Freshman Seminar 2011: CFA

Describing who I am is probably one of the most challenging things to do because in all honesty, I’m not quite sure I know who I am. There are many things in my life that I want to accomplish and hobbies that I enjoy, but I’m not sure that that actually defines who I am as a person. If my characteristics define who I am, then it’s safe to say that I’m outgoing, loud, caring, sensitive, and diligent. I guess you could say that who I am is a chapter in my life that remains opened because it’s still being written. I assume in a few years, maybe I will be a wife, mother, accountant, etc; but for right now, I’m just taking my life day by day in hopes of figuring out who I truly am.
The college experience at first is very overwhelming and terrifying because all the things that you are used to, transform into something that is brand new. You are introduced to new people, a different atmosphere, and a more laid-back setting. One of my main concerns starting out as a Freshman here at Baruch College would have to be the academics. My skepticism definitely comes from the pressure of my dreams. In my future at Baruch College, I hope to study abroad in London,England. In order to do that, I must achieve and maintain a high GPA to attend the International University that I am interested in. I also need to keep a high GPA to be accepted into the Zicklin School of Business. Another thing that is of concern is adjusting to this new chapter in my life. College, unlike high school, allows the student to have complete independence which can be frightening. You are automatically expected to keep up with the reading and classwork on your own, which is completely different from the high school experience. It is challenging and time-consuming to keep up with the work being given, but its all about adjusting to a new environment.
I believe that my college experience here at Baruch College will fully prepare me to take a step into the real world. Being a college student is completely different than the high school experience. Baruch is more of a laid- back independent feel, which will definitely help me in the future. The real world is all about independence and diligence, which I believe college is supposed to mold into a person’s character.

I haven’t figured out what my goals are; besides striving for excellent grades and trying to get involved with the Baruch community. I’m only an immature girl who doesn’t know what she wants yet after all. Although, I do have some idea on what to major in; perhaps accounting or possibly international business. It only just feels like yesterday I stepped out of the teenager zone and moved onto the adult zone. The nostalgia feeling of high school and old classmates and friends comes back from time to time. For me, adjusting to college seems fine at the moment, I’m not complaining. Figuring out time management, and knowing that I’m the only one who takes full responsibility of my own actions is a huge step. The idea of growing up and each day passing by just seems scary. Sometimes I look at my mother and I see her growing older each day and it makes me not watch to grow up. It makes me want to go back to the leisure times of being young; where watching cartoons and not having a care in the world was simply amazing. Although I am maturing, I’m sure to keep my immature side: the part that loves to watch cartoons, play ridiculous games with friends, or jumping in puddles when it’s rainy weather.

Going back on the subject of college, I think things are going just fine. Some of my professors are quirky, peculiar, enthusiastic, nice, and just plain boring. I used to think that in college, you would not see the same faces of your classmates in each class but this is not the case in Baruch. I’m kind of disappointed. I think that without “blocks”, it would have given us freshmen more of a chance to go and meet more people. I’m still thinking of clubs to join, perhaps taekwondo? I was always interested in learning some type of martial arts or self defense. I guess chinese movies took an influence on me. I saw some of the taekwondo club videos and it looks so intense, it intimidates me. So I’m undecided on joining…

College doesn’t seem scary. It’s just the idea of being alone in a new place that’s frightening to most. I kind of like the idea of having a lot of work and at the same time I don’t. It makes me more studious and less of a procrastinator. I think that’s a good thing, but it also takes time from my social life. My close friends go to colleges in different states and countries; it’s hard to talk to them at times. But I have a feeling things will work out well, even as this college process is a long way to go.

One of my favorite shows: Adventure Time (:

Who do I think I am? That’s a tough question. I know for certain that I am a daughter, a sister, a niece, a grand-daughter, a cousin, a god-mother, a friend, and a student among other things. In many ways I am still trying to define myself. I am not entirely sure of what I want to do with my life or where I am headed, but I guess that will come in time.

Being in college is definitely something that I am adjusting to. The workload is entirely different, and coming from a school where I rarely had to open a book, it has been a struggle to develop good study patterns. My biggest concern is just maintaining a somewhat decent GPA. That, along with dealing with all the work that has to be done and making sure I plan out my time and stay focused and organized.

As of right now I am not enrolled in any clubs. My first semester I didn’t think that I would be able to manage getting acclimated with the school and being a part of different organizations. However, I do believe that getting involved is something that will make my college experience different from high school.

I believe that my first year of college will definitely give me a better perspective on my future. I’m hoping that by the end of my first year I will have a better idea of what I want to do and if not maybe I’ll know for sure something that I have no desire doing. By the end of this year I see myself more grown up, more focused,more engaged in my studies and  more involved in clubs and organizations. Hopefully by the end of this year I’ll be able to better define myself.

                  Who am I? I ask myself the same question all the time. Some people spend their whole lives searching for who they are; well, as of now I might just be one of them soul-searchers. But of course, there’s always the none-the-less obvious facts of who I am. I am a female, a daughter, a sister, a friend. A student at Baruch College who doesn’t know what she’s majoring in just yet – I guess that’s part of my biggest concerns this year.

                  I fear wasting valuable time searching for a field I’d like to indulge in, I fear not being able to catch up on now college level courses, I fear just not getting used to college life. Simply the word “college” is appalling enough. Most likely I am just thinking too much about this whole college thing, pretty sure 4 years later when I look back at this post I will wonder why I ever overreacted. So far, I think the fact that there are a million (fine, maybe ½ million) students in this school will be what differs the most than from high school. It’s not that I hate people, it’s just the fact that the school gets a bit crowded sometimes, from packed elevators to lining up to get to the escalator, it really becomes a pain in the ass.

                  In a sense, college reminds me of middle school; an era where we all had set classes and homerooms and see the same people every day, except now we have “blocks.” I don’t hate the people in my block, but because we have the same schedule and travel at the same time to our classes, it makes it harder to meet other people outside of our block. I only have 1 class this semester that has more than just the people in my block – a lecture hall with 400+ students. But since it is a lecture hall where we have assigned seats, it doesn’t make it any better. That’s the biggest difference; in high school everything just comes naturally when meeting others, but now we have to actually try hard to make friends. I feel that people are not exactly social unless you take initiative (which isn’t always a bad thing nor am i implying that). Just my opinion, but isn’t the whole point of college to meet new people (and to learn of course)?

                  And as for change, I hope I don’t change much, I like the way I am now. Well, maybe become a bit more educated, a bit more knowledgeable, a bit less of a procrastinator, a bit less lazy, and maybe a bit more mature, BUT other than that, nothing else. Actually yea, I hope this first year at college will change my bad habits.