A brief debriefing

Boston College’s 2013 Commencement is over, and with that the 150^th class has been pushed out into the “real” world.  There’s no good way to make your exit, really.  Two thousand plus seniors just pack up and leave campus (on the same day as the graduation ceremony, no less), each one heading off in a different direction as though the past four years have been an extended summer camp. 

Before the beginning of the rest of our lives happens, I want to take this chance to pause and look back.  Elaina, a recent grad of BC, has been so kind to answer a few questions about her time at Boston College to get a little more perspective on these past four years.

What is one perception you had coming in on your first day of freshman orientation about Boston College or college in general that held true and one that was completely off base?

Elaina—I think that one perception that didn’t hold true for me was the feeling that I had that I wasn’t going to fit in at BC.  To say I was excited for Freshman Orientation would be an understatement.  I couldn’t wait to immerse myself in this new college culture.  However, when I entered the elevator on campus with my penguin shaped backpack and glow in the dark Converse, I was hard pressed not to ignore the judgmental glances the mothers in their Express outfits were throwing my way.  When I read that BC’s campus was a J Crew catalogue with a slight hangover, I thought that was an exaggeration.  I’d never even been in a J Crew before!  However, after four years at the school, I realized that there was more to the school and the student body then their brightly colored cardigans.  And I’ve still never been in a J Crew.

One stereotype that did hold true was the crazy college parties a la Animal House.  Long live the Mods.

You have one million dollars to donate to Boston College, how would you improve it?

Elaina—As a Studio Art Minor, I’d give it to the art department in a heartbeat.  The art students can only nourish their creativity and inspire awe on the change left over after supporting the football team and the bio department for so long.

What is the most important thing you learned while in college?

Elaina—During my time at BC, I definitely learned how to deal with different sorts of people.  From adjusting to living with complete strangers freshman year to realizing that living with your best friends senior year doesn’t always go as planned, BC puts you in situations where your people skills are really tested.

You’re eighty years old, and your two grandchildren who are about to enter college want to hear a story from your college years.  What do you tell them?

Elaina—I would tell them how I got to meet James Franco once while at school, but they probably wouldn’t even know who that was, which is depressing.  I’d probably end up telling them how I met all my roommates since the grankiddies would only be about 18 at the time and I wouldn’t want to give them any ideas.  I’ll have to think on that one over the next 50 plus years.

Give the incoming freshman a piece of advice that the OL’s aren’t going to be telling them.  

Elaina—I’ll tell you what I told the yearbook: the Comm Ave bus, while a convenience in trying weather, is not a necessity on a day-to-day basis.  Or rather, should I say a night-to-night basis.  Walk to the party on Foster Street.  Standing on a full capacity bus of intoxicated students is not a great way to start your night.  Especially not on Halloween, trust me.

What will you miss most?

Elaina—Without a doubt, having all of my friends a short walk away.  The people who have grown to be my family over these past four years are now all over the country.  It’s a necessary change with life, but I’ll definitely miss running across the hall to see the girls who crept their way into my heart as sisters.

Special thanks to Elaina Donofrio for setting this Q&A up with me, and good luck.