Michaela Mahan is a final-year PharmD candidate at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy.
With the new year comes the thought of New Year’s resolutions. This time of year is one of my favorites as it brings the feeling of a fresh start and gives a gentle nudge to self-reflect on the year prior. For 2025, I decided on these three resolutions that will help create a solid foundation for my future, as I will be graduating this year!
Resolution 1: Develop a new hobby
I’ve always loved art and creating things. Each new city I go to, I always look for a new art museum to visit. Keeping that in mind, for this new hobby, I plan to try my hand at watercolor. I found a step-by-step book in which there’s an explanation on one side and an outline on the other to paint alongside the steps. I’m excited to develop another skill.
Resolution 2: Get out of my comfort zone
I want to try at least one new activity while traveling. I love to travel, but I seem to lean to the same activities everywhere I go, like the art museums I’ve already mentioned. I have a trip planned as a graduation gift to myself. I plan on taking private sailing lessons. I’ve been on a sailboat before, but I have never tried to sail one myself. I’m ready for a new challenge.
Resolution 3: Focus on my well-being
I want to be more active especially regarding hiking since my life goal is to go to all the national parks. I plan on completing at least one hike a month, so I am better suited to the hiking I’d like to do in the national parks.
Ready for the journey
This upcoming year holds quite a few unknowns. Where I’ll be after graduation is still to be determined, as I have applied to a few managed care residency programs. With these resolutions, I know I’ll be more adaptable to the valuable journey this year will bring.