Journal #3

Journal Entries

The Community Service Project taught me a lot about utilizing my resources here at Baruch. First and foremost, I had no idea that Baruch’s library was so vast and could offer so many different branches of information. After the session we had with a Baruch librarian, I have used the online databases for almost all of my class projects. In fact, at that very session, the librarian gave us a link on the Baruch library website that had a full layout of our Business Recitation company summary and several research links for each section of it. This proved to be tremendously helpful and saved me a lot of time.

As a result of my participation in the project, I learned that while it is important to know what you want to do, it is also important to know what you don’t want to do. This applies to community service as well as broader ideas like a career. In terms of the project, every group started by eliminating ideas that they didn’t like – whether it was working with animals or children. This is important because while the quantity of time spent volunteering may be the same, the quality is what really matters. If someone is volunteering for an organization they dislike, they may not put as much effort into the work which would result in a less meaningful experience. A person who is passionate about the community service he/she is doing will be able to give much more to those in need and will find more meaning in their activity. In terms of a career, knowing what you don’t want is also important. It can be very difficult to pinpoint what you want to be for the rest of your life, but weeding out what you don’t like can help you along the way.

I personally know what I don’t like. I know I don’t want to be a doctor or a lawyer. Or an astronaut for that matter. This is why I know that in 3 years I won’t be majoring in History or Biology. I hope that in 3 years I will be finishing my second or third actuary exam, and will have either an internship at an insurance company in New York City. Hopefully, I will even have a full time offer awaiting me when I finish my final semester. While it seems very far away now, I know these 3 years will fly by, and I am excited to see where they take me.

Journal #3

Journal Entries

The Community Service Project taught me a lot about utilizing my resources here at Baruch. First and foremost, I had no idea that Baruch’s library was so vast and could offer so many different branches of information. After the session we had with a Baruch librarian, I have used the online databases for almost all of my class projects. In fact, at that very session, the librarian gave us a link on the Baruch library website that had a full layout of our Business Recitation company summary and several research links for each section of it. This proved to be tremendously helpful and saved me a lot of time.

As a result of my participation in the project, I learned that while it is important to know what you want to do, it is also important to know what you don’t want to do. This applies to community service as well as broader ideas like a career. In terms of the project, every group started by eliminating ideas that they didn’t like – whether it was working with animals or children. This is important because while the quantity of time spent volunteering may be the same, the quality is what really matters. If someone is volunteering for an organization they dislike, they may not put as much effort into the work which would result in a less meaningful experience. A person who is passionate about the community service he/she is doing will be able to give much more to those in need and will find more meaning in their activity. In terms of a career, knowing what you don’t want is also important. It can be very difficult to pinpoint what you want to be for the rest of your life, but weeding out what you don’t like can help you along the way.

I personally know what I don’t like. I know I don’t want to be a doctor or a lawyer. Or an astronaut for that matter. This is why I know that in 3 years I won’t be majoring in History or Biology. I hope that in 3 years I will be finishing my second or third actuary exam, and will have either an internship at an insurance company in New York City. Hopefully, I will even have a full time offer awaiting me when I finish my final semester. While it seems very far away now, I know these 3 years will fly by, and I am excited to see where they take me.

Journal #2

Journal Entries

As a Baruch Scholar in the Honors program, I understand that community service is very important. To serve your community means to give back to what surrounds you, whether it is people or the earth itself. Serving your community comes in many shapes and sizes. It can range from reading to children to feeding the homeless to planting a tree. Whatever the activity is, it must focus on you giving time and effort into what surrounds you. While some my say that you are serving your community if you donate money, I believe that time and effort are much more valuable to both the individual and the community. Money may help the immediate cause, but dedicating yourself to your neighborhood allows many more people to benefit. Actually going out into your community and doing something to help others will enrich your life with new experiences and people you wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Since I am a Baruch Scholar, I am fortunate enough to get a free education and a laptop on top of that. I am very grateful for this and see that I must give back to my community. My community has given me financial aid in order to further my education, so I must give back my time and energy. I believe that I play a small role in a much larger chain. The community service I provide will make my neighborhood and its people better. These small changes will create a ripple effect and create bigger changes in the community. Eventually, my service will allow others to get better educations, to possibly get the same scholarship, and continue the everlasting chain.

 

Journal #2

Journal Entries

As a Baruch Scholar in the Honors program, I understand that community service is very important. To serve your community means to give back to what surrounds you, whether it is people or the earth itself. Serving your community comes in many shapes and sizes. It can range from reading to children to feeding the homeless to planting a tree. Whatever the activity is, it must focus on you giving time and effort into what surrounds you. While some my say that you are serving your community if you donate money, I believe that time and effort are much more valuable to both the individual and the community. Money may help the immediate cause, but dedicating yourself to your neighborhood allows many more people to benefit. Actually going out into your community and doing something to help others will enrich your life with new experiences and people you wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Since I am a Baruch Scholar, I am fortunate enough to get a free education and a laptop on top of that. I am very grateful for this and see that I must give back to my community. My community has given me financial aid in order to further my education, so I must give back my time and energy. I believe that I play a small role in a much larger chain. The community service I provide will make my neighborhood and its people better. These small changes will create a ripple effect and create bigger changes in the community. Eventually, my service will allow others to get better educations, to possibly get the same scholarship, and continue the everlasting chain.

 

Journal #1

Uncategorized

 

Where are you from and where are you going?

 

I’ve grown up in Teaneck, New Jersey- a suburb just ten miles away from New York City. I come from an Orthodox Jewish family and have gone to Orthodox Jewish schools all my life. I attended an all girls Jewish High School on the Upper East Side called Manhattan High School for Girls, and LOVED it. I enjoyed being involved in different clubs and committees, as well as really interesting classes. I particularly like Math, and have been involved in Math competitions.

I’ve taken all kinds of lessons- ballet and piano and guitar and pottery… but somehow each doesn’t really last. So, when I’m asked what my hobbies/talents are, I kind of always get stuck on that question. I like to…talk? Oh. Swimming. I like to swim. (And I’m a lifeguard.)

I’ve spent a lot of my free time caring for kids, babysitting and in camp settings, as well as caring for Special Needs children, in camp settings, community activities and at their homes. I’ve fallen in love with working with Special Needs children, and I’ve found that I gain so much more than I can ever give them. It also gives me a greater appreciation for everything that I have in my life.

Last year, I spent the year in Israel. It was a year of religious learning- and a year of teenage fun. It was also a year of no technology- we were not allowed to have any smartphones or laptops, and I realize how much it helped me foster my relationships with others. It was my first time away from home for such a long period of time, and it helped me becoming independent and grow into the person that I am. I also made some of my best friends, who are now situated all over the world.

So..Where am I going? Pretty good question. I kind of wish I knew the answer honestly. I don’t know what I want to major in, I don’t really know what I want as a career. I do know that I want to live in Israel. I love America, and everything it stands for- I’m even born on the Fourth of July :) But a long term goal of mine is to move to Israel.

As for my college goals- well, for starters, I’d like to become a little more organized, just a little. I’ve been the messy one my entire life, that girl who needed to have 5 lockers in seventh grade just because she had so much stuff. But I want/NEED to fix that. Especially if I plan on moving out into my own home. I also kind of need to work on time management- I am a pretty good example of a procrastinator. I would love to study abroad- I was thinking Australia. Which just so happens to be where my best friend lives. I’m excited to explore different fields and classes- I’ve actually found I like Pysch way more than I would have expected. And I’m excited- well, way more nervous than excited, but still excited- to become an adult. Okay that’s a little bit scary. But it should be fun :)

Journal #1 – Where Have You Been and Where Are You Going

Journal Entry

I grew up in a very traditional household. My parents hailed directly from Wen Zhou, a prefecture-level city in the Zhejiang province in China. They brought their traditions over when they moved to the States, and raised their children to value these traditions. However, these traditions value patriarchy and emphasize gender roles. By the time I began to understand my parents’ values, I had accepted the idea that I might never be as important than my younger brother, and that the world is a terrifying place.

However, in high school, I joined Tech Crew. This group of individuals were in charge of the technical aspects of the school’s performing arts shows. This group is actually where I made some of my closest friends. It taught me to be more open minded, and that I didn’t need to accept things for what they were. They taught me that everyone has the potential to do anything, as long as we allow it. Tech Crew’s motto is “Luceat Lux Vestra” or “Let Your Light Shine.” It is with this motto that I graduated from high school, and it is with this motto that I want to live my life.

As a college student, my parents expect me to spend my time studying and passing my classes, moving on to get a good job and earn a lot of money. As a college student, I expect me to learn more about what I can do, and discover who I want to be. I hope to use my first semester to pace myself and branch my interests. I hope to learn to take the initiative, instead of following other people’s instructions. I just hope I won’t be overwhelmed.

Journal #1 – Where Have You Been and Where Are You Going

Journal Entry

I grew up in a very traditional household. My parents hailed directly from Wen Zhou, a prefecture-level city in the Zhejiang province in China. They brought their traditions over when they moved to the States, and raised their children to value these traditions. However, these traditions value patriarchy and emphasize gender roles. By the time I began to understand my parents’ values, I had accepted the idea that I might never be as important than my younger brother, and that the world is a terrifying place.

However, in high school, I joined Tech Crew. This group of individuals were in charge of the technical aspects of the school’s performing arts shows. This group is actually where I made some of my closest friends. It taught me to be more open minded, and that I didn’t need to accept things for what they were. They taught me that everyone has the potential to do anything, as long as we allow it. Tech Crew’s motto is “Luceat Lux Vestra” or “Let Your Light Shine.” It is with this motto that I graduated from high school, and it is with this motto that I want to live my life.

As a college student, my parents expect me to spend my time studying and passing my classes, moving on to get a good job and earn a lot of money. As a college student, I expect me to learn more about what I can do, and discover who I want to be. I hope to use my first semester to pace myself and branch my interests. I hope to learn to take the initiative, instead of following other people’s instructions. I just hope I won’t be overwhelmed.

Journal #1: Where Have You Been and Where Are You Going?

Uncategorized

Virgil once said “Audaces fortuna iuvat (Latin)- fortune favors the bold” and while many agree, I believe , instead,  that those who are brave harness fortune. They pounce onto it, mounting it like a wild stallion, not letting fear nor obstacles obstruct their path to success. Throughout my very long seventeen years of life every action of mine was questioned, every dream was criticized. My ears where being drowned by the the constant phrase “you can’t do this.” I was told I couldn’t be strong. I was told I couldn’t do kickboxing, get good grades, like blocks and legos. Every turn I made on the yellow brick road of life someone told me I could’t do something, that I had to be “more like a girl.” Their opinions and ideals were somehow far important than my happiness.

These waves of criticism or “advice” on how to live my life where as if the waters from the river Styx, potent and scorching, extracting the breath from my lungs, setting every cell in my body on fire. However, this  engulfing fire ignited an internal flame in my soul. I was motivated to prove everyone wrong; the mere fact that I was born with two x chromosomes wasn’t going to stop me from reaching my full potential. I wasn’t going to stand there taking in the constant bombardment of “cannots”. No, I was going to annihilate all my barriers and accomplish everything I set my mind too, even if I was a girl. These constant reminders in life, that I am somehow inept to achieve something just because I am a female, sculpted me into a determined and flexible individual. Today, I am able to be strong and pursue my ambitions and yet like a nimble blade of grass survive an impending storm. I have learned to respect others opinions and take criticism , but most importantly I learned how to respect myself, not letting someone’s stereotypical beliefs prevent me from growing.

As a wanderer, I see life as a never ending yellow brick road, with twist and turns that disrupt the linear progression, but pave a far more interesting journey. Adventure is out there in life, and the greatest one of all is traveling the road of self discovery and growth. These beliefs transcend into my college expectations, as I intend to expand my knowledge: knowledge of myself and the world. I aspire to become the best possible version of myself, therefore, discovering new hobbies, and using the guidance as well as Baruch’s diversity to refine my taste, challenge my beliefs, and acquire the skills I need to ornate my journey to success.

Firsts are always difficult, and the first semester of college doesn’t lose potency on the difficulty meter. In fact, the hardships might actually burgeon. In order to make this adventure in life as smooth yet exciting as humanly possible I will need to work on time management and leaping beyond my comfort zone so that I can excavate latent passions and abilities, and make my story an interesting one. After all, we are all stories in the end…

Keep on wandering,

Tamara Barbakova

Journal #1: Where Have You Been and Where Are You Going?

Uncategorized

Virgil once said “Audaces fortuna iuvat (Latin)- fortune favors the bold” and while many agree, I believe , instead,  that those who are brave harness fortune. They pounce onto it, mounting it like a wild stallion, not letting fear nor obstacles obstruct their path to success. Throughout my very long seventeen years of life every action of mine was questioned, every dream was criticized. My ears where being drowned by the the constant phrase “you can’t do this.” I was told I couldn’t be strong. I was told I couldn’t do kickboxing, get good grades, like blocks and legos. Every turn I made on the yellow brick road of life someone told me I could’t do something, that I had to be “more like a girl.” Their opinions and ideals were somehow far important than my happiness.

These waves of criticism or “advice” on how to live my life where as if the waters from the river Styx, potent and scorching, extracting the breath from my lunges, setting every cell in my body on fire. However, this  engulfing fire ignited an internal flame in my soul. I was motivated to prove everyone wrong; the mere fact that I was born with two x chromosomes wasn’t going to stop me from reaching my full potential. I wasn’t going to stand there taking in the constant bombardment of “can nots”. No, I was going to annihilate all my barriers and accomplish everything I set my mind too, even if I was a girl. These constant reminders in life, that I am somehow inept to achieve something just because I am a female, sculpted me into a determined and flexible individual. Today, I am able to be strong and pursue my ambitions and yet like a nimble blade of grass survive an impending storm. I have learned to respect others opinions, but most importantly I learned how to respect myself, not letting someone’s stereotypical beliefs prevent me from growing.

As a wanderer, I see life as a never ending yellow brick road, with twist and turns that disrupt the linear progression, but pave a far more interesting journey. Adventure is out there in life, and the greatest one of all is traveling the road of self discovery and growth. These beliefs transcend into my college expectations, as I intend to expand my knowledge: knowledge of myself and the world. I aspire to become the best possible version of myself, therefore, discovering new hobbies, and using the guidance as well as Baruch’s diversity to refine my taste, challenge my beliefs, and acquire the skills I need to ornate my journey to success.

Firsts are always difficult, and the first semester of college doesn’t lose potency on the difficulty meter. In fact, the hardships might actually burgeon. In order to make this adventure in life as smooth yet exciting as humanly possible I will need to work on time management and leaping beyond my comfort zone so that I can excavate latent passions and abilities, and make my story an interesting one. After all, we are all stories in the end…

Keep on wandering,

Tamara Barbakova

Journal Entry 1- Where are you from and where are you going?

Uncategorized

My name is Jose Ayala and I was born in Puerto Rico. I only lived there for 3 years before me and parents moved to New York. Since then I’ve just been raised by my father and my mother. I suppose that a unique thing about my upbringing is that I am an only child. I don’t know what effect that has on me but I think it’s worth mentioning.

I don’t really have any culture that I would define myself by so in regards to values, I really just believe in what I think is morally right. My expectations in college are really just to get involved and make some new circles of friends. I also do want to learn new things for some classes but I really want to take advantage of the extracurricular activities in Baruch. One club I joined was Mock trial and I thought that would be cool because I like shows like Law and Order. My only concern for this semester is making sure my grades are excellent so I may maintain my scholarship. I don’t feel like any of my classes are very difficult this semester so it could potentially be pretty easy. I guess the only class I may have difficulty with is art history and that’s only because I don’t really appreciate art very much. I’m hoping that by listening to the professor and taking good notes that I will be able to truly understand art and their historical significance. Art history is not my favorite class at all.