Well, it's here. The first week of school has begun. It felt like just yesterday my summer started, but now it's time for school to start up again. I don't really have much in my backpack yet (I'm not complaining) but I'm ready to fill it up with all the lessons and adventures of this school year. Last year, I learned how to be my own person. And I'm ready to show the world what I have to offer. I'm excited to work on the goals I have set for myself. It could be small things like waking up with a smile or big things like finally working out at the gym. Something I like to do before a new school year begins is to think of some new school year resolutions. I find that having these resolutions would keep me motivated throughout the year. It helps me grow as a person even though I don't really realize it in that moment.

I have a few things I hope to happen for this school year. I hope that my anxieties will not prevent me from having fun. I hope that challenges like 20 credit hours, joining extra clubs or applying for jobs doesn't discourage me from my end goal. I hope that I will appreciate my loved ones more often. I hope to ask for help when I need it. I hope to get out of my comfort zone a little bit more. I hope to share my vulnerabilities once in a while. I hope to work on bettering myself. I hope to grow a little taller. I hope that I won't need to drop a class. I hope to meet someone new. I hope to learn how to say "no" when I really don't want to do something. But I also want to do things I typically wouldn't do. I hope to speak up more often for others and myself. I hope to be confident in myself without needing to go to the gym. I hope to be more comfortable talking to strangers. I hope to do more for my community. I hope to journal more. I hope to learn how to control my emotions. I hope to find an interest in a subject I typically wouldn't enjoy. I hope to be proud of my accomplishments.

It may seem a lot to expect of myself, but these are some of the goals I'm setting for myself this year. I don't need to have my whole life all figured out yet but I want an idea of what I can improve on. I've learned so much from my first year of college that I can't wait to make more mistakes and learn from them. And these "hopes" will guide me throughout the year.

I hope that when I read this again in May 2017 that I will see how far I have physically, mentally, spiritually grown. And know that there is still more greatness to come in the future.