Grad School Resolutions

I'm a big believer in making resolutions whenever you need to, not just on January 1. This is a big change in my life, and I want to be ready to change with it. I wanted to make a list of things to keep in mind over the next semester (and the next 3 years). This is what I've come up with so far.

Resolutions for Grad School:

1. Take studying SERIOUSLY.

2. Finish homework, papers, reading assignments, etc. as quickly and efficiently as possible.

3. Do not add negativity into the world of the school.

4. Be open-minded and willing to try all exercises in class, no matter how lame they seem or how stupid I might look doing them.

5. Do not gossip behind people’s backs.

6. Try not to dance during class. (Except for movement class, because I think we’re supposed to dance there sometimes. I just don't want my professors to think of me as "the one who dances in the middle of discussions.")

7. Remember that we all made it through an arduous process to get here, and we are all clearly talented, intelligent people. They deserve to be here, and so do I.

8. Don’t let politics within the school get personal. Just because something is going on in class or in rehearsals, doesn’t mean it has to carry over into the rest of life.

9. Try to make friends outside of the program.

10. Go out and have fun at least once a month.

11. Try to stay a vegetarian until at least the first week of November (which will have been a year... I've saved plenty of animals, and I want to eat meat so badly I can't even tell you).

12. Actually read all of the assigned reading. Don’t just skim it. Occasionally take notes.

13. Budget properly. If having trouble, begin writing down all expenditures.

14. Take all available opportunities to learn new skills.

15. Work on outside projects (such as student films) if they fit into schedule.

16. Take a trip to somewhere outside of town (even if it’s just to the next closest city) at least once a semester.

17. Go to Disney World at least once.

18. Have as close to perfect attendance as is physically possible.

19. Remember how hard it is to get to grad school. Remember how great of a program this is. Be grateful every, every minute.

20. Find something to love about every class and every professor (so that I can focus on those things on the days that classes seriously blow).

21. Do not kiss anyone in the program (unless it's required by a scene or something).

22. Do not get crushed on anyone in the program.

23. Do not actively flirt with anyone in the program.

24. Do not pursue a relationship with anyone in the program.

25. Keep all classmates on the “As Good As Gay” list.

26. Swear less.

27. Replace swear words with exclamations such as “drat”, “shoot”, “freakin’”, “frak” (← it’s a Battlestar Galactica term), and the like.

28. Cut alcohol out of diet (as much as possible).

29. Try not to drink until my birthday (October 25 – If I can cut meat out of my diet for 9 months, I can certainly take out alcohol for 3).

30. Do not have alcohol more than twice in one week, regardless of occasion.

31. Try to limit caffeine intake.

32. Make sure to eat tons of peanut butter, cheese, tofu, hummus, and other protein-containing foods in order to keep energy up.

33. Don’t tell classmates about my (lack of a) sexual history. Remember that it is none of their business.

34. Don’t even THINK about doing NaNoWriMo.

35. Try not to make the fact that I’m a blogger public knowledge. (Even though I’ve already warned my roommate. And one of the second years found my blog in February).

36. Consider lying and saying I blog about something that they won’t want to read. Make it sound like it’s not a personal blog.

37. Do not discuss individuals from grad school program on my blog, in case they find it.

38. Do not mention what grad school program (or city) I’m in on my blog, so that they won’t be able to find it.

39. Be supportive of classmates, not competitive with them.

40. Avoid getting too negative about myself or my potential.

41. Use days off well, because they’re few and far between.

42. Laugh as much as possible.

43. Write down all homework assignments (because I WILL forget them if I don’t).

44. Walk or bike to school on occasion. (Will work out details on this once I figure out if it’s even safe to do this, as I’d have to cross a couple of 4-lane roads, and Florida drivers are NUTS.)

45. For understudy assignments, attend every rehearsal that fits into my schedule (there are only three actual understudy rehearsals per show, and we’re mostly expected to learn what to do by watching video tapes and whatnot… so clearly, the more actual rehearsals you can make it to, the better).

46. Work on completing my novel in my spare time (HA! Spare time! Like I'm going to have any of that!).

47. Remember to step back and take time to breathe.

48. Do whatever it takes to get closer to the goal of becoming a castable, skilled, professional actor.


ETA:

49. Loosen up.
(recommended by Eric Shonkwiler.)

50. Don't let things from OUTSIDE of class affect what's going on INSIDE of class. (The reverse of #8)



Any suggestions on what I should add?


May you resolve to be the best person you can be.

~A~