Journal #1 – Where Have You Been and Where Are You Going?
I’m an American-Born-Chinese who was raised in China by my grandparents until I was five years old. I grew up in a traditional Chinese culture, but I have been gradually assimilating to the American culture. After I returned to America, I have been living in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn ever since. Although I live in Brooklyn, I frequently visit Chinatown and the rest of Manhattan because I enjoy the city a lot more during the daytime. I love the noise and excitement that fills the seemingly narrow streets of 34th street and Times Square. At night, however, I like to return home where there is some peace and quiet in Brooklyn.
Regarding my school life, I went to elementary and middle school in lower Manhattan. For many years, an overwhelming majority of my friends were Asians because I only stuck to Asian communities. When I left for high school at Brooklyn Tech, however, I started to open up and explore the great qualities of diversity. I made countless new friends and enjoyed learning from them and looking at this world from new perspectives. Although most of my friends didn’t come to Baruch with me, I continue to stay in touch with them and talk to them at least several times a week.
As a freshman at Baruch College, I have been encountering many difficulties with adjusting to the academic and social life. I am extremely concerned about keeping a good balance between my academic life and my social life. There seems to be an overwhelming amount of schoolwork as well as campus activities. I really want to have a chance to explore all the clubs and organizations before I make any decisions about which ones to join, but I have been spending more than half of my breaks eating lunch and then studying or doing homework. I believe that good time management will help me resolve my problems and I hope that I will be a successful college student as well as an active participant of campus life.