As the semester wraps up and my finals conclude, I believe it's important to craft a simple plan detailing what I'd like to achieve during the break. From past experiences, I've found that having a schedule helps me stay on track and avoid getting sidetracked.
The first step for me is to take time to recharge and reflect. Although my initial tendency is to dive into tasks right away, I've learned the importance of giving myself time to recuperate from the past semester. During the break, my plan is to reconnect with myself, involving self-care routines like catching up on sleep, leisurely walks, and exploring new hobbies like sewing and figure skating.
I also plan to evaluate the semester by looking at my grade performance and reflecting on experiences like being an editor for the newspaper, considering how I was impacted and what I learned. I'll set new goals, which, for me, means striving for improvement based on those lessons and seizing new growth opportunities.
Catching up with family and friends I haven’t seen in a while is on my agenda. Family conversations often offer advice and insights. For instance, in my first semester as editor for the Echo, I found Adobe InDesign stressful. My mom suggested taking a course over the break to ease the stress, and I'm looking forward to that.
Post-rest, I'll allocate time to work on my professional materials. As a senior, I plan to review my resume and polish my LinkedIn page using insights from my Senior Seminar class. I'll ensure my experiences are up-to-date and that my LinkedIn profile is polished for connecting with professionals. Though still in school, I've been applying to jobs and practicing cover letter writing and networking. Additionally, practicing using Adobe InDesign during the break will refine my skills for newspaper editing, making me more valuable in potential Editor positions. Lastly, I’ve committed to participating in the Winter Reading Challenge initiated by Philip’s Library. With a goal to read ten books by January 16th, I'm excited to delve into the chosen stories.
Through my time at the Mount and previous breaks, I've learned that breaks require dedicated scheduling; otherwise, time slips away, leading to disappointment.
Writing for the My View of MSMU blog has been an enriching experience. Blogging has held a special place for me since I maintained my own blog in middle school. I'm always seeking ways to enhance my writing and editing skills. Contributing to the blog has helped me learn how to strike a conversational tone while maintaining structure and organization for clear communication with readers.
Being part of my school’s blog has deepened my connection to the Mount community as it's accessible to anyone, whether they're current students or alumni.
Sharing the lessons and stories I've gathered during my three years at the Mount highlights how much I've grown and evolved. From a nervous first-year student, I've become more grounded and confident in sharing my narrative, particularly if it resonates with others. Therefore, heartfelt thanks go to the Marketing Team, Dr. Firgens for their editing and advice, and the Mount community for the invaluable lessons.