Nikita Erastov, Period 7, 4/11/2022

 Goal Setting & Growth
At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?
As a busy senior year draws to a close, I think that my goals have become less and less serious
for the time being. When writing a blog using this same prompt at the start of the year, I had
several goals that I wanted to accomplish over the course of the year; some of them consisted of
serious things like getting into a good college, and some were minimal like finishing my
homework on time. Nevertheless, I’m glad to say that most of the goals I had set out for myself
have been completed during this time. My main focus was to go to college for as little money as
I could, and now I will be able to go to college for free. I have also slightly corrected my sleep
schedule, which was another goal I had. However, I did not really focus on music as assignments
and applications continued to take up most of my time.
Currently, one of my main goals is to spend as much time with my friends as possible. Although
we more or less know where we will be when autumn comes, things will not be as they are now,
and I am looking forward to a fun summer. I would possibly like to go on a road trip as well,
since I have never been on a real one before.
Another goal of mine is to familiarize myself with Manhattan. It is baffling to me that I have
grown up in New York City for my entire life, but still get confused whenever I exit the train
station in Manhattan. Since I will be going to college in the city, I think it’s best to at least
understand how to maneuver through the streets and avenues in order to not waste time finding
directions. There is also an immense amount of history and activity in Manhattan, so it would be
nice to see what the city fully has to offer.
How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)
If I am unable to spend time with my friends, there are other forms of communication and having
fun. For example, talking often even after high school can help me achieve my goal. Finding a
topic that interests all of us, or a game or show that we can all discuss together can also help to
shape memories if we are unable to see each other. This is probably how we have managed to all
stay friends through the pandemic when actual meetings became scarce. The most important
aspect of resilience when it comes to staying friends with people is commitment from both sides;
if everyone is willing to continue a relationship regardless of the circumstances then there should
be no reason for it to fail.
I’m not sure what challenge could affect my ability to go see the city in person, but a virtual tour
or going on Google Earth will suffice if I am unable to.
How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)
It’s very common for friends to drift after going away for college. I personally know people who
have experienced this drift, yet they seem to be doing just fine. This idea of being okay without
the people you have spent 4 or more years with has a positive affect on my emotions. It makes

me believe that everything happens for a reason, and that my friends and I will be okay wherever
we go in our lives. At the same time, putting in effort to keep those friendships could be valuable
in the future if we choose to reconnect as adults.
Attempting to see most of Manhattan really makes me think about the diversity of the city. Most
people understand that New York City is considered a “melting pot”, but a firsthand experience
of all the different cultures and beliefs can greatly shape my opinion on the city as a whole. As I
go about the city, I plan to acknowledge the differences in the foods, languages, and cultures I
see throughout the different neighborhoods. Understanding the cultural differences between the
neighborhoods allows me to make my own connections relating to my culture. Although this
does mark my insignificance in such a big city, it helps me find similarities between myself and
everyone else living here.