Young Thoughts on the New Year

By ERIC SEGALL | Intern

2017 was a big year for me. It was the year that I bridged the gap between child and young adult. I had to make decisions that will affect my future, and I alone am responsible for those decisions.

I have been applying to colleges for the last year, carefully researching and reading about the programs I wanted to attend. I solidified my interests and decided I either wanted to major in computer engineering or robotics.

I took my first driving lessons where I am responsible for my life, as well as the lives of others. I am responsible for a two-ton vehicle that has the ability to take the life of another, however I am not scared.

I am excited that I am growing into a direction that I like. I hope that my life is fulfilling, but I also want my family life to not dissolve. I will put forth the effort to maintain our relationships and not let it fall to the wayside.

In 2018 I will be a freshman in any college I choose. I will have freedom to do whatever I please, more freedom than I have ever had before. I will be living on my own and responsible for making sure my room is clean, my laundry is done and that I am responsible.

There will be temptation to skip classes or to blow off work, but I hope my conscience will keep me in check. I want to learn and not just memorize facts to later regurgitate them for tests. My view of the world will change because I will be in a new environment where there will be new people challenging my beliefs.

I hope to not shut out their opinions, but instead question my own beliefs and analyze them.

The world will still be a place of fear, hatred and killing in the year of 2018. I hope people will grow to be more accepting of one another.

Many people feel shunned for sharing their beliefs, but others need to give them the respect that they deserve.

If people start acting better to each other, hopefully, the overall state of the Earth will improve. I want everyone to be valued for who they are without judgment.

I hope everyone is able to grow and improve on themselves, as well as support others in the year of 2018.