LC 18

My transition from high school to Baruch has been smooth so far. My biggest concern about adjusting to college was getting used to the larger work load after an easy senior year. In high school, teachers always made sure you did homework and took tests. It didn’t take a lot of effort to pass with good grades.  That’s no longer the case. Managing my time well to avoid cramming and doing assignments the night before will be important to maintaining a high GPA. So far, staying on top of assignments hasn’t been an issue, mainly because most assignments to this point have just been short readings.  My classes are starting to set dates for tests and giving out more written assignments, so I expect it to become more difficult to manage my time in the upcoming weeks.

The most noticeable difference I’ve seen between high school and college so far has been the class schedule. Some of the classes are much longer than I’m used to, but my day has a lot of extra time between them. The way I spend my free time between and after classes is also different. In high school, I spent much of my free time on clubs or sports teams. At Baruch, I’ve been spending most of my time off in the library finishing assignments and studying. I haven’t spent much time looking at different clubs yet, but I hope to find one that fits me in the next few weeks.

I think that I am more straightforward in writing than I am in person. When I’m writing, meaning comes from just the words themselves. There is no voice level, accent, or any other factor that could change the way the sentence is being read off the page. And I don’t use pretty language, or I guess, creative devices, to change up the way I communicate in writing. What I mean is the words that I’m saying. If the words give off a different meaning or impression, then there is no point of writing those words. So I try to be as concise as possible.

I am concerned about finals. The schoolwork will be laborious and constant, but it is always the finals and exams that I am worried about. I fear that since they are such a big factor of the grade I will receive in class, and therefore also a factor of my overall GPA and academic standing, the pressure will be overwhelming for my capacity. I kind of wish I was smart, just so I could have the relief of not needing to study as much.

Surprisingly, I have no trouble staying awake during classes. I thought that since college classes were so much longer than high school periods, I would struggle to stay awake. I don’t though, but I think that it is only because the semester just began. I know that later in the semester, there will be days where I can’t stay awake. I am concerned about those days. Everything in college counts, and I need to be attentive at all times, know everything that is going on.

I am terrified of writing in college. I have absolutely no creativity, and I think that will hinder me in writing essays. My level of vocabulary is pretty bad too. I think reading would help. I hate reading though, and I don’t think I have ever finished a book from start to finish–only in the books that I read for fun, but never the class-assigned books. The readings I received so far aren’t that bad. In fact, they’re not as heavy as I expected them to be. Yay!

My first year at college will definitely help me grow up. My parents have spoiled me my entire life, and I am so glad that this year will allow me to become more independent and better adjusted to the how the real world functions. I need to grow up. College will be good for that.

I’m Omar Griffin (aka Trey to some people) and I’m one of the one million Brooklyn Tech graduates that decided to attend Baruch. So far, I like the school, but I hate commuting. During high school, I lived about a 20 minute walk from school and now that walk has turned into a 40 minute train ride that involves 3 trains, at the very least. I kinda wish that I had a dorm, but that would be unwise because I’d pay 10k a year to live there, when I could just live at home for free. But it never hurts to dream.

My main concern at Baruch would be maintaining a high average. I’m bad at adjusting to change, as shown by my transition from elementary school to junior high school, and again as I went from junior high school to high school. I’d always have respectable grades until I’d change schools and they’d skydive until I’d become more accustomed to the new school. Hopefully, that will change because I’ve become a lot more studious and mature.

I’m a really laid-back person with a nonjudgmental personality, for the most part. I tend to find really arrogant or pretentious people kind of annoying. Other than that, I can get along with most people. The most dramatic change from high school to college would be the fact that I have to make new friends all over again. Back at Tech, I had my little circle of friends and we were really tight. We went through hell and back together, but then, after the summer, we all went our separate ways and the nostalgia has been hitting me a lot recently. I also have the most amazing girlfriend that decided to go away for college. Ever since high school ended, I haven’t been able to see her everyday, but we’re still really close because she means a lot to me.

When it comes to my free time, I have all sorts of hobbies. My main one is running, but I love all types of sports and activities, except drawing because I can’t draw to save my life. I love to sing, even though my voice is atrocious. I love to dance, run and flip and I LOVE music. That has to be one of the greatest developments of all time. I can’t live without music. I enjoy all genres and artists from Lady Gaga and that lady that sings “Bulletproof” to DMX and Drake. You can never have too much music.

So far Baruch has been alright as I slowly ease out of my high school ways of doing no types of homework or any other work that requires effort for that matter. These weeks have been extremely light so far as there is easy homework or none at all so far. Except for English class which I hate with a passion because as you would expect in an English class you actually have to read. The only real difference I feel entering Baruch from my high school, is that now you really cant get caught cheating on a test. Otherwise, I feel its close to a similar experience, while the curriculum at my high school actually is tougher, especially since I haven’t even bought books yet. The atmosphere at Baruch is really cool in terms of people who actually want to learn yet people who still want to have a good time. And the fitness center is pretty good too, even though it can not compare to ballys, its pretty good. Also I have discovered that I am a beast at ping-pong, which can be further speculated by asking someone named Omar Griffin, who has been deemed a witness to this fact. Needless to say he was left with further shame and disappointment as he was thoroughly smacked in ping-pong. By the way my name is Blake and I am a extremely sarcastic, very laid-back, lazy yet remarkably handsome person. I also am of Native American/Jamaican decent which is something that will never be  done again. And if there are any rappers out there I make tracks so hit me up. lol

I am a college freshman at Baruch college. I’ve always thought college was a place of higher learning and various other complicated matters. Nonetheless it appears it wasn’t as bad as it seems. We haven’t been bogged down by written homework…yet. That’s always the first impression that we get at first, college and work. I suppose there will be in the near future but they will prepare us soon enough. Some concerns for me at Baruch has been work load, academic rigor, and effort, would I be able to fulfill these requirements? Would I have to do anything different than in high school? I don’t have any answers yet to that but hopefully they will come soon. By soon, by the end of this year in college, I hope to acquire some new skills and a direction to what I want to do in the future. Well, that’s the end of this post.

Who am I? If I was to answer this question to the very last detail then this blog will probably exceed 500 words. But a few words that define me are: sister, daughter, friend, student, and acquaintance. As a person I would consider myself to be friendly (somewhat, hopefully:)), awkward at times, slightly indecisive, and hardworking.

Of course, like everyone else in LC 18 I’m a freshman at Baruch. When I was in high school, I envisioned college to be something beyond spectacular, like the ones you see on TV, but it fell a bit short. Maybe it’s because a LARGE portion of the students from my high school also goes to Baruch as well. But college is still pretty amazing and slightly different from high school. One of the few things that are pretty obvious is the longer classes (from 45 minutes to hours long) and the club hours. A two hour and thirty minute break is pretty long considering the 4 minutes we get in high school to run to class. At first it was fun to get some free time but it soon got a bit problematic to find something to do.  Another concern is probably learning how to get around the school since I have no sense of direction, but the biggest one has to be getting to class on time. I’m always late to class in high school but it was never a big deal but I guess in college it’s a different story.

As of now, I’m not sure yet whether college will change me, maybe it will, who knows. But I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.

I have yet to encounter a person who can thoroughly and successfully answer the question stated without having to go back to say “oh and also…” How can you really describe who you are? Do you try to do so in terms of your personality, your education level, or maybe your name? If I had to try to formulate an answer to suffice, I would answer in all 3 ways. I am Marlen. Mar like hair, not mar like car, seeming as no one has successfully pronounced it correctly in the past 18 years. No it isn’t mispelled but my parents did decide to think up as many ways possible to make sure I am never bored. I like to characterize myself as smart, kind, and funny. I am loud when I am comfortable, outspoken, always, as well as always opinionated. I am the definition of a clutz and a class A perfectionist. I hate public speaking, unless I have no idea who I am speaking to, but I love math. I like to think of myself as the coolest nerd you’ll ever meet. I am a college freshman at Baruch which I absolutely love. One of my biggest concerns of surviving in college is adjusting to changing classes, professors, and classmates every symester. In Goldstein, the high school I went to, you had the same students with the same teachers all year round. Another concern of mine is learning what is necessary to read and what you can skip through. Reading 300 pages a night is not only strenuous but highly impossible. Lastly, writing a great paper is what worries me most. In high school, I could sit down to write a term paper the night before it was due and get an A+ on it. In college, this seems highly unlikely and the professors want the papers done exactly the way they like it. The college experience already feels much different then that of high school. In high school you are babied and rewarded for doing what you are supposed to do. You go from class to class with one lunch break and see the same exact people in every class. In college no teacher will reward you for showing up, you have to actually participate and put effort into your learning experience. There is much more reading involved and passing a class is your concern, no one elses. Meeting all the new people and professors will definitely be a huge contrast from the high school atmosphere. Although I love who I am, I hope college makes me more amiable when meeting people. People tend to think of me as an ordinary Regina George (Mean Girls) but I am not at all. Aside from radiating friendliness, I would also like to become a better public speaker, without getting nervous, and learn how to be more permeable to change.

Who am I? I don’t really know if I really know the answer to that question but I’ll try to answer it to the best of my ability. I consider myself to be a good friend, funny, a good listener, crazy, critical, observant, paranoid, indecisive, extremely gullible, curious, a person who loves to laugh and a dreamer. This is pretty much how I would describe myself now but I’m still trying to figure out who I am. I would love to travel to many countries, indulge and witness the greatest sights this world has to offer, which some say makes life worth living and maybe I’ll find myself in the process. 🙂
My top concerns as a freshman would be making the most of this new experience and having a good start in college, by being a focused, determined student. Being less of a procrastinator and more proactive, which is kind of a dramatic change after senior year of high school. My second concern would be adjusting to this new social life, meeting new people, forming friendships, joining clubs, being involved. Not being afraid to open up, being able to trust people and more willing to try new things.
I think that the fact that everything and everyone is new to me, makes this college experience very different from high school, it doesn’t even compare. The professors are very different from my high school teachers. This is the first weekend where there are written assignments due, I still haven’t gotten used to doing homework but hopefully that will change, all I can think is ‘I used to be so much better at this’. The professors have no tolerance for anything handed in late or for excessive absences, which is understandable. In my high school, the majority of students were given extensions on papers and projects and in the case of excessive absences there was an alternative final paper or project given to students who were in danger of not graduating. I wasn’t one of those students but I’m not so sure my school prepared me for what’s coming.
I don’t know if college will change me, but if it does I hope that I come out a better person. It’s surprising how much a new environment can change a person but that’s what life is about, it’s full of change so it’s best to just embrace it and be happy with what you’ve got!

Well, I’m Carrie and I don’t know how to exactly characterize myself. It’s a difficult question to answer because I could be ambitious yet lazy and stubborn but open-minded at the same time. If I had to describe myself, I’d probably say I’m an introvert however I’m as much of a talker as I am a listener. I don’t believe that I’ll be changing much in the future since it doesn’t seem like I’ve changed in the past but it takes time to see a change in yourself since the change starts out small.

College life hasn’t been too different from high school and it makes me question whether I should have went away for college instead. It’s pretty much the same except there’s more reading which is bad for me because I usually skim. I’m still trying to get used to the hour and something classes which are so much longer compared to what I hear from other college students. There’s a lot of free time but at the same time there isn’t since classes end late in the afternoon. On the plus side, three day weekends are always great. I guess I’ll just wait and see where college takes me and if it changes me in the process.

Hm so this is my first blog post here; response to the FRO prompt……..of who do I think I am 🙂

Well, I think I’m Kyra and a freshman in Baruch, but since that’s too obvious I’ll elaborate I guess. Hmm…. I think I’m dedicated, though I suppose I’m not too much so since I’m always worried about not studying enough xD That is possible, ja? (Apparently I also think I’m Swedish with my substitute for “yeah” there…. Much love to anyone who is Swedish, mind you all)

So far it’s been easier than I expected from Baruch – except for English (Dear God, I am not very successful at picking apart details of famous paintings……and especially cubist ones!). There’s more reading than I’m used to, but it’s not too bad. I guess it also helps that I don’t have to write huge reports all the time….though I’m sure that might come later on. Basically though, it’s like my high school; writing in class, reading at home, and very commuter.

I can’t say how the first year will change me, else I doubt I would change…. I don’t want to guess either, even if that defeats the purpose of this prompt (Hopefully not though!). I would rather go in completely open minded and let whatever will be come to me. You know what they say: “Que sera sera!” (It would seem accents don’t work so well…)