Author Archives: brian.tang

I cannot believe how quickly my first semester at Baruch College went by. It seems like yesterday was when I first step foot into the college wondering who I would meet, how my classes would be, and where my classes were. We’re at the final stretch of the first semester now. Finals are coming.

My first semester was definitely interesting. My first exams were terrible. I thought I would do much better. I realized that I was still suck in “senioritis” mode throughout the beginning of the semester. These terrible grades caused me to snap out of my “senioritis” mode. I am a freshman in college and I need to get back to work. And I did. No longer am I procrastinating or disregarding tests. I feel that I can do much better on my exams and school work.

This first semester definitely made me more responsible and mature.

Although Eastern art may be my least favorite style of art, the Rubin Museum is an excellent museum which showed spectacular artworks from Eastern cultures. I made the trip to the museum along with a few classmates and I must say, we did have a good time. Not only did we enjoy the artwork, we all had a chance to bond and share our ideas.

I truly admire art. I came from an art school, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, and I’ve made numerous trips to the Met. I know I was a music major there, but many of my friends were art majors and we all went to art museums together.

I definitely had a good time at the Rubin Museum of Art and I am glad we had the opportunity to visist this museum.

I feel quite fortunate to have a job. In times like these, it is difficult to find a job. One of the first steps to finding a job is a resume. Although I have a lot that filled my resume already, I am glad that I attended this workshop. I would have never known there could have been so many more options to show on a resume.

Along with information on resumes, the workshop informed us that there was a STARR career search system online. I have a feeling that I will be coming to this service some time soon and I am glad that this service is here for me. Why? Internships. I am certain that I will be looking for an internship soon and why not turn to STARR?

I am actually very glad that I came to this workshop. Yes, at first I complained. Actually, we all did. Why do we have to go to these workshops? Well, it turns out that this was very useful and informative. It was truly worth staying for.

This panel discussion was definitely a unique first for me. This was the first time that I have met an author. I felt very honored to have the opportunity to meet Charles N. Li. “The Bitter Sea” was a great autobiography about Charles N. Li’s life as he grew up. It was quite shocking to hear this man speak; the man who went through all that from the reading we all read over the summer. As I read the book during the summer, I know I have frequently wondered how Charles N. Li dealt with the numerous obstacles that he had in life. Everything that had happened in the book were real. They were real-life situations that he had to deal with. They were a part of reality and Charles N. Li explained to us that everybody has a different view on reality.

After hearing this panel discussion, it really made me think about who I am. Yes, we all did a monologue on who we were but I feel that there is more to it. Once again, I ask myself: “Who am I?”

I’m pretty tall for a Chinese guy, right? I think I am taller than the average Chinese person. But I still want to be taller. I’m a volleyball player; a short one! I can’t compete against everybody else with such a height disadvantage. Everybody is usually at least 6’3” and I’m stuck all the way down here at 5’11.5”. If I was taller, then my spikes would be stronger because I would be able to get on top of the ball more. But it’s okay. A height disadvantage isn’t going to stop me from playing volleyball. I still play it and I love the sport. Sometimes I really wish that I could jump higher to make up for the height disadvantage. I know one way to actually achieve a higher vertical jump is to work out but that’s a huge flaw about me. I’m too lazy to go work out. I know, I should go workout if I really want that higher vertical jump. It’s funny because my so-called “motto” is “just do it.” Yes, I know it is Nike’s motto, but I actually like this motto a lot. When there is something you want to achieve or a job that you have to do, do it. It’s ironic how that motto is my motto but yet I am not “doing” what I want to do in order to achieve what I want.  

But as of now that is not what I am truly afraid of. Did you guys check your grades for your sociology and pre-calculus exams? I did. I wasn’t too happy with my pre-calculus exam grade. I think most of us aren’t too happy with that. If you haven’t figured out yet, yes I am scared of receiving bad grades and failing classes. Some of you are probably thinking: “wow what an Asian.” Well, I’ll admit, it’s true. Another major fear that I have is being in another car accident. I’ve only been in one serious one where a guy ran a stop sign and hit our car. That was pretty bad. Even though it’s only been one, I’ve been very aware of my surroundings when I’m in a car ever since. It has been 7 years since the car accident and I’ve been gradually getting better at relieving my fear. I sometimes wish I wouldn’t worry so much about small things. But oh well, its life. I’ll get over it sooner or later. In fact, I rarely check my surroundings now when I’m in the car. I guess maybe I already have gotten over it. It sure was a huge fear though.

Who am I? Well, I’m just an average Chinese-American guy. Nothing special. I was born in Manhattan, New York and I’ve lived in Brooklyn, New York all my life. I am a musician and I’ve been one since I was 9 years old. I took on the clarinet at the age of 9 and continued playing it until college. I went to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, a performing arts high school. I had a great experience there, being around other fellow musicians. I’m also an athlete. I have a passion for volleyball. I was the captain of my highschool’s volleyball team last year and I’m hoping to join Baruch’s volleyball team some time soon. I truly am “addicted” to volleyball. I play it whenever I can. No, I’m not crazy.

My top 3 concerns about my freshman year at Baruch College are time management, maintaining my good grades, and procrastination. I don’t know, I think I still have senioritis. I still don’t feel like doing any work. I mean, I do the work eventually but usually I would do my work when I get the assignment so I wouldn’t have to stress about completing an assignment the day before or something. It’s getting better though, so I guess that’s a good thing. Time management. I’ve always managed my time well and I hope I can continue to do so. Because of my early-ending schedule, I work in the afternoon. I have to incorporate time for work, homework, study time, and my own personal free time. So far I’m still hanging in there! I hope I can maintain a high GPA. Why? Well, that’s common sense. Who wouldn’t want a high GPA especially if you’ve received 95+ grades in high school? If I want to do this, I must manage my time well and stop procrastinating!

One thing that’ll make my Baruch College experience different from my high school experience is independence. That’ll be a huge difference. In college, we now have to register for our own classes, buy our own textbooks, and keep track of your own grades and credits. But it’s okay. I guess we’ll all adjust to that soon, if not already. Oh and some positive differences! We have a lot more freedom! We’re no longer in boring high school! We no longer need to follow high school rules and restrictions (which were quite strict, right?).

I think my first year at Baruch College will definitely make me a more independent person. It’ll make me become a more responsible person. as well. How so? Like I said before, with all the responsibilities that we take on in college (registering for classes, remembering deadlines, etc). Anyway, this so far it has been a great experience and I know there will be more excitement to come!