2025 was a great year in many different aspects, but I am ready for a new year and some time to reset. In 2025, I got to work the internship I wanted the most with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and see myself grow professionally and individually. I also got to see some of my favorite artists in concert, such as Pierce the Veil, Deftones, Charli XCX, and Billie Eilish. I got to spend a lot of time with my family this year because of my cousin’s wedding and a trip we all took to Nashville. This year was filled with a lot of joy, excitement, and good times with loved ones. But this year also had its downs. I got sick about 1,000 times this year and faced a lot of stress with internships and classes. So, my goal for this upcoming winter break is to reset and come into 2026 stronger and motivated. Here are some of my plans for winter break and goals for 2026!
1. Read more books
I have always loved reading, but since coming to college, it’s a hobby I’ve been doing less. I usually read some books over the summer, but this past summer, I was busy with an internship and never got to read anything. Going into 2026, I want to spend less time on my phone and more time reading. Some books I want to read are “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn, “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and “The Shining” by Stephen King.
2. make money
I worked as a hostess during my sophomore and junior years, but unfortunately, over the summer, the restaurant I worked at unexpectedly closed. My summer and fall internships this year were both unpaid, so my goal for this winter break is to work as much as I can and not spend a lot of money. Luckily, I was able to get a job as a host at a restaurant near my house, so I can work over winter break and save up.
3. get physically stronger
Fitness is my biggest hobby. The first club I joined at NC State was CHAARG, a women’s workout club where we go to different fitness studios in Raleigh. I’ve always done multiple sports growing up, but CHAARG introduced me to different types of exercise like yoga, pilates, barre, kickboxing, cycling, and weight training. Ever since I did cross country in high school, I started to run every single day, but now I’ve branched out from running and sometimes substitute it with different workouts. Additionally, after doing my internship with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, I realized how much arm strength I would need if I want to be a special agent in the future. For the fitness test to become a special agent, you have to do push-ups and drag a 160 lb dummy drag. My arms are weaker than my legs, and I usually don’t like to do arms when I’m at the gym. So, my goal is to work on my push-ups and gain arm strength.
4. work on job applications
While I have the time over break, I want to work on job applications and hopefully get a job lined up for after I graduate in May.
5. watch more movies and tv shows
During the semester, I feel like I barely have time to watch TV, or I’ll start a TV show and never finish it. Hopefully, over break, I can watch some things I’ve been meaning to watch. I want to watch the new Frankenstein movie, the “Welcome to Derry” show about the origin of Pennywise from Stephen King’s “It,” and, of course, the new Stranger Things episodes.
With these plans, hopefully I’ll be able to stay busy this winter break while still being able to relax and rest before the spring semester. I hope everyone has a great winter break and happy holidays!