Many people would say that the transition from high school to college is a life changing experience. I would agree with this statement because college is so different than high school and all the education that came before. In college, you actually are treated as an adult whereas in high school the administration gives you few freedoms to trick you into feeling like an adult. Also, the work load is tremendously different because in college there is so much work due in a such a small time frame. And the interesting part about this is that no one is there to make you do work or make you follow rules besides yourself. In high school, if I missed a class I’d almost immediately get cuaght and maybe get a detention whereas in college you can get dropped out of the class. The consequences in college  are much harsher and as a result it’s necessary to do everything the right way.

College tuaght me the importance of time managment becuase I can already see without it, college is nearly impossible. When I get a numerous amount of assignments in one day, my anxiety level reaches a maximum. At certain points, I literally feel like I am having a heart attack becuase all of the anxiety that comes with college. Last week I told my family I either had a major blockage in my arteries or had ebola becuase I felt so overwhemed that it actually made me feel sick. It’s crazy to think that stress can actually takes a toll on your body. I’ve always heard about it but never truely experienced it.

The thing that gets me through everyday is a positive outlook becuase It puts me in the most productive state of mind. I know that I can only do my best, and I’m not gonna try to do anything more. If I fail a test that i studied hard for, I don’t get discouraged I just assume the course was designed for rocket scientists. I feel like its really imporant to be positive at all times becuase it will push you to do your best.

^(picture that describes the way you see yourself)

Amanda (Xiaowen) Li

I don’t remember how we first met. But we all knew each other for four years, yet we never spoke until the last year.

I don’t remember when we first met. But I remember when we shared our first laugh, and nothing was the same after that.

Friday, November 29^th was the day we went Black Friday shopping together. That was the first time the four of us hung out and quickly became inseparable.

We became an acronym: LALS, and although that year I had gone through a rough patch and lost hope in genuine friendship, LALS made me happy. I became less and less wary of the barriers I had constructed earlier that year, and I could feel them falling away as time progressed. Every piece of happiness I absorbed from time spent with LALS pecked at these walls until finally, there was nothing left.

We had so many insiders that other people could no longer understand what we were referring to half the time. We constantly finished each other’s sentences and said the same things simultaneously. Christmas was hilarious; L got me a pink humidifier because I was sick at the time, and we carried it onto the train together like it was no big deal. It was great until she dropped it on our way out. One time, S walked me home at three in the morning, because we all fell asleep watching a movie at A’s house. He had absolutely no idea how to walk back, so I had to guide him through the phone while we both panicked for his safety and made up worst case scenarios, all in between fits of laughter.

Slowly, I believed that I found my second family.

When we received our college acceptances, it didn’t change a thing. We would be back, we said, as we all laid there in the grass facing the stars. Because bonds like ours don’t break. We made the most of that summer and sent each other off to our respective colleges with hugs and kisses.

But as Welcome Week started, the group chat diminished. Calls became less frequent, because it was hard to find a time when everyone was free. We talked about the events that were going on at our respective schools and shared stories about new people that we met, but of course it wasn’t the same.

It’s me and L left in the city now, and we made a promise to see each other at least once every week, which has been working out so far. And the thing is, it seems as though we never left each other’s side whenever we meet again.

I can only hope this holds true for A and S as well. The group chat is still active, but I miss LALS. Sharing experiences face-to-face and reading one another’s facial expressions still cannot be replaced by simple text on an illuminated screen. People say that the friendships that endure the test of time are the ones that are real, so I’ll just have to see. But no matter what, I know I’ll remain grateful to have found my place in LALS at one point in my life.

Has anyone been reading these?

Anyway. I’ve been told I’m good with words, but the best part about music is that someone has written them for me, and they sound a lot better. I love listening to and playing music, so I decided to make a playlist. Ten songs for a playlist is practically criminal, but I tried my best to not only include some of my favorite songs now, but sort of an “evolutionary” list of songs I liked in middle school (say seventh grade)(some pretty terrible stuff, most of which I’ve omitted) through phases I’ve had, to stuff I like now.

1. “Poppin’ Champagne” by All Time Low (startin’ off terrible)

2. “Wolf Mountain” by Austin Gibbs

3. “Cosmic Love” by Florence and the Machine

4. “Sweet Disposition”  by The Temper Trap

5. “Hesher” by Wallpaper.

6. “Cry Cry Cry” by Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line soundtrack)

7. “Neon Cathedral” by Macklemore

8. “Happily” by One Direction 

9. “Not the Sun” by Brand New

10. “Fluorescent Adolescent” by Arctic Monkeys (a good song)

My Life <- Youtube video

Anyone who has talked to me for more than an hour already knows how big of a dog  person I am, with that being said, I figured the best way to convey that was to use a bunch of dog videos showing what my day consists of and what I enjoy most. For the most part, I try to spend majority of my time doing something music related, whether it be writing melodies, producing, or going to a concert, music has always served as an outlet for me so while there aren’t many videos of dogs producing, I did manage to find one or two. In the end, this video is just a representation of my everyday life. And as far as family goes, I have two brothers, a mom, a dad, and a dog named Da Vinci who I have had for about two years.

HI everyone. My name is David Aponte. I live in Staten Island. I graduated from Curtis High School which is in Staten Island. I commute to school everyday which is definitely a pain. I am hispanic and an only child.  I have many essential things in my life that make me who I am.

I am very involved with baseball. I have played the sport since I was about 5 years old. I played through little league, high school, and travel baseball where I go to many states to participate in showcases and tournaments. I am a pitcher and first baseman, but I am definitely known as being a pitcher. Baseball is very important to me and no matter what, when I start playing it can instantly change my mood positively. I have life long friends and coaches that I always talk to and will always have an important place in my life.  I hope that in this freshmen I get a chance to play for the Baruch Baseball Team as well and eventually play for the next four years too.

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Along with the fact that I play baseball, I am a huge sports fan. I love watching baseball, basketball and football. My favorite teams from each are the Yankees, Spurs, and Giants. As you can see though, my favorite sport is baseball. I go to so many Yankee games. My life long goal is to go to a game at every single Major League stadium in the country. I have been to 10 already- only 20 more to go!

Another huge aspect of my life is my friends. I have had the same group of friends from the start of high school and I can truly say we have become a family. We hang out every chance we possibly get and always talk to each other. Even though we all went our separate ways for college we all still keep in touch everyday. They are always there for me and I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends.

Lastly, another part of my life that is very important to me is my education. I am a very hardworking student. I am always concerned about my grades. I never like to receive low grades which is why I put so my effort into school with a healthy balance of my friends and hobbies. I came to Baruch to pursue a career in economics and I hope to come out of this school smarter as well as a changed person with the new experiences I will encounter.

Quiet Time

My family, which I care for very much, tends to be loud most of the time. People say the same about the majority of Fujianese people and I guess that includes my family. The friends that I usually hang out with share this trait. Though I still enjoy the time I spend with them there are times when I need to be alone to get away from their noise levels.

Handball

I like to play handball even though I’m not that great at it. I tend to go out and play on days that aren’t too hot and I don’t have anything planned.

Cold Weather

Though most people prefer warmer weather I like it when it’s cold outside. My body just can’t deal with heat too well.

Reading

I prefer reading manga. I feel that reading weekly updates holds my interest more than seeing a novel with a few hundred pages stacked in front of me. I enjoy reading manga during days when I can’t find anything else to do. I like the stories that the authors are able to create in manga. My favorite manga is The Breaker.

The Walking Dead

My favorite T.V. show is The Walking Dead. I found the storyline very interesting and was up to date with the series in a few days.

Technology

Technology is a part my everyday life. It provides me a source of entertainment, research for educational purposes, and communication with friends and family.

Bubble Tea

Bubble tea is awesome. It’s a sweet drink that comes in many flavors. My favorite is Golden Oolong Milk Tea from Kung Fu Tea.

New York

Born and raised in New York I began to realize how much I loved this city. There are many places to go and visit. New York has such a diverse population and I can meet all different types of people.

Summer Paradise (click link)

This has been my summer job for the last two years. Summer Paradise is a camp based in Queens Herald Church located in Queens, New York. I was a teacher assistant during my first summer and I was a co-teacher  the past summer. This work environment was so different and very enjoyable. I grew close to my co-worker and made a lasting bond with them.