News Year's resolutions

January 2024

This month we asked out students to write a reflection on the
tradition of making News Year's resolutions.

Goals for 2024

Gracie Smith
MSMU Class of 2027

As 2023 comes to an end, I can not believe that I have accomplished all that I have. I graduated from high school as the President of the National Honor Society. I started college at the Mount as a part of the University Honors Program. I began writing for the paper you’re currently reading. I have made lasting friendships and connections at school. I have taken opportunities I would have never taken before. In 2023, I have grown so much as an individual, and cannot wait to see what I accomplish in 2024.

As the New Year approaches, I have considered several things I would like to improve on in 2024. One thing is my individuality. I want to be more open and honest with myself about what I like, rather than trying to please everyone else. I have noticed that in 2023, I started doing this, especially in college since I had no one to please but myself. From this, I have made amazing friends and made so many memories. In 2024 I hope to continue this and to not deny myself the things that I like including my interests, hobbies, and style.

Another thing I would like to improve on is my relationships. I have made so many friends that are very important to me. In 2024, I hope to do more things with them and make more memories. A New Year means new opportunities, and I plan on taking advantage of all the opportunities I can to have fun with my friends and have a fulfilling college experience.

Continuing with maintaining good habits, I hope to do well in my next semester's classes. As of right now, I have over 20 textbooks I get to read next semester, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. However, as nervous as I may be, I am very excited to see what my professors are going to teach me, and what all 20 textbooks have to offer. As someone who loves to learn, I am very excited for the next semester, and I am very excited about the courses I am taking.

In late 2024, I will be tested to become a certified Gettysburg Battlefield Guide. I have been preparing for about 4 months now, and with another year under my belt, I am praying that I pass the certification exam. As a history major, I am very excited about this job opportunity and cannot wait to be a guide. Since I live so close to Gettysburg, I am there very often. It’s even better that the Mount is roughly 15 minutes away as well, so I can be a guide and continue my education at the same time. With help from my middle school history teacher, I hope that I can juggle my schoolwork and my books in preparation for being a Battlefield Guide.

With that being said, I will be juggling three jobs by the end of 2024. I pray that I am able to build up my work ethic and time management skills throughout the New Year in order to prepare myself. I will continue my job at Giant as a pharmacy technician, write for the newspaper, and, hopefully, be a Gettysburg Battlefield Guide. I am looking forward to the future that lies ahead of me; I just hope that throughout the New Year, I can accomplish everything I need to so that I can juggle three jobs and prepare for my greater future.

Digressing from maintaining my good habits into the New Year, I hope to establish some new habits. To start, I hope to work on saving my money a bit better and creating a stricter budget. As a freshman in college, I learned very quickly that I cannot spend my money how I used to as a senior in high school. I have had to cut my hours at Giant so that I am not overloaded with work and schoolwork. With that, I also need to cut my spending. As prices continue to increase, my bank account is constantly decreasing.

Self-care is something I have always tried to do, however, in 2024 I plan to take it a little more seriously. I don’t mean spending more money on myself, I cannot do that, I mean taking more time to do the things I enjoy and taking better care of my body. Looking over my next semester’s agenda, I realized that I am going to be very busy. With that being said, I need to dedicate time to do the things I enjoy. Things such as going for walks, reading books, cleaning my dorm room, watching movies, playing video games, and of course, sleeping.

In addition to dedicating time to myself, I need to take better care of my body. As much as I want to believe it, I can’t live off ramen noodles, cosmic brownies, and sweet tea. In this last semester of college, I noticed that my eating habits had become very unhealthy. Not only was I eating hardly at all, but when I did it was very unhealthy food. Now that I am acclimated at school, I intend to start eating 3 meals a day and drinking water more frequently.

While my intentions for 2024 are not what everyone might expect, they are things that I am striving to achieve. I hope that with diligence, self-discipline, and support from my family and friends, I am able to reach these goals and further grow as a young woman. Having goals not only sets us up for success, but allows us to try new things for the betterment of ourselves. It is important to prioritize the things you are aiming to achieve so that you have a balance of success and happiness. As 2024 begins, I hope that everyone has a safe, happy, and blessed New Year.

Read other articles by Gracie Smith

My resolutions this year

Devin Owen
MSMU Class of 2026

At the beginning of each year, I make a list of goals, or resolutions, that I wish to accomplish in the new year…and every year I give up about two months in. Maybe it’s because I set very unrealistic goals for myself, or because I simply just cannot fit new things into my very busy schedule. Last year, the goal I left in the dust was to start going to the gym at least twice a week again, like I did when I was back home in Delaware. That ideal got left behind once I realized that I very much so did not enjoy the walk over to the ARCC in the cold—or in the nice weather—and most certainly didn’t enjoy the part where I had to actually work out. This year however, I am looking to set some more realistic ideals for myself in the new year.

My first goal for 2024 is to have a healthier diet. Over the course of 2023, I would find myself going out to eat more often than not, whether it be Chick-Fil-A, a nice sit-down restaurant, or even gas station food such as Wawa or Sheetz. While it all tasted great, it was not the best thing to put into my body. I’d be much better off eating actual meals daily; spinach salads with chicken or some form of protein, pork chops and vegetables, essentially any home-cooked meal would do. I have learned that I tend to feel better when I eat healthier: my energy is higher, my mood is better, and I do not feel sick most of the day as I do when I eat a lot of junk or fast food. So, with that in mind, I just think it would do me a lot of good to better my diet.

Another goal I have set for myself this year is to spend more time with my family. Even though I’m a college student, quality time with my family is just as important as time with my friends. In the last year I have learned that people don’t stick around forever, and losing them is really, really hard. In April 2023, my Uncle Charlie passed away and that was by far one of the hardest experiences I have had to deal with; he was one of my favorite people. If I learned anything with his passing though, it is crucial to cherish every moment you have with the people you love. Sometimes we take things like presence for granted; we overlook the time that we have and how much we spend with people might not be enough. There are many people in my family that I know I need and want to spend more time with. A good example is my mom; given that I don’t live with her, I also do not get as much time with her as I once did. I remember growing up, we would stay up super late every weekend and watch one of the (numerous) shows we picked out together, while eating a bowl of ice cream and learning to crochet. After being on my own for a bit, I miss these moments more than anything. This goal also makes me think to my grandparents: while trying to decide on a Christmas gift for both sets of my grandparents, my stepmom reminded me that many people at that age just want time with their loved ones. Nothing matters more to people than time does.

Considering that I am a college student, it might be obvious that the next resolution on my list is to stay on top of my schoolwork/grades, and to manage my time better. I noticed in this past semester of school that I was beyond stressed most days. Maybe it’s because I started working a waitressing job on top of classes and writing for this lovely paper, maybe it’s because I had more readings to do; we may never know. I think that if I manage to stay on top of my work, and get it done earlier rather than later, then I will manage to reduce some of the stress that I have managed to wrap myself in most of the year. This also ties into the time management goal, because if I manage my time properly between work, school, and free time then hopefully my stress levels will be minimal (although, nonexistent would be ideal).

While on the topic of work, my next goal is to save money! I had no idea just how expensive college was, but oh boy! Usually, I am pretty good at setting aside money for certain things, but I do have my moments where I really enjoy shopping. As my best friend like to say, "It’s okay Dev, you’re just a girl!" This typically leaves me in the mindset that it’s okay because I can just make the money back later. Even though this may be true, it doesn’t mean that spending it all on shopping is a good idea; it very well would be much better suited towards my needs instead of wants. I have a feeling though, that this might be one of my goals that gets (partially) left behind in the months of January and February.

My final, and probably most important goal of the year, is to have more experiences than material goods. My mama always reminds me and my siblings that when we die, we cannot take any of our earthly possessions with us to the afterlife. It’s a mindset that I have applied to my life in recent months; I would much rather spend my life having these amazing experiences with people I care about. Going to concerts is a perfect example of this: there is something just so ethereal about being in the moment surrounded by people who feel the same way, as we all sing along and dance to the songs being sung on stage in front of us. Family vacations are perfect too; something about being surrounded by my loved ones in a place where our worries and stress cannot reach gives me a feeling of peace. I would much rather die knowing I lived a life full of memories than surrounded by items I’ll never see again. My New Year’s resolution this year: to live in the moment and make memories with the people I care about, to take with me when I die.

Read other articles by Devin Owen

No time like the present

Dolores Hans
MSMU class of 2025

Upon reflection of this past year and my awareness of all the things to come in the next, I know now more than I ever have that I need to make a resolution to live in the present. All my life I have spent reflecting or dwelling on the past, with anxiety while looking forward to the future. The present never seemed adequate. There was either a better moment in the past, or a potentially better moment in the future. The truth is, however, that where I am right now, is exactly where I am meant to be. I am missing it because I’m too busy romanticizing what’s to come, or feeling the pain from my past even if it is something I no longer have to feel. I used to pray for a man who would love me, not only because of all the fun adventures we could go on together and all the hugs and support, but because I felt so unloved for most of my life. Now, I have that man that I prayed for, and I have never felt so much love in my life; yet, for some reason, it isn’t enough. It isn’t enough because now that I have him, I’m thinking about our future together. Constantly! I will actually become angry at the fact that we aren’t married yet, and I must stop myself (or more accurately, he lovingly stops me) and recognize that where I am right now and what I have, is what I used to long for and pray for, and that this is where I am meant to be for now. I have to be grateful for the present.

I am so excited to have backyard barbecues and camping trips with my friends when we all have our own families, but I am too quick to miss out on opportunities to make memories with them now, while we are all together on campus.

I am dwelling on and actively feeling the hurts from my past, instead of allowing myself to create space between who I am in the life I live now, from that of my past. Instead of working to heal my wounds, I just reopen them and live through it again, causing me all kinds of hurt.

There are so many things that I look forward to this upcoming year, and I don’t want to spend those moments in anything less than pure bliss and joyful anticipation. In January I start my second semester of junior year, and as a Special Education/Elementary Education major, I will be beginning my internship in Frederick County. This is a very special opportunity, and I don’t want to take it for granted. Being a teacher isn’t my dream job, but it is something I feel is absolutely an essential part of who I am and how I love. I am not a very career minded person as most people are, but I’ve always been able to see the deeper beauty in teaching children. This experience will help me grow in so many ways, and I want to embrace that, not hide from it, because it will be a challenge.

In April I celebrate my two-year anniversary, which is insane because I feel like I have known and loved him for at least five years. With another big milestone in the books, it will be really easy for me to look forwards to the future and fall back into my patterns of jealousy (of engaged couples) and resentment (towards all the things that prevent it from being the right time). But I need to look at these two years and realize how time has gone by so quickly and be thankful that I have him and that we have been able to make so many amazing memories since we met.

In May, my oldest brother is getting married, and he hired me as the photographer. I am so excited to get another wedding in my portfolio, but I also must remember that he is my family, and this is the "end of an era" as people say, because we are no longer children sharing our lives under the same roof and same family. I want to make sure that I am present at the wedding, not just as the photographer to take photos—because that is natural to me—but as his sister, coming out of my shell, enjoying myself, and treasuring this time that I have with him and all of our family. As an introvert and an observant person, I love photography because the purpose is not the be the center of attention. I can hide behind my camera and choose not to be social because my job is to capture the fun, heartfelt, momentous, and intimate moments throughout the event. But I need to remember that I shouldn’t hide at my own brother’s wedding. I need to be courageous and lively, as well as take beautiful photos.

In June, my other older brother is getting married. I know, it’s going to be hectic in my household (even more than it usually is as a family of ten). In his wedding, I am a bridesmaid. I have never been a bridesmaid before. I’ve been a flower girl a couple times, but this is different. I am an adult now. As I mentioned before, I am naturally an observer, so coming out of my shell and living in the moment full of joy is something I need to work on.

Next fall begins my senior year, and Lord knows I have a lot on my plate. It can be so easy to be overwhelmed by the unknown. But life is full of uncertainties, and that is something I have to accept. It is something I have to learn to see in a new perspective, so I can embrace it with hope and resilience instead of fear. I also need to remember the good times of my childhood, rather than everything that went wrong. My past is past. Every day is a new day to grow in character, learn truth and reason, and witness beauty. Knowing this, I can start changing my mindset to live in the present moment.

Read other articles by Dolores Hans

The grad year

Claire Doll
MSMU Class of 2024

In 2023, I worked a full-time job and wasn’t paid a dime.

Every day, I clocked in before 7 a.m., and I left promptly at 2:45 p.m., commuting back to campus. I then attended evening classes, wrote college essays, edited the Mount’s literary magazine, and of course, edited this lovely News-Journal. I managed to exercise most days, hang out with friends over the weekends, and end with a pretty great GPA.

During the day, I was Ms. Doll. I taught some wonderful middle and high schoolers, wrote language arts lesson plans, read novels like The Great Gatsby and The Outsiders to teach my students. It was exhausting to work so much and balance being a college student.

But I loved it. Of course, I didn’t love working a full-time job while my college friends slept in and dressed in sweats and went out to lunch. Or driving home after the most difficult week ever and not getting a single penny for my work. Or the late nights, missed workouts, the tears, or the loneliness of such a busy life. I loved my students: classes of eccentric and positive middle schoolers. I loved my mentor: a wise, wonderful, impactful teacher who guided me through the highs and lows of education. I loved the staff at Thurmont Middle, and I loved this glimpse of the real world, and of what it’s like to be a teacher.

In 2023, I got a part-time job as a barista. I learned to make my absolute favorite thing in the entire world: espresso drinks. I went to so many beaches, saw Taylor Swift (highlight of the year, I’d say), and I grew so many friendships. And of course, I completed two teaching internships in the spring and fall. It was a beautiful year, one where I found myself, but also struggled immensely. Did I really want to be a teacher, when everyone seems to have a negative opinion on education? Did it matter if I missed two workouts in a row? (In the moment, it mattered so much.) Would life after college be all that I had hoped?

I’ll be honest: I’m scared for 2024. I graduate in May, and after that, I start working. I’m scared of being a teacher, a real teacher with a classroom and everything. Where will I teach? Where will I live? Will my students like me? Will I even make it?

Not only that, but I won’t live with my best friends ever again. Not like this. Now, after every Tuesday evening class, I go to my friend Jordana’s apartment to debrief the weekend. I learn to make pottery with my roommate Emma, and I have comforting talks with my other roommate, Kayla, at the end of her bed. I bake cookies with my boyfriend, Gavin. I have wine nights with my friends, and I enjoy trips to Gettysburg for a midday coffee. College is a beautiful thing, something I am so grateful for. I wouldn’t change it for anything, and I have learned so much.

However, if 2024 will bring anything, it will be change.

Next semester is the first semester since freshman year that I will have less than 16 credits of classes—meaning I have a super light course load. I have off Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I’m taking the general courses I need for graduation, but also classes such as personal finance and ceramics. I want to better prepare myself for my financial future, and I also want to dedicate time to leisure and new hobbies. I’ll still edit Lighted Corners and the News-Journal, and I’ll work on my honors project, and I’ll of course be interviewing for teaching positions. But I want to use the space in my schedule to slow down.

I’ll never get this time again. The time to be with friends, pursue creative arts, and to do homework at a coffeeshop on a Tuesday at noon. To sleep in and watch the sunrise from my bedroom window, rather than the window at school, or from my car’s dashboard. To travel on long weekends and spend hours writing, making pottery, or editing a literary journal. Or being intentional and mindful during my workouts.

My goals for 2024 are abundant. I don’t think that one should have a singular resolution, but rather many that complement different aspects of his or her life. For example, one of my resolutions for 2024 is to be more mindful with my time. Rather than cramming assignments, workouts, and shifts into one morning, I will instead give myself space to wake up early, work out, make breakfast, and start my day slowly. With intention. I will limit social media time, maybe even delete some of the apps. I will slow my mind down, journal more, and focus on mental habits that will sustain me while teaching.

Teaching. I have the goal to give myself immense grace when it comes to being a first-year teacher in 2024. I do not expect myself to be the best, or to do everything right. I want to instead build healthy mental practices—like developing a steady and flexible routine—that will reduce stress in the long run. I will not have college classes, homework, studying, or extracurriculars. I will focus on my own time, on my own hobbies, on teaching and the people around me.

My 2024 resolutions look different than previous years. Instead of aiming for a certain GPA, reading a certain number of books, or getting my creative writing published, I am striving for simplicity. Space. Self-forgiveness. Friendship. I have never been this way before—if you know me, I’m an anxious, indecisive perfectionist—but I truly do think that this year of student teaching has changed me. I have grown past college, and I strive for a life where I can lead my own classroom. I find value in my students and my experiences rather than my coursework, and I have found a passion in teaching.

As for my concrete plans beyond college? Stay tuned for that!

Read other articles by Claire Doll

Read Past Editions of Four Years at the Mount