Author Archives: kevin.kim1

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.

The first semester of Freshman year so far was very busy and I made sure to make it on time on the day of the panel discussion. I think every freshman present was waiting to hear Mr. Li speak. He was by far the most influential speaker of that panel, using the right examples and stories to give his message.

I was surprised at the humility that each speaker had. This taught me that the academic lifestyle doesn’t have to end after you are successful; one can keep researching after retirement like Mr. Li. One of the things I’ve gained from the panel will never leave my brain; Mr. Li’s words sounded something like “Everyone’s realities are different… and the only sure way to resolve differences is to understand each others cultures and realities”.

Some of these speakers started from virtually nothing and it gives me hope to know that I am enrolled in Baruch College where I have many resources to brighten the future.

I was absent for the KM3B academic enrichment workshop due to work so I had to attend the one in early November with another freshman class. I was immediately familiar with the multi-purpose room where it took place, and expected a long boring talk like the one I had for freshman orientation back in August.

I felt out of place but as soon as the speaker started speaking I realized that I was just as clueless as all the strangers around me. The speaker was very effective; his presentation had my attention from beginning to end. I learned many new things about interviews and what goes on in the interviewers mind. This session also firmly reminded me that like high school, grades are not everything.

Looking back now I wish I took more notes although I have all the handouts. Life is one big game where we have to juggle everything we have. That is why one must throw out all the unnecessary things that waste time. The workshop opened my eyes to the fact that I have very little precious time to give to do the mountain of things a college student must do.

My name is Kevin Kim, and I identify myself as a Korean American student. I believe one of the things we use all the time in our lives is to continue identifying ourselves through every decision we make. Recently I came to realize that I am a stubborn person. All of the talks that I’ve heard to fear nothing and pursue my dreams has been embedded in my subconscious; I can be compulsive about finishing everything that I start.

I think it is a great thing to mature and age; I see life as a very short game where everyone is playing out their lives one way or another. It is also a gift that we have a chance to pursue dreams and not put all our effort into simple daily survival. In that sense Baruch is one of those gifts and we will all change here one way or another. I am here at Baruch where I hope to not only gain knowledge and experience for a better future but also to use this place as a second reserve like a home away from home. Time is infinitely more precious than money (at least to me) and I feel that I have no more time to waste, as I am leaving teenage and nearing twenty.

I am worried that I won’t juggle between family, school, work, and friends successfully. So far it has been too hard to work, study well, and socialize which makes me pray for miracles everyday. As an only child I think very individually from my family which I love, but sense a huge generation gap from. Like many others my main values stem from what I’ve been taught since childhood. Family is very important to me and without a doubt I have a responsibility to help push them towards a better future now that I’m an adult. Seeing this always gives me a motivation greater than my laziness, doubts, and indifference.

I love to play sports where I can tire myself out both physically and mentally. I’ve played soccer since middle school and I got myself into racing after I learned how to drive. Music has also become a surprisingly big part of my life especially after my trip to Europe where I’ve learned to appreciate all types (except mainstream/AT40). I do not hold that much value to material things except gifts with sentimental value; I believe money and time can buy anything.

I like my class and besides the studying its been fairly easy to assimilate into college life. I’m hoping that good things will happen to all of us for the rest of this hectic semester.

I am Kevin Kim, male, Korean, and nineteen years old. I was born in Queens, and lived there for most of my life. I like all types of sports and I often play soccer. I am an only child so I guess that makes me selfish by default, but I am easygoing. I came to Baruch to graduate from the Zicklin School of Business and like everyone else, I hope Baruch opens my eyes to the business world and to my choices.

I am concerned about my bad studying habits. High school was a breeze for me which made me very academically lazy; I hope I can put myself on good study habits by the end of the first semester. One of the things I learned from living for nineteen years is that opportunities come to those who are always moving about and “on their feet”. I don’t like to miss out on important opportunities so I hope I don’t miss out on any new idea or knowledge given through Baruch. I worry about my luck with professors also, I know from high school how important having good professors is. I like the way each of my professors teach so far; I’m hoping I choose well next semester. Lastly I’m concerned that I won’t learn anything new or helpful for my future. This is also why I want to explore Baruch more.

The feeling I get from Baruch is a lot like middle school where I had more or less the same classmates but different rooms/teachers. I expect Baruch to be a lot more challenging academically and more rewarding for my efforts. One very obvious difference is the commute which is a lot longer from Queens. I like the level of freedom that separates a college student from a high school student.

I am sure that I will gain new knowledge about the way the world works and learn new skills to better my future. I am sure of change, and I am hoping for a change for the best. I have more free time outside of class and I’ll use every moment to change who I am.