Author Archives: dm130862

Baruch itself definitely lived up to my expectations. I anticipated the large campus, lots of people, diversity, lots of classes and clubs/organizations, more free time and responsibility and the great neighborhood. All of that is exactly what I got. How I responded to everything, however, did not at all live up to my expectations. They told us “manage your time”, “be responsible”, “join clubs and make friends”. All that went out the window for me – fast! Another thing I didn’t expect: it still feels a lot like high school – probably because I still live at home, commuting to and from school and because we’re in a “vertical campus” which is basically a nice way of saying it’s a building. Did anything exceed my expectations? Yes, how much choice I have in terms of the courses I take and clubs/organizations I join. I found ones – more than one club of the same kind actually – that are perfect for me.

I would describe my first semester as bittersweet. It was disappointing but a learning experience. I did a lot wrong, but that means I know what I have to work on. So I would say that’s how I’ve changed: I now have more insight into myself. If I had to do it again, I would be more responsible/grounded and outgoing.

P.S.: Tenure should be abolished!!

Baruch itself definitely lived up to my expectations. I anticipated the large campus, lots of people, diversity, lots of classes and clubs/organizations, more free time and responsibility and the great neighborhood. All of that is exactly what I got. How I responded to everything, however, did not at all live up to my expectations. They told us “manage your time”, “be responsible”, “join clubs and make friends”. All that went out the window for me – fast! Another thing I didn’t expect: it still feels a lot like high school – probably because I still live at home, commuting to and from school and because we’re in a “vertical campus” which is basically a nice way of saying it’s a building. Did anything exceed my expectations? Yes, how much choice I have in terms of the courses I take and clubs/organizations I join. I found ones – more than one club of the same kind actually – that are perfect for me.

I would describe my first semester as bittersweet. It was disappointing but a learning experience. I did a lot wrong, but that means I know what I have to work on. So I would say that’s how I’ve changed: I now have more insight into myself. If I had to do it again, I would be more responsible/grounded and outgoing.

P.S.: Tenure should be abolished!!

At the end of my senior year of high school, I volunteered at my District Office. They usually have college interns who are majoring in political science or something like that, but they were short so I was very much welcomed. The district office isn’t where the councilman, Jumaane Williams, works but where the employees deal with constituent and community issues. During my time there, they held a health fair, provided aid for block parties, provided immigration services, etc. I worked mostly with the Director of Constituent Services, who assisted individuals with stuff like housing issues, slumlord issues, severely damaged sidewalks, access-a-ride problems and a multitude of other things. I also worked a little with Councilman Williams’ Scheduler, who organizes all of his events, appearances, meetings, etc. Overall, it was great to see how a community is organized and how much work is put into it. Plus the fact that there are so many departments and people who are there to help with certain issues that a lot of people in the community probably don’t even know about.

At the end of my senior year of high school, I volunteered at my District Office. They usually have college interns who are majoring in political science or something like that, but they were short so I was very much welcomed. The district office isn’t where the councilman, Jumaane Williams, works but where the employees deal with constituent and community issues. During my time there, they held a health fair, provided aid for block parties, provided immigration services, etc. I worked mostly with the Director of Constituent Services, who assisted individuals with stuff like housing issues, slumlord issues, severely damaged sidewalks, access-a-ride problems and a multitude of other things. I also worked a little with Councilman Williams’ Scheduler, who organizes all of his events, appearances, meetings, etc. Overall, it was great to see how a community is organized and how much work is put into it. Plus the fact that there are so many departments and people who are there to help with certain issues that a lot of people in the community probably don’t even know about.

So I had a scary thought – a sort of vision – today. I left class, walked out of the building, down the block, into the train station. It felt familiar. It occurred to me that this is quickly turning into high school all over again – just going through the motions: go to school, sit quietly in my classes, go home. Day after day. Not enjoying it, not making the most of it, definitely not trying as hard or doing as well as I can. Just getting it over with. I make excuses for not doing much else: it’s probably stupid, probably boring, what’s the point ? and I convince myself even when I know it’s BS. I don’t want this. I hated it the first time. So why am I doing it again ? Maybe cause I don”t know where to go from here. Maybe I’m just used to it.  Maybe the wall I built is so big, it’ll take a while to break down. Hopefully not too long. Don’t know why I’m writing about this. It’s the only thing on my mind besides the fact that I’m hungry and in desperate need of Advil (the joys of womanhood) so it’ll have to do.