargent’25)

Boston University student Aananya Asnani. She is wearing a white satin dress standing in front of a body of water while the sun is setting behind her. She is somewhere tropical and there are boats in the water.
“If you actually wanna be productive, go to Mugar—Questrom Starbucks or the GSU are the last places to be. You’ll thank me later.”

That’s a wrap, Terriers! Thanks for following along. We’ll see you in the new year.

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27 Tuesdays, 27 Terriers, 27 Inspiring Pieces of Advice

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  • McKayla Richardson

    Communications Coordinator

    McKayla Richardson is a Communications Coordinator on the Social Media/Public Relations Team at Boston University. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a B.A. in Public Relations and Writing & Rhetoric. She enjoys spending time at the beach, exercising, and being with her friends and family. Profile

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