Giorgia Musselwhite, PD 8, 10/26/2020, Day C

Giorgia Musselwhite
Period 8
10/26/20
Day C
Modern Mythology 2021


At this current point in time, what specific goal(s) do you have for yourself? Why?


This is a very stressful time in my senior year. Like many seniors, I am completing my early action college applications, as the deadline is right around the corner. In the next few days, I have to finalize my Common App personal statement, look over my applications one last time, and submit to my EA schools. After submitting my EA applications, I will have to complete the supplements for the rest of my regular decision applications over the next two months. Additionally, I am planning to publish a website that I have been co-developing for a civic engagement organization called New York Youth Civics Initiative in the next few weeks. I have been designing this website for a couple of months, and my team is currently in the process of transferring our designs onto Wix, our website builder, so it will be fully functional. I have completed the bulk of the work, but I still have to make some last-minute edits and add some additional content before we go public. My final goal is to focus on my mental health. With the presidential election so close, the atmosphere in my house has been very tense—everyone in my family is very passionate about politics, and we frequently have discussions over dinner. The stress of the election, as well as the struggles of remote learning and college applications, has caused my mental health to deteriorate. To alleviate some of my stress, I am trying to dedicate a couple of hours each day to relaxing, going outside, and exercising. I am also making an effort to talk with family and friends about more lighthearted topics, so that I do not become burnt-out.



How do you demonstrate resilience towards achieving this goal? (or these goals?)


I have found that the most helpful tool for completing goals is organization and time management. Throughout the college application process, the most daunting challenge has been my personal statement—I usually find it difficult to write about myself, and the essay’s extreme importance this year has made it even more intimidating. I hoped to avoid procrastination and began brainstorming ideas early, and I ended up drafting many different essays before I chose my final topic. Now, my essay is mostly complete, but I am still scrambling to proofread and make final edits. I need to hold myself accountable and complete the applications by devoting a few hours to completing the application each day. Over the next few months, I will have to do the same thing to complete the supplemental essays for my regular decision applications. I demonstrate resilience towards the goal of publishing my website by trying to work consistently and communicate with my team, even when other obligations such as homework and college applications get in the way. I do this by blocking out time to work on the website with my team and holding myself accountable by sharing my work at weekly team meetings. Sometimes I feel unmotivated to do my part, but I push through by reminding myself of the final product I am working towards, which is a functional and aesthetically pleasing website. I similarly ensure I take time out of my day to de-stress by carving out at least one hour each day for relaxation, usually after I finish my daily classes or after I complete my homework. I have also been trying to do breathing exercises during the day when I get stressed or anxious. I know that school is very important, but it is also very important to take care of myself.



How does the world around you affect your perception of this goal? (or these goals?)


To begin, college applications seem extremely confusing this year because of remote learning and the COVID-19 pandemic. Students have to make more of an effort to ask for help in the process, such as having to email our college counselors if we have a question rather than quickly stopping by their office. Additionally, many students, myself included, have had their junior and senior year plans disrupted because of COVID-19. As a result, grades and extracurricular activities that would be self-explanatory in a normal year now require some more context and explanations. I joined New York Youth Civics Initiative over the summer, so I have always participated in this organization remotely, and it has had less of an impact on my goal of publishing the website. However, the limits of technology have still made it difficult to communicate with my team and have collaborative discussions. I have to make a conscious effort to express my ideas clearly. Finally, the social isolation and lack of in-person interactions has negatively affected my mental health. I usually de-stress by going out with friends or playing outdoor sports, but it has been harder to do these things because of the risk of COVID-19. It is also more difficult now that my house doubles as my workspace and school, because I don’t really have an escape after I am finished with work. As I previously mentioned, the current political atmosphere has also made it challenging to relax because our country’s future seems to ride on this year’s presidential election. However, I know that there is not much more I can do other than staying informed and encouraging others to vote, and that it is not healthy to stress over things I cannot control.