Throughout the past semester, I have learned that Baruch College has numerous resources students can turn to for just about anything. Although I haven’t taken advantage of any of them yet, I know where I can get help if I’m ever having trouble with my academics or even my personal life. The one resource I have used since being at Baruch is the scholars’ academic advisor, Mr. Medina. Mr. Medina helped set me straight when I was stressed out about my status as a Baruch scholar. He also connected me to other people he knew, usually within the natural science department, who could aid me when Mr. Medina felt he couldn’t fully answer my questions. He was/is a very great help and I would consider him one of the most valuable assets of the scholars program.

As for the community service project, I cannot wait to start volunteering at DoSomething.org with Karen and David. From the emails the staff has sent us so far, I can tell that the environment at their NYC office is fun and upbeat. Through volunteering, I will definitely know more about the world around us and the issues I may have not known existed.  I can apply this knowledge to my classes, even furthering my understanding of the world.

Unfortunately, I have not committed to any clubs this semester though I do plan to in the Spring semester. This semester, while I did have the time, I did check out the BioMed Society as well as the Undergraduate Student Government. I will have to get more involved with the BioMed Society seeing as I am on a premed track, but I don’t currently have the time for it. I also plan on becoming a committee member of the Undergraduate Student Government. I have a lot of exploring to do; I’m sure I’ll find many clubs that’ll suit my taste.

Three years from now, I hope to have fulfilled a large majority of my requirements, both honors and premed. By then, I should be studying intensely for the MCATs. I hope to maintain a close relationship with the rest of the learning community since they have been an immense help during this first semester. Wishing you all the best. Happy holidays! Happy New Year everyone! :)))

To serve your community, is to make an impact on the lives around you as well as further develop your own identity. At least, that’s how I interpret it. I can’t say I’m the most active member of my community. While I do have some volunteer hours at Stony Brook University Hospital as well as involvement with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life under my belt, I wouldn’t consider my participation to have largely impacted the community. I want to become more involved through hands on community service projects and I believe the Baruch scholars program will allow me to accomplish this.

Baruch Scholars requires that its students complete a certain number of hours of community service in order to remain in the program. This is not a difficult requirement to meet seeing as most of us have taken the initiative to get involved prior to the program. I believe the program will push me to explore and aid others in ways I wouldn’t have thought of before. This would not only be beneficial for others, but for myself as well. Through helping others, one achieves a sense of gratitude and life fulfillment. Knowing that your actions bettered someone else’s life is a great feeling; you’ve made a mark on the world, even if it’s a small one.

Hey, guys! My name is Freshta, but you can call me Freshtadeath as most people tend to do. I was born in Flushing, Queens and was raised in an apartment building right across the street from CUNY Queens College actually! (Fun Fact: I went to PS 219Q for a while with fellow Baruch Scholar, Karen!) I moved to Long Island while I was still in the 5th grade and experienced quite the culture shock in transitioning from urban to suburban life. I lived within the Plainedge School District, which also happens to be “the fourth whitest district on LI” with approximately 94% of the students being Caucasian. That being said, there was no diversity! I’m extremely grateful for the diversity present at Baruch. It’s refreshing to meet people with different backgrounds and ideologies. I’ve always been fascinated with people and their cultures and religions. I’m super tolerant of everyone (except the intolerant). In general, I’d say high school was a pretty rough few years for me. I would have anxiety attacks on a daily basis and would rarely ever speak. I started opening up more during senior year; I got a job, became a committee member of Relay for Life for two years, volunteered at Stony Brook University Hospital and was becoming a more active member of society. I’d consider myself a much a better person now! YAY!

When applying to colleges, I thought of Baruch as my absolute last choice. I was all set to attend Stony Brook University until I received a voicemail informing me that I had gotten into the Baruch scholars program. After learning more about what that meant, I withdrew from Stony Brook and here I am…! During this first semester, I would love to grow closer with my learning community seeing as it is composed of such kind and talented individuals. I find myself inspired by them everyday. As of right now, I’m just trying to manage my time more responsibly as well as keep my GPA up. Being a biology major, I cannot wait to take the natural science courses! Well, that’s all I have to say…best of luck!

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