My experience as a freshman in Baruch has been great so far. I’m still learning to get used to a lot of different changes though. For example, the environment, teaching styles, specific homework expectations (in English, we have a word limit for EACH paragraph!!), and different time schedules. Being that I also have a part time-job, I have to use every second of my time wisely to complete homework, study, and stay on top of things. The biggest challenge has been getting used to the professors who only lecture since participating in lessons helps me to better understand. But overall, everything is going great! Being that I live in the Baruch Residence on 96th street, I’ve had a pretty interesting experience so far. I’ve been exposed to different personalities (some good and bad), cultures, and ways of life. Most of all, the dorm experience has taught me more about myself as I turn away from peer pressure and social groups where our values don’t align. As far as the commute from school to the dorms,let’s just say that everyone on the trains love breathing down on another’s backs. NOT!! But what else can we do? Everyone wants to be somebody someday; that’s why we bombard one another on the trains, pushing and shoving to make a way for ourselves. I must admit, it can be a little irritating at times, but at the end of the day, I remember that the exhausted mother is rushing home to make dinner for her family, the hard-working employee needs to hurry home to rest his aching feet, and the student, like me, is busy dreaming about her future after graduating from Baruch. I have also joined an accounting club in school that prepares students for professional development, internships, and ultimately, full-time employment after graduation! I cannot believe that the semester is almost over already!

My experience so far is summed up in this image of a triple beam balance. The three beams represent the three areas of my life: school, work, and my social life. In order for there to be equilibrium, all three areas must meet at a common point. Similarly, my first three months has consisted of finding a balance between homework, working, and socially interacting. While all three are equally important, the amount of time (the numerical value) of each area must is different. I have been learning (since this is a working progress) to adapt to different situations, balancing my priorities in order to achieve success.

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Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Sickness. Death. These are all the present sufferings of men. As a result of this enrichment workshop, I learned how the Buddhist religion provides an escape from all of these. Religion, according to Buddhism, is not only a belief, it’s a way of life. Buddha, for example, believed that there was more to life than earthly desires. My amazing peer mentor enlightened me on the story of Buddha: Buddha, who was a prince with a life of luxury, believed that there was more to life than earthly possessions. Despite the fact that he was forbidden from leaving the palace, Buddha isolates himself from everything. Ultimately, he reaches nirvana: a place where suffering ceases to exist, a place where peace of mind abounds. Buddha’s discovery and approach to life can be applied to my own academic career at Baruch. In order to escape from a future life of struggling, I must rid myself of all of the hindrances in the way. For example, I must find a way to complete my homework instead of falling into the temptations of distractions such as social media. Finally, this enrichment workshop taught me that peace only reigns when we abolish the very things causing clamor in our lives.

Is Christianity merely a religion? No. It is a way of life. In fact, it is the most important aspect of my life. My Christian faith is not only the basis of my existence; it is also the prime motivation of all my aspirations. However, my devotion to Christianity by no means indicates that I am without flaws. Not by a long shot am I “holier than thou.”If I could sum up Christianity in a few words, it would be these: to be a better tomorrow than I was today.
Many people live by the motto “work hard, play hard.” While this statement speaks on the necessity of balance in one’s life, if I have not worked hard enough, it is difficult for me to “play” at all. In other words, if I have any pending work on my plate, I won’t have a peaceful mind until it’s complete. I’ll be on the dance floor feeling miserable because of the haunting thoughts of the ten-page paper I have yet to write.
Have you ever noticed that the warmth of daylight always comes after the fright of the dark? In the same manner, I live by the notion that things will get better no matter how bad they may seem. Kelly Clarkson said it best in her hit single that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Hope and optimism allow me to realize that mistakes are eye-opening experiences of what not to do in the future.
This may seem cliché but I must say that living by the golden rule is my goal every day. The golden rule was established on the platform of love. I show love towards others by simply treating others the way that I want to be treated.
What would you like to eat for dinner? If you would have asked me this question exactly one year ago, undoubtedly-without hesitation or deliberation- I would have answered: fried chicken, pizza, McDonald’s, French fries, you get the point here. Recently, however, after some heaven-sent exposure to the secrets of fast food and processed food industries, I realized how much of a slow death that I, along with millions of people all over the world, are suffering. I have changed my diet and most of all, my lifestyle.
Over a majority of my life, I’ve allowed fear to dictate my life. But now, I have promised myself to start becoming more adventurous, you never know what life has in store!
If someone asked me to define “cheapskate,” I would simply offer them a picture of myself. I wouldn’t say that I am cheap, per se, but rather that I am living a frugal lifestyle.
In order to maintain sanity, I must keep everything organized. Everything from to-do lists, to constantly writing down whatever it is I need to do, making schedules and calendars- you name it, I’ve probably done it! This is my method of success.