I expected multiple page essays to write every week, more “all-nighters” than normal hours of sleep, and heartless monsters for professors. Despite these I was exited to start college and was even happy to start in August. Although I expected lots of work what I got instead was a lot of actual “work”. I was hired in September and spent most of my time working 40 hours a week. It set me back academically but surprisingly I met very influential people working at a bakery.
Baruch definitely met my expectations for student service. My freshman Mrs. Cataletto helped me clear things out during this semester and all of the staff were helpful whenever I needed assistance. There was one situation in October when I was dropped from Baruch for a couple of days because of immunization record problems. I had to get the MMR vaccine again when I was already immune.
I was already used to the diversity in Baruch as a Queens native. I am usually quiet but this semester also helped me to open up more. I haven’t had time to do anything other than academics at Baruch, which I hope to change immediately. I have to make new friends just like I had to make new friends in high school. I feel like I haven’t talked to my classmates enough, merely asking them for assignments and due dates.
I honestly think my first semester was mediocre and I hate it for this fact. It is up to my finals to determine whether its a failure or not but I’ve learned my lesson. Academic work is of main priority in my life now. If I had the chance to change my first semester, I would have begged for less hours or quit altogether and studied until I got straight A’s. I feel this is similar to what most students wish they had done: Study more and get better grades. But for me working opened my eyes to the harsh world of living on a set paycheck which I don’t plan on continuing. I won’t live the boring life and I will use all that Baruch can give me to live a full life. It all starts with better time management, which is the ultimate lesson I learned this semester.
