Baruch Scholars 2011

The Community Service Project pushed me to use Baruch’s databases to find out more information about not just the organization I will be volunteering at but also its mission: to fight against poverty. Using the databases helped me become used to the different kinds of search engines which I ended up using for some of my classes such as as Intro to Business and Speech Communication. In the beginning, however, the expanse of the Baruch databases overwhelmed me. Although there were so many reliable sources I could use, I could not find the right one that would give the information I wanted. Since my second speech was related to the organization I chose, I ended up telling my Speech professor about the problems I had with researching information. He suggested I try using Baruch’s “Ask a Librarian” feature. I did. The librarian suggested a website I could go to to find out about the preparation that goes on in a typical soup kitchen in NYC. At first, I thought I was going to get the information I needed for my speech, but it was later when my speech date was approaching that I realized I had to change my topic. Nevertheless, I continue to ask a librarian for help in my researches.

Asking someone for help is usually not the first thing I have in mind when I come across a problem. I would try to solve it on my own until approaching deadlines give me the push I need to ask for help. However, relying on another only gets easier. Each time I “Ask a Librarian,” I become more assured that someone is there to help me instead of worrying whether my questions made me seem stupid. One should make good impressions on others but it isn’t a bad thing to get help from someone and his/her expertise.

Using as much resources as I can now will enable me to use them in the future more effectively. That can only spell good things for my future at Baruch, even if I don’t have a clear idea what my future entails. Although I see myself as a future accountant working with numbers and helping others with their financial situations, a career as an accountant is only a detached dream waiting to be lifted…or to be sealed. I hope that taking more classes will help me discover my passions and that joining clubs will help me learn more about myself. Right now, I am in the process of joining VITA, but I am in search of a club that is geared more towards my personal interests.

My future remains a mystery as of yet but there are things I have learned so far.  From my participation in the Project, I have learned the importance of time management to succeed at Baruch. Putting together the Project has been the least stressful assignment so far in college because of my advisor and my peer mentor. (Thank you!) I really appreciate their sincerity to help me succeed and for making me see that I have been procrastinating (despite once thinking otherwise). The Project has also made me come to understand that community service is considered community service when one does it with the desire to help those in the community.

I agree 100% that successful college students are the ones who take initiative into seeking out and utilizing resources such as workshops, professors, peers, other staff, student clubs, and the library to help them with whatever they currently need help with. I have mentioned in my first journal that I hoped to find out all the tricks of using Baruch College’s resources to fully benefit me as a student. In high school I would be so used to doing all my work on my own and now, in college, I seem to be seeking more for help, which is pretty ironic considering that a college student is seen as more independent. But truth be told, the resources the college has are greatly useful in helping me with schoolwork, creating impacting relationships, and even with making smart decisions for the present or future. I have found out that, consulting and interacting with all these resources, specifically, with student clubs and advisors, have caught me by surprise in discovering and realizing things about my inner self.

My participation in the Community Service Project has indirectly encouraged me to draw upon the expertise of faculty and staff. I say indirectly because it is not so direct as to going straight out and asking faculty about the Community Service Project itself, rather my experience in participating as a whole (with the Community Service Project as the epicenter) has brought me not only comfort but a willingness to seek advisement from faculty. My participation in Fall 2011 semester’s Learning Community in general, drives me to be more involved in community, the Baruch community and our community outside in the rest of New York. I think it is safe to say that the Learning Community and all that we do in it, has led me to having a disposition towards utilizing the support systems around me at Baruch.

Actually, the resource of the Baruch Honors Department has been of great benefit to my team as our organization we picked was presented by them. Their affiliation with Change For Kids helped us by easing our efforts into finding that perfect organization to volunteer with.

I have joined a very active club and what things I once thought were a chore, became second-nature. As I start to pile more “responsibilities” on myself in the Baruch Community, they stop being responsibilities, and start being a harmonious duty that does not require so much effort in committing. The commitment is starting to come naturally and I do not think much of it, well that is, I do not think much of its strain on me, if there is any still.

By learning to use all this help that is administered to students, my team and I definitely have an edge to our other academic courses and future success as college students. You can always easily get assistance for academic work, which in turn will teach you more, and thus you become generally more intelligent. These resources all provide the opportunity to create and build relationships and foster connections with others which I think is of most importance to have for success anywhere and anytime. Continually making sealed connections can help any career for our future, or just in any type of life situation to come.

In envisioning the next three years of my life, I do not see a definite route because life’s plans constantly change. However, broadly stating, I would like to see myself sure of my next step in going forth with my career and knowing where my passion lies. Even though things don’t always go as planned, I have faith in this hope, especially with all these resources! There are so many resources provided at Baruch that if you use all of them to your advantage, it is impossible not to be the most successful student on campus.

People say that your college experience will be memorable. Now that the first semester is almost over, I can tell that these people are right. In my opinion, I matured more in three months of college than my fours years in high school. Being surrounded by intelligent, and competitive people made me love Baruch. Everyone is proud of who they are, and they are eager to state their opinions. I am able to see things in a different light reinforced by true passion. I was intimidated at first, but I admire the students.

I also learned to take advantage of the resources offered, such as the career center, writing center, library and staffs. In order to make the best of these resources, you have to take initiative and do your part. The resources are not going to come to you; you have to use it. The school offers so much, causing me to be hungry for information. I know that the way I use these resources will affect my future. The college is willing to hold my hand, it is up to me to take it.

There are numerous clubs and organizations at Baruch. I recently got involved in an organization called Toastmasters, which help improve public speaking skills. I have stage fright and Toastmasters gave me a lot of support to become a confident speaker. Clubs and organization is a great place to network. Since many people participate, I had the chance to get advice about college and career goals from upperclassmen.

I can see myself in Toastmasters in the next three years. Because of all the resources available at Baruch, I am confident that I will be prepared when I graduate. I look forward to my development in the next three years. As I have stated before, I matured greatly in just three months. I cannot wait for the next three years.

Now that we are at the end of the semester, when you look back the workload could have been much worse than it actually was and the amount of research necessary for our assignments could have been heavier. However, we’re not done. This is only our first semester of college and we have many more ahead of us and as, those of us that were not so involved in extracurricular activities, begin to venture out and leave our precious Room 1003 in the 23^rd Street building, we’ll need help. That being said, we’ve had plenty of help this semester in order to gain success from a variety of people including: Mr. Medina, Sam, and Mr. Francoeur. Throughout the semester, Mr. Medina and Sam were there for us at every instance of need: especially the dreaded time of registration. That stressful November day proved to be worse for some than for others and for some of us, especially those of us that got lucky and got into amazing classes later on like myself, have changed our schedules multiple times since. Each Wednesday they provided new insight and advice into what makes a successful college student and from them, I learned how to appropriately formulate an e-mail and most importantly, as our advisor likes to say, “time management.”  Mr. Stephen Francoeur guided us in the library through both our research as well as providing us with effective websites in order to work well in groups, which will likely be incredibly useful later on. As a result of this project, I’ve learned that when participating in community service, it’s not just about giving back to the community that makes it important. There is a deeper meaning involved in the service. Imagine we were all simply small fish in an ocean struggling to help ourselves without concern for others, what would we learn? What would we produce?  Now, imagine we were an army of ants, all working collectively for a common cause. We’d be efficient, effective, and helpful. That is how my ideology of community service evolved. I no longer simply consider the need to help, but why it’s important and why what I’m doing is important. In the next three years, I see myself graduating with a high GPA and an incredible amount of experience from clubs, internships, study abroad, and a commitment to a community service organization.

As a Baruch student, I have access to several programs that will help me achieve success through college and my future afterwards.  These include the STARR Career development program, writing center as well as many tutoring opportunities.  The one negative side of these programs is that it is often hard for students to take initiative and seek help, however due to my freshman seminar class and community service project I no longer have this problem.  My seminar class has introduced me to these programs and allowed me to see how accessible they really are.  The community service program has taught me that no matter who you are or what stage of life you are in, someone is always willing to help you succeed.  After conducting research for the community service project, I now realize the plethora of organizations that are willing to help and understand that in the world there are actually many people willing to assist others.  This has taught me that just because I am an “honors” student does not mean I do not need assistance from others.

Currently, I have not yet attended any workshop by myself, however as a class we attended the STARR career development program, which I will be attending many more times in the near future.  Furthermore, I have made connections with a few of my professors, whether it means talking to them after class or asking them for help.  Knowing their assistance is by my side often makes assignments easier and motivates me to do better.  This has allowed me to be more knowledgeable of the subjects I am learning as well as having confusing information clarified.  The community service project has taught me to ask others for help and I believe this will help me become a successful college student.

Initially, my understanding of doing community service was to help those who truly need help.  However, because of Mr. Medina I now truly consider community service to be a much greater part of life.  He stated something along the lines of, “It is not the food, but the conversation.”  This has made me appreciate every opportunity I have to meet someone or learn something new from somebody else.  Therefore, I think this will be a major influence on me in the next 3 years.  For example, I will push myself to learn as much as possible, take various internships to ultimately build a great resume and strive to obtain that prestigious career opportunity after graduating college.

To me, service is act of love.  By serving others you are not only making the world a better place to live but also building up character as an individual that knows how to give back. I say this because as Baruch Scholar of Honors program at Baruch I am being served great deal of service right now. I was always in a position of a “servant-leader”. Servant leader is basically a leader who serves by leading whether in a community or an organization and throughout my life I was such in my church, my school, and in my community. By helping to organize service events and participating in them, I served others with all I can and thus, I learned at an early age value of sharing and power of serving others. Now, I’m on the receiving end and it feels good to be the recipient of many benefits and service provided to Baruch scholars.

As Baruch Scholar I believe my role is to obtain high academic level to become a great leader of tomorrow that will change the world and serve in anyway possible to give back the blessings I have been blessed with. Honors program promotes culture of service, as school is investing to students by serving them, students should also invest in its community by serving. Honors program doesn’t just teach us to be a scholar but a well-developed individual. Thus, we are motivated to give back and serve the community. This will not only strengthen us as scholars but the community as whole.

To me, service is act of love.  By serving others you are not only making the world a better place to live but also building up character as an individual that knows how to give back. I say this because as Baruch Scholar of Honors program at Baruch I am being served great deal of service right now. I was always in a position of a “servant-leader”. Servant leader is basically a leader who serves by leading whether in a community or an organization and throughout my life I was such in my church, my school, and in my community. By helping to organize service events and participating in them, I served others with all I can and thus, I learned at an early age value of sharing and power of serving others. Now, I’m on the receiving end and it feels good to be the recipient of many benefits and service provided to Baruch scholars.

As Baruch Scholar I believe my role is to obtain high academic level to become a great leader of tomorrow that will change the world and serve in anyway possible to give back the blessings I have been blessed with. Honors program promotes culture of service, as school is investing to students by serving them, students should also invest in its community by serving. Honors program doesn’t just teach us to be a scholar but a well-developed individual. Thus, we are motivated to give back and serve the community. This will not only strengthen us as scholars but the community as whole.

My apologies, this should have gotten here much earlier. Unfortunately, I myself forgot to keep track of my own religious holidays.

What does it mean to serve your community?

I don’t like community service requirements. Personally, I loved the fact my former high school didn’t have a community service requirement. This does not mean I detest community service nor does it mean it has very litte value to me. Instead it’s the opposite.

Helping foster community and improving the lives of others should come about organically. Truth be told, I like it when I see a friend doing something they’re passionate in, and invite me to join for a weekend event. Or that a group of friends I know spends their weekends at random Key Club events, and since I have nothing better to do, why not? The organic way of carrying out community service provides more fulfilling experiences for both the volunteer and the organization. At least, as far as my knowledge tells me.

It’s a sad day and age where people do not find it in their own interests to give back to their community. In a model where community service is not imposed, it also brings out the best out of individuals. It becomes easy to recognize who acts for the greater good as well.

My own experience with community service is that I do whatever is needed. If there’s a cause that needs to be fought, then I will fight for it. I have done it for high school, and I’m sowing the seeds for Baruch. I have helped start a nonprofit that works to raise money for high school activities. Aside from that, I have been working for the community in rather random acts of kindness, be it route marshaling for the triathlon or cleaning up parks. It feels especially good to know when you’re doing something good, not because someone asks you to do it, but rather it’s just something you do.

Life isn’t all about money and fame, it’s about striving to be the best person you can be and the journey to accomplish this deed. Sure wealth is important, but happiness does not necessarily accompany dollars. This is where serving your community kicks in, where having money and using it wisely for the greater good goes way further than spending it on a new television set or that new iPod you want. It is not a coincidence that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet set up foundations to help others in need.

However not having riches is not an excuse not to help others, to not serve the community. Baruch teaches us these high values, to strive to be better. In Baruch Honors, we have to be even better than the rest, as without the gracious donors we would not be in this great program today. Serving as a role model to others is an honor, and because of this I am constantly striving to be a better person. My role in Baruch is to be a great scholar, in the sense that is to be open minded and to help others around me.

Baruch Honors scholars should volunteer openly, not having to be prompted by anyone. Volunteering at a non-profit organization is an example, helping a friend in need is another. Giving your time and effort to a greater cause is not only beneficial to others but also to you. It is kharma, “what goes around comes around”.

The culture that the Honors Program instills in us exactly promotes this. After all, if it wasn’t for others helping the community, we would not be where we are today.