In Baruch and the broader community as a Baruch scholar in the Honors Program, my role stretches beyond doing well in school. While that is very important, there are other things that are equally as important. Firstly, I have two younger siblings and it is important to me to be a role model for them. Being the first one to attend college in my family, they look up to me. They always come to me for help with schoolwork and I am always working with them. Outside of my family and school, though, we are encouraged to engage in our communities and perform some type of community service.
Community service gives us an opportunity to experience something out of our comfort zone and help our communities. Whether it’s helping children, handing out food in a soup kitchen, or working on a political campaign, it’s a chance for us to do something that is greater than us. We are helping society and this is important for us as Baruch Scholars. We learn the value of putting others before ourselves which is an important value to have. It will help us turn into better people and help us in our future careers. Additionally, it puts things into perspective as we realize that certain things we stress so much about may not be so serious.
I can relate to many of the things you said. This journal was enjoyable and I liked reading it. Good job!
As the younger sibling, I can say that it’s always a relief to have my older brother available to talk to. It’s great to hear that you are dedicated to your family and committed to being a good role model for your siblings.
I also like your point about how some of the things that we worry about are so miniscule in the bigger picture. It’s important to take a step back and realize that we are fortunate in many aspects of our lives.
I love that you help your younger siblings, as an only child I can’t relate as much but I do share a similar relationship with my younger cousins. Having people look up to you in that way can definitely impact the way you behave because you always have to consider how your actions will influence those around you. Your perspective of how community service is a chance to get involved in something that is greater than us is also very accurate. This is especially true when we do services that seem insignificant to us but mean the world to others which I experienced when I played the flute at a nursing home. I didn’t think much of it at first, but I slowly began to realize that before I would play the atmosphere was so serious and sad but during and after my performances, the elderly residents were so much happier and social. I didn’t even realize my impact and that’s when you know that it is bigger than just you.