Ok, 2016 got kind of a bad reputation. Ok, not kind of, 2016 was horrid.
We lost numerous amazing people and terrible events that occurred throughout the country. We only had a few days left of 2016, and we lost Princess Leia and Grandma Aggie. The year just had to squeeze out every drop of horribleness it could. I think it’s just common for people to hate on 2016 just because everyone else is doing it.
I mean, the United States definitely took a hit, but there’s no need to dwell because that won’t change the past. Personally, I had some downs in 2016: family stuff, failed a final and so on. Again, let’s not dwell because that final permanently scarred me.
Let’s think on the bright side.
2016 also had some great moments: I finished my freshman year of college. What?! Time flew by and I met some cool people on the way. I’m almost 20, kind of a pointless age, but I’m not going to be a teenager anymore. I can’t wrap my head around that. When I was younger, I always wanted to be older. Now that I’m older and in college, I’m trying to hold on to every minute of youth I have left.
On New Year’s Eve, I have a tradition where I deep clean everything so I can get a fresh start in the New Year. And usually I would go out with some friends, but this year I stayed in my bedroom and watched How to Get Away with Murder until midnight. What has my life come to? Am I boring now? Does this mean I’m growing up or does it mean I don’t have have any single friends to hang out with? Maybe a little bit of both.
I woke up the next morning with a lot of hope. I know it’s just another day with a different year, but if it gives people the excuse to start new, I’m all for it.
Since the start of the new year, I’ve tried to get my shit together. I made a long list of things I’ve had to do since the beginning of Christmas break, and I put everything into action since January 1. That’s big for me because I’m a huge procrastinator. One time I literally did homework for my 11 a.m. class during my 10 a.m. class. That’s just who I am.
A few days ago, I submitted over five internship applications for this summer and spent three hours revamping my resume. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but my resume could enter a beauty pageant and win first place. It’s beautiful, and it better be after three hours. My online portfolio is next on my list, and I don’t even want to think about how long that’s going to take me.
In 2017, I’ll find out about those internships I applied for and also find out whether or not I get into journalism school. So yeah, if I think about it too much I’ll probably barf. A new year is always full of so much opportunity and fresh beginnings, but, for me, 2017 will either make or break me.
Will I get into journalism school? Will I get an internship? Rejection is normal, but I don’t deal with it well.
So basically, I know I can’t blame a year for problems, but that was easy in 2016. TBH 2016, why did you hurt so many people? But 2017 is different. I’m pretty hopeful for impending opportunities, but I’m also hopeful for a better year.
That’s what I want this year to be about: hope. Hope for a better world and better grades. Crossing my fingers.
