Author Archives: fl129151

The first semester of college is coming to an end. From my experience, my first semester at Baruch College is very different from what I’ve expected. My initial goals and standards of myself at college did not follow through the first semester. I’ve set a list of things I should do and reach for in college, such as gaining a 3.5 GPA for an example. Before I’ve got into college, I heard stories from other college students that college is “fun”. What I thought of fun, it wasn’t the fun that they meant. College can be fun when you can manage to get the work done and have time for fun. But when I had a difficult time managing my time, it was no fun for me.

So far, I would have to say my first semester at Baruch College is not the worst or the best time of my life. For the classes, I realize that I had to put a lot more effect into studying than in High School. The pace of the lessons goes by in a blink of an eye. I realize that I had to put a lot more attention to the classes. Although my first semester of college may not be the best time of my life, but I’ve learned how to make it better in the next four years in college.

If I could do my first semester all over again, I think I would definitely change the way I study. In these few months, I realize that in college, memorizing the work isn’t the way to success, understanding the concept of the material is the most important part to learning. I use to memorize everything for the test, it works sometimes, but most of the time, I had to understand the concept in order to explain something clearly on my test.

College has changed me into someone who can keep up with tasks, and get work done effectively and efficiently. I think it is also the most important lesson that I’ve learned through college that would help me in the future in the real world.

My personal motto is “practice makes perfect”. It is a very common saying that has already been overly used yet it is very true. Most of the things you do need practice, for example playing the piano or dancing. There are very few people who are born with natural talents and only need minimal practice. Most of us need lots of practice in order to perform better. I do believe that a lot of things take practice in order to be good at it. When you practice thousands of times, you will eventually get familiar with the subject, so it becomes easier. After all, no matter who you are, someone with natural talent or an ordinary person, you need practice to achieve higher.

One of my personal examples of practice makes perfect is when I first learned English. Spelling has always been my biggest problem. I need more practice than anyone else in the class. So in order for me to achieve higher, I would write each word ten or twenty times. Practicing and writing out the words allowed me to memorize the spellings. During tests, I wouldn’t be afraid that I would forget how to spell a word, because having practiced many times; it gave me confidence that I know the spelling well.

Apart from all the hard work in school, I’ve learned that relaxing yourself at a certain point can also help you gain motivation to work a step further. Each person had their own ways of relaxing themselves. For me, sitting in front of the TV watching my favorite shows is what makes me feel relaxed. I feel that home is the most comfortable place for me to be because it separates me away from all the chaos that might be happened outside. My home is my little circle for me to be away from everything and relax. I’ve found that relaxing myself can help me maintain myself at a stress free mode. There are too much stress out there, doesn’t matter if its school, work, or personal issues, you have to part yourself away from stress first and let yourself prepare to face the chaos.

My family is my biggest support to overcome these obstacles. My parents are always supportive of my decisions. They also give advices when I face problems or fear. Sometimes I do not agree with the decisions they made for me, but in the end I know that what they do for me are always in my best interest. I try to do my best to accomplish what they’ve set for me because it is the only way to thank them for being always there for me.

          I am a student. I am a ordinary student at college who is trying to discover the different possibilities in life. I am a sister. I give my little sister my care and help whenever and wherever. I am a daughter. I give my full attention to what my parents has to say and try to reach to the goals that they have set for me. I am a friend. I sit patiently and listen to the stories and problems that a friend has to share. Who do I think I am? My answer would be that I have several different roles in life, but all of them makes me who I am.

          Freshman year at college is the hardest time because it is difficult to adjust to the new surrounding. There are several concerns I have about myself for my freshman year at Baruch College. First, the academics is my biggest concern. The way classes progress and the ways professors teach concerns me the most. It is hard to tell if what I am doing is right or what I am doing is the way that it should be as a college student. GPA is a important part of college and I hope to be able to have a good start in the academics. Second concern would be getting accustomed to the college life. College is a different stage in life, several adjustments has to be made in order to fit in and flow with the others. Third Concern would be meeting new people. I hope to meet and learn about different people in Baruch but it is difficult because Baruch is a commuter school. I hope to find a balance between school life and social life.

          College offers a lot of independence and freedom. Independence and freedom are great way to adjust to the adult life, but being an adult means that I would have to manage myself properly or else I will be the one to take all the responsibilities for failing to complete my requirements. In high school, there are always someone there to remain you of what to do and what should you do. In college, it is all about self-dependent and self-discipline.

          I think the first year at college will change me into someone who is more independent and mature. College allows me to learn how to manage my time and use them wisely, and learn about the different opportunities that college has to offer. I am excited to find out what the college has to offer and to discover the endless possibilities.