What I'm expecting from 2017:

If we're being honest, 2016 has really been one hell of a year. There were so many different up and down moments, making us wish that this year would just end. Well, with 2017 around the corner, we're almost done with 2016.

I'd like to see a lot of things change in 2017, but sadly I'm not so sure how much things will really be different. Some areas where I'd like to see some changes are both personal and general expectations. The things I hope to see change for the better is things like family, friends, relationships, health, work, school, and mainly kindness around the world. I hope that the negativity not only in my personal life but all around me and the world will come to an end.

Family:

I have a very big family. We're spread all over and we don't get to see each other as much as we would like to. For 2017, an expectation of mine is being able to travel to see my family more than usual. We miss out on so much of each other's lives, and when we meet, usually most of our time is telling each other about things that had happened. I'd rather be there to experience different obstacles and events in my family members' lives, so then when we're together we can just go out and have fun.

Friends:

2016 has been a crazy year when it comes to friends. Disagreements, ungratefulness, shunning, just a bunch of ridiculous nonsense went on with some, in particular, so-called "friends." In 2017, I expect to realize who those few true friends are and make sure to better my friendship with them. Personally, the ones who have been there for me through thick and thin are the friends I wouldn't want to lose. With the new year, I plan of strengthening my inner circle of friends.

Relationships:

Not only 2016 but the past few years have been a hell of a ride with one guy I once saw myself being with forever. I was too blind to see that he didn't really love me and didn't want an "us". Not being single for a total of about seven years, I plan on just focusing on myself in 2017. I always thought I needed to be in a relationship to be happy, but that's not true. I will no longer look for someone, instead see who comes my way and we will take it from there. In 2017, I expect to focus on bettering myself and learning to accept myself before I enter any type of relationship.

Health:

For anyone who knows me, something new always comes up that is wrong with my health. Internally, physically, or even mentally. I may look fine and healthy, but in all reality, I could be a lot better. For 2017, I plan to be more cautious of the things I do and the people I associate with. With this, I expect to not get injured as much by the things I do and I expect to only surround myself with positive people, so I don't get so down on myself like I do with negative people. I also plan on getting back into working out more regularly in order to help me be healthier and to become stronger.

Work:

I have been with the same company since the beginning of my senior year in high school. Now that I am in college, it is very hard to pick up hours at work. I have a job on campus, but it doesn’t pay nearly as well as my regular job. For the year of 2017, I expect to work even more than usual. I like what I do and I enjoy the people I work with. With school, it can be tough to find hours, but for my spring semester that is coming up I at least really thought hard about how to intertwine my work schedule with my school schedule.

School:

My sophomore spring semester of college will be starting in January of 2017. Then, in the fall, I will be a junior. It’s crazy how fast the school year flies by. I have been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA from the beginning of my freshmen year till now. It’s very hard, but with support both at school and at home, I am able to achieve the good grades I have. For the new year of 2017, my expectation from myself is to continue working hard and staying focused. A goal of mine is by the end of my senior year to still have all A’s and maintain a 4.0 GPA. The hardest part for me will be if I get one of those professors that never hand out A’s. If I ever run into that, I will try to convince them otherwise or I will just have to accept the fact. Another thing with school I expect for the new year to get involved even more than I already am. I am in so many different clubs and organizations, I’m even on the executive board for some of them. To me, though it’s still not enough, I like to get involved to help others and to keep myself busy.

Kindness around the world:

If you are someone who thinks there is nothing wrong going on, then you may be the problem with what is going on today. People, animals, and the wild life have had a hard year in 2016. We are the problem. Humans are destroying wildlife to build new fancy buildings. Animals are suffering because most people don't stand up for them; they need us because they don't have a voice. People are hurting one another: the fighting, the killing, and the negativity need to stop. In 2017, my expectation is that we will all come together to make a change for the better. Instead of turning away from the issues and being the problem, get involved to help. It's sad though that not everyone sees the pain and suffering of others like I do.

In 2017, I hope and expect a lot of things to change for the better.