Author Archives: benny.arvot

When I came to Baruch for my first semester of college, I certainly didn’t expect to be taking just two classes. Even though I was disappointed in how my semester began, things definitely changed for the better. I got to meet people from all different types of backgrounds and learned many new things in my English class. At first I was frustrated that I couldn’t be a full time student. I thought that if I wasn’t a full time student, then what’s the point of even taking the train ride in to the city twice a week. My attitude on this situation has changed for the better and now I see how being at Baruch has affected me. Each day that I come to class becomes an adventure; I learn something new and exciting each time I enter the nvc building as well as the library. When this semester comes to a close, it will only mean that a new semester will be beginning soon, where I’ll be able to spend more time enjoying my classes and hanging out with the friends I have made.

I don’t usually like to talk about myself because in my family, I’m the one you turn to when a job needs to be done, I never really felt that I should express my feelings. Or at least that’s what I thought up until Monday July 13th 2009. On this day I received a phone call from my mother. She sounded upset but she didn’t want to tell me what was wrong. What she did tell me was that I should stop what I was doing and to go to my grandmother’s home as soon as possible. When I arrived, I was shocked to see so many people openly crying. I went up to my mother to ask her what happened, and that’s when I received the news that my grandmother had passed away only a few hour before I got there. This was the first time I ever had to cope with death. I just sat there in tears speechless, unable to even muster up the energy to get up. For the first time in my life I couldn’t do a thing to help the situation. I couldn’t eat or sleep for days, I felt helpless and alone. I was in such a horrible state that I didn’t even speak to anyone until the night before the funeral. That night I was asked to read the speeches prepared by my sister, three of my cousins, my aunt, and my own on their behalf. In my head, I felt that was the only way I could help. The only problem was that I had no access to a computer to type out my speech. I stayed up all night writing speech after speech on my cell phone, I kept telling myself that it just wasn’t good enough and I didn’t want to worry anyone, so I remained silent. Finally it was time to go to the funeral, this day couldn’t move any slower. Each and every second I spent at that podium looking down at my loved ones and that casket was like an unbearable torture. But I persevered; I read each speech one after another with tears running down my face. Every time I finished reading a speech I would have to stop and try my best to gain composure. Finally it was time for my speech, at this time I took out my phone which caused everyone watching to become dumbfounded. I stood there reading my speech, trying to get my words out as fast as I could so that I could finally leave. When it was over I felt embarrassed of the fact that I had to read it off my phone and expected to receive harsh comments from my family. To my surprise I was embraced by my family. Monday July 13, 2009 was the day my life changed, ever since that day it’s become difficult for me to take charge of my day to day problems but I’m trying. So please forgive me if I ever seem like I’m trying to either avoid any of you or I don’t respond because I’m not as open as I would like to be but I’m trying my best.

Community service is when you go out of your way to do a good deed. It’s when you help those who are in need whether you know them personally or not. It is especially important to teach kids from a young age about how they can do community service as well. Teaching kids from a young age is important because it shows them how to be responsible and it shows them how to treat others who may not have been afforded the same life style that most families receive with dignity and respect as well. When I was in the 7th grade my school organized a trip for us to help a charitable organization. We helped by putting together and delivering packages of food to those less fortunate then our selves’ right before the holiday season. In order to help lesson the burden from those families that may not have been able to enjoy the holiday season to their fullest due to financial constraints. After that trip it felt as though my eyes were opened for the first time because I never got to see first hand how difficult things can be for those who can not afford to buy food on a regular basis. Since then I have been much more open to helping others and treating others with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Who do I think I am? I think I am just an ordinary eighteen year old guy. I love sports and computers and hanging out with friends just like any other guy my age. I love learning about new types of technology that comes out. When a new computer or phone comes out I like to look in to how they work because it makes me happy as well as keeps me well informed. Ever since I was a little kid I have always felt very shy in public. I would try to avoid any type of situation where I would have to speak out loud or do a presentation. But when I am with my friends I am always open and free to express my opinions.

What are my top three concerns about my freshman year at Baruch College? My top three concerns are what if I fail, what if I disappoint my family, and what if I disappoint myself. Neither of my parents went to college so being here means a great deal to both of them and me. I always try to strive for the best but theirs always the chance that I could not meet Baruch Colleges expectations. I am sure this won’t happen but I always like to keep in mind what would happen if I didn’t remember the reason why I chose to go to this school. I chose this school to better myself as a whole and I can’t allow myself to falter.

So far, what do I think will make my Baruch college experience different from my high school experience? I think one of the more major differences will be the class sizes. In my high school classes weren’t very large. My high school was no were near as big as Baruch college so it’s kind of weird for me not to know everybody.

How do I think my first year at College will change me? I think being here at Baruch will make me feel more open to new and exciting opportunities like getting used to public speaking. I think this year will truly set the tone for how the rest of my college experience will go. I hope I can get used to how huge this school really is. Since I never was in any school were there was so many students. But ultimately I feel that by the end of my first year of College I will have grown as a person and that is what I am most excited for.