Alexander Siegel

The resources that Baruch Students are given are helpful as well stress relieving. The first opportunity for looking at various volunteer organizations was offered on the Baruch library website. Here my group was able to get a sense of some of the volunteer groups that were in the local area. The main issue my group had when starting our community service project was definitely finding the right organization to work with. There are countless opportunities to choose from, but its rather hard finding the one that seems the most interesting, beneficial to others, and has a just cause. If it were not for the volunteer fair, my group would most likely not have been prepared any time soon. It was very helpful when one of my group mates went to the Volunteer fair and learned about the various organizations that needed help. From this information we were able to select an organization called inMotion. My peers in my classes are great for working together and helping one another. I would not be doing as well in school if I did not have their support.
In the next three years I definitely see myself in the Zicklin School with some sort of business major. I am still undecided, but will most likely be going into accounting. I have a gut feeling that this may change at least one as I take others classes that may spark new interests. Starting sophomore and junior year I think it is necessary to start looking for internships. It is never too early to get an edge in the business world, but I must first learn to effectively manage my school work, family, friends, and relaxation time. I plan on continuing taking challenging courses that interest me as well as make me work to earn a good grade. No one said learning new information was easy, but it can be a fulfilling and fun process.

As a Baruch Honors student, it is part of my responsibility to be the best student I can be, including getting good grades and becoming actively part of the Baruch community. Other students “look up” to Baruch honors students because it truly is an honor to be part of this program. Everyone wants to feel like their hard work and efforts have paid off. As a Baruch Scholar, it is necessary to give back to a community that has given so much to us. Most Baruch Scholars were born into an environment that allowed each of us to succeed in our goals, especially in school. By participating in community service, in or outside Baruch, we are able to help others with their goals are in life. Other people who have worked hard in life should also receive that feeling of success. There are many people in the world who are not as fortunate and need extra help to succeed. This allows us to grow as individuals and become more well rounded. A Baruch Honors student should truly want to help other people in the community, rather than treating it an an obligation. Helping individuals not only specifically helps the people, but contributes to the community as a whole. Baruch Honors students are given so many opportunities for help, travel abroad, advisement, and even a good place to study;the honors lounge. By giving back to others we are able to say “Thank You” for all of the things we are given. Besides, actions truly do speak louder than words.

Hi, my names is Alexander Siegel and I was born and raised in Brooklyn. I live in Manhattan Beach, a neighborhood that is considered “Little Russia”, besides Brighton Beach. Most people expect me to be Russian, but I’m actually as American as you can get. Like some of you know, I am a third generation Baruch Student. My Grandfather and father both graduated in previous decades.
I live one block away from my elementary school, so as a kid there was never an excuse to be late to school. Growing up I was rather sheltered in the sense that I never had to leave the general area to do anything. Everything was pretty close and in walking distance. As a kid I was only familiar with Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and the Emmons Avenue area of Sheepshead Bay. All of my closest friends live in the neighborhood.  Most of us have been close since Pre-K and Kindergarten.
My first big step to independence and maturity was getting accepted to Mark Twain. This was a big leap for me since I was so used to walking to school, and then was required to take the bus every day. Obviously at first new things are somewhat scary, but with time it became simple. Going to high school was like a mini journey every day. I had to take the train to Ave M, which at first seemed like a great distance. All of these “trips” were just the stepping stones to preparing me for the hour trip to Baruch college. This taught me independence and how to travel alone and deal with my own problems on the way.
Some other things that helped shape me into the person I am:
Fishing with my family since I was a child.
Growing up with nature in Pennsylvania and the beach in Brooklyn.
Working at my friends restaurant on the Coney Island Boardwalk.( Rubys Bar and Grill)
I have always generally been a good student. Throughout my student career I have always put homework above leisure as soon as I returned home. College is a different story. There doesn’t seem to be enough time to carry out the same time schedule in school. I already noticed it is much harder starting homework right when I get home since its around dinner time. I know college is much harder than High School due to all of the independence you are given. No one is there to tell you what to do every step of the way. My main concern for the first semester is how tests are in college. Im not used to major essay exams where the student must write multiple essays on multiple topics in one test. I also am concerned for classes in lecture halls since they are so impersonal. Im hoping that sticking to my good study habits will be enough to get good grades. I can only wait and see what the dreaded finals week will be like.

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