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submission May 31, 2025 Score: 185 u/janelinden415

Advice From an Alum

Advice From an Alum

Hi all, I just graduated a few days ago and I’m now officially a Baruch Alum! Just thought I’d leave some words of wisdom and/or tips for current/future students to help make your experience at school a bit better. Hope this helps at least one person!

  1. TAKE FRIDAY CLASSES- Almost everyone at Baruch avoids Friday classes like the plague because they want to have a three day weekend, but that’s what makes it even better. You wont have to fight to get on the elevators because barely anyone is on campus, and you’ll have no problem finding a quiet place to eat or study. It’s the best.
  2. DONT USE YOUR PHONE IN CLASS- Listen I get it. Were all in college and it’s technically ‘allowed’ but even then, be respectful and pay attention to the lecture. Ask questions and engage. If by the end of the semester, your grade isn’t where you want it to be, you can ask your professor for some extra credit points. They’re 10x more likely to do you a favor if they remember you being an active participant in class. Trust me.
  3. DONT BE AFRAID TO TELL PEOPLE TO STFU IN THE LIBRARY- 9 times out of 10, other students will back you up so you’ll feel less alone. Also, if needed just alert a staff member and they’ll have no problem asking them to be quiet if you cant. Either the person will get so embarrassed that they’ll leave willingly, or they’ll just be quiet. It’s a win-win situation.
  4. THERES ALWAYS FREE FOOD ON CAMPUS- There are like 100+ clubs on campus that are always hosting events which means there is almost always free food going around. Follow baruchstudentlife and usgbaruch on Instagram to get updates about when these events are happening. PSA, most of these events take place on Tue/Thurs so try to be on campus during those times.
  5. JOIN CLUBS- I know literally everyone says this but it really is one of the only way to make long lasting friends at a commuter school. There are so many clubs on campus, surely you’ll find at least one interesting. Also executive club members get a lot of perks so the more meetings you attend, the likelier you are to secure a position in the following semester.
  6. TAKE ADVANTAGE- There are genuinely so many resources at this school I wish I took more advantage of. A 3-D printing machine, a pool, a gym/weight room, scholarships, grants, trips to Panama, databases, technology rentals, etc. Make the most out of it before it’s gone.
  7. THE HIGHER THE FLOOR THE CLEANER THE BATHROOM- Especially for A-Lex.
  8. RATE MY PROFESSOR ISNT ALWAYS ACCURATE- I’m not saying that you shouldn’t use it at all, but some professors have received unnecessarily harsh remarks from students who are just lazy. One of my favorite professors in the COM department has a horrible rating on there and she gave me one of the highest grades I ever got during my time here. If you’re a good student, you’ll thrive no matter who’s teaching.
  9. DEGREEWORKS IS NOT ALWAYS ACCURATE- Schedule frequent meetings with an advisor (especially juniors and seniors) to make sure there aren’t any ‘hidden’ requirements not shown on there. The last thing you want is to be held back a semester or even a year because you didn’t do your due dilligence. Or ask on here lol bc sometimes reddit is more helpful than advisors are.
  10. BOOK YOUR STUDY ROOMS IN ADVANCE- Don’t need to explain this one. (The portal allows you to book a week in advance).
  11. PLACES TO EAT- A-Lex is a lot less crowded than NVC, so go there if you need a quiet place to eat. It’s obviously going to change each year/semester, but the eighth floor was pretty much a ghost town all year long, so I ate most of my lunches there. (It takes some trial and error to figure out what floors are the most deserted and at what times so give it a little while).
  12. DO THE “HARD STUFF” EARLY ON” - This is coming from someone who took the minimum amount of classes/credits every single year until my senior year. I had to take two winter classes and six spring classes just to graduate on time. Don’t be like me. Take the max amount of classes you can in your freshman and sophomore years so you can chill later on.
  13. GET AN INTERNSHIP- Literally get some form of work experience on your resume. Anything at all. Stalk Linkedin daily, connect with Alumni, and research other opportunites. (I’m well aware that the job market sucks and that everyone is struggling out here but still, TRY).
  14. KEEP YOUR PROFESSORS CLOSE- Obviously, this one is easier said than done, but a close relationship with a professor can be the difference between unemployment and a job/opportunity. My Law 1101 professor reached out to an old friend on my behalf, and got me a summer job at a firm. Professors usually reserve their networks/handouts for students they are fond of, so try to be the class favorite. (Spoiler Alert: It’s not that hard. See #2).
  15. ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF (HANDLE YOUR BUSINESS IN PERSON) - If you need to get into a class but it’s full, go to your departments office and ask for permission to join. If CunyFirst says you missed a prereq but you know you didnt, go to the office and tell them. If you are mistreated by another student/staff member, say something. Skip the emails. 9 times out of 10 you either get an automated response or a useless one that doesn’t help your case whatsoever. It’s so easy for things to be misinterpreted through text. Also, extreme times call for extreme measures, so if you know you are being denied something you are basically entitled to then reach out to the higher ups. Handle your business and make administration take you seriously.

I would’ve loved to have these tips before starting out, but I’m glad to pass it on and save someone else from some of the troubles that I went through. Overall, it’s been a long four years and I can’t believe I’m saying this but I might actually miss it already. Still, I’m so glad to be done.. Rooting for all of you still here and encouraging you to keep going. You’re almost at the finish line!

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