Well, obviously, first and foremost I am a student at Baruch. My primary responsibility is to learn here. Some of that blends into being a Baruch Scholar: my tuition is covered as long as I am good at learning. But what I’ve observed is that being a student is also a compilation of many, many efforts involving self-discovery.

The essence if being a student has evolved tremendously. Before, it used to be someone who went to school and took tests. Now, I‘ve noticed, school involves participating within the community and outside of it as well. In the past week I’ve heard the words club, workshop, participate at least 20 times. The idea of becoming this type of student hit me way before high school, which is why it is so astounding. Many people I’ve spoken to started volunteering towards the end of high school to get scholarships. So I think it’s more than that for me. I’ve been volunteering since seventh grade.

This is very directly related to the Honors Program. The culture of service here basically enhances something I’ve been doing for some time now. I find it extremely motivating, personally. I know that I would not, at this point in my life, take on a volunteer project if I was not asked or required to do so. I know from past experiences that community service is important and rewarding, but it is no longer something I actively pursue because let’s face it – I have no time. So being in this program is actually beneficial on both sides.

Well, obviously, first and foremost I am a student at Baruch. My primary responsibility is to learn here. Some of that blends into being a Baruch Scholar: my tuition is covered as long as I am good at learning. But what I’ve observed is that being a student is also a compilation of many, many efforts involving self-discovery.

The essence if being a student has evolved tremendously. Before, it used to be someone who went to school and took tests. Now, I‘ve noticed, school involves participating within the community and outside of it as well. In the past week I’ve heard the words club, workshop, participate at least 20 times. The idea of becoming this type of student hit me way before high school, which is why it is so astounding. Many people I’ve spoken to started volunteering towards the end of high school to get scholarships. So I think it’s more than that for me. I’ve been volunteering since seventh grade.

This is very directly related to the Honors Program. The culture of service here basically enhances something I’ve been doing for some time now. I find it extremely motivating, personally. I know that I would not, at this point in my life, take on a volunteer project if I was not asked or required to do so. I know from past experiences that community service is important and rewarding, but it is no longer something I actively pursue because let’s face it – I have no time. So being in this program is actually beneficial on both sides.

Where am I going? Seriously, where is my next class…because I cannot remember what room I’m supposed to be in. Aside from the geographical setback of being new to a school, there is not much else to worry about. For some reason I felt very acquainted with college. This made me realize that there are some very important actions, turned into habits, which I am just used to at this point.

In terms of education, I was raised to keep working until I got the best. Imagine a little girl digging through a worn backpack to show her mom the A she got in school. The mother sees this grade and replies, “But where is the A+?” That is how my household works to this day. Make a goal and work for it. Now my mother doesn’t have to care about my A because I do.

Another tremendously important ideal of mine is to not shy away from new experiences. Even if they are tantalizing, tortuous, and sometimes terrifying. Very much in tune with my cynical attitude is my belief that the older you get, the less people care about you. You grow up, assume more responsibility – and that makes you an adult. But it also means those who were responsible for you before, no longer have that role in your life. Well, the upside to this is that I’ve assumed this role for myself a while ago.

The downside is that the responsibilities never decrease. There is definitely a high standard for work here and an even higher emphasis on time management. At first I thought I had a minor culture shock from the school environment, but now I see that it is just something new that I have to adjust to, and from there I just keep on going.

Where am I going? Seriously, where is my next class…because I cannot remember what room I’m supposed to be in. Aside from the geographical setback of being new to a school, there is not much else to worry about. For some reason I felt very acquainted with college. This made me realize that there are some very important actions, turned into habits, which I am just used to at this point.

In terms of education, I was raised to keep working until I got the best. Imagine a little girl digging through a worn backpack to show her mom the A she got in school. The mother sees this grade and replies, “But where is the A+?” That is how my household works to this day. Make a goal and work for it. Now my mother doesn’t have to care about my A because I do.

Another tremendously important ideal of mine is to not shy away from new experiences. Even if they are tantalizing, tortuous, and sometimes terrifying. Very much in tune with my cynical attitude is my belief that the older you get, the less people care about you. You grow up, assume more responsibility – and that makes you an adult. But it also means those who were responsible for you before, no longer have that role in your life. Well, the upside to this is that I’ve assumed this role for myself a while ago.

The downside is that the responsibilities never decrease. There is definitely a high standard for work here and an even higher emphasis on time management. At first I thought I had a minor culture shock from the school environment, but now I see that it is just something new that I have to adjust to, and from there I just keep on going.