As we welcome a new year, the HC Western Ontario team weighs in on their 2011 and what they’re resolutions are for the new year.
Krystyna LaChance
I can’t say that 2011 was kind to me. I lost a seven year relationship, my car died and two of my pets had to be put down due illness. But I have my health, my education and my friends and family so I can’t really complain. I got my first mark over 85 on a University paper – an extreme personal accomplishment. I was also awarded several bursaries from the school for academic excellence, which made me feel particularly good. I saw one of my favourite artists (Lady Antebellum) live in my
hometown, and I turned 20 (which, I’ll admit, freaked me out). I even made up with a friend I thought I’d lost forever. Though I must admit, I’m glad that 2011 is coming to a close. It has been one of the most difficult years of my life. I’ll be happy to ring in the New Year with new hopes and resolutions and to leave the past behind me.
My New Year’s resolution is to apply myself better in school. That means attempting to attend all classes (even if I only stay for one hour of a three hour night class on Monday nights), attempting to stay on track with my readings and to attempt to do my assignments more than a night before they’re due. I’ve fallen into the habit of doing a half-assed job in my university studies and it’s time to step up. I’ve also made it a point to spend less money or rather get a handle on my shopping addiction – I say this jokingly, but in all seriousness I need to spend less this year than I did in 2011. Other than those, hopefully attainable, goals, there isn’t much left in my life that I need to improve. Here’s hoping I can stick to my resolutions this year – a feat much more difficult than it seems!
Tanya Rafiq
In a nutshell, I was bit by the travel bug in 2011. In February, I was a volunteer with Alternative Spring Break UWO under International Service learning in Costa Rica, and my role along with 15 other students was to help set up free health care clinics in various communities where people could not afford social insurance for healthcare services. In August, I had the opportunity to visit Kabul, Afghanistan and work for Aga Khan Health Services. This opportunity allowed me to gauge into the current health situation of a war torn developing country that has not had access to a proper health care system in over 30 years.
New Years Resolution: continue travelling! Next up in February, Panama with Alternative Spring Break!
Martisha Mayombi
2011 wasn’t the best year; academically it blew to say the least! I’m alsi not proud of the way I treated certain boys. My favorite part of the year was living with 3 of my besties!
Resolutions: To do better in school and to not get distracted by partying and boys!
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Laura Sullivan
2011 was a get-your-act-together year for me; I quit my compulsive partying (mostly,) and devoted my time to getting better grades, finding a research position and paying my rent in cash instead of on credit. I met my wonderful boyfriend Kevin while working at Thames Valley Golf Course over the summer; most of my free time is spent with him these days. Everyone says long distance relationships are doomed, but Hamilton (he goes to Mac… gross!) isn’t as much of a distance and I feel like absence really does make the heart grow fonder. My new year’s resolution is to ace the LSAT; I’m signed up to
write in February.
Per usual, there are so many things I want to accomplish in 2012 that it’s difficult to pick just one goal as my resolution for the new year, so I’ve decided to lump them all together under the umbrella heading of making the most of my remaining three semesters as an undergrad. For me, this includes getting the grades, the recommendation letters, and the LSAT score to get into Osgoode, but it also means getting my money’s worth from all the less obvious things university has to offer at this stage in my life: that gym membership included in the cost of my tuition, summer exchange programs, research positions, resume enhancing extracurricular activities, free seminars and workshops, and a whole host of other opportunities emailed to my UWO account and usually soon forgotten. This year I will not overlook a single one; my schedule will be full and I will be healthy, focused, productive, and aggressive in achieving my goals and squeezing the maximum possible benefit out of my time left at Western. A wise friend (and psych major,) told me recently that “the whole world is out there to doubt you, so why doubt yourself?” and this is the final component of my making-the-most resolution: no more self doubt, self pity, or any other self defeating emotion. Those attitudes can only hold me back, and they have no place in my, or your, 2012. Happy new year Her Campus readers, and good luck with your resolution!
Rida Ahmed
2011 was a year of learning and big changes. After 3 stressful and unhappy years, I finally switched my major to English Literature and couldn’t be happier! For the first time, I enjoy going to each and every one of my classes. I also went through some tough changes in my relationship; adjusting to a long-distance relationship has been difficult. One of the best things to have happened to me though was Her Campus. I’m not just saying that to promote the website! This experience has been life changing and an opportunity I never imagined receiving. The highlight of my year was definitely
launching Her Campus Western Ontario after months of work. Overall, 2011 was a difficult year of learning lessons the hard way. I learned a lot about myself and who I am as a person as well as the direction I want to take in life.
My resolutions this year; to get into shape! More importantly though I want to stay on top of school work and be more productive. I would like to take advantage of all the opportunities, seminars, fairs and lectures the school has to offer. My biggest goal however is to make HC Western Ontario a ratified club on campus and to increase our readership and popularity.