It is easy to be asked “who you are;” the answer seems simple in your mind but when it has to be put on paper, this simple question turns complex.
I am a Persian-American woman from Long Island, New York. Sounds cool right? It is. The only problem is when the two cultures clash. The constant struggle between modern time and tradition have made me who I am today. I have learned to fight for what I want and what I believe in. I have learned to argue in my favor while being extremely careful to learn about the opposing side. However, this way of life has forced me to become an adult at a very young age. But this is not always a bad thing. As a result of my maturity, my parents have given me the opportunity to live in an apartment in New York City while I attend Baruch College.
I have finally left the bubble of Great Neck, New York where everybody is the same- Persian-American. Having been raised in a homogeneous environment where young people and their families are reluctant to assimilate, I grab the opportunities to explore the disparate races, religions and orientations that define New York City. My goal is to leave my comfort zone and develop a deeper understanding of the world outside the Great Neck Persian community. I will meet students from every continent, and learn about diverse cultures while gaining the global perspective that will nurture my intellect and nourish my growth.
My concerns about my freshman year at Baruch College are both common and simple. I am worried about managing my time correctly. I need to maintain a high grade point average in order to attend Dental School but I also want to “be” a college student. I want to go out and have fun. I also want to make life long friends. Lastly, I want to create strong bonds with my professors.
High school and College are two different planets. One has rules and one does not. One has all the same people and one is a melting pot. One was close to my parents and one is not. One was boring and one is not.
When I am asked about how I view myself, I instantly define myself as a responsible person. I enjoy having fun and socializing just like any other teenager, but I know I have responsibilties. I try to manage my life in a mature way, taking caution of my decisions and actions. I know if I mess up now it will come to haunt me in the future. It is a time to flourish and blossoum as a person, not a time to destroy my life through immaturity.
One concern I have about freshman year is biology. I am not good at science and this class is very hard. I have tried hard to read the textbook, but I still fail to understand the function of a olgisaccaride! I am going to have to work very hard in order to do well. I also hope to learn how to maintain a decent GPA while having a sucessful social life. It is important to interact with humans every once and a while. I also am concerned about traveling in the bitter cold snowy winters. I don’t enjoy traveling to school in the snow….I hope we don’t have a brutal winter.
College will be different from highschool because I get to travel to the city (my favorite place in New York) everyday and experience Manhattan’s unique culture. After school I can take a walk to 34th Street or take a short train ride to visit the Southstreet Seaport. I also enjoy meeting new people of many different cultures from many different neighborhoods. Most of the people at Baruch aren’t from Queens; it is nice to meet people outside my borough and even outside my state.
My first year in Baruch will bring new people into my life and introduce me to new places. I feel that I will be prepared for the work force and adult life! Baruch gives me the freedom that highschool did not. I am free to manage my own life and given the chance to take responsibility. I don’t know how hard it is going to be but I up for the challenge!