Author: rb115770

Coming into Baruch, I was very nervous. I didn’t know what  to expect. I took college courses in high school but that didn’t help me get that college feel. After a week, I felt more calm. At the moment, I’m loving Baruch College. There’s a variety of activities to get involved in, plenty of people to meet, workshops to attend, etc. I just had my interview for TEAM Baruch. I hope I get earn a spot in that group because I want to develop my leadership and social skills. I also applied for the Business Fraternity and I’m looking to get involved in Baruch’s student government. I am also considering to try out for the Men’s Volleyball team; I’m not sure yet.

Aside from clubs, teams and fraternities, my first priority is to pass all my classes, but not passing with a C or D in the course, but with a higher grade; a B or higher is satisfactory but I want to aim for an A in all, if not, most of my classes. This semester, I’m enjoying the classes that I’m enrolled in. I’m not very content with my English class because it tends to be boring at times and the professor is a very harsh grader. I give in 150% to all my essays, yet that is not enough for me to earn an A or A-. Up to this point I’m still trying to figure out what to do, but I won’t give up. I’ll continue until I get that A and then maintain a grade in that area.

I hope that next semester I will be in classes with fair teachers. I know that there is a lot of work ahead of me and I’m ready to take on any obstacles. I’m pretty excited! As far as my LC is concerned, I love my classmates. It’s a learning community that is full of intelligent, sympathetic and funny students. I’ve become accustomed to having classes with everyone in my block and I became closer friends with some of them. I am looking forward to my other seven semesters as an undergrad. student at Baruch and it would be nice to keep in touch with students from LC 20!

-Robert Baazashvili

On October 26th, I went to Mason Hall with the rest of LC 20. We witnessed a panel discussion that was considered a mandatory  Academic Enrichment Workshop. When I came in, there were four empty chairs on stage; none were occupied. I sat calmly, cracking a few jokes with a couple of friends from LC 20 as I awaited the arrival of Charles N. Li. When he entered, he seemed older than I expected, but then I realized that he was born in 1940, which meant that he is approximately 70 years of age. He definitely does not look as old as he is. He is in pretty good shape compared to most 70 year old men.

Before Mr. Li was  given the opportunity to talk about his identity and his experience in college, we heard from others including Professor Stan Altman of the School of Public Affairs, Tashi Chodron, Katrin Hansing, as well as bruce Payne. Each spokesperson introduced themselves and spoke about their college experiences and their processes that they underwent in their lives to be where there currently are. It was interesting because I learned from other people’s perspectives and we can all agree that college is the beginning of our free and independent lives. I’m curious as to see what my college career beholds for me and I am eager to take on any challenges and experiences that may await me.

To finish off the event, there was a really short Question & Answer Session with the author of the Bitter Sea, Charles N. Li. He answered any questions that some freshmen had. I found most of the questions to be silly; some regarded his age as well as the purpose of the book which he wrote in the beginning of the book. Some questions were fairly intellectual as they pertained to Mr. Li’s life. It was a good experience to see him; well from a distance. It seemed unreal because after all he wrote in the book, I would never think to see him in person.

-Robi Baazashvili

Today, Omar, Gaman, Michael, Daniel, another friend of mine and I went to STARR’s workshop entitled Networking 101. When we entered the room, VC 2-190, the instructor greeted us politely. Her name was June.It was a great experience. We signed in via computer as well as a sign in sheet. We each received a hand out which we had to fill out, but it was never collected. There was about twenty students in total. We all stood up. June split us up by category (borough, favorite ice cream, major) which lead to us walking to different corners of the class; meeting different people in the process.

Afterwards, we were introduced to different ways to find a job, but more specifically the process of networking. The workshop taught us the importance of networking in the world. I learned that 48% of all jobs are given via networking. It was a very interesting workshop. I enjoyed it. There was one activity that showed how all of us in the room were connected. One person would introduce themselves. If someone had a common interest or fact, they would toss the string to that person. This process went on for about ten minutes. After it was over there was a whole web of string in the middle of the room. It was a fun way to get to know some other people.  For the rest of the workshop, we spoke about networking; social networking as well. But the main focus was networking and it’s importance, as I said before. A more sophisticated way of networking was through a website known as linkedin.com. That website is based on three degrees which depend on the networks you possess.

The space made me feel more educated and sophisticated. I felt comfortable in the room. There were some people in the room that I didn’t know, but it’s always good to get to know new people. The fact that June was a nice instructor added to the comfort. She was nice and funny so it was great. I enjoyed this career development workshop and I’m looking forward to reserving a spot in other workshops for career development because it will help me in my future, epsecially in my future business career. 

-Robi Baazashvili

My experience at the Sidney Mishkin Art Gallery wasn’t what I expected. Thursday afternoons are known as club hours and most of us from LC 20 didn’t want to put our time to waste. We decided to head to 22nd street and check out the widely talked about art gallery.

When we arrived to the gallery, there was about ten or eleven LC 20 members; the gallery was empty. We had a short five minute introductory tour from Dr. Sandra Kraskin. She was very kind and she told us about the gallery’s theme, social groups. As said above, our first thought was Facebook; however, Dr. Kraskin was expecting for someone to say family because we are all close to our family. Most of the pictures were ordinary pictures. Each photograph represented something different. There were pictures of Swedish soccer fans, naked people playing baseball, religious people praying; it was unexpected. When I heard “art gallery” I was expecting some crazy art work that we could find in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and etc. The small space of the Mishkin art gallery was comforting. It was a nice, calm, and quiet room. Much less pictures than I thought but I enjoyed the theme of the gallery. The space made me feel secure. I can’t really say much about the space in the gallery.

As stated a few posts below, this gallery about social groups portrayed the importance of the groups. It also taught us that we should be thankful for whatever riches and technologies we can afford because there are millions of people worldwide that aren’t as fortunate as we are. Despite a small gallery and a shorter than anticipated visit, I enjoyed the Sidney Mishkin Art Gallery; I think we all did. It was a nice workshop. I’m looking forward to the other workshops as well! 

-Robi Baazashvili

College, well college is going well. It’s a fun environment and the location of Baruch is outstanding. I love the neighborhood; it’s close to the heart of New York. My biggest challenge is organizing the due dates for my homework. Don’t get me wrong, I try to do my homework as early as I can so I can enjoy my life. All teenagers should enjoy their lives. Sometimes I feel like I forget to do an assignment for one class and I feel nervous and hope that I completed it. Thankfully, I have handed in all of my assignments thus far. I really enjoy Baruch. It’s a very diverse college and I have the ability to meet people of all different races. Aside from the diversity, I never get bored in between classes. There are so many activities, clubs, organizations and workshops that Baruch offers; it’s impossible not to do anything. That is something high school didn’t have much of. I’m enjoying it here. The main reason that I’m even in college right now is because of my parents; but more specifically, my mother. If it wasn’t for her, I would have been a drop out. I don’t even know what I would be doing now. She has been helping me with my studies ever since I learned the ABCs and 123s. She has devoted herself to my sister and I. She is important to me and I owe her my whole life; not even. I owe my mom my life and more. I remember when I was little, she always urged me to do my best and she made me sit down and write the alphabet for hours so I can have the neatest hand-writing in my class. Oh man, I realize how much she has helped me and she makes so many sacrifices. I’m not a mama’s boy, but I do love my mom a lot. Yeah, I do! A quality that is vital for everyone to possess is happiness. I think that happiness is the key to success. If you are happy, then everything that revolves around you makes you happy, as well and life seems so much better. I dislike serious people that don’t have a hint of humor in their bodies; it’s disgusting. Sports makes me happy; playing them and watching them on television. The sports that I follow and play are volleyball, swimming, football, basketball, and baseball. Oh! I recently learned how to ride a bike. I think that counts as a sport. Biking is a really good way to relieve stress and it is one of the best workouts. My family and friends also make me happy; their happiness and health are important to me. There are some people in this world who fear many things. Fear should be something to avoid. It’s not worth it to fear something. If a person is stuck in a fearful mind-set, they will get nowhere in life. Fear holds people back from accomplishing their goals. The best thing is to be happy, like I said before. No need to fear anything.

The tour was helpful. I like the fact that the library offers a quiet place to relax or study. It’s definitely a place I will be in sooner or later.