Elizabeth Vesialou, Period 2, 5/7/21, Day A

Elizabeth Vesialou

May 7, 2021

Period 2

Day A

Modern Mythology 2021

Goal Setting & Growth

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

         I have a goal to focus more on my mental health and the way I approach challenges in my life. The whole college process showed me that there are some aspects of my life that I don't have control over and I need to be able to understand that and focus on what I do have control over. For example, I would have saved myself disappointment if I had originally focused on my acceptance to Georgetown University (since it's a top university that will provide me with many options in my career) instead of wanting more acceptances from other schools (I did receive a few others, but not from the universities I was aiming for). Since Georgetown University was one of the schools at the top of my list, I could've focused on the amazing programs and opportunities at Georgetown instead of worrying for weeks after my acceptance about other decisions. 

         While the college admissions process, especially this year, was brutal and I am grateful it's over, I can now take a step back and appreciate the way everything unfolded. Everyday I'm finding out a new reason for why Georgetown is the best place for me, which has definitely taught me that everything happens for a reason. I've always heard that expression but never truly believed it until these past couple of months. I now find myself approaching decisions differently and now I know next time life doesn't go my way I should remain calm and not stress over decisions and possibilities beyond my own control. Although I am already doing this in smaller ways, my goal is to improve on this mindset in order to relieve some unnecessary stressful situations from my life. This will help a more long term goal which is to enjoy college and make sure I do everything I can to get into medical school. 

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

        As mentioned above, I have already dealt with and overcome the repercussions of the mindset of somebody that is bad at handling not being in control of their future (getting into certain universities in my case). I am in a much better place since my commitment to Georgetown University than I was a month ago and am finding myself happier everyday with the way events unfolded. 

    As for my long term goal of enjoying college and getting into medical school, if I continue to grow the mindset of being more relaxed about my future, I believe it will allow me to make time for fun in college. Also, since I know that I work hard and produce results I can be more calm about my abilities to get into medical school. Right now, my parents and I are looking into what opportunities at Georgetown I can make use of in order to build up a competitive application for medical school and while they seem worried for me, because many things need to get done in a few years, I have already found myself more open minded about which medical school will get me to my future goal of being a physician and more certain that I'll be able to do what needs to be done. 

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

      As I mentioned, my family is very invested in my future, as am I, and that's definitely put pressure on me in the past and to a certain degree still does presently. However, I watched them console me about certain college rejections and understood that I don't need to be accepted to everything or be perfect in every aspect of my life to make them proud. This has relieved some of the pressure I have felt from others over the course of my life.

    Additionally, in an even broader aspect, the prestige of a university has always been a feature that is valued in our society. When people hear certain names, they have different reactions and expectations. This is when certain social situations become two faced because since I have enrolled into a prestigious university, I have succeeded in the expectation that my hard work pays off. However, then the expectations grow because prestige, in other people's eyes, should mean more success. I already hear people talking about certain prestigious medical schools and I haven't even decided yet if going to those medical schools is something I want. Thus, I am still facing certain pressures and even though now I am barely fazed by them, I need to work on my mental health and self-perception to make sure this focus on my own opinion of myself and not on others' opinions of me proceeds through my college years, medical school years, and beyond.