Giorgia Musselwhite, Period 8, 4/28/21. Day C

Giorgia Musselwhite
Period 8
4/28/21
Day C
Modern Mythology 2021


Goal Setting and Growth



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


At this hectic point in time, I am preparing for my final AP exams, graduation, and college life. My family is also moving in the next few weeks, so I am packing up my things and hoping to get accustomed to a new area before moving again for college. I hope to finish my senior year strong by focusing on my academics, which I must balance with an extracurricular schedule that has grown even busier since I started a new internship and volleyball practice. So, I will have to manage my time well and regularly study for AP exams. I finally committed to a college, and I'm excited to start visualizing the next four years. I am currently researching clubs, student life, study abroad programs, and classes to get more familiar with my school and the opportunities that interest me. I am also beginning to speak to potential roommates on social media and find students with similar interests, so I will be familiar with some people when I arrive on campus. I am pretty introverted around strangers, so it is nice to have the chance to make initial connections online.


My family's move out of Staten Island is stressful and a little sad, as I'm about to leave the only house I have ever known, but I am also delighted to put down roots in a new town before college. I'm also a fully remote student, which will make moving easier. Hopefully, the unpacking process will go quickly and smoothly, so it does not add to the stress of the ending school year. Meanwhile, I am trying to enjoy my last few months of high school by spending quality time with my friends and family when possible. I am very grateful that PSAL sports have started up again and I can have a senior volleyball season with my teammates, however unconventional it may be. I will continue to become more productive, develop my time management skills, and take care of my physical and mental health.



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


So many things are happening in my life that they are difficult to process as a whole, so to me, the best way of handling everything is taking things one step at a time. Like always, I need to balance work and fun. I'm trying to wake up earlier and get the majority of my schoolwork done before remote classes in the afternoon so I am able to focus on practice, meetings, and relaxation later in the day. I continue to fight the draw of procrastination and "senioritis," but I'm proud that I have stayed on task with my classwork and AP prep for the most part. When I get stressed about my upcoming move, college, or life in general, I typically take some time to breathe and think things over so they do not simmer in the back of my mind.


The entire situation of packing up household items, keeping the house spotless for showings, and dealing with the bank has been exhausting for my family throughout the past few months, so I am thrilled it is coming to an end. However, once I leave Staten Island, it will take longer to get to Tech for events and practice when necessary, so I will have to plan for that extra commute time. As I mentioned, I am very introverted and shy around new people, so I have had to make a real effort to reach out to accepted students and connect over similar interests in music, hobbies, and TV shows. For the most part, I have found the other students easy to talk to and have already made some friends, so I am satisfied with how the process is going. I have also tried to read as much as possible about student life and the pros and cons at my school to be prepared. I hope to carry these communication and preparation skills into college.



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


Though the COVID-19 pandemic continues to make life challenging, I am cautiously optimistic that things will soon be getting back to normal. I am getting my second dose of the vaccine this week, and I'm happy that places are beginning to host in-person events safely. In-person volleyball practices make my schedule more hectic, but the time is worth it to see the team and get back on the court. Though I'm not excited about another round of online AP exams, I'm looking forward to having regular classes next year at college. The entire pandemic has truly transformed me as a person—I grew better at time management, became more organized and innovative, and learned to appreciate human interaction much more—but I'm extremely ready to return to semi-normalcy. My upcoming move has thrown another curveball at my senior year plans, but practice and more frequent outings have helped me mentally prepare to graduate and start the next chapter of my life. Since the weather has gotten warmer, I have also begun to spend more time with my friends and make the last of my high school memories. Any hints of "seasonal depression" have lessened and I am going outside more, waking up earlier, and feeling more productive during the day. In general, I am excited for the next few months and hopeful about the future.