New year, new semester, fresh feelings

The semester has officially started, and I have a feeling it’s going to be an interesting one. I’m taking four classes this time: Multimedia Production and Storytelling, Intermediate News Reporting, Global Communications, and Intro to Social Psychology. They should be fun, considering they are all classes that really get into my major now that I’m done with all the general requirements and other classes outside my field. 

On top of that, I will continue to work for the Minnesota Daily, the University’s newspaper. I actually got promoted to Senior Reporter, but that just means I have to write more stories than everyone else. I’ll be writing four stories every two weeks instead of only three. So basically just two stories a week; I know it doesn’t sound like much, but that, along with everything else I do, may become challenging. 

This semester, my goals are to try and keep from procrastinating when it comes to tasks at school and to be proactive when it comes to my life, even outside of school. Last semester I found it very easy to scroll social media, watch TV, take naps, or find something unproductive to do when I didn’t have any pressing work. But looking back, I wish I had done more work before coming up against the pressure of a deadline, worked ahead, made sure I not only understood everything, but given myself the time to genuinely reflect on it. 

Besides being proactive in homework and school work, I want to feel as if I’m genuinely progressing in my life. Of course everyone needs time to rest and recuperate–mentally as well as physically–but there’s so much I want to do to better myself, enjoy life to the fullest. I live in the city, for goodness sake, I could go explore anywhere (to a limit). I could write short stories, or work on the novel I always wanted to write. I could start learning about things that interest me, not for a class, but just to broaden my knowledge. 

Maybe I’ll get to know my new roommates better. I still live in the same apartment, but two of my roommates (we have a four-bedroom apartment) are studying abroad this semester, and have “sub-let” their rooms while they’re gone. I’ve met two girls a couple of times, seen them briefly in passing, but they seem super nice–which I’m incredibly thankful for. Bad roommates make for an awful time, speaking from experience. Last semester one of our roommates brought up a few of her personal concerns which, although they seemed a bit extreme to us, we worked on changing so she could feel comfortable in the apartment. But that meant we felt like we were always walking on eggshells, worrying we would do something to upset her. Our apartment was spotlessly clean, but it made it feel cold and distant rather than homey and comfortable. But that is in the past. 

It amazes me to realize a year ago at this time I was in Spain about to start my incredible journey studying abroad. I find myself fondly remembering my time there, even the mundane day-to-day chores or activities such as riding the bus to and from school. It was still an incredible time, and I would go back in a heartbeat. I do plan to go back, but that is for a day in the future.

My Determination: “If anybody's gonna take that beach down, it's gonna be me.” — Stewie Griffin