Journal #2

It is not enough to think of yourself as the center of importance. There is an entire world of interactions — causes and effects — that don’t affect you directly. This doesn’t make them less important, from an objective perspective. It is very difficult, but often crucial, to let go of the ego and adopt a broader outlook.

To serve your community is to do just that. It is to think past what you stand to gain from a certain action, and do it anyway, because it helps someone else. This could be volunteering for a soup kitchen, a children’s hospital, a park service, etc. These are ways to express your understanding of your position and role in serving a greater cause.

My role in the Baruch Honors program may be that of a student. However, the Honors program wants students to realize for themselves the idea of thinking past their personal gains. The service project is a clear-cut example of this type of culture. It is not enough to simply go to class and go home. I appreciate the investment the program has placed in me, and I want to help out in the ways that I can. I want to help others in the way the program is trying to help me. This is my real role.

I am already taking on this role. I joined the Student Services Committee of Undergraduate Student Government. This committee wants to make life better for students at Baruch. It wants to understand their concerns, and does so in different ways, such as sending out surveys that ask about students’ experiences with various services at Baruch. The Student Services Committee works with clubs like the Transfer Student Organization to try to incorporate the students into the Baruch life that extends past the classroom. The goal is to let them know what is available for them.

I plan on joining other committees to continue contributing to the community culture the Honors program is trying to create.