Final Blog Post- Nour Hachi

Throughout this semester, I became a stronger writer. Before this semester, I never really wrote drafts or outlines for my papers. Doing that this whole semester really helped me with organization. Something I struggled with was putting my ideas into words. For example, for the literary analysis paper, I had trouble writing analytically. My thoughts were analytic, but putting them on paper, they sounded more descriptive. Nonetheless, that is the paper I am the proudest of because I got an A on it. I am not only proud of the grade I received, but I put in a lot of effort writing it. I wrote one paper, and then I scratched the whole thing and began another one. To be able to let go of your original ideas and start from scratch is something I never did. The writing piece that I struggled with the most was the analytical research paper. Coming up with a substantial question that wasn’t too specific or general was challenging for me. If it was a regular research paper without the analysis added to it, I don’t think I would have struggled so much. It was a learning experience, and I’m glad it was hard because I ended up learning a lot about my topic, and I learned how to use the Baruch database. I took those skills in writing my art history and political science research papers.                                              Reflecting on our readings and discussions over the course of the semester, some ideas that stuck with me include identity and culture. How we choose to present ourselves and how the media portrays us are two interesting things we discussed in class. Two readings that I loved were “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere” and “Fiesta 1980.” I was able to relate to these readings because the perspective that they were told it was the narrator is around my age. For me, the people around me, like my friends and family, impact my identity. For Junior and Dina, their families affected them as they were trying to figure out who they were. I noticed that my identity shifted now that I am a college student. Being a college student now takes up most of my identity. When I present myself to people, the first thing I say is that I am a student. Throughout this semester, I feel like I have gotten more comfortable with presenting my true self, and college so far has taught me not to be shy and to open, and I am grateful for that.                                                                                           Looking at my development this semester, I could proudly say that I never gave up. The work given by all my classes was overwhelming, and learning how to manage my time to complete my assignments was difficult. I had to give up many things like family time, working, and having leisure time with friends. Most of my time this semester consisted of no sleep and constant running around the Baruch library to get work done. The only time I spent with friends was during lunch breaks or on the phone. However, in the end, I saw improvement in my time management, and I know how to set my priorities. I like how I can say no to things I want to do to be on top of my work. Although I still struggle with getting schoolwork done and spending time with people I love, I am grateful for the sacrifices I made because they are paying off. The grades I’ve gotten have brought me opportunities like internships, honor classes, and job inquires. The seek community has offered me to be a math tutor, and I am looking into accepting their offer. As a friend. I continue to make myself available by giving advice whenever I can. I read my friends’ papers and have study sessions with them. Even though we don’t have the same classes, we help each other out and tall about things that are stressing us. Joining clubs has brought me closer to the Baruch community and has shown me that I made the right choice coming here. I grateful for the people I met and the things I learned so far, and I am ready for what is to come from this journey.