Every year, I make some stupid resolution that I am going to eat better or exercise more because I want to improve myself. This year, I wanted to make a list of seven things I am going to accomplish by the end of 2017. Some of them may be a little out there, but I plan on fulfilling these 10 things in the next 365 days whether it is a struggle or not.

1. Apply to college.

This one is kind of a given, but it is still strange to write on paper. In the year 2017, I will begin the journey of applying and auditioning for college. This a scary, new step in my life, but I am ready to jump into the new year with the mindset of preparing for the next four years of my life.

2. Write something.

I don’t know what this entails yet. It could be a novel, a play, or something as simple as a poem; I think expression is so important, and I want to share my words with the world in whatever way I can.

3. Make myself more productive.

On the weekends, I tend to soak up all the relaxation time I can get. This may include sleeping or being a couch potato, but I love it. However, I will be entering my senior year of high school halfway through 2017, and I plan to make the most out of my time.

4. Act fearless.

Sometimes I get way too in my head, and I stop myself from doing things that are fun or push me beyond my comfort zone. I want to take control, and jump into things with no hesitance. Yes, I need to be careful for myself, but living a life where you say yes is so much more fulfilling.

5. Don’t dwell on things.

There are times when I get so focused on the negative that I bog myself down. This gets in the way of all the amazing opportunities I have been given, and it wastes time too. Learning to move on and focus on the good stuff is something I really want to check off my list.

6. Meet new people.

I love people. I love meeting new people. Making friends with anyone that seems friendly or interesting is something I love doing. Whether it be some girl I don’t really talk to in one of my classes, or a person I compliment in a store, putting myself out there and talking to people is something I really love and want to continue to do more this year.

7. Thank people randomly.

I have some awesome people in my life. I really do, and I do not always thank every single person that I have come in contact with throughout high school and before that. Just randomly sending a thank you text or extending the greeting is extremely powerful, and I will push myself to take this initiative in 2017.

There are always ways I feel like I can better myself or propel me further down the path I want to travel. These are some of my goals for this year, and I plan to follow though with these tasks. New Year’s Resolutions are great for some, but you shouldn’t feel like you can only set goals for yourself at the beginning of a fresh, new year.