Reflections on My Amazing First Year at Barnard

I cannot fathom that my first year of college is coming to an end. It seems like just yesterday that I was stuffing my car with all my belongings and moving into my dorm room on a very hot day back in August. I still vividly remember myself as an anxious high school senior. I was afraid that I wasn’t prepared to undertake the challenges of college. But looking back now, I can’t imagine myself at any other college and I couldn’t have asked for a better first year. I now realize that Barnard was everything I ever wanted in a college: a small, tight-knit community, surrounded by the greatest city, and a place that can challenge me both in and outside of the classroom. But the ease and assurance I feel now did not come to me immediately.

All through my life, the unpredictability of the future was my greatest fear, and I had no idea what to expect from college. I did not know whether I would be prepared for the academics, what type of person my roommate would be, what kinds of friends I’d make, what to expect from living in a big city (especially as a person from the suburbs of New Jersey), or if I was capable of being away from my family and friends for such a long time. I have to admit that my first month of college was a bit rocky; I had to adjust to a new routine in a new environment with new people. However, I eventually found my worries and insecurities being washed away as the months passed. I was participating in my classes way more than I ever had in high school, forming close relationships with people whom I had just met, getting very involved with campus life, and becoming truly happy about where I was in my life.

With my incredible peers in the Emerging Leaders Program at City Hall.

Most importantly, I was beginning to find the person I really was. It was like the flower within me was finally blooming. I was more outgoing, more courageous, more daring, and more positive than I had ever been in my life. I believe college doesn't change you, but rather it brings out the person you always were. This is one of the first times you’ll be away from home for a long time, without childhood friends to define the person you are and parents to make decisions for you. Although this seems a bit daunting at first, you will have the most rewarding feeling when you realize you’re far more capable of than you give yourself credit for.

A year ago, I never thought I’d be the class vice president, be a part of the student advisory board of an agency that helps more young women to be dominant in computer science, be a member of a program that teaches women to be leaders, and create friendships that will last many years to come. In fact, tonight I will be a recipient of an award at the SGA Leadership Awards Dinner. Reflecting on this year, I will always remember my humble beginnings and be grateful of the many doors of opportunity that have opened in front of me because of Barnard.

Some of you will choose to attend other schools, but I’m hoping that most of you will see that Barnard is the right place for you. However, no matter where you end up, remember not to worry about what lies ahead. You will be at the school you chose because you belong there and are ready to take on the challenge. Although I am sad that my journey with you through this blog has come to an end, it has been a rewarding experience and I hope you can take away something from reading about my first-year experiences. I wish you the best of luck, and I hope to see many of you on campus this fall!

Cheers,
Sarah

Why I Chose Barnard

Meeting Gloria Steinem

“Why did you choose Barnard?” 

I have been asked this question since I got accepted early decision. I have yet to come up with one, single answer because there are so many reasons that I fell in love with Barnard.

In my first post, I explained how I found out about Barnard through a professor I had at a summer program at Columbia. Most of you remember writing that “Why Barnard” supplement essay back in the fall when you were applying. I’m going to share mine with you:
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“As I walked through the black iron gates, I knew I was entering an oasis, a place spiritually apart from the business of the city and where the students and faculty represent one body. I honor the idea of learning aside young women who are motivated to become productive and exemplary citizens. I am enthralled by Barnard's devotion to providing young women scholars with foundations in an expansive range of subjects with its Nine Ways of Knowing. I have always envisioned myself walking through those gates once again, as a Barnard student, and being exposed to such a superb academic environment. Barnard will bring my intellectual abilities to a whole new level and enable me to continue challenging myself.”
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My reasons for attending and loving Barnard have multiplied over the past year. I have to admit that the fact that Barnard is a top tier liberal arts college in the City of New York factored into my decision-making. But it was more than just that. I remember as a high school junior, looking through every inch of Barnard’s website and being in awe of what both the faculty and students had accomplished, of how the college expands its connections globally, and of how everyone has a genuine smile in every picture. Most importantly, it was extremely empowering to me that I saw women on all of those pages and postings.
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At my admitted students Open House

I must confess that I was one of those people who came to Barnard despite the fact that it is a women’s college, but that is now one of the major reasons that I call this place my home. Because I’m in a nurturing environment where women are encouraged to go above and beyond their immediate potential, I am a stronger and braver woman than I was eight months ago. I never imagined myself speaking up in class, supporting women’s issues, majoring in economics, minoring in computer science, being elected class vice president, meeting the mayor and councilwomen in City Hall, or chatting with Gloria Steinem. If I weren’t attending Barnard, I probably would not have achieved even half of those things within my first year of college. Seeing women in leadership and being successful really encourages me to go out of my comfort zone and try things that might seem impossible at first, but are absolutely achievable.

Each day at Barnard is like a breath of fresh air: the strong sense of community, compassion of faculty, academic readiness of students, and unlimited possibilities of the future remind me how lucky and honored I am to be a Barnard woman. I chose to attend Barnard, and that made all the difference.

Sarah

Hosting Admitted Students Last Weekend! (Part 2)

Even though I knew that I was going to attend Barnard by the time my Admitted Students’ Open House came around (I applied Early Decision to Barnard), I gained absolute assurance that I had chosen the perfect school for me during that weekend. After that, my love for Barnard kept getting deeper and deeper. As a current student, I really wanted to help prospective students make the decision to attend Barnard and fall in love with it as I have. So, I was super excited to host prospective students last weekend.


With my admitted students at Open House

On Saturday night, I went to the ice cream social to meet the two students I would be hosting over the weekend. I was fortunate enough to be given two amazing ladies, Helen and Jilliann, who were both from Southern California. Even though they were exhausted from their long flight and a busy day packed with events, they willingly stayed up long into the night to hear about the experience of my first year. Just looking at them reminded me of how excited I was at my admitted students’ weekend and couldn’t believe that a year had passed since then. Although I wished I had more time with them to talk about the greatness of Barnard, I was delighted when they told me that this weekend made them put Barnard on the very top of their college choice list and thanked me for being so supportive of them and enthusiastic about Barnard.

 

Helen and Jilliann will keep me posted about their final decisions in the coming weeks. I am really hopeful that I will see them around campus next September!

Sarah

Bacchanal in a Nutshell



Every spring, a student-run organization at Columbia University holds a free concert on Low Steps called Bacchanal. It unites all four undergraduate schools (Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, General Studies, and Barnard) and promotes a strong sense of school spirit. The concert is open to any Columbia affiliate and definitely allows students to release their stress right before the large wave of finals.

The fun starts hours before the concert when the Hindu Students Organization hosts a very colorful event called Holi (aka Festival of Colors), where students throw bags of colored powder at each other. On the morning of Bacchanal, students wake up early and get dressed in white clothing to participate in this ceremony. Even though Holi originates from a Hindu tradition, students of all faiths attend the event; in fact, Holi is known for its message of equality and community. As colored powder falls from above, students dance to loud music and have a fantastic time!

Students celebrating the Hindu tradition of Holi

After everyone washes the powder off in the shower, they walk over to the Low Steps to wait for the big event to begin. This year, the weather was perfect; the sun was beaming and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. The Steps got packed very fast as the opening acts, The Chainsmokers, Flaxo, California Love, and Novachord (all voted for by the students themselves), prepared to go on. The crowd went wild when the headliner, Grammy–award-winning Lupe Fiasco, finally made his way up on stage. People sang along to his songs while embracing the warmth of the sun.

A view of Low Steps from the stage. Taken from Lupe Fiasco's Facebook page.

As I was standing high up on the Steps, I couldn’t help but to beam a wide smile, as I felt proud to be part of a great community, which on that day stood together as one body. Although I was sad to hear Lupe Fiasco’s final song of the night, I knew I would always remember my first Bacchanal at Columbia University.

Sarah

Basking in the sun at Bacchanal

 

A "Typical" Monday

Mondays are, by far, the busiest day of the week for me.  I walk out of my room at 9:45 in the morning and don’t come back until midnight. When reflecting back on my day before I go to sleep, I wonder how in the world I accomplished everything in my day planner, but feel really proud of crossing out each task one by one. So here’s an outline of a typical Monday for me:

At 9 o’clock, my phone blasts Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls),” which is an awesomely motivating song, to wake me up. I put my phone on the desk at night, which requires me to physically get up to turn the alarm off, and not hit the snooze button repeatedly. I quickly get dressed and brew myself a cup of coffee, and then I am ready to start my day!

 

Hewitt Dining Hall. Photo courtesy of www.theninewaysofknowing.com

For my physical education requirement, I take yoga. It is a great way to fully wake up in the morning and relax your mind and body for the rest of the day. On the days I do yoga, I am definitely able to tackle the stresses of the day with more ease.

 

In my New World Encounters First Year Seminar class, we explore texts and paintings of the Spanish conquest in the New World. We engage in deep discussions about colonization and take stances of both the Spaniard and Aztec people’s sides. One of my favorite things we did in class was having a debate on whether or not the conquest was just, while taking the persona of either a Spaniard or native. Since I’m an economics major and most of my classes are very quantitative and theoretical, I really appreciate the opportunity to be creative and imaginative in my seminar.

 

I eat a delicious lunch in Hewitt dining hall.  On select days, they serve tomato basil thin crust pizza, which is my favorite! I usually run into a friend and we eat together and update each other on our busy lives. Lunch is a great time for a break and some socializing.

The magnolia tree on Lehman Lawn

 

On sunny springs days, I sit outside on the Lehman Lawn and get some vitamin D from the sun. I either work on class work or prepare for the class council meeting I’ll have the next day.  Also, during this time of the year, the beautiful magnolia tree is starting to bloom, which is a sight you don’t want to miss!

 

I go to my last class of the day, Latin, which is on Columbia’s campus. I always love seeing children playing on College Walk on my way to class. At that time of the day, most of them just got out of school and they play outside for a bit before dinner or homework time. I look forward to watching the sunset after learning about declensions and indirect questions in Latin.

 

After class, I eat dinner at Ferris Booth (commonly known as just Ferris) in Lerner Hall. One of the reasons that I love being affiliated with Columbia is that there are various dining halls to choose from.  At Ferris, there are a variety of foods: the main buffet, pasta bar, pizza station, stir fry, sandwiches, salad, and most importantly, the dessert bar! You will never be disappointed after eating at Ferris.

 

After having a fulfilling dinner, I go to the Barnard weight room to work out. There are cardio and weight machines, free weights, jump ropes, and much more equipment to utilize. For me, going to the gym really helps me deal with my stress and allows me to have time to myself after a long day.

 

After a quick shower, I attend SGA’s Representative Council meeting. We have guest speakers, such as administrators from various departments and other student groups, to talk to us about policies and events happening on campus. Also, representatives give an update on what their committee has been doing. The external part of the meeting is open for anyone to come and participate in the discussion. It is always important to be aware of what is happening on campus! 

Liz's Place

Depending on how much work I have left, I grab a cup of coffee at Liz’s Place, which is a café in the Diana Center, and then head up to the 3^rd floor reading room or walk over to Butler Library to do homework and study.

I manage to get sleep into my busy schedule, as it is extremely important. Before I go to bed, I check off everything I accomplished that day in my planner and I feel, as Beyoncé says in one of her songs, like superwoman “with a S on my chest.” Clearly, I am obsessed with Beyoncé, as I start and end my day with her!

Sarah

How Student Government Association Found Me

Before even setting foot at Barnard in late August of last summer, I knew I wanted to become involved on campus immediately. In high school, I made the mistake of waiting until my junior year to really get engaged in extracurricular activities. I realized during my senior year, when I was on the executive board of the National Honor Society, that I really liked having a leadership role, which allowed me to discover my potential to have an impact on the student body. This was one of the most memorable aspects of my senior year and I really want to have the opportunity of engaging in campus life from the very beginning in college. So, I found myself looking through every inch of Barnard’s Student Life website and reading the description of every club. However, I had no idea which club to start with.

I got the answer to my question during New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) when I found myself in the wrong place at the right time, and that made all the difference. NSOP, in the simplest terms, can be described as the week before classes when the first-years attend various events, meet many new faces, and learn as much about Barnard and Columbia as possible. It helps you get adjusted in the new environment and meet many people.

My campaign poster!

Now, to my point. I was one of those people who thought you had to attend every event on the NSOP schedule (some events are mandatory, others are optional). That being said, I was very confused when I noticed that I was the only residential student at a commuter students’ event. However, had I never gone to that event, I would have never have met the Vice President of Student Government Association (SGA), who convinced me to run for a position on the first-year class council. I ran for Vice President and won, and now I cannot imagine my first year without being a part of SGA.

Being the first-year class VP has definitely been an incredible honor and invaluable learning experience. I have developed leadership skills from working with different types of people and undertaking large responsibilities, such as planning an event with a budget, advertising an event, and contacting important administrators. I have grown as a leader and made everlasting friendships with other representatives of SGA. I have learned so much from others who inspire me in unbelievable ways. For me, SGA is not just a space-filler on my resume, but it is an honorable opportunity to make Barnard a place which students can call their home and to become a voice for my fellow students.

You might feel like you don’t have to have a game plan for which clubs to join, or which leadership roles to undertake. Trust me, it all falls into place, just like you will know if Barnard is the right place for you within the coming weeks. I am so glad that SGA found me.

Sarah

With other members of SGA

Top 5 Dorm Essentials

It’s never too early to start thinking of what to bring with you to college! I remember I started making my dorm room checklist several months before I actually moved in. Although it is super fun to shop for posters, bed spreads, and funky decor, I now realize that I had overlooked some practical items while I was deciding what color pillow ase to get. I have compiled a list of 5 essentials that may seem obvious or not, but living without them would be a struggle.

1.      Flip-flops (plus a spare pair): I love being barefoot. In the summer, you will rarely see me in shoes. But, trust me, you don’t want to be barefoot in the communal showers in the residential halls. Even though our wonderful facilities team cleans all of the shared bathrooms daily, it is inevitable that they will get dirty throughout the day, especially because many people utilize the spaces. Wearing flip-flops is just sanitary. Also, bring an extra pair because it is common for flip-flops to rip apart and it is hard to find a pair for a relatively low price (the Columbia ones are cute, but it can be expensive, especially if you’re just going to use them in the bathroom). 

2.      Area rug: It’s just nice to stand up on something warm and fuzzy when you wake up in the morning. Pick a fun color or design. It’s going to be one of the first things you’ll see in the morning, and it’s always good to start the day off with something cheerful. The rug might even become your motivation to wake up for an 8:40 class.


The area rug in my dorm

3.      Water heater and instant food/coffee/tea: It’s 3am and you have four more pages to write of your resource paper… you need a little snack and a caffeine boost, and everything is closed. Stock up on the instant mac n’ cheese packages and tea/coffee bags because there are going to be some of those nights (hopefully not too many).

4.      First aid/medicine kit: I usually don’t get sick so I completely overlooked the importance of having OTC cold medicines on hand. Well, I got sick for the first time in college during reading week (which is the period before finals saved for studying), and it was snowing out. Just my luck. You don’t want to go out to the pharmacy when you’ve got a raging fever. Also, small things like Advil, Tums, Band-Aids, tissues, and cough drops come in handy.
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My first aid collection

5.      Anything that will maximize storage space: The (only) thing Barnard lacks is space. Get bins to put under your bed, hangers that can hang multiple pieces of clothing, hanging shoe rack, etc. Be creative! Click here for an awesome Seventeen article on tips for expanding dorm room space. 



Your room will come with either a closet,
or some kind of armoir like this.

Hope this helps you make your dorm room checklist!

 

Sarah

 

P.S., Don't forget photos...

Discovering Barnard

Name: Sarah Kim
Class Year: 2017 (First-Year)
Hometown: Manalapan, NJ
Major: Economics and Social History
Jobs/Clubs/Organizations: BSAR, SGA (First-Year Class VP), Emerging Leaders Program

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Congratulations on your acceptance to Barnard College! This is such an incredible achievement and you should all be very proud of yourselves. You can breathe now… no more SATs/ACT, applications, supplements, etc. You can do your happy dance; come on, I know you all have one!

 

Now, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sarah Kim, a first-year student and the class vice president. I always describe my discovery of Barnard as one of those things that is highly unexpected but you can’t imagine life without it now. During the summer before my junior year, I was granted the opportunity to attend a summer enrichment program for high school students at Columbia. There, I befriended a Barnard professor who introduced me to the College. As I walked through the black iron gates for the first time, I immediately fell in love with the school and I could vividly picture myself as a Barnard woman. I visited dozens of colleges afterwards, but none of them gave me the warm, fuzzy feeling inside that I had when I set my feet on Barnard’s campus.

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That summer, I developed a tangible goal, and I cannot be happier to have the honor to say that I achieved it. December 14, 2012 was definitely one of my greatest days of my life; it was the day when I realized dreams really do come true and the acceptance letter was a testimony of it.

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Looking back at my first year at Barnard, I honestly could not have asked for anything more. Sure, I have had my fair share of hard times, like pulling an all-nighter at Butler Library and completing what seemed like an impossible amount of work. But those can’t measure up to the amazing friends I have made, important lessons I have learned (both in and outside of class), and doors that have opened before me. I cannot wait to see you all embark on this incredible journey and be with you through this blog for the next couple of weeks. Please, feel free to ask me anything in the comment section below!

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Cheers,
Sarah