time to be accountable

desire is the starting point of all achievement. not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.

-anonymous

it has only been a week and a half since school started and i already have loads of homework. it really is true that upper-division classes are harder. duh. i know. but i guess i hadn't really thought about that. it is going to be a challenging semester, but i think it will be well worth it to put in the hard work. not that it's interesting to anybody but me, here is a list of my courses this spring semester:

• educational psychology
• multicultural education / e.s.l.
• critical theory in contemporary literature
• methods of teaching secondary health

the list seems quite intimidating, but i am determined to have a good semester. if the previous quote is true, my desire should be able to guide me to success. one helpful thing is that my dad and i are in educational psychology together. i already love having him with me because it feels so safe to be near him. also, in most of my education classes there is at least one other health education major so we can help each other.

in order to do well in school, i've centered my new year's resolution focus on habits and mindsets that are self-sabotaging. i look at this as my personal construction zone, but i'll do better having someone or somewhere to be accountable for my goals and efforts. so here are my resolutions for the year 2010, which i decided on my 22nd birthday was going to be the best year ever:

1) make the conscious decision everyday to learn for self-improvement, rather than simply a means to an end. this means thinking positively about the class and its topics and asking for help when i don't understand so that i don't get too far behind.

2) go to bed anytime before 11pm every night and attempt to receive 8 or 9 hours of sleep each night. now, this is a goal i'm carrying over from last semester because i was not as consistent with it as i had hoped. this goal is a difficult one for me at times, but i have a whole year to get it right. hopefully it will turn into a lifelong habit. oh, and i reserve the right to make an occasional exception on friday nights.

3) consistently use planners and calendars to keep track of appointments, assignment due dates, and all other activities. included in these plans are specific study times for school work and time for self-care to lead a balanced life.

last, but certainly not least:

4) make it a habit to read from the book of mormon every single day. gradually increase the amount reading from or the time spent studying the scriptures. also use a journal to keep track of inspirations and special scriptures. *to aid in the accomplishing of this goal, always have a pocket-sized book of mormon with me at all times.