Most people entering a new year set a new goal or resolution for themselves; I am no different. I am a first-year student at the University of Galway, and for me personally and academically, I want 2024 to be my best year yet.
Academically, I aim to do as well as possible in my semester two assignments and exams to be in a good position heading into the second year. There are such great opportunities academically and for my future career in the college, I currently am a first-year representative on the Law Society, auditor of the Politics Society, and vice auditor of the Minceirs Whiden society. I aim to be as involved in these roles and to learn from the peers around me also. I also hope to work in a solicitor’s office during the summer to gain as much valuable training and knowledge for my future career.
Personally, I want 2024 to be the year I turn my dreams into reality. I have been doing karate since age four and am currently a first-dan black belt, but I aim to grade for my second-dan black belt this year.
I am also an activist, so I have big plans and ideas for what this year can hold for me with that. I hope to attend as many events, protests, and meetings as possible in 2024. I have previously been asked to speak at events and conferences, so I’m also hoping that that continues into the new year.
I’ve also spoken before in the Oireachtas, so it’d be delightful if another opportunity came up like that again this year. My plan is also to fundraise for organisations and groups that are important to me.
Mindfulness-wise and physically, I want to end the year better than I started. Mental health has been a significant factor in my life over the last few years, and I hope by the end of 2024, it won’t be as big of a factor. I am doing different things to implement this: journaling every night before I go to bed, going out for a walk in the fresh air every day, hitting my step target, doing more self-care this year.
These are all just things I enjoy and bring me happiness. Without a clear and healthy mind and from experience, every other part of your life decreases, and you do not want the essential things in life anymore. Physically, it connects back to my mental health. Running brought such a clearness to my mind, so I am picking it up again. Some races are booked for later in the year to motivate me on this journey.
I hope to get everything sorted for myself this year with my driving, such as driving lessons and tests, and I hope to save as much money as possible.
2024 is the year I put myself first. My mum always tells and encourages me how I can afford to be selfish at this point in my life, so I will go for as much as I can. My goal for this year is when December 31 2024, hits; I can look back and say, “damn, all that hard work was worth it.”
You can be anything you want to be in life, and I always live by the quote “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” so live your year and life the way you want to live it.