It's that time again: the turn of a new year. It's a time to map out the next 365 days, create a new lifestyle, make a better "you", and look back on everything you've done and everything that happened in the past year.

According to the internet, 2016 sucked. Yes, there were a lot a crazy things that happened: celebrity deaths and splits, Brexit, the election, and don't even get me started on Harambe. My point is that there's plenty of room for improvement for 2017. Personally, my year was full of accomplishments. I chose a college, graduated high school, and ended my high school years on the best note possible. After starting college, I made incredible friends, volunteered at the Debate, joined WRHU and the Hofstra Entertainment Access Television network, and started my own publication on campus. I achieved a lot this year, and I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

For 2017, I want to meet the new year head on with full force. I want to create more than I have, I want to do things to benefit my future, I want to have fun and experience life, but most importantly, I want to focus on the things that I am passionate about.

I was recently talking with one of my friends about my Intro to Film Production class. I learned so much about myself, others, and film as a whole, but for some reason, I could not think of anything really well to turn into a film. I like the things I did this semester, don't get me wrong. It was more of a learning experience about technique than anything else and my films were more exercises, but I know I can do better as far as storylines. I think the problem was that I jumped into too many things too quickly. I was too focused on my publication and WRHU and my other classes and getting into the flow of college as a whole. My mind had no time to think the way it usually does. I almost felt like I lost the spark. The passion is still there, but my ideas took a toll. I recently saw the new Cirque du Soleil show on Broadway, "Paramour", that's about the golden age of Hollywood. I've realized that I love the aesthetic of that time period where film was art and the director was who people looked at; not the performers so much. The Hollywood golden age is what I want and what originally inspired me to pursue film, and now that I've noticed and remembered what the dream was, I can set myself back on track. I am determined to create and play with ideas as much as I can next year in hopes I can turn out content I can be truly proud of.

2017 is a fresh start. I want to take advantage of that start. I'm not the "New year, new me" type of person, but now that I'm really starting my life, I need to take advantage of every second to make sure the future I want is the future I'm going to get. I am very proud of the things I accomplished in 2016. I personally had a wonderful year. I just know that I can do more. I can always do more. Now, understanding how college works, is the perfect time for me to get a head start on my life, my dreams, and my passion. The road I have set out for myself is not an easy one but I will do everything I possibly can to get to where I want to be.

2017 will be the start of a new era. It's my life, and I plan to make the most of it. That officially starts in 2017.

So, here's to you, New Year. May it be the best year yet.