Next Steps…
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
Participating in the Community Service Project has opened my eyes to many important issues in our society today, most of which I was unaware of until recently. For example, I had no idea that families with a family member that has been diagnosed with cancer had such a hard time dealing with life. The organization we plan to help, the American Cancer Society, does a great job in helping patients deal with cancer as well as helping the cancer-stricken patient’s families. Cancer is not something that can or should be dealt with alone. It is a well known fact that having human support helps people deal with problems, ranging from small tutoring sessions to life-threatening cancer treatment sessions.
Many student clubs at Baruch College were set up to aid students and even entire communities in dealing with their problems. I have joined the Finance and Economic Society to help me further my education of the real world and its financial problems, consequently helping our country with its massive financial woes. Joining this student group, as well as a few others, has shown me the power of teamwork as well as enabling me to work with my fellow peers on many problems. With experience that I am currently gathering at the clubs I actively participate in, I am hoping to put the knowledge I gather to good use. Helping my community with its senior rent subsidy problems as well as building a community center is high on my priority list of things to get done when I win a seat on the community board. The well being of my community is important to me and with its success, I am hoping that other neighborhoods can use it as a positive and, most importantly, a plausible example.
In three years, I am hoping to be well on my way to the actualization of my goals. Playing an active part in my community is important to me, and I am hoping that gaining access to the inner-sanctums of the political forces at play in my community will put forth positive outcomes.
What does it mean to serve your community?
Life isn’t all about money and fame, it’s about striving to be the best person you can be and the journey to accomplish this deed. Sure wealth is important, but happiness does not necessarily accompany dollars. This is where serving your community kicks in, where having money and using it wisely for the greater good goes way further than spending it on a new television set or that new iPod you want. It is not a coincidence that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet set up foundations to help others in need.
However not having riches is not an excuse not to help others, to not serve the community. Baruch teaches us these high values, to strive to be better. In Baruch Honors, we have to be even better than the rest, as without the gracious donors we would not be in this great program today. Serving as a role model to others is an honor, and because of this I am constantly striving to be a better person. My role in Baruch is to be a great scholar, in the sense that is to be open minded and to help others around me.
Baruch Honors scholars should volunteer openly, not having to be prompted by anyone. Volunteering at a non-profit organization is an example, helping a friend in need is another. Giving your time and effort to a greater cause is not only beneficial to others but also to you. It is kharma, “what goes around comes around”.
The culture that the Honors Program instills in us exactly promotes this. After all, if it wasn’t for others helping the community, we would not be where we are today.
Where did you come from and where are you going?
College, the turning point in a student’s life. No longer could you come in late everyday and not expect repercussions. No longer could you skip classes just because the weather wasn’t “A-ok.” No, now we had to carry a little something called responsibility on our backs. If a professor says to write an essay by a certain date, there was no handing it in a little late. It will be hard getting used to the first semester, yet nothing is harder than learning how to properly manage your time. Back in high school, we had a choice: a social life, good grades, or sleep. Pick 2 out of the 3. However the difference in college is that we have much more freedom. 2-3 hour breaks everyday aren’t meant to be playtime but in fact is valuable time that should be spent studying and doing homework. No wonder there’s a 24-hour library across the street. Yet time management isn’t the only problem. We also have to behave as adults. Courtesy, professionalism, little things like wearing shorts and sneakers to class can send a powerful message, though not in a good context. Sure, it’s really comfortable but now isn’t the time for that. We have to be furiously thinking about our future, about the image that we send to others. Seeing a person dressed in business casual attire shows that they are ready for the next step, that the person knows what he/she is doing.
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