Remember New Year’s Resolutions? Yeah, most years I didn’t make a resolution, or I would just say âmy only resolution was to get good gradesâ but while I was studying at Disney World. The âhappiestâ place on Earth, I kept missing Blacksburg and being at Virginia Tech. Surprise Surprise, being at Disney made me just miss home, no matter how many times you go to the parks on your day off. So, I told myself, âBrooklyn girl when you come back next semester. You need to show how you have grown and done better.â This is why I tried to make a resolutions list of goals I had and needed to achieve in 2024. When I moved back, I thought Iâd forget this list, but I didn’t! Matter of fact, I have been trying to incorporate it all into my busy college schedule. So here is how I got my groove back and how my resolutions helped me do it.
- Go on daily walks- I do walks every single day, either at night or in the day, I started this tradition last year but didn’t think I would have time to do it. But you should make time. These walks give me time to destress and relax, college is hard as it is. Walking also has its advantages as the campus is literally gorgeous, also on these walks I like to try to find all the gargoyles around campus that I can (Just so you know it is NOT as easy as everyone thinks it is.). My favorite spots to see on these walks are Hahn Horticulture Garden and Duck Pond. If you feel like walking farther off campus though I suggest going to the Huckleberry Trail. It’s essential for any Hokie.
2. Work on my degree- I got my GPA from last year from 2.3 up to 3.1. This was a major accomplishment. I got this GPA up as I did virtual fall and winter classes while at Disney and I found it fantastic. It helped stimulate me but also give me time to relax and make a class schedule based on my life. It was fast paced thats for sure. Also I kept in contact with my SOAR advisor as I did so. SOAR is a resource on campus, it stands for Student Opportunity and Advancement Resources. They help minorities and underrepresented groups on campus and trust me I put my advisor to work with my problems haha. He lets me vent my frustrations about classes, financial aid, housing, internships and practically anything I have that’s affecting my success problems and instead of letting me double down on the negativity or apologize, he makes us make a plan. He helped me find housing for this semester after coming from Disney and had me aware of when to contact and who to contact.
3. Act in a play- I got into the school play this year, âThe Taming of the Shrewâ by Shakespeare. I am not a Theatre major or minor, but I love Theatre. I always have since Highschool. Last year I auditioned but felt so anxious and doubted myself. I didn’t think I fit in due to my major and how inexperienced I was with college theatre. Then, I got into this year’s play and I learned I could not be more wrong. Everyone is so accepting and fun and they understand that I am new. So, they have been teaching me new things along the way. It has been an incredible experience and gives me a bit of a break from my STEM major responsibilities. So that play you said ‘I dont think I could do it’, Yes you can! Virginia Tech’s theatre department is so lovely and accepting. If you were curious and wanted to see this performance, the play will be happening from April 16-20, 2024. If you ever want to audition or do tech for a performance, this is located on Virginia Tech’s website: School of the Performing Arts. If you came from this article and see the play please come see me after a performance. I’d love to chit chat (and perhaps get more people interested haha)
4. Date- I had a few dates lined up during the beginning of the semester. I exchanged some numbers but nothing too serious but, my class crush. Now that was serious. âHeâs got my heartbeat skipping down 16th Avenueâ, Taylor said it best. This dude had me so delusional and I dropped all the other guys I was talking to. I asked him out as I watched the Super Bowl with my friends. I made a Google Form asking to be my boyfriend and he said yes. I know it sounds super cringey to think about, but I hate rejection, so this was easier. Listen, Virginia Tech boys can be a mixed bag but sometimes you can find a pretty good apple. I think I have. Date night though is mostly at either Breakzone or West End, very classy for college kids on a budget. Breakzone is amazing cause there’s so much to do whether it’s bowling or playing Just Dance. A fun time and it doesn’t break our wallets too bad. They even have videogames and systems you can rent and play there. Perfect date night on campus in my opinion.
5. Explore- Every other weekend, I have gone out using the buses around Christiansburg and the Blacksburg area. Best places I have been so far? The New River Valley Mall has a cute little small business called Paint ‘n Fun Ceramics. This is a pottery store where you can go in and create your own or join one of their many workshops. I visited there with my boyfriend while we were waiting for the bus at the movies and let me say, this find was amazing. We paid immediately and then the next week we got to sit down and have some time painting. Be warned though, you may start an addiction (Guess where I am going for my birthday). Also, I have gone to the Plato’s Closet in Christiansburg which completely slayed. The options were surprisingly good, and it was packed. My wallet broke by the time I was finished there. These small spots are amazing, and I wouldn’t have known had it been for adventuring.
After all this I came to realize that this is basically goal making, the one that teachers pressured you to do. The ones I would constantly complain about. I think that’s because you had to have it so specific to their criteria, and it was due for a grade for the most part. As I spent time just focusing on what I wanted to accomplish, I was able to give myself a sense of power over my life. I felt like I was just continuing and doing things for other people but this? This was for me and I loved it. You don’t have to have big or small goals, they don’t have to be measurable in my opinion, they just have to be things you want to do. Not things you feel like you have to do. This is how I came back new and improved for this Spring Semester. I hope you look at my list and it inspires you. Thanks for reading and I can’t wait to have you read my next article.