Author Archives: alice.shen

Eh I can’t really say if Baruch has lived up to my expectations since I really didn’t have expectations, but this semester hasn’t been too horrible. I guess I always wish new experiences could have turned out to be more climactic or at least a little bit unusual.
All in all my first semester went along quite smoothly, but I probably shouldn’t announce that so confidently just yet since finals are fast approaching. Yikes… But I’m definitely going to work harder and try to finish out the semester with a bang and hopefully a 3.5 gpa.
I guess if I could redo this semester there would be a few things I’d change. Seriously, who wouldn’t take the oppourtunity to fix their mistakes? I wish I’d been even more proactive and taken the initiative in a lot of the things I did, whether it was classes or looking for extra help. It was practically a culture shock when I started college and no one was there to hold my hand or guide me. Instead, I felt completely alone and as if nobody cared about me in this school. I’ll be asking for help a lot more throughout the rest of this year now and even though I lost some enthusiasm, I’ve gained some practical knowledge.
Just when I thought I couldn’t get any more cynical and pessimistic, Baruch proved me wrong! That’s the biggest change I feel has taken place since I’ve arrived at Baru ch and started living in the city. I’m tougher, angrier, more realistic, and hate life just a tad bit more.

So I should have probably had props for my monologue. That would have been the only thing i could have possibly done to make it better. Maybe a sword or a wine filled skull would have given it that extra pizazz. Plus a costume! Imagine if I had a nice feathered hat or some parachute pants! So by performing my monologue, I’ve realized I’d be a way better stage director than an actor.
Either way, my performance was pretty solid; I’d like to think it was four out of five possible ninja stars. Martin’s was clearly five ninja stars, so note to self: be more emo next time. Orrrr reflect on more life experiences American History X style.
Actually, I don’t think I really thought about how it would go and being indifferent totally helped. I didn’t have any expectations so I didn’t fall short of them nor did I exceed them.
Basically my life is a win.

Every first week of school starts like this, whether it was second grade or now in college. I come in anxious and hope for the best. Not knowing what to expect, I’m excited over the most minuscule of details. Every assignment sounds intriguing and I plan on completing each with the utmost amount of gusto. I even want to start reading each and every textbook, devouring the information until I’m an expert on each subject. Its all so new and scary, no matter where I go, but soon this feeling will fade. That’s what I’m afraid of. That’s what I’m dreading. When this new-ness wears off, all that’s left is a pile of work I will never get through. Initiatives I will never take. Things I just won’t do. That’s what I need to change. It all matters now. This year. Everything about this year. I refuse to let this year be the same.

Basically, I’m a star. A bright, shining, shooting star and just being near me makes you a better person. So if you don’t think the previous stated facts are true, you’re not welcome on Planet Alice. Well, the Myers Briggs personality test says my type is INTP, which is introverted, intuitive, thinker, perceptive. This is fairly accurate particularly since I hate people. I’m one of those people who like and dislike lots of random things and gets uber excited to find people who have similar taste. I love reading Psychology Today and the wedding/celebrations section of the Times. My eyes sparkle at even the mere mention of couture and clothes (seeing the Academy of Art show for fashion week last Friday was A-mazing). My unicorn Princess Sparkles is never out of my sight for more than a day, so she’s had the opportunity to go on some intense camping trips. At age four my favorite foods included old school Play Doh and jars of paste, but I’ve moved on to a more sophisticated palate of Sour Patch Kids and Trader Joe’s goodies. Music for me is an essential; always gotta have my indie rock. My favorite store is hands down, without a doubt The Container Store since I have a strange obsession with boxes. I think I might sneak a bunny into my dorm ET-style soon because they might just be the greatest things in the world. Actually, I think cute fluffy things are fab in general. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF6PyIML0hI) !!! watch it!!! I hate yucky animals though, especially frogs. The one thing I hate more than frogs are tools in Tap Out shirts, so be warned because I will yell at you for wearing it!

Oh and I most likely WILL judge you since I have an opinion on everything.

My major concerns for freshman year are taking the right classes, learning to like Baruch, and getting involved. I really want to find the most direct path to getting the degree and skills I want so hopefully I’m taking the right classes now and next semester. What really doesn’t help is how I’m not crazy about Baruch. I love living in New York but I just wish I felt more than indifference for the school.  Getting involved is fairly important too since it’d definitely help me like Baruch, but I can be pretty lazy and I prefer doing my own thing.

My college experience is already turning out to be completely different than high school. Even though I still despise the actual work part, I actually attempt to keep up in my classes so far since I feel like I’m actually working towards something. The main differences I do enjoy are the independence you receive as a college student, particularly at Baruch, and the variety in what you can do.

I think this first year at college will give me a clearer vision of what I’d like to do with my life so I don’t end up homeless (biggest fear in the world). These first three weeks have already provided me several real-world experiences as opposed to living at home back in Jersey. I hope to try plenty of different things and consider some new career options, but it might make deciding on one thing even harder. When I was in Kindergarten I told everyone I wanted to be a supermodel (preferably Cindy Crawford) and ever since then I’ve considered myself in many different logical career fields. Going into business seems like the most logical option for me and I’m sure I’d find something I like within a marketing or merchandising field. Although, I still would love to study Egyptology or textile design.