Even though the July heat still stirs in the air, college students everywhere are already contemplating the school year ahead of them, myself included. There is a great deal of both academic and social goals that I have for the upcoming school year. At the end of the year, I hope to have improved my life by putting my best foot forward throughout my second year at Longwood University.

My first and most central goal of this year is to keep a steady handle on my grades. I am thankful that I have accomplished so much academically in my first year. All I want for that now is to keep up my studying habits and work on being less overwhelmed by the idea of them. Sometimes I would let myself get worked up when in reality, I actually kind of knew what I had to do. I hope that this year I can do what I have to do, just with a calmer attitude.

Another big goal I have for this next year will be to put myself out there more. Now that I'm somewhat adjusted into a school routine, I want to be more involved with the organizations I joined last year and possibly join some new ones. I love my sorority, and I want to help more with fundraisers and spend free time with my sisters whenever I can. I also want to look into more activities that can help me with my future in writing. I definitely want to attend more poetry readings if and when they happen, and I am also going to look into the school's newspaper, The Rotunda.

What I truly hope to gain from this next year is to fully balance my school work with social activities. To me, that is the greatest lesson of college: learning how to adult as a functioning member of society. I have no idea what ups and downs the year ahead has in store, but I know I will do my best to improve myself day by day.