Since coming to college, I’ve noticed that professors and other faculty don’t reach out to us as actively as they did in high school. Of course they are here to support us, but I’ve realized that I must take the initiative to utilize their help. I can honestly say I don’t think I ever emailed a teacher in high school, but now find myself emailing professors or going in during office hours to ask for help.
Before beginning the Community Service Project, we were taught how to conduct searches for organizations in the library, which was very beneficial. Mrs. Maestro was also very helpful in suggesting which organizations would be best to work at. I have often utilized the library for printing and a quiet place to study (it is often very hard to get work done in the dorm). I also frequent the honors lounge often in order to get work done or even to just relax in a calm environment with fellow honor students.
This year I’ve become involved in the ECO club and Undergraduate Student Government. I was a member of student council all four years of high school, so I want to become a part of USG. I like to attend the meetings to be informed about what is going on at the school and what events are being planned. I decided to join ECO club because my friend is the Vice President and he said it would be a fun club to join. I would like to be involved in the advertisement of the club, such as making and handing out flyers.
The resources we used for our team project give me an edge in my other classes because I am now aware of the myriad databases offered at Baruch and I will be using them for research for future projects. Due to my participation in the Project, my view of community service has changed from thinking that it was something good to do to being something that is necessary to do. Also, in our discussions in class, I realized the importance of helping others before helping yourself. This doesn’t mean not helping yourself at all, but most of our lives are comfortable enough that we can take time out of our days and use what resources we have to help those who are less fortunate than us.
