Who Are WE? We're PR3!

In the first couple of weeks I was so concerned about joining something ASAP in order to settle in Baruch easier. What I came to realize is that its really no big deal. I guess it just takes time to find that one thing you want to commit to. I did, however, find that one thing. Myself and a few others from our “block” decided to join the USG. I want to take on a career in politics so it is almost a must to be involved with the USG. I am now part of the student service committee.

It’s great, only problem are the meetings. I do want to be involved and attend all meetings,but Wednesday’s at 5? Really? Wednesday is already my longest day. Now plus a 2 hour break and a meeting? I know I have to just suck it up. It will just take me a little bit longer to really commit to it. Despite not being too thrilled with the meeting time, it’s been great. The people I have met through the USG are wonderful people. I look forward to becoming more involved in the coming semesters.

As junior year of High School came around, the question of what I was supposed to do in college also came with it. I never had and still don’t have any particular passion I would like to focus on as my career, so it was difficult for me to settle on what I should do, and what I should major in and so on. As I began to think about what I would make of my future, I was almost forced to contemplate over who I was as an individual. Although I still do not have a concrete answer to that, I am now able to at least discuss who I might be.

In this mini period of self discovery I realized that my most valuable trait is also my biggest flaw. In order to be happy I need to make people happy which often times leads me to prioritize other people’s wants and needs. This characteristic is critical to my identity. My goal is always to satisfy others. In my home, I am always attempting to please my parents by bringing home good grades, taking care of the house work, and trying my best to not be a financial burden. With my friends, I never make the final decisions in any circumstance we are in. I always let others make the decisions because my satisfaction comes from theirs.

These actions are most likely rooted in the fact that I might just be scared to be alone. If I prioritize other peoples wants and needs I avoid being rejected by someone. However, I am perfectly happy when I am alone. But because I have people in my life that I love and love me, I know I actually will never be alone. No one ever really is. Which brings me to the only passion I have that I can think of; love. I am very passionate about my friendships and my relationship. My best friends are not just friends they are my brothers and sisters. They are my family. My friends, boyfriend and most importantly my immediate family are the people I will always remember no matter what situation I am in because of the love that bonds us. Love is what drives me to do what I do, to be what I am and isake in my life.

To claim I know who I am would not be entirely honest. I’m not sure any of us really know yet. Yes, the majority of us believe that at the age of 18 we are adults. We are all so convinced that we know ourselves and have the right to claim who we are as individuals. I, however, don’t think so. But because I have to, I will try my best in explaining who I am. I’m Isabelle and no I’m not German or Polish. I’m Brazilian. I’m also very loud if I want to be, but mainly I keep my mouth shut. Most of the time I don’t think twice about anything I do or say and am very impatient. I can procrastinate, but will always get the job done.

My first month at Baruch has really opened my eyes to a few concerns I didn’t think I would have. The first, would be time management. I didn’t realize how important this would be until just now actually. I forgot about the FRO Blog and cramped two papers into the night before they are due. Will never happen again, hopefully. My second concern is being able to experience college with all its glory. Its very easy to not get involved with anything because this is a commuter school. Which gives way to my third concern, what to join?! So many clubs and organizations and this and that, its a little overwhelming.

My experience in Baruch so far has been different from high school in some ways but the same in others. It has been different because college is a lot more individual than high school. Which brings me back to that damn time management. I hope I get a grip of that soon, or else I’m in deep, uhh trouble. I guess I can say it’s very different to manage time in high school because well what did any of us even have to manage? College is well, college. We all begin knowing what to expect, yet when faced with something like managing our time, we have trouble doing it.

However, I think as I progress in my first year at Baruch I think I will change and will be able to do something as simple as managing my time. I’m probably exaggerating with all this talk of time management, but really its a challenge for me. I was told that in college a person discovers who they really are, so I’m expecting just that. Maybe not in my first year at Baruch but I think it will begin to happen during this first year. I have no idea how, and can’t even think of how I might. But I’m excited to see what happens in this coming year, so bring it on Baruch.