Since I did this last summer, here, I figured I should do it again for this summer too.

So, here we go.

Summer goals:

1.) Stop eating food that is terrible for me. [I currently have ghirardelli chocolate next to me, and a family-size bag of potato chips. I am going to eat all of that, and probably more. Not okay.]

2.) Stop worrying/freaking out about grad school stuff. Seriously. It will work itself out somehow.

2.a.) Meanwhile, start saving up money for grad school, unless you would like to starve during your first year [wouldn’t have to worry about #1, then, huh?]

3.) Get a job, so that you can do #2.a

4.) Read. Read the books that have been sitting on your shelf for a year now, that you have had for longer, that you haven’t even touched for months. But, read other things too -go to the library. Maybe read the original Sherlock Holmes. Read more John Green and Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Read what you like, and what you love.

5.) Fucking write. Anything. It doesn’t matter. [Though, you should work on Nick more, I think.]

6.) Spend more time with your friends and family, especially Elise [she won’t stay this age for long, and you’ll be in school for most of it.]

7.) Go outside at least once every day. [Maybe take the dog for a walk once a week?]

8.) Get into a ‘normal’ sleep schedule [while I have severe problems with the word ‘normal’, it will work in this case.]

9.) Think of everything as an adventure, or as something that is a reward or good for you. It will make life easier. [i.e.: Think positive thoughts. Stop focusing on the negative.]

10.) Drink more water.

Future plans:

1.) Go to grad school in August. Work for Aramark. Go to classes. [Maybe get a second job [Starbucks?] if you think you can handle it.]

2.) Meet professors and staff at grad school. Get to know them, and make sure they know you. Network. It might save your ass someday.

3.) STOP. FREAKING. OUT. [Especially about things you can’t control and cannot change.]

4.) Go to Rome.

5.) Get an internship for next summer. Or a job. Either or.

6.) Write. Constantly. Always.

7.) Read. Read your homework assignments. Read your religion books. Read your sociology books. Read fiction. Just read.

8.) Take at least 12 credits per semester, possibly more. You will thank yourself for this later.

9.) Get a new car.

10.) Work hard. While grad school is not a sprint, you also can’t afford [in any way] to get too far behind. Meanwhile, don’t burn yourself out. Find the balance, and live there.