My Baruch experience has been good and bad at times, but as I’ve adjusted to Baruch’s culture, I find that this college has many resources that I appreciate. There are many little things that we miss out on such as dorm life and campus life. I’ve been to our athletic area (the gym, pool, fitness center, etc.) only about five times in my year here. Mainly because I don’t want to go to class really sweaty, and because I also don’t live close to school, I lose two hours of my day to commuting, if not more. I come into the city early and I leave the city late because I want to make the most of my time that is wasted commuting. Ironically, because I felt compelled to use the most of my time and to use it efficiently, I have really experienced a very unique college experience.
During my freshmen year, within the first week, I joined three different extracurricular: RSD (church college ministry), NYU KCCC (College Campus Ministry), and The Ticker (Baruch’s newspaper). Each club or activity has really shaped my first year into an unforgettable one. At RSD, I have met a great community of friends who have supported me and held my hand, helping me through the struggles of college. In that community, I have found friends in whom I can confide my troubles in and thoughts, asking them for advice at times and just having fun hanging out.
Through a few of my friends at church, I came to join NYU’s KCCC. There I’ve met new friends and I actively take part in a small group there. At small group, we interact on a more intimate level while also having fun. At both of these Christian related activities, I’ve taken away something valuable. I’ve learned a lot more about myself. In small group, I am able to be honest with them and they are able to be honest with me, thus building each other up.
Freshmen year has been full of emotional and character growth. As well as exploring different areas in my career, I realized that companies also search for competent people who have integrity, a wide base of knowledge and skill, and work ethic. I realized that companies are searching for people who they can trust to “get the job done.”
At the Ticker, I’ve learned about working in many different ways. As a part of the newspaper staff, we have to work together as a team and I have learned a lot about team dynamics. One thing that I really enjoyed learning was to use Adobe inDesign. Because I have been exposed to this program, I have become a little bit knowledgeable about graphic design. As a result, I have found that it is a useful skill to have under my belt, from making flyers to designing bookmarks, there are many ways to use the program provided a creative mind is present.
Later in the year, during the Spring semester, I joined TEAM Baruch and eventually became a Peer Mentor. I’m still learning how best to help everyone, but I am trying here. Please be patient with me.
That was a little about my freshmen year and how each activity has just given me a greater sense of who I am, how each extracurricular has sharpened my character, attitude, and added to my repertoire of skills, and how I have just had fun in the past year. Because I was a part of so many things, I do not regret any part of my freshmen year.
P.S. Don’t feel pressured to write long blogs because my is long. I just tend to take my writing seriously and I use it as a way to process thoughts and ideas in my head. Anyways, continue having a great weekend and I will see you all in class!