Author: Cindy Li

Throughout my first semester of college, I learned that communication is extremely crucial. I have exchanged emails with some of my professors and Mr. Medina, and it is extremely beneficial to start establish these kinds of relationships now. Specifically, this Community Service Project also helped to prepare me for the future. Group work is inevitable, and this project guided us to collaboratively work with our peers. In addition, the final presentation helped us with public speaking, which is one very important skill that we all need to feel comfortable with.

I have not utilized any support centers yet, but I do know that I am able to contact centers such as SACC and the Writing Center for assistance. I have joined one club, VSA; however I have not gone to as many events as I would like to since I have had to learn to manage my difficult classes this semester. I wish to be more involved with student life, so possibly after this semester once I fully learn how to manage my time, I will be able to be involved in more clubs.

The Baruch Honors Program makes it a requirement to do volunteer work, but after visiting my group’s non-profit organization, it did not feel like an obligation anymore. I truly wanted to help and devote my time to assisting the organization. As Baruch Scholars, we receive many benefits and resources, so doing community service is the perfect way to give back to our community.

In three years’ time, I hope to be close to finishing my Bachelor’s degree, since one of my goals is to graduate early. I also hope to have obtained at least one internship so that I could gain some working experience prior to graduation. As of now, I am set on majoring in accounting and eventually taking the CPA exam; however, I understand things may change, and I am open to all of my options in front of me.

As a Baruch Scholar in the Honors Program, I am a college student studying in New York City. While it is essential that I maintain a high GPA, it is also important that I give back to my community. There are different ways to give back, such as volunteering, donating to charity, and being active in a club. I have gone to a few different club meetings, so I have a sense of which ones I want to involve myself in, based on my interests and the overall vibe of the environment. Moreover, through these activities, I can create connections and form friendships. Community service and volunteering are important because you are working to help others. It is nice and rewarding when you benefit others and not just yourself.

The Honors Program promotes this service and requires that we complete at least 15 hours of community service per year and attend one cultural event per semester. I think that this will encourage us to be more active and more involved within our community. In addition, it would help us to become more well-rounded individuals. Therefore, these requirements help push us to find something outside of schoolwork that we would find enjoyable and worthwhile. There is more to experience in college life than strictly studying academically. Our GPA does not shape us – it’s only a number. It is critical to understand that our service and involvement in our community are also a part of who we are.

Journal #1 – Group 3

My name is Cindy Li, and I’m from Orange County in New York. I am currently still 17 years old at the time of this post. Growing up in a suburban neighborhood, I have always yearned to explore and experience the city life.

During my senior year of high school, I obtained an accounting internship located near World Trade Center, and I am beyond grateful to have this experience because it further encouraged me to pursue this field. Other than that, I have not experienced much else but I am hoping to obtain more valuable experiences in the future now that I am settled in the city.

My goals for my first semester is to develop more effective study habits and to maintain a high GPA. The workload is certainly more challenging in college than in high school, so I hope to be able to quickly adapt. My course load this semester, in my opinion, is relatively difficult considering the fact that I am transitioning right from high school and that I am one of the very few, or only, first-year students in most of my classes.

In addition, I am an extremely shy person, but I hope to change that during my time in college and in the future so that I can talk to more people and create connections. Perhaps joining a club or two can help push me to be more outgoing. Nevertheless, I am excited for the upcoming school year, and I have faith in myself that I will be able to achieve my goals. It has been a dream of mine for a while to live in New York City, and now I am finally here.

Thank you for reading!