Holly Denig, Period 8, 4/29/22

 Goal Setting & Growth

At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why

How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)

How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)

At this time, some specific goals I have for myself include staying motivated for the rest of the school year, and trying to enjoy and appreciate the last bits of high school left, while also maintaining good grades and not allowing myself to falter. When I am older I don’t want to look back on this time with any regrets and I want to make memories that I can cherish. For me, this means staying on top of final assignments and tests, so that I can be as least stressed out as possible, and then make time to enjoy my friends and family, which I won’t be able to see after I move away to college. 

My planner has been quite crucial lately in helping me stay organized and on top of reaching this goal. With so many different requirements and deadlines, I seek much comfort in writing down everything I need (or want) to do so that I don’t miss anything (primary examples include this blog, which I would not have been completing had I not consulted the planner before jumping into AP test review). While the pressures of college applications and most of our course work is behind us, this time is still stressful as there are more requirements than I had expected to prepare to enroll in college. I also find it difficult to overcome setbacks when it comes to the next uncertain chapter of my life, such as my expected roommate deciding that she instead wanted to spend the year abroad, and leaving me roommate-less, forced to be matched with another random student. Setbacks such as this one often are difficult for me to move on from, and I tend to dwell on things that bother me. I have found that using my planner to organize activities helps me move on to the next task, enjoyable activity, or when needed, distraction, and move past whatever was bothering me. 

Being in an academically motivated environment does help me stay focused, and surrounding myself with others that will help me study and prepare for college is definitely beneficial in reaching my goals. However, I also am around many other students struggling with similar things as me, including managing deadlines and having fun, which makes me less nervous about going away to college. I have also been spending more time around my family, now that “Sing” is over and I do have less responsibilities. Devoting time to bond with my sister and my mom is very helpful for me to remain calm and pay attention to enjoying every day, and not obsessing over each assignment. As a very outgoing and social person, I am usually less stressed out after spending time with close friends and family.