2013 Goals

Resolution is a term that I am not keen on. In previous years I have had new years resolutions, that I had hoped that I would stick to, however I always seemed to lose interest. I feel that is partly due to the fact of the pressure and that in the middle of January there is always a new report saying that most people have given up on their own resolutions, so I start to think what is the point. Instead this year I have changed the word to goals as I feel this sounds more achievable and not so scary. I have tried not to have goals that I knew that I wouldn't achieve. I have made my personal goals quite easy to help improve my design work and my life. I have chosen ten goals although I feel that I won't complete all of them but if I have at least accomplished three of them, then I will know that 2013 will have been a success.

1. Life after University

As I start my final year of my course this year I feel that it is time to start thinking about what I want to do after university. There are already two ideas of what I could do, these are either stay on and complete a MA in Digital Design or go into the industry. If I was going to go into the industry I feel that I should start brainstorming ideas of what area I want to go in. I feel that I have been putting off my decision as I felt it was still too early, however the rest of my housemates already know what job they want and how they will get there.

2. Take a photo everyday

Last year I created a bucket list of 100 things I want to do before I die. All of these tasks were to make sure I live a full life. One of the tasks on the list is to take a photo everyday for a year, I felt this would challenge me with a chance of some photo's to go into my portfolio. The photo's will be random with one day it featuring a landscape image and the next something that I had done during the day. This is a chance for me to take more photo's and show off my skills. If you want to follow my progress I have set up a Flickr account Photo of the Day 2013.

New Dawn, New Start- Day 1

3. Get a work placement

For the final year of my course it is advised that I get a work placement from a local firm. I feel that loads of students will start applying March time so I need to start now if I want a place. I feel that I will get many benefits from the placement, not only will it look good on my CV but I will get experience on how a design company runs. I have learnt at university how the design process works and was able to put it into practice last semester with a live client however I feel that seeing it done in real life will be different. I feel that a placement might help me decide where I want to work in a design company.

4. Achieve grade 2:1 in Year 2

I want to graduate my course with a First degree however at the end of this year my aim is to get a 2:1. Last semester I spent most my time doing university work and making sure I was ahead of my classmates as if I had down anything wrong I could go back and redo it. I want nothing less than a 2:1 as I feel it will show me it was worth the time spent and that I could go on and get a First.

5. Maintain my fitness

At the end of summer last year I suddenly became very health conscious resulting in some changes in my life. After a while the effects began to show which made me feel brilliant. During the christmas period I have still tried to be healthy but allowed myself some slack as it was the holidays. I am now ready to get back into the lifestyle I had at the end of last year.

6. Do a 5K charity race in less than 45 mins

This year I want to do the 5k run Race for Life as it is a charity close to home. I previously did it in 2010 with my finishing time of 58 minutes with no truing before hand, I also applied to do it last year but sprained my ankle the day before the race meaning I had to pull out whilst my friend ran by herself. This year I want to do it again but beat my previous time by 13 minutes. I shall start training early February for the race which is normally in July. The training will also help me with number 5 of my goals.

7. Learn to drive

I started to learn to drive when I just turned 17 but that was over 2 years ago now and I wished that I stuck with it. I have some money saved up so I can learn to drive over the summer and hopefully be ready for a driving test near the time I go back to uni. Seeing as when I am home I live in the middle of nowhere relying on my dad and friends for lifts I feel that I should become independent.

8. Do more designs

I want to create at least one design a month with some mock designs each week. I wanted this on my goals as I feel it will benefit me as I can add all the work into my portfolio and will help showcase my work at the End of Year show in March.

9. At least one blog post a month

Last semester I was very lazy with my blog. Seeing as I had a lot of work given to me I kept putting of posting on my blog with the excuse that I would do it next week. I felt that if I had this as one of my goals I would make my blog look relevant and up-to-date not abandoned like it has done.

10. Go on holiday

When I went to Barcelona last year I seemed to realise what I was missing. This was going abroad, I loved the different culture around me from the trip last year I was left motivated to do more design work and take photographs where as before I had to force myself.