The theme for this year’s Performing Diasporas: Identities in Motion project is “Who Do You Think You Are?” Reflect on the following four questions, and craft a response of no more than 500 words. Feel free to integrate media into your post!
a. Tell us who you think YOU are!
b. Share your top three concerns about your freshman year at Baruch College and explain why.
c. So far, what do you think will make your Baruch College experience different from your college experience?
d. How do you think your first year at Baruch College will change you?
Feel free to add in more details if you’d like.
Your Peer Mentor,
Michelle
a. Similar to most students in Baruch College, I think I am a hard worker who is trying their hardest to pursuit their major/career. With the job market so competitive nowadays, it is very hard to differentiate myself from the others. I think this is where Baruch College comes in and help me figure out who I am. As of right now, I think I lack the knowledge to be successful, but I do processes the open minded attitude for learning.
b. My top three concerns about my freshman year at Baruch are:
– Managing the work load – the transition from high school to college is definitely something new, especially the lecture classes. There are a lot of information that is given in a short period of time and I must try to absorb as much as I can.
– Staying active in Baruch – there are over 100 clubs/organizations in Baruch, but I am unaware of these clubs/organizations. I am actually interested in Greek life, but my main concern is that I will not be able to manage it with my school work.
– Registration for classes/other preparatory process for next semester – I am unaware of how the process works. If I mess anything up, I might not get a schedule that will keep me on track.
c. In my opinion, the experience at Baruch College will be different from other college experiences simply because of the abundant amount of resources we have access to. Just to name a few, we have the Newman library (one the most impressive library that I have been to), Wasserman Trading Floor (yet to visit, but I am looking forward to it) and the computer labs.
d. First year at Baruch will definitely put my time management skills to the test. As a result, I will be able to create a schedule for myself and use my time effectively. I did not have to opportunity to live in a dorm/public housing, therefore I did not experience the true independence that a typical college student will go through. But a lot of things are slowly turning from dependence to independence.
a] well what i think i am is just someone that wants to be successful BUT does not try that much… i just do the bare minimum and want to get the highest grade possible. Also, i think that i am a person who tends to slack off a lot in school but also sleeps a lot because i barely sleep.
and ill do it once at a time… im too busy for this
my top 3 concerns for freshman year are:
1) next term classes~ i dont know how the system works yet so i have to get used to it because i’m the procrastinating type so i wait will the last minute to sign up so i’ll probably get the bad professors….
2) financial aid~ well my dad kinda gave me the rong tax return so i couldnt get financial aid this term.. but im hoping to get it next year… even though ill get like 500 only cuz i have a job and its ON the books -,-
3) homework… these days i think im too tired to even start my homework… i have school, then work literally right after work… so i have literally only like 30 minutes to do homework or i will have less than 5 hours of sleep a day -,- so yea.. these are my concerns
welllll the fact that i have to commute more than 30 minutes will make it different from other college experience… (are you sure this is other college experience? i think it should be high school experience) The face that we have learning communities will help highlight baruch college’s freshman experience because having a small class helps students change their view of schools from high school to college little by little. I think the fact that i actually know people who went to high school with me as well who play similar sports as i do will also change the experience because the school actually has a indoor 4-wall court as well as a work-out gym so instead of paying to get a membership at a gym we can just go to baruch’s workout room and chill~ well time to sleep so~ im done for today
Although high school is often the time people find their true identities, I believe that there’s no end to finding out who you really are because you’re always going to find something new about yourself. I’m personally a fun person to be with because I love to smile and laugh at anything, but when it comes to work I can be really serious. Like any other Baruch student, I’m a hard worker always searching for ways to improve and excel.
My top three concerns about my freshman year are…
1) Financial Aid- I don’t like to ask my parents for money so I find ways to pay for all my textbooks. I worked in the summer so the money comes from there.
2) Handling the workload. In college, students are presented with intensive workload and to make the best out of the college experience is to learn how to find that balance.
3) Registering for classes and making sure I stay on point with all my activities.
So far, I think the Baruch College experience will make my college experience worthwhile than any other college could supply because I’m asian and I never had that many asian friends. Here in Baruch there’s a tremendous diversity within the school so I’m looking forward to meeting people of my kind and those of other nationalities as well.
I think the first year in Baruch will bring a significant change in my life as I learn how to balance school, work, and fun. But most importantly I believe that Baruch would supply me with the skills to enter the Business field and become successful out there.
a) I believe I am a person who knows what to do to benefit me and other people. I believe in conviction and a strong mind which can change myself and everyone around me. And there is nothing that can halt me from achieving my goal if I made up my mind to accomplish it.
b) 1. I am concerned that I may not be able to fit in and assimilate myself to college life because of that huge amount of work I have to do during college.
2. I am worried that I may not have much time to study and do my assignments b/c of my long commuting time.
3. I am also anxious that I would not be able to learn new skills, either academic or extracurricular, during the first year. In short, I am worried that I may waste another year of my life for nothing.
c) So far, I think if I could make my time worthy and learn more skills in Baruch College then it will make Baruch College different. To me every colleges are the same, they teach you how to liberate your mind, and how to obtain social skills, and expand your horizon, it is just the matter of how well could the college substantiate a dynamic and educational process, though tuition fee may varies in different colleges.
d) I think I will be a better person in terms of social, economic and political after a year in college. I am sure that Baruch college will teach me those things gradually as well as time management and money management which are my most desired skills.
a. I am Robi. I’m a guy that’s determined to achieve my goals that I set for myself. I don’t want to just meet the standards, I want to exceed them. I’ve worked so hard in school and I’m waiting for all that work to pay off in the future. I have a lot to learn, and I’m willing to learn as much as I need to in order to be a successful businessman. I’m interested to see what the world has to offer me. I know that being in Baruch puts me on the right path.
b. 1. Registering for classes because I’m not sure how the process works. I also want to take winter and/or summer courses throughout my years in Baruch, even during freshman year. I want to know how these registrations work.
2. Making use of Baruch’s programs- I know that Baruch has a variety of programs and workshops that look good on one’s resume. By the end of freshman year, I want to be involved in at least one of these programs or workshops. I want to put my time to good use. I don’t want to come home, finish homework and then do nothing for the rest of the day…I want to get a job or apply for an internship with a financing company.
3. Getting good grades- This is a concern for me because I’ve always taken school seriously and I’ve done well throughout my years in school and I just hope that I can maintain that pace and continue to get good grades in college and I’m pretty confident in myself.
c. Baruch is a very good college with an abundant amount of resources. I believe that Baruch College offers many opportunities to go beyond learning. There’s the athletic department and there are workshops and programs that will help me build my resume and help me after I graduate. Like Zen stated, there is also the Newman Library which is impressive, the Weisserman Trading Floor and the computer labs. Baruch is a very populated school and I plan on meeting some other students; for example my classmates in LC 20 are really nice and it’s cool to know some people that I have most of my classes with.
d. I think that my first year at Baruch will change me for the better. I will meet new people, I will become a better speaker and I will be introduced to the business field which is pretty exciting. I’m looking forward to my freshman year as well as my years to come here at Baruch.
a. I think I am a very hardworking, determined person that doesn’t give up that easily. When I put something in my head I try my hardest to achieve it and I usually do. I think of myself as optimistic and that I always try to make the best out of situations that may not be so great. I think that I am focused, at this point, on college and on what I want to become in life career wise and as a person
b. The three things I am mainly concerned about are:
1) Making my schedule for the spring semester since I am new to it. I am not
sure how the system works and what classes I should be taking in the spring.
I am also worried that I don’t find open spaces in the classes I should be
taking.
2) Getting good grades in classes (I realized college is a lot harder and more
challenging than high school. It is also way more time consuming).
3) I am also concerned about getting active in my school. Baruch offers several
different things for students such as clubs, fraternities, programs, and many
more. I would like to get involved in these programs, but I also want to make
sure that I can get good grades at the same time since my grades are more
important to me.
c. Baruch has a great deal of resources in order to help its students. This great deal of resources will make a very good college experience. Just to name a few there is the gym, the writing center, SACC, and the library. Also everyone in the college is very friendly whether it is the staff, professors, or the other students. Also in Baruch you are very independent and I enjoy the freedoms that are given to you.
d. I think my first year at Baruch will help me grow and make me more independent. I also think I will make new friends and meet a lot of more people. It will also help me build my character and I will learn several new things. So far I have done several things I never expected myself to do such as give a four minute and a half speech in front of about thirty students. Usually when I am in front of the class presenting I am with a group and I have never been in front of a class for that long on my own and speaking the whole time.
a. Well I think I’m the greatest person in the world lol. Well, seriously, I am a great guy, or so I hear. I like to laugh and make people laugh. I like to have friends around me. I like to talk, a whole lot. 😉 and Iam very sociable/ outgoing. So who do I think I am?? I know I am who I want to be. I would not change a thing about me. I am Daniel Edward!
b. 1) Philosophy! I have not done one homework and I don’t know whats happening. Plus the prof sucks and I tend to zone out a lot. 2) Getting a good GPA. I tend to joke about just passing but idk if tht wll be good enough. I want to succeed not just pass. 3) Enjoying the college experience. I have yet to join a club or a team. I don’t have a job. And I go home right after class. That needs o change.
c. So far I haven’t acctually had another college experience other than in Baruch so I can’t tell you the difference????
d. Either I’ll be successful and head to a bright career or I’ll flunk and roam the streets. So, I’m hoping itshe successful career person change.
a. As it pertains to school, I am a good, efficient, and responsible student. With that said, although I usually do well and get good grades while exceeding in certain fields, I cannot say that I ever really enjoyed school too much. I know my work has to get done and I know that it is my responsibility to get it done and being the person that I am 99% of the time it will get done and will get done rather well, but that does not change the fact that school has never seemed to fascinate me. I strongly believe that this is the case because school has been all about broad subjects and everybody doing the same thing. I have a feeling and hope very much that this trait about me will change in Baruch as I will get a chance to explore the things that seem interesting to me and I believe that it is this factor along with my personality and attitudes on life that will enable me to be successful in the future.
b. 1) My main concern as of right now is doing well in all my classes and maintaining a very good GPA. I cannot say that college is that much harder then high school was. I come from a relatively well off high school and during my sophomore and junior year I have had very hard classes which resemble my work load now very much so it is nothing new for me. The only thing that does seem to worry me is of course is the way teachers in college grade. Until I see my first results after the first semester I will not be able to be completely calm.
2) The other thing that worries me is my schedule for next semester. I see older kids with huge 2 or 3 hour breaks in between their classes and I will have to make sure that this will not be me in the future.
3) Finally, as Danny mentioned, classes like philosophy throw me a little off guard. NO TESTS? NO QUIZZES? Do the homework and hand it in at the end of the semester and that’s it? That’s your grade? That worries me a little to be completely honest.
c. In terms of sitting in the classroom and doing your work I do not think that Baruch is different from any other college. For me it is different from high school and different from if I went away in the sense that I am still living at home and now have to commute.
d. I am not exactly sure at all how Baruch will change me. My guess is that I will become more mature and independent but as for everything else I guess I will just have to wait and see.
a.) Oftentimes I despise “WHO ARE YOU” questions. Honestly, I’m still iffy on my identity. I spent much of my summer vacation trying to find a talent. They say everybody’s good at something. Talent is important in a sense that serves as a powerful motivation. In spite of it all, I don’t believe such limited space can fully describe who I am. I’m quite a complicated person. What I do know is, I’m diligent in everything I put my mind to. It’s been part of who I am since a very young age. I’m also frequently categorized as a giver; it breaks my heart seeing people in despair. Which explains why I take interest in many volunteering activities. I admit, I can be selfish during certain situations, but never with deceitful intentions. I feel selfishness to a certain extent can be explained by human nature, the very mentality of self preservation.
That’s a brief insight on who I think I am.
b.) Top three concerns about my freshman year at Baruch College:
1. Time management! I must learn to efficiently set a personal schedule for myself. One that I will actually follow.
2. Finals. I don’t know what to expect.
3. Successfully registering for courses next semester.
c.) One of the main reasons I decided to attend Baruch College was for its diversity. Rarely do you see colleges/universities with such diversity. Diversity comforts me.
d.) I hope to discover more about my true interests and look at controversial aspects with an open mind. Essentially diminishing ignorance.
A) Who am I? Why I’m that kid who sells fruits! Not even joking :). Yeah so I’m probably just another ordinary student in Baruch. I’m not as complicated as everyone else who posted before me. I go to school to learn and I work to live.
B) Concern #1 – Time Management. I go to school and work at the same time like many students. Actually most of the time I work before school starts and school starts really early. I have to wake up at 4am for work at 5am. And after school I’m always tired.
Concern #2 – Getting good/decent grades. Prior to Baruch, I attended John Adams High School. I’m pretty sure none of you heard of this school. Compared to most of the schools my fellow classmates in this block went to, it really is ”crap”. In my high school, teachers fought to have me, the only Chinese kid in the whole school, in their class. I could show up 50% of the time and still get 98s. In Baruch, everyone is kind of Chinese like me, and I feel weird xD.
Concern #3 – Course Registration. Its not that the registration process is hard, but what classes should I take? I dont know which classes are right for me and I dont want to sign up for a class that will bore the hell out of me.
C) Baruch is very different than most other colleges i have taken classes in. I have taken college credit classes in York College, City College and Hunter College prior to graduating high school. They are all in the 5 boroughs but Baruch is still the most attractive to me. It has so much advanced resources compared to the other Colleges in NYC. Im not trying to discriminate or anything but everyone is Chinese lol. York, City and Hunter didnt have this many Chinese people put together! Maybe its just me not being used to my own people.
D) Well Baruch is very diverse. From a young age, I pretty grew up with every race but my own. I learned to appreciate the many cultures around me but I never really learned about my own. Maybe Baruch will be able to provide me with the ability to finally appreciate my own culture and traditions.
A) Secretly think I’m god, but in reality am just a student. Like to think I works hard and gets things done when it has to. Overall a happy person though feel sinical at times. When I hear the question who are you, I don’t have a perfect clear cut answer, but I do know myself with no question.
B) #1 – Time management – I get things done and get it done well, but i have a thing with working only near the deadline. I feel this is going to cause problems so i should really work on this.
#2 – Grades – A bit worried about the grading system and hoping to be able to keep a high G.P.A. I have some slight pressure I put on myself to do well and I just have some concerns about not doing well enough to be acceptable to my personal standards.
#3 – Money – I hope to manage my money well. College life is different now that my parents treat me like an adult and so I live mostly on my own money. I need to make sure i have everything under control so i don’t create any major problems in the future.
C) I think it’s going to be the people and atmosphere that really makes Baruch what it is and acts as it’s difining points. The student and faculty populace have so far made everything very enjoyable and they build a welcoming feel to the college. The college itself, even though i have no comparison to, is very huge with lots of services to offer. I hope to continue to uncover all the unique aspects of this college to make the most exciting time for me to remember.
D) Baruch is going to make me a more open person. I know that coming from a large high school like mine required a certain level of communication, but a college takes even more. The amount of people here and the needed amount of interaction is stiffling and I think to meet the standards I have to get in to the social network and make some important lasting connections.
a) I think I am a self-motivated person and a hard worker. Before moving to the United States of America I always aimed for an A. But since I came here, I always try to get that hundred, perfect score. I also like to help my friends when they need, if it is something with school, sports, or anything that I can help with.
b) 1. The grades I am going to get because unlike high school, you have only three to four tests, or two major papers due that are going to determine your grade. So if I mess one up, my grade will be impacted severly.
2. The notes taking. I am really bad in taking notes, and it is mostly how you get information: by listening and taking notes. I hope that I could adjust quickly to take effective notes.
3. register for classes. I have never schedual myself classes, so it is kind of confusing of how much classes to take, which combinations, and should I have a day off but learn more on other days.
c) I think what makes it different from other college expreince is that Baruch is not really a college exprience. A college exprience should be living alone, and take full responsibility of yourself. But in Baruch, I still live in my house with my family, which makes it more of a high school exprience rather than college exprience. And even living in the city alone is not like true college exprience, because it does not feel the same as in a campus.
d) I think the first year will make more mature, because in college proffesor do not treat you like a little kid any more. Also, it is going to make me more prepared person, because now I need to study couple of days before a test, unlike high school which I could be studying on the night of the exam.
I think I am a person who procrastinates a lot in life, but I will step it up in college. I am aiming for a 4.0 average. I know it is not easy; college is harder than high school. So I will try harder, manage my time and organize all the due dates. I think I am a understanding person, but saying things about me is not easy. I am still in the process of figuring out who I am and who I want to be.
Time managements – As I mentioned before, I like to procrastinate, so I have to plan ahead and make sure that things are on time. And this blog is not well planned; last minute rush.
Money – Asking money from parents are embarrassing and awkward since I am already in college. I want to find a part time, so I can earn some money myself.
GPA – Reaching for a 4.0 is difficult. I am determined to earn the grade.
Since Baruch is a college inside a city, it is surrounded with many shops, restaurants, and other stores. The environment is active, and I can hang around the campus when I don’t have class. And Baruch is different from other college that it doesn’t have a cheap dorm. I want to experience true independence, but I cannot afford to dorm.
I think the first year at Baruch will make me a better person. I will manage my time more effectively and use my time well. Through the communication class, I hope that I will become a better speaker. And I hope I can make new friends.
1. I am a Baruch student whose going to major in business. I want to major in business because i like to interact with people. I could say that i am a fairly lazy person. My favorite sport is soccer which i have been playing since the age of 12. I think i might join the Baruch team next year.
2.My first concern about my freshmen year is my procrastination. Secondly I think the amount of work will be unbearable at some point. There seem to be a lot of essays which would take up a lot of time. 3. Finally I’m not sure i should manage my time. I am thinking about getting a job but not sure if i should anymore.
3.I think the fact that Baruch is one of the most diverse schools which would make meeting people of different culture a new experience. Also Baruch has a huge gym in the basement where you can play soccer, basketball, handball, table tennis etc. This makes Baruch one of the better schools in my opinion. The Baruch library building also has a computer room which would help a lot when in times on need.
4.I think that being in Baruch will help me become better in life especially because of communication because it helps me speak more confidently. Also I will know more people and become more independent.
a) I like to think of myself as a realistic person. I set realistic goals for myself and I do everything in my power to achieve these goals. Otherwise, I believe I am just like every other Baruch Student. I want to work hard and receive a 4.0 GPA, regardless of how difficult it may be.
b) Time Management – I can see that this is a problem for the majority of the people here. Baruch is not like high school and I definitely need to adapt to this new environment, especially when it comes to managing my time.
Work Overload – I am worried that the amount of work will soon get unbearable but I am hoping to overcome this problem. I need to stop procrastinating and do my work the day it is assigned, that way I don’t have to do everything on the day before.
Being Active – I am not the kind of student to do extracurricular activities but seeing how I need to differentiate myself from everyone else, I guess I’m going to have to.
c) Baruch College provides an extensive variety of resources available to students and I think that makes college experience different. Being able to access the library, computer labs, pool, gym, etc. makes a huge difference to me. I like having options and I definitely like the fact that Baruch offers me these many different options.
d) I think that the first year at Baruch will make me a better student because it will make me stop procrastinating and start working harder. I need to be on top of my work and Baruch definitely pushes me to do that.