Author Archives: alexander.tran1

My experience as a college student at Baruch College has been so-so.  It has certainly met my expectations.  I expected Baruch College to have a very busy and active environment filled with many different classes and events participated by a variety of Baruch College students.  I feel that my time at Baruch College is going to be much like my four years in high school.  Both my high school and Baruch College is crowded and noisy at most times.

My first semester at Baruch College was much different than my four years in high school.  The amount of work in college definitely surpasses the amount of work in high school.  As my first semester at Baruch College is almost over, I realized that my senior year in high school was one of the best years of my life.  I barely had any homework to do last year, but this year is completely different.  Everyday is filled with tons of work.  After completing one assignment, there is another assignment due; the work is nonstop.  Despite the constant amount of work everyday, I believe I did average in my first semester.  Most of my classes were fair and average; not too easy and not too difficult.

If I had the chance to do my first semester at Baruch College all over again, I would definitely not procrastinate as much as I do now and learn to manage my time more efficiently.  As of now, I have completed all my assignments on time.  However, there is never time for me to rest because the work just keeps on coming and piling up.  I also need to learn to use my time more wisely, since the limited amount of time in one day is as precious and valuable to me now as a college student.  Furthermore, I would definitely devote more of my time to my Public Administration class.

My first semester at Baruch College has definitely changed me in some aspects.  I have become my sociable; making many new and great friends this semester.  In addition, my fear of public speaking has become less.  Most importantly, I have become more independent.  Realizing that I have to be on my own more often now and in my future, I learned that no one will be giving me “handouts” in college.

I think that Lucas Lauber did a good job on his presentation today.  He had a loud and clear voice and maintained eye contact with everyone.

Kimberly Delgado’s presentation was interesting.  She presented in a confident voice and with much enthusiasm.

I believe that Victor Huang’s presentation was good.  Victor did not look back at his paper to look for notes.  Throughout his presentation, he remained constant eye contact with us.  He didn’t have much pauses in between his thoughts.  His train of thought had a smooth flow to it and he didn’t seem nervous at all.

My name is Alexander Tran.  You can call me either Alexander or Alex; which ever one you prefer because I’m fine with both.  I am eighteen years old and my height is six feet one.  I am both Vietnamese and Chinese.  I speak English and Chinese (Cantonese).  Just in case if anyone thought I was Korean or Japanese.  Before moving to Queens at the age of four, I was born in Brooklyn.  I don’t mean to offend anyone living or coming from Brooklyn, but I personally like Queens better because I hardly spent any of my childhood in Brooklyn.  I am an only child; I live at home with both of my parents.  I graduated from Francis Lewis High School, which has approximately 4,700 students.  Therefore, I’m used to the crowdedness in Baruch.  Francis Lewis High School is much like Baruch; the population of Asian students from both schools is high.  My hobbies include playing and watching basketball and listening to music.  My favorite types of music include hip-hop, rap, and R&B.  Recently, I have two new hobbies and they are collecting sneakers and fitted caps.  I find it really hard to describe myself.  I just don’t know which words represent me, so its even more difficult for me to decide what I like best and least about myself.  From my family and friends, they have always told me that they like my ability of being helpful.  I guess that is true since I do feel a sense of accomplishment whenever I am able to help someone.  I guess I get that from my grandmother, who is one of the most important person in my life because she had taken care of me throughout my entire childhood.  I think I don’t need anyone to tell me what’s the least thing I like about myself because that would be my laziness.  Whenever I have to write essays or do any assigned readings, I would tell myself to finish all of it first before doing anything else.  I’m pretty sure you know what happens in the end.  It gets really annoying because I end up wasting a lot of time and rushing to finish everything at the last minute.  I can’t tell you guys how long it took me to finish this monologue.  If I really had to describe myself, I would say that I am a friendly and nice person.  It’s hard for me to make new friends because I am shy and not very outgoing, but once you get to know me you will find out that I’m the opposite.  I’m really not sure who or what I’m scared of.  I just follow my personal motto: learn to face your fears.  One of the most important thing going on in my life right now is my education.  I just want to complete college as soon as I can, so I can go on to the next part of my life.  College is definitely a huge change from high school for me.  I don’t know about you guys, but senior year in high school was the best.  However, all of that has changed and it is a big challenge for me.  Its really tough to complete so much work in so little time in one day.  I feel like my life is covered with piles of essays, readings, and exams and there is never time for me to hang out with my friends or play basketball.  Despite all the tedious work, there are some things I do like about college.  There is much more freedom meaning that there’s no teacher always on your back.  In high school, no cell phones or any sort of electronics were allowed and they would even be taken away if seen by any school official.  In college, they really don’t care.  The best thing I like about college so far is that I only have four days of classes, so I can enjoy my three day weekends once in a while.

1. My name is Alexander Tran.  I would describe myself as a tall and funny guy.  Once you get to know me, you will find out that I am a very easy guy to get along with.  I’m nice and helpful to everyone around me.

2. – I am concerned about all the reading I will have to do.  Personally, I am not a big fan of reading.  The only time I would actually read a book is when I am assigned to do it for school; I usually don’t read on my leisure time unless it is related to my interests or hobbies.

– I am aware that Baruch demands a multitude of presentations from the students.             This is going to be a problem for me because I am not a great public speaker.  My            communication skills are limited and my fear of public speaking still haunts me.  Every time I have to do a presentation, I would be very nervous and stutter when I speak.  It is also difficult for me to maintain constant eye contact at the audience (or listeners).

– My last concern as a freshman at Baruch is making new friends.  There are always different students sitting in the different classes I attend, except for the other students in the same block as me.  I believe that these blocks are very beneficial and helpful             because it makes it easier to get to know people.

3. I believe that my experience at Baruch College is much different from my high school experience.  In high school, I always got a ride to school from my dad.  Then I would go home on the bus with my friends which was only a five minute bus ride.  Going to Baruch College is much different.  I have to take a bus and two trains.  It gets annoying after a while because I don’t have much patience.  The gaps between classes are much longer allowing me more time to complete any assignment I didn’t do at home or just enjoy lunch.

4. I think that my first year at college will change my studying habits and work ethics.  It will make me realize that any type of work should be completed as soon as possible.  Dragging it further on will only make it worse with the work pile stacking up.  Baruch College is also training me to become more independent.  It is giving me the privilege of my own freedom and responsibility.