It goes without saying that 2016 was both a hectic and strenuous year. With the countless celebrity deaths and the presidential election going the way it did, many people are coming into this year with a degree of pessimism. Now I can understand that and implore those people to take the time to recuperate and rise up when you are ready. As for me, I am going to make 2017 my year for both improving myself and others. The following are a couple goals I have for myself for the coming year.

1. Write at least 100 words/one page a day

As a writer, I want this year to be less of me contemplating what to write and to be more active with it. I've set a relatively small goal of 100 as something attainable when my workload has been too much. One addendum added was whenever writing a screenplay, I will try to write at least one page. So far, I have written 1,740 words in the first four words in 2017

2. Finish one of my writing projects

Now I always start a project and plan it out in my head; however, I haven't finished a project recently. And this year, I want to finish at least one of my projects. As of now, my projects include a novel I started in May 2016, a piece of fantasy, and two screenplays have been on my list.

3. Read at least ten books on my own time

Another thing I want to do is work to get a little more reading done; in the past few months, my list has accumulated some names on my to-read list. I've also specified reading on my own time to separate reading required for school and leisurely reading. As of now, I am currently reading No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam by Reza Aslan.

4. Practice Meditation

In recent years, meditation has been something that always seemed appealing. I have some friends who meditate and are very spiritual and it can help to clear my mind.

5. Walk More

I remember a couple years ago, I was always eager to go out and take walks around the town; and in recent years, I've become more slothful with that. This has been something I do in my spare that I want to get back in the habit of.

6. Accomplish More with MASSPIRG

I have been an intern with MASSPIRG (Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group), since the spring semester of my sophomore year. The organization works with consumer rights and the public interest. Some of the campaigns we have include GMO labeling, New Voter's Project, the Antibiotics campaign, and the 100% Renewable Energy campaign. This upcoming semester, I will be coordinating the Clean Energy campaign and I have my goals for this semester. First, I want to work to increase influence for renewable energy in the state of Massachusetts. The second goal is to work towards a resolution for North Adams to commit to 100% Clean Energy.

7. Get More Involved with SSDP

Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) is an international organization that is focusing on providing a sensible solution to the War on Drugs. I've started going to the chapter on my campus last year and have been wanting to do more with the group. I want to not only run for president of the E-Board, but also work to help the North Adams community.

8. Learn Another Language

I keep talking about how learning another language has several benefits and I think it would be best to practice what I preach. I've been using the app Memrise to learn French, Japanese, and Turkish.

With the goals I have in mind, I walk past 2016 as a shadow of the past. And with that, I am prepared to conquer 2017 and what it has in store.