Identity. That is something we all think about. I have to say that I feel guilty that I haven’t thought too much about my own tastes and likings compared to other people, however, I still feel I have an adequate view of myself.

I’m a 17 year old boy who’s still searching for himself. I’m somewhat of an optimist, though I may not show it. I play roles of a brother, a son, a student, a friendly individual to many, and a close friend to some. Even though I am both Dominican and Pakistani I, gifts which I inherited from my parents, I don’t feel inclined to put one over the other. People say I’m shy, which I’m willing to believe to an extent, but part of my social awkwardness, I believe, comes from my laziness(who isn’t lazy these days) and unwillingness to comply with the responsibilities that follow with being social. I talk alot when I’m bored or when I feel a need to say something relevant or helpful. Sometimes I’m funny to people, sometimes people don’t get my jokes. Sometimes I wish I had the qualities or opportunities that others have, but when I look in the mirror at the end of the day I know I wouldn’t want to be anyone else but me, Naveed Butt.

Baruch has been a pleasant place for me since I arrived. Sure there is always the worry that there isn’t anything to do during free hours or the fact that the clubs are inhospitably unresponsive. Still, the three big worries are the general fears of textbooks(NO SURPRISE THERE!), grades(naturally), and the sudden impact of a greater sense of responsibility(for some of us at least, lol).

I couldn’t waste time scurrying around for better prices so I bought my textbooks from the Baruch BookStore. Sadly I didn’t have the money because for some reason the financial aid providers failed to warn me of the time I was going to receive the award(but I know now), so I had to borrow money from my family and friends, of which I will eventually have to pay back. As for grades…I’ve been lazy with homework and reading and I feel it’ll take some time to adjust to the work pattern. Simply being organized with all the homework given is hard enough because I end up forgetting that an assignment is due when the deadline is right around the corner. Getting noticed in HUGE classes is another hassle that I will have to get through. The aforementioned “bigger sense of responsibility” is a complex issue mainly because the responsibility I get from being in college is both overwhelming and satisfying at the same time. On one hand I’ll have to take the liberty of getting things done as well as remembering assignments, while on the other hand there is a sense of accomplishment from going through this strenuous situation.

Overall, I feel Baruch will foster the better qualities in me and I will learn not only about education but of the community as well.