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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