All posts by v.toloza

Journal #3: Next Steps

As students at Baruch, we are offered a vide variety of resources that help us succeed. This aid comes in many different forms, from inspiring professors to the immense amount of caffeine available at the cafeteria. Throughout the semester, we have been assigned projects and work that have seemed impossible to do on our own. In our Communications class, we were asked to deliberate on public policy. This seemed quite overwhelming due to the sheer amount of research necessary to write an informative speech. The Newman Library offers many services, Ask a Librarian, being one of many. This service allows students to communicate with librarians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I can attest to this, for I sent a chat message at 1:00 AM and received a reply instantly. The availability of this resource gives everyone a certain advantage when completing assignments. Obviously, the centers here can only take one half way–they won’t do the work for you–but they certainly give one the extra push that is sometimes needed.

While my participation in the Project has been limited mainly because my group hasn’t gone to the organization to volunteer yet, my perception of what it means to serve your community has changed significantly. In researching which organization to volunteer at, I came across a variety of different forms of giving back to the community. It ranges from  taking care of animals to cleaning parks to aiding the elderly. While there are many mediums through which individuals can assist their community, the only important thing is that they are actively trying to improve society. No one service is better than the other, they are all equal because they give back.

Where do I see myself in three years? I don’t know. Hopefully in a killer suit marching down Wall street with a cup of tea in my hand (I don’t like coffee). In three years I hope to be happy and healthy. I hope to be employed, working for something that I love (even though I don’t know what that is right now). I hope to be surrounded by good people and my family. The future isn’t set in stone and I’m okay with that. I look forward to all the opportunities Baruch throws my way.

Journal #3: Next Steps

As students at Baruch, we are offered a vide variety of resources that help us succeed. This aid comes in many different forms, from inspiring professors to the immense amount of caffeine available at the cafeteria. Throughout the semester, we have been assigned projects and work that have seemed impossible to do on our own. In our Communications class, we were asked to deliberate on public policy. This seemed quite overwhelming due to the sheer amount of research necessary to write an informative speech. The Newman Library offers many services, Ask a Librarian, being one of many. This service allows students to communicate with librarians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I can attest to this, for I sent a chat message at 1:00 AM and received a reply instantly. The availability of this resource gives everyone a certain advantage when completing assignments. Obviously, the centers here can only take one half way–they won’t do the work for you–but they certainly give one the extra push that is sometimes needed.

While my participation in the Project has been limited mainly because my group hasn’t gone to the organization to volunteer yet, my perception of what it means to serve your community has changed significantly. In researching which organization to volunteer at, I came across a variety of different forms of giving back to the community. It ranges from  taking care of animals to cleaning parks to aiding the elderly. While there are many mediums through which individuals can assist their community, the only important thing is that they are actively trying to improve society. No one service is better than the other, they are all equal because they give back.

Where do I see myself in three years? I don’t know. Hopefully in a killer suit marching down Wall street with a cup of tea in my hand (I don’t like coffee). In three years I hope to be happy and healthy. I hope to be employed, working for something that I love (even though I don’t know what that is right now). I hope to be surrounded by good people and my family. The future isn’t set in stone and I’m okay with that. I look forward to all the opportunities Baruch throws my way.

What Does It Mean To Serve Your Community?

Growing up in a very traditional Latino household, going to Church was emphasized every Sunday. Attending mass, Sunday School, and becoming involved with the Church is mandatory in my family. As a requirement to getting confirmed, young adults must volunteer at  Parker Jewish Institution. This involved bringing down the elderly to attended mass and then wheeling them back to their rooms. After I was confirmed, I continued to volunteer at the Parish Office, where I assisted in the running of Sunday School.

I know that my experience in volunteering hasn’t been vast, but I’d like to think that I’ve contributed to my community in a way that is larger than myself. To me, community service is trying to outreach to others who aren’t as fortunate as you, giving a helping hand to those who need assistance, or simply contributing to your community that will ensure a better life to those who will come after you. These are important values to have especially when the lines seem to blur between what’s  most beneficial for us at the moment and what will guarantee a better quality of life for others. This is a principle that is strongly emphasized in the Honors Program. It is vital to continue to give something back to those who helped in your development, because without your community and the environment they provided, you probably wouldn’t be where you are now. The Honors program highlights the importance of making change in communities for the better, and keeping a balance in what you achieve and what you’re able to contribute.

While I have yet to contribute to the broader community as a Baruch Scholar, I am excited to see in which ways I can help improve the lives of others.  I am sure that through this community service project, I will be able to help of individuals who I am not regularly in contact with in my small community!

What Does It Mean To Serve Your Community?

Growing up in a very traditional Latino household, going to Church was emphasized every Sunday. Attending mass, Sunday School, and becoming involved with the Church is mandatory in my family. As a requirement to getting confirmed, young adults must volunteer at  Parker Jewish Institution. This involved bringing down the elderly to attended mass and then wheeling them back to their rooms. After I was confirmed, I continued to volunteer at the Parish Office, where I assisted in the running of Sunday School.

I know that my experience in volunteering hasn’t been vast, but I’d like to think that I’ve contributed to my community in a way that is larger than myself. To me, community service is trying to outreach to others who aren’t as fortunate as you, giving a helping hand to those who need assistance, or simply contributing to your community that will ensure a better life to those who will come after you. These are important values to have especially when the lines seem to blur between what’s  most beneficial for us at the moment and what will guarantee a better quality of life for others. This is a principle that is strongly emphasized in the Honors Program. It is vital to continue to give something back to those who helped in your development, because without your community and the environment they provided, you probably wouldn’t be where you are now. The Honors program highlights the importance of making change in communities for the better, and keeping a balance in what you achieve and what you’re able to contribute.

While I have yet to contribute to the broader community as a Baruch Scholar, I am excited to see in which ways I can help improve the lives of others.  I am sure that through this community service project, I will be able to help of individuals who I am not regularly in contact with in my small community!

Journal #1: Where have you been and where are you going?

I don’t think I can really define myself, now or ever, because who I am changes everyday. The Victoria I was yesterday isn’t the same  I am Victoria today, or the same Victoria I will be tomorrow.  As for my expectations of college, I know that college is a place where one learns what they want to do in their future. Hopefully, by meeting new people and being the student of inspiring professors, I can gain a more clear vision of what I want to do for the rest of my life. However, there is always that underlying fear, that what I truly want to choose as a profession won’t be able to sustain me financially. Or even worse, what I finally get my degree in or start my career in won’t make me happy and I will have to start all over again. During my first semester, I hope to meet new people,  learn how to be more articulate in my opinions, and become more educated on current issues. I aim to start college on the right foot, and hit the ground running. I don’t want to lag behind and get lost in the onslaught of information and assignments. I’ve always thought that I had a good handle on my social life and my education, learning how to balance both–however, since starting college I’m not so sure. Although it may seem immature and naive, I don’t want to sacrifice either at the expense of another. I suppose that these are all common fears, and  hopefully through talking with my peers, I will learn to overcome these concerns.

-Victoria Toloza

Journal #1: Where have you been and where are you going?

I don’t think I can really define myself, now or ever, because who I am changes everyday. The Victoria I was yesterday isn’t the same  I am Victoria today, or the same Victoria I will be tomorrow.  As for my expectations of college, I know that college is a place where one learns what they want to do in their future. Hopefully, by meeting new people and being the student of inspiring professors, I can gain a more clear vision of what I want to do for the rest of my life. However, there is always that underlying fear, that what I truly want to choose as a profession won’t be able to sustain me financially. Or even worse, what I finally get my degree in or start my career in won’t make me happy and I will have to start all over again. During my first semester, I hope to meet new people,  learn how to be more articulate in my opinions, and become more educated on current issues. I aim to start college on the right foot, and hit the ground running. I don’t want to lag behind and get lost in the onslaught of information and assignments. I’ve always thought that I had a good handle on my social life and my education, learning how to balance both–however, since starting college I’m not so sure. Although it may seem immature and naive, I don’t want to sacrifice either at the expense of another. I suppose that these are all common fears, and  hopefully through talking with my peers, I will learn to overcome these concerns.

-Victoria Toloza

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Hello world!

Thank you for using Blogs@Baruch!

This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start publishing.

You are using a new WordPress theme that places widgets such as “Recent Posts,” “Recent Comments” and “Archives” in the footer, leaving you maximum space for publishing in this central area. If you prefer to have widgets on the right side of this page, these can be added by going to “Widgets” under the “Appearance” tab in your Dashboard. You can also choose from more than 100 other themes from the “Themes” menu in the Dashboard.

Hello world!

Thank you for using Blogs@Baruch!

This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start publishing.

You are using a new WordPress theme that places widgets such as “Recent Posts,” “Recent Comments” and “Archives” in the footer, leaving you maximum space for publishing in this central area. If you prefer to have widgets on the right side of this page, these can be added by going to “Widgets” under the “Appearance” tab in your Dashboard. You can also choose from more than 100 other themes from the “Themes” menu in the Dashboard.