Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
SBU | Life

What I’m Looking Forward To In The New Year

Gabby Mancuso Student Contributor, St. Bonaventure University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SBU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

I am a firm believer in the concept of manifestation. That if you put something out into the universe, it’ll find its way to you. Every year, I have a tradition where I write down the things I’m the most excited for in the new year. This could be something I already know is happening, such as a trip, or something I really would like to see happen, like a goal of mine. 

My thought process is that if I put both together and act like it’s something I know is going to happen instead of something I hope will happen, my chances of it coming true are a lot higher. So far, it’s worked pretty well for me.

With the end of this year rapidly approaching, I decided to take a small break from the pile of work I have to do for finals and create my list of what I am most looking forward to in 2026.

Studying Abroad

This is something I have been hoping to do since my sophomore year of high school, and now this summer I get the opportunity to spend five weeks living and going to school on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. I have quite literally never been so excited for something in my life!

Turning 21!

I feel like this is something all college students anxiously await, but my 21st falls during Saint Bonaventure’s Spring Weekend this year, so I’m really excited to get to celebrate with my friends!

Moving Into My First Apartment

This is really gonna be my first big step into adulthood. While it’s only just student housing, signing my first lease and moving into an apartment I can call my own (even if it’s just for a year) is kind of a huge deal to me.

Seeing My Brother Qualify For States

This is what I mean when I say manifestation. It’s my brother’s senior year of high school, and he is so close to qualifying for states in track. I would love to see him achieve his goal, so I’m just putting it out into the universe for him.

Meeting New People

A simple goal that I put every year, but as an introvert, it is a necessity for me. Hopefully, this will come true again this year because adding this last year brought me some of my best friends.

My Friends Coming to Visit

One of my favorite parts of the second semester is when one of my best friends comes to visit for St Patrick’s Day.

Going to NYC With My Mom

This is currently up in the air, but I am hoping it ends up happening. Once again, just manifesting this.

Having Better Time Management

Something I have learned recently is that I have awful time management skills and need to find a way to stop procrastinating so much, so this is another goal of mine in 2026.

Adopting a New Mindset

Personal growth and self-love all the way.

Surviving My First Semester of Actually Teaching

I begin my first semester of Clinical Block in the spring, which, if you don’t know, is when you start entering the classroom as someone who is teaching lessons rather than just observing. It’s the step below student teaching. Let me just tell you, I have never been more terrified of something. But I know in the long run, it will be one of the most rewarding things ever.

Watching My Brother Graduate

Okay, so quick proud big sister moment. My brother has come such a long way in school, and I am so happy to see him succeed the way he has. Seeing him walk the stage in June and then moving him into his freshman dorm at Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall makes me so excited for him and what he is gonna accomplish in the future.

Starting My Senior Year of College

Finally, I am so excited to begin my final year of college next fall. It is kind of scary to think about, especially since it feels like I just moved into my freshman dorm, but I’m looking forward to whatever challenges and memories senior year my hold for me.

Gabby Mancuso is a junior early and inclusive childhood education major with a minor in english at St. Bonaventure University. She is from Hamburg, New York, and this is her first semester writing for Her Campus. She plans to write about pop culture, lifestyle, music, and feminism among other things.

Outside of Her Campus, Gabby is part of the Bonaventure Education Association, Kappa Delta Pi, and College Democrats. She is also very involved at the schools art center, where she currently works.


In her free time, Gabby enjoys spending time with her friends and family, starbucks runs, late night drives, listening to music, and reading. She is a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills and loves to travel. Her favorite musicians include Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Billy Joel, Harry Styles, Abba, and Gracie Abrams. She is also a major Gleek.