So far, with my experience at Baruch, the library and honors study room have been the most helpful resources I’ve utilized. I’m here pretty early so I almost always have time to work on homework for different classes in the morning. It has especially helped with researching and learning about various volunteer programs for my group to participate in. The library databases in particular helped tremendously to provide us with reliable information on different organizations. Because of the introduction I’ve had to using databases in my research for the community service project, it will be much easier for me to do so in the future for the research papers I will definitely have to write in later classes. I won’t be wasting time exploring the technical side of databases and instead I’ll be able to go straight to actual research. Aside from helping me with future research, this project has given me a greater appreciation for volunteer work in general. I’ve realized that it is an invaluable service to one’s community and society in general. It also brings a sense of personal fulfillment to me by being able to help those in need. I look forward to continuing volunteer work throughout my time here at Baruch and even past it.

The most obvious answer at the forefront of most people’s mind when they hear the words “community service” is a popular sentencing alternative to jail time.

I jest.

For most of us, community service is synonymous with volunteer work. In high school, I volunteered with my best friend at a nursing home for two summers. It was an unforgettable experience, to say the least. However back then, we volunteered mainly with the intention of gaining an edge in our college applications. It was really just a means to an end. Now, as a Baruch Scholar, volunteer work may still technically be required, but it has a different, perhaps more enlightened, rationale behind it.

Of course, on the most basic level I might simply volunteer my time to some worthy cause simply because I wish to remain in the honors program, since it is a requirement. That would be similar to the way i volunteered in high school; still helpful to society, but not as meaningful for myself. I hope that my experience this time around does not end up like that. Being a Scholar is an opportunity I have been given that I will always be humbled by and grateful for. I know that there are countless other kids out there who could use the same kind of help in pursuing their education as well. I want my time doing volunteer work to be my act of gratitude for the opportunity I’ve been given, and I want it to help better New York City society in whatever small way it can.

I think that the honors program does a great job in fostering an attitude of gratitude (yeah, you can quote me on that one) for what we have by implementing a community service requirement. In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” 

I hate talking about myself. Now you know one thing about me. Deep, personal, reflection and contemplation are in my opinion, best done alone, in one’s head. Talking about that stuff is just weird. And if you write it down, make sure you burn it after committing said revelations to memory. So that being said, I think I’ll just keep this light-hearted.

A big part of who I am is Switchfoot, my favorite band. I know next to nothing about music, but they make me feel as if I do. Switchfoot is the sole reason for any musical literacy I possess. I will not die until I meet them in person; I simply refuse. Their lyrics are inspired, their sound always has a fresh edge, they’re funny people, aaanndd, yeah. They’re just awesome. Enough said.

As for what has shaped me into who I am today, I would have to sayyy, the number one contributor is diet and exercise.

I kid. I do no such things.

I guess my family and friends are the most influential people in my life. The people I love, and who love me in return, the people I admire, look up to, and aspire to be like in life are all found in that group. They have instilled in me a sense of identity and belonging, and have taught me the values and beliefs I hold today.

Now onto my expectations for college. They’re pretty high, and I must say that so far, thankfully, Baruch has met all of them. I must be one of those rare species of people who love the long commute . See that, is my pensive time, like in Harry Potter (another large influence on my life)! I expected the work load to be heavier, and I suspect that, starting next semester, it definitely will be. I am however concerned about getting into the classes I want for next semester; it sounds like it’s pretty much every man for himself when registering for classes. Like some kind of online free for all. *shudder*. And lastly, I hope I pass all my finals. That would likely be my number one concern.

Well, until next time I suppose. I really am not used to this blog thing at all. *sigh*

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