Reflection on September Goals

photo credits to: tumblr/respective photographer

Hello all! I honestly can't believe October has come around this fast - it always seems to slip my mind how fast the time goes when you're back on a semester-ized schedule. So It's time to reflect on the goals I had set for September!

1. Make time for reading
I failed horribly at this one, not going to lie. The first week I found I had the time but then my workload started getting a little more intensive and on top of trying to balance volunteering and such it slipped as a priority.
And, admittedly I've been conditioning myself to fall asleep to Netflix rather than using that time for reading, I'm ashamed to say. So that will definitely be a goal I carry into October.

2. Get to the gym on the regular 
I was doing pretty darn good with this one (baby biceps are growing folks!) until I got hit down with this absolutely horrendous head/chest cold that I'm only just getting over. I know it's some people's philosophy to push through and go to the gym regardless but I find that just hinders my healing process and I feel like a bag of crap and can't focus on my work or whatnot. But now that I'm on the flip side of better I'm carrying this over into October (ties in neatly with #teamnocheats) and hopefully make some more running and muscle progress.

3. Get organized and stay that way 

Surprisingly I did good on this one. Once I got all my respective syllabuses for all my classes, I transferred over all my relevant dates immediately, invested in a Moleskin and grabbed a daily planner from the student offices on camps and made writing all important dates and "things-to-remember" into those as soon as my professors mentioned it in class. As well I've been excellent at copying over my notes and hole-punching everything and making sure my study space is always clean and I can easily say this has contributed to my peace of mind hugely.

5. Be more aware of my spending 

Yes indeed folks, even after buying textbooks, weekly groceries, study supplies, new shoes, bus passes and such my bank statement still looks good. I posted about my views on alcohol earlier this month and ultimately decided that drinking is something I wanted to give up for a little while and just generally avoiding impulses purchases has kept me (for now) at a good place financially. in my view it's worth it to sacrifice some social events for my peace of mind of finances just in case something happens that requires a big chunk of change.

6. Document more 

I failed miserably at keeping regular diary entries but in terms of photography I've been excellent at capturing my first month back on campus via pictures. As I predicted it's been a good way to make me really look to find beauty in my every day goings on and I really appreciate past Rachel for considering this. Being able to look back at my scenic campus shots, selfies, and shots from my neighborhood makes me grateful for the opportunities and things I do have in my life.

So, that's all folks! I think I did pretty good personally - October Resolutions will be up soon and a weekly reflection! 

Have any goals for your September; how did they go?
r.

september resolutions

Image credit: Tumblr

As the start of classes draw closer (a mere 17 days to go!) I find myself ruminating more and more on what sort of things I would like my second year back to university to be. Of course, there's a lot of long term objectives in that, but in terms of the more attainable sphere of things I've decided to compile a list of resolutions for my first month of "back-to-school". Side note, that feeling never gets old does it?

1. Make time for reading 

I'm that person who'll be on her death bed looking at the stack of books next to her going "I'll get there." I used to be a very voracious book-worm, especially when I was younger. We're talking a book a day here. But my admitted addiction to social media and university workload combined has me halfheartedly attempting to start/finish novels. I find by the time I have any down-time at all, I'm too exhausted to put in the brainpower to read. But for September I would like to allot a half hour before I go to sleep to crack at whatever book is on my plate. I get to unwind from screen-time before sleep and actually finish books.

2. Get to the gym on the regular 

I actually love working out. Getting my sweat on is my favorite way to burn off steam when things get stressful.  However I find that, especially when I'm back at school, I'm a slacker when it comes to actually getting my butt there. My schedule for the fall semester has breaks from 11:00 to 2:00 Monday through Friday so that's a perfect niche to fit in some cardio and weight training at the campus gym. As well as lunch before my last classes of the day. Committing to such a schedule will be good for both my brain and body.

3. Get organized and stay that way

Due to a number of factors ('culture'-shock and slacking being a couple of them) my first year at uni didn't go quite the way I wanted and, as a result, my marks suffered a bit. Part of that being I didn't keep on top of my due dates for exams, papers, etc. and prep accordingly. Armed with my Filofax (scarlet Domino, if you were curious) and it's new inserts, mountain of sticky notes, and assortment of pens, I intend to implement a proper study schedule to keep ahead of my readings and work. Luck does favor the prepared.

4. Be more aware of my spending 

I'm far from broke, but, I'm a student, so I'm not exactly rich either. I also didn't exactly run myself into the ground my first year, but there were a couple tight moments so my second year back I intend to track where my money goes a lot more. Which means (beyond my initial back to school necessities), no buying over-priced campus coffee, or the food there for that matter (which actually tastes like sadness and cardboard), budgeting my weekly grocery allowance a bit more, and no impulse buying. That way I can splurge out on a fancy date with my boyfriend, or a good quality piece that will actually last in my wardrobe.

5. Document more
I actually want to make a point of using my nifty little Canon Elph and catalog more of my day to day life. Not only so I will actually have photographic memories of all I do this year coming, but it'll be a positive force in my life to see what lovely things I can find to take photos of.  I'd also like to get back to keeping a daily journal. I started so with vigor at the beginning of the summer but by mid-July I'd stopped but I find it clears out space in my brain to have a judgement-free space to talk about my life.

So lovelies, that's pretty much it! Do you have any particular goals or resolutions for September? 

r.