Author Archives: xueshi.tan

a. Tell us how your experience at Baruch College has lived up to your expectations? Not lived up to your expectations? Exceeded your expectations?

Baruch College is not really how I imagined college to be like. It still feels more like another year of high school.

b. How well do you think your first semester at Baruch College went?

It went all right, could have been better though.

c. What would you do differently during your first semester if you could do it all again?

If I could do it all again (which I do not want to) I would definitely have focused more on my work instead of wasting my time.

d. How have you changed since you started at Baruch College?

I don’t think I have changed at all, I’m still as quiet and introverted as before and also lazy when it comes to schoolwork.

Finally finished! No more blog posts from me!

Most of the material that they covered in the workshop I have heard over and over from many others throughout my life. I do not think I learned anything new since I did read the e-mail they sent and looked through their site as well. It was a little dull to tell the truth because I think most of the students have had some kind of experience with interviews and resumes at some point. I guess it is good to have a review and for other people to find out about Starr search but if they were checking their school e-mails then this whole workshop was not necessary.

Being inside the Rubin Museum of Art reminded me of a temple I had once been to. It was very quiet, dim, full of paintings and sculptures of various deities. Although I do appreciate art I do not enjoy going to art museums. The Rubin was no exception, I liked the oriental architecture but the pieces of art did not interest me. I did however notice that there was an amazing amount of detail in the works which must have taken a long time to paint. I am not religious so I was not really inspired by the works, the various gods and goddesses held no significance. The Rubin in contrast with other museums I have been to such as the MOMA or MET had a calmer more soothing feel, perhaps it is due to the lack of modern glass and steel structures. I liked the museum more for its environment than its art displays because that is what stood out to me most from the moment I entered.

-copied and pasted from word-

As I look through the various free writes that I’ve done throughout freshman seminar I realized there was no real way to piece them together. I felt as if it was an extended questionnaire. Although the questions have an underlying theme it’s kind of hard to piece them together in an essay format. Most of the free writes are about different aspects of me. Which traits I like or dislike, my beliefs, fears, and everyday life in general.

Well then I guess I should somewhat describe myself. My name is Xueshi Tan, I immigrated here from China fifteen years ago. I am a shy and blunt person who enjoys drawing and learning new languages. I can be somewhat headstrong and seem cold and uncaring due to my quiet nature. This being so I find it hard to socialize with others because I mostly keep to myself.

This monologue, I feel, is a way to show who I am. However, I do not feel comfortable answering questions about myself this way. I believe that if someone wants to know about me, it can be shown in a conversation. That way they can make their own judgments and see for themselves instead of seeing me read off a piece of paper.

a.  Tell us who you think YOU are!

I am…shy, sarcastic, artistic(maybe?), and just another Chinese student trying to pass their classes, get a job, etc. I don’t really know how else to describe myself.

b.  Share your top 3 concerns about your freshman year at Baruch College and explain why

My top three concerns would have to be:                                                                                     1) Exams- because I am not the type to study a lot. On tests I end up doing not so well due to this habit.                                                                                                                                      2) Homework- I procrastinate a lot and end up doing things at the last minute. I feel like this affects my overall grade a lot, especially in english.                                                                3) Participation- I am not the type to raise my hand and talk a lot in class discussions. It’s not something I feel obligated to do because there will always be others participating anyway.

c.  So far, what do you think will make your Baruch College experience different from your high school experience?

I’m not sure what would make it as different except that the teachers pay more attention to you, which was not the case in my high school classes. It also relies heavily on studying and reading by myself instead of depending on the professors. In other words it requires for me to be more responsible and careful about my actions because no one will tell me what to take or what I am doing wrong.

d.  How do you think your first year at College will change you?

I am hoping it will help me be more responsible and confident of my abilities. However it does not seem like there was a big change from high school. It feels like freshman year all over again.

-END-..wow I wrote really little.