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This picture represents the workload that this first semester in college has brought on. I tend to procrastinate on a lot of assignments, which usually ends up with me stressing out to get something done and pulling an all-nighter. Although I have successfully managed to complete all my assignments, I need to work on my time management. In the beginning of the semester I would do things ahead of time, but as the weeks passed I would push things off further and further. I would like to return to my previous work habits. In the next week and a half I have three papers due. I will try to complete them in an orderly fashion to ensure that I put out my best work. I have always been one to write everything down and try to keep myself organized so I hope to take advantage of that in the final few weeks of this semester. Writing things out allows me to visually map things out. This is something I take advantage of in a lot of areas of my life, particularly school, because I would say that I am a visual learner.
Another area that I have found interesting is my studying habit and the way it varies between each class. For certain classes I need to devote time and energy into creating review sheets that will allow me to adequately understand the material. In other classes I have found that reviewing an hour before the test is most effective. Though the latter is more stressful at times, it allows me to keep information fresh in my head.
My first three months at Baruch have been an interesting experience, but all in all I would say that it has been a positive one. I think this college is a good fit for me and it provides me with all the things that I would have hoped to find within an academic institution. I’ve been able to make friends, explore the city, and stay on top of my work. I am a little shocked that these three months have passed so quickly. At this time in our lives it seems almost surreal how quickly things happen. We are all almost done with our first semester in college. I feel as though I’ve spent years just talking and planning for college, and now here we are. This is it, it’s all happening. Hopefully, things continue on a positive path. I look forward to my future years here at Baruch.

College is a concept that I’ve been striving towards for as long as I could remember. It seemed that every decision I made in high school, regardless of how minuscule, incorporated the idea of looking desirable on a college app. My senior year was spent planning, applying, and then talking endlessly about future college plans with my peers. Because this has been such a far off idea for most of my life, it seems surreal that here I am, in college, taking on my future head on. I feel as though I’m supposed to say something positive I’ve learned about myself within these first few months of college. Yes I’ve adjusted fairly well to most of my classes, and yes I have tried to stay on top of things. But what I really want to talk about is that I’ve realized how much I suck at change. I viewed college as this great beacon of opportunity and growth for so long, but as I stand here the view is much different. The transition wasn’t great for me. It’s hard to change your scenery and friends so drastically in such a short amount of time. I loved and found comfort in the way my life was this past year, and letting it go made a part of me feel empty. However, two months in I can also say that I’m establishing a different life here at Baruch, one that I’m sure I’ll be missing four years from now. Everything seems so current. This is my future; right here and now. This is where I learn about myself and about who I’d like to become. It’s scary as hell, but most anything that is worthy or significant is.

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At this point in our young adult lives we are expected to explore the concept of “self” and the internal and external perception of it, thereof. It is difficult for me to narrow down who I perceive myself to be, internally, to just a few adjectives or ideas. I find that I am constantly changing and have a multitude of opinions about any given topic. However, as I evolve there are certain aspects of my life that stay permanent and act as structures to guide me through any obstacles and changes that I may encounter.

The image of my parents is significant to me because they are there through everything. Regardless of anything that may come our way, my family has always stood together. I am very grateful to have parents that I can be so open with. I never feel the need to lie because our relationship is extremely honest and I feel as though I can talk to my parents about anything. I think a support system like that is extremely important for anyone, particularly a person my age that is going through so many changes, to have.

The second image is of my younger cousin, who I consider a sister. We have grown up together and although we are opposites, we complete each other. There is no one I am closer to in this world, and I would do anything for her.

Next, I incorporated a picture of my two best friends from high school. They mean everything to me and I never thought I’d be able to form such a close bond with two people. Though we do not attend the same colleges, we make it a point to talk everyday because we never want to just be those “friends back in high school”. Leaving them behind has been very difficult but I know that ultimately they are still there every step of the way.

What some people may not have known is that I studied fine and graphic art for my four years through high school. It is something that I love and although I will not be pursuing it as a career, it is something that I will hold close to myself, as I always have. This was a picture I took as I was in the process of creating a huge self-portrait for my senior showcase. The concept of identifying one’s self and introducing that “self” to the world was something I studied heavily in the past year. This self-portrait was only a single form of that, but I thought it would be appropriate to include in this assignment.

Next I added an image I took in Coney Island at the beginning of this past summer. It was a night that means a lot to me to this day, especially because I associate Coney Island with some of my most treasured memories. It is a place that I find comfort and security in.

Another place that means a lot to me is a rooftop that my best friends and I would go to endlessly. We would find solace in just sitting there, talking for hours, and watch the view of New York City (which I have included here). It was our little place and the memories we have created there cannot be replaced.

Furthermore, I included an image of an art exhibit I attended this spring titled “Xu-Bing at the Cathedral”. It does not have much to do with myself but it was breathtaking and its color scheme particularly amazed me.

Finally, I included a picture of a milkshake to a) end on a light note and b) make it clear that I have a milkshake addiction.