fro11dma

As first semester of college comes to a close, I can’t help to be amazed at how quickly these few months have flown by. I don’t know if it was the newness of the college experience or not having classes 5 days a week, but I really did enjoy my first semester at Baruch. For the most part, my experience at Baruch has lived up to my expectations. I’ve made some great friends, been swamped with work, and wanted to pull my hair out at times. But to me, those things together are what I expected out of Baruch. I knew that college wouldn’t always be easy, and there would be times I wanted to give up. But I know that the constant struggle and challenges are preparing me for my future endeavors, so quitting is never an option.

In terms of the work, I think that my first semester was pretty successful. My grades were on par with what I expect for myself, and I surprisingly haven’t slacked off (that much). However, I do wish to change some things about myself next semester. I found that I procrastinated WAY too much this time around, and I want to make a conscious effort to do everything efficiently and on time.

In terms of changes, I don’t think that I’ve changed too much these past few months. The one thing about me that has changed is that I’m more outgoing when it comes to talking to people. I came into college with the mindset of being a friendly person, and I think that that attitude has allowed me to make some great friends and potential friends. All in all, first semester at Baruch has definitely made me look forward to the next semester.

Anyway, here’s hoping for a good end of the semester. Good luck to all of you, and see you around 🙂

– Jenna

My name is Mark Guindi. I am 18 years old. Iv’e lived in New York all my life and don’t intend on leaving anytime soon. I love every sport no matter what it is. Sports bring out my competitive attribute and I always try my hardest to come out on top. I’m enjoying Baruch so far. My favorite class is psychology, with art history definitely being the worst. I bombed an art history test this week and i’m hoping the professor would have sympathy and pass me. I love thrilling things and anything that can give me a quick adrenaline rush. I love the city even though taxi drivers are horrible, and there are a bunch of lunatics roaming the streets. I hate anything with coffee in it, from capuchinos to frappachinos and all the other chinos. French fries are awesome. Porsches are my favorite cars. They are made to perfection and look magnificent. I am a Big New York Giants fan and a New York Jets hater as well. I mean, all those jet fans are so cocky and have nothing at all to back up their words. Especially that coach of theirs, Rex Ryan.

Lee Eliyahu
Fro11dma
Mr. Hansley/ Lily Tam
10/24/11

Monologue

Making the choice to attend Baruch College has ultimately changed my life for the better. Originally from Great Neck, I never acknowledged the fact that I’ve been living in a bubble. Every day, I used to see the same people, hang out at the same places and do the same few things. I grew tired of it and never thought I’d find a way to get out of this daily routine. And once I began to attend Baruch, my eyes had opened. Although I primarily commuted to the school, I began experiencing a life outside my bubble. As i underwent a 40 minute train ride followed by a walk to Baruch from Penn Station every morning, I saw tons of new faces. Hundreds of individuals who were all in a rush to get to some place; Just like i was. I was alone and on my own. This is what I had to do during the week as I went to Baruch and as I returned home. By the time I got home from school, I was wiped of all my energy. Already onto my first stage of sleep the second I laid down on my bed. I hadn’t even got the chance to hang out my friends in the neighborhood because I was so worried about fulfilling my never-ending school work. I then realized that I couldn’t proceed with this commute because I wasn’t able to receive enough time to study for exams and complete assigned homework. I knew I had to end this conflict.
After weeks of continuing this process to and from school, I became jealous of the students that dorm or live in an apartment in New York City that makes their travel to the college a simple task. They don’t have to wake up two and a half hours before their first class and return home an hour and a half after their last. I thought fast and began looking for an apartment to stay. Soon enough, I managed to find a good deal and subsequently moved in to a place of my own in a matter of three weeks. Just as i knew it, I became a New Yorker; Expressing my individuality to the greatest extent. And just on twenty ninth street, Baruch was just four blocks away.
As I transitioned into my new lifestyle, I realized that I’ve been more productive socially and academically. Since I am such a short distance away from Baruch College, my hours to spend at the school are ridiculously flexible. Now I’m able to reach the school at any time, have a place to go to during my club hour break and am in no rush to head back to Great Neck after my last class.
I love the new life I’ve made for myself after deciding to pursue my education at Baruch College. Living in the big apple or the city that never sleeps is the greatest experience that I could ask for. Although I didn’t go far away for college like some students, I remain close to home while living an independent life.

I am like many of you. A person entering an exciting new world filled with unexpected expectations and everyday questions like “damn, did I pass that art history midterm?” Yea like that. I’m a person who can understand the world in all its complexities and simplicities but at the same time the world would have hard time figuring me out. Still I can’t blame it. I guess I could only identify myself as a paradox, I’m simple to look at but I’m beyond understanding like an artist follows his gospel but can’t help to find the vanity that surrounds him so alluring. I don’t think that makes me a bad person because I still have the desire to see girls smile out of happiness and write things about things that can touch a person’s heart. If anything that makes me human so that’s good to know.
Still like many people I made my mistakes and bad decisions, a few which cost me big time so much that I can’t even tell you what they are but like some people I lived up to my mistakes and moved on. Thankfully I had family and friends who helped me through that process. I hope to make many friends during my college years, the kind that can be there for you and in turn you could be there for them no matter what. Fortunately I have made these kinds of friends and I’m glad. I believe that family and friendships are irreplaceable so that’s why I always treasure the ones I have. They’re the only people who sees my faults but accept me for who I am.
I have the weird goal in life to at least live ti the age 81. As weird as that sounds I do have my reasons. A family member of mine lived up to that age and lead a very exciting life. He had many adventures around the world and told me amazing stories of what it was like to “live.” It‘s funny I was told these stories at a very young age where it would be impossible to remember anything from that point but even now I can remember vividly remember the excitements that came from his trips from the Philippians, Spain, and various parts of the Caribbean. Just from hearing these things I was determined not only to live a long life but to make the most of it and have those experiences the kind that this important person shared with me.

Hey I’m Tarik Bouzourene, I’m a laid back kid who loves to have fun with his friends and crack jokes, we’re always doing crazy stuff that other people are too scared to do. I went to Plainview old Bethpage high school. I loved high school especially senior year. Senior was a year of strictly fun being reckless and bonding with friends since your childhood. Now Baruch on the other hand is totally different. At Baruch everything is strictly business… literally. Everyone’s on an agenda and no one really sits back to take time and enjoy their college life. They just walk into school, walk out and go straight home. Not like I wasn’t warned that Baruch would be like this but its just weird to see it for yourself…in person. I mean the only thing I really feels as though helps me bond with people in the school is being on the swim team. I’ve been swimming all my life and being recruited by Baruch and swimming with all the students on the team reminds me somewhat of what I miss in high school which is good.  Seeing them everyday and knowing that their going through the same thing your going through between school and practice keeps you up beat and motivated feeling as though your not alone and not the only one going through the same struggles. But besides being a student and a swimmer I’m also an older brother and lifeguard at Lifetime fitness. My brother is 15 years old and his name is Adam he is annoying at times yet I still miss having him around all the time. Lifetime Fitness is an upscale gym in Syosset, Long Island. Its received the award of being a diamond gym club meaning the best in its class. Some things you should know that make it so special is that there are 7 pools, 2 water slides, rock climbing wall, 2 basketball courts, boxing ring, full spa and salon, café, full gym with top of the line machines, and child center.

Hi, my name is James Nemeroff, and I am a freshman in my first semester at Baruch College. I am from Dix Hills, which is located on Long Island. I was born in Livingston, New Jersey and moved to Long Island around the age of eight. I plan to pursue a degree in Finance and/or Real Estate from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business. I would like to enter the field of finance after completing my degree. My ultimate goal is to get a job or an internship doing investment banking.

Well, I personally consider myself as a young outgoing and independent women, who enjoys life and all the incredible things that come with it and, very important, I love New York. To live in one of the greatest cities in the world, is one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I grew up in a very small town in former East Germany, in the middle of nowhere and I just left everything behind and came here, which is, now that I think about it, CRAZY. Nobody would do such a thing. But I wasn’t even planning on staying, when I first came to the United States, I only wanted to travel and explore the country. Never pictured myself still being here today, or even more unreal, attending college.

Also things were a little different before I started college. I was just living the life and did whatever I felt like doing. My work schedule also gave me the opportunity to do so and that gave me the freedom to practice all kinds of sports. My huge passion are especially surfing and wake-surfing, snowboarding, running and kickboxing. Love it, just love it. If I wouldn’t be so “german” then I would just hang on the beach all day and surf surf surf….

On my journey I met so many great people and some of them have become really good and close friends of mine, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss that for the world. Most of them are immigrants just like me and we kind of have that special connection, I guess because there are so many similarities in our background stories.

I am so happy to be able to go to school, yeah its great crack. Even though sometimes it seems hard to find the balance between school, work and life, but you just have to suck it up and move forward. In the end it will all be worth it…

 

My name is shaya chabot I am 18 years old and this is my first year at Baruch. So far I am enjoying my first semester at Baruch, I am doing well in all my classes exempt art history. It has only been two months but I already like college better then high school. In college I have more independents then I did in high school, and I will be able to take classes that I am interested in. A main reason I came to Baruch was that it is in new York city, and I hope that I will be able to get a job in the field of work that I am interested in once I get a better schedule. So far the only really problem I am having is managing my time well. The work load in college is much heavier then it was in high school and I have been falling behind in some of my classes because I leave to many thing to the last minute. Still I believe in my self and I know that if I put the time and the effort in I can accomplish anything.

I am grateful for a lot of things but what I value above all else is family. My family believes in sticking together and that know matter what happens we always have to be there for each other. I am the oldest boy in my family and a lot is expected of me. My siblings look up to be and I try to lead by example. My parents are great people i learn both from my mom and my dad how to be a better person every day. I understand that Material things will come and go but my family will always be behind me. I am also a very competitive, nice, and caring person. I like to win It doesn’t matter if I am playing a sport or a board game I hate losing. In my community I do a lot of volunteer work and I really enjoy helping people who can’t help themselves.

My name is Mark Belio. Coming to Baruch is a completely new experience for me, as for junior and high school I was in the same school for a total of 6 years. The school was a small one, with about 60 people in my entire grade. I knew every face I saw in the hallways, every face in my class, as it never changed. I even knew every face basically on the bus and train going and coming from school, as it never changed. I knew what every day would be consisted of, this daily routine that never changes, only following the same cycle. I had somewhat of a relationship with everyone in my grade, no matter how small that relationship was. I just got an invite on Facebook for a party next Saturday that is going to have basically my whole grade there. My high school has become so ingrained in my being that leaving it and completely changing my daily routine seems like it would take a little adjusting.

Going to college is like being thrown off an airplane with just a parachute and a knife into the wild to fend for yourself. That’s a bit dramatic, but it’s an extremely hard thing to adjust to. You’re so used to seeing the same faces and not having to strain yourself to create a new relationship because you already have these year-long relationships. No one will care for you if you stumble somewhere; in my high school I couldn’t leave the building until 2:10 everyday yet here I can leave in the middle of class if I so wish. Freedom is something that everyone says that they want, but if you’re so constrained for so many years in this this tight schedule and then suddenly have the ability to do basically anything, it sucks. I don’t know what to right now, but I guess at first no one does, and I’m just going to have to figure out on my own and fill all the empty space that’s in my life.

My name’s Selina, and I’m 17 years old. I’d like to say that I’m an adventurous person, but others like to call me reckless. I don’t see how my actions are reckless, but maybe that’s the reckless part about it. Here’s an example, I’ll let you guys decide. This weekend I volunteered at a local community center for underprivileged children. We took them to a farm in New Jersey where they would be able to partake in a multitude of activities, including a corn maze. Yes, a corn maze is exactly what it sounds like: a maze of corn. The maze was only supposed to take half an hour, but with my fantastic navigational skills it took a bit longer.

Vowing to the other volunteers that me and my group of kids would be the first ones out I ventured out through the maze. After about an hour I got tired of walking in circles, so I had a brilliant idea: If I cut through the corn and keep going straight, I’m bound to find the end. Oh how wrong I was.

Now before we were let into the maze the workers warned us about 5 times not to let the kids get off the path and through the corn. So I led the kids off the path and through the corn. The kids told me that was wrong, but I assured them that I knew exactly where I was going.

That’s when things got bad. About 10 minutes in I realized that I was lost. The corn stood about 5 feet taller than me was so thick that I couldn’t see anything besides massive amounts of yellow and brown. So I panicked, I had absolutely no idea where to go. The kids on the other hand, were pissed.

As I trudged through the corn for about 3 hours with 8 kids basically cursing me out I began to think “How did I get myself into such a  tangled mess?” Then I realized that this maze of corn was an exact representation of my life, a tangled mess with no way out. An ongoing maze that led nowhere. What if all the “adventurous” decisions I make are just screwing me over? What if I’m leading a path of destruction and there’s really no hope for me? Just as I was about to restructure my entire life something amazing happened, I broke out of the corn.

A dirt path cut out a field of corn put me on cloud nine. A conspicuous sign carved into the side of a tree told me that if I took every right turn then I’d find my way out. Me being the one that always follows the advice of strangers did just that and found almost civilization in about 10 minutes.

So now I’m sick from the cold, and probably kicked out of that volunteering organization, but if I had a do over I’d probably do the same thing. If I stayed on the well traveled path I probably would have won, but I would never have had such a great adventure. Life’s a tangled mess, but what’s the point if you don’t get lost in it sometimes?