Christopher Ahn

Who do I think I am? That’s an interesting question. Well I’m Korean, 5’11”, I have dark eyes and black hair but those are things that everyone knows already, right? Though those are things I am, they’re not what I have become. I have a Korean-American traditions, I have a height advantage in sports, I have glasses for my dark eyes, and I have a fauxhawk for my black hair. It’s what I make of things in my life, that make me who I am today.

I started my life off having no name but “Tim’s little brother,” Tim being my older brother. He made a name for himself: a great guy, loved by everyone, friendly, personable, awesome. I was in a shadow of my brothers life not knowing who I was but with the circumstances I was given, I found out who I was. Entering highschool, after my brother had just graduated after being Student Government President, people knew me as “little Tim.” But that wasn’t who I was, I was much more than just a shadow of my brother. I felt as if I needed to fill the shoes he was in: a great guy, loved by everyone, friendly, personable, awesome. Without sounding too arrogant or egotistical, I did become that person. I became a person driven to do well primarily through a strong work ethic, I became a leader, I learned how to use my talents and skills and apply them to different aspects of my life. I learned who I was.  I was no longer “little Tim” but my own name. I became Student Government president, I became home-coming king, I became concert master, I became president of this club and that club, I was well-known throughout the schools not by only the students but teachers as well. I accomplished EVERYTHING my brother did, plus more. Though we had the “same experience” of being this “person,” the experiences were different and therefore made me my “I am…”

Three concerns that have come up during my freshman year are: the workload, the stress and the motivation. The workload is very stressful and I don’t know if I can be motivated enough to do it. That was pretty simple.

Baruch College is me being back to that kid who entered high school. Not exactly “little Tim,” but basically a new beginning, someone new. At Baruch, I have to have and develop that same community I developed back at my high school.

My first year at Baruch has already changed me. I’ve realized the importance of money, the fatigue from commuting, and the incredible amount of work that needs to be done. My outlook as changed not in a pessimistic way, but for the better. I understand that I NEED to continue this path and need to strive to SUCCEED. But it will change me by making me an even better character than I was back in high school. I AM Christopher Ahn.