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.
I completely agree about being rounded individuals through the cultural event and community service requirements. So far I just see them as requirements but I hope I can start to see them as how you described them.
I have the same mindset when it comes to your view on our GPA’s, it really is just a number in the end and does not shape who we are. What kind of clubs have you been interested in?
I agree, the Honors Program requirements are encouraging and will shape us into more well-rounded students. Grades aren’t the only thing that matters!
Cindy,
I definitely agree with your assessment that the requirements will push s to do more in our community. There is no way I’d make myself find time to do service work unless we were encouraged and enabled by the Honors program.