This year feels different from last year. Freshman year was mostly about adjusting to high school and learning how to manage everything at once. Sophomore year has been about committing to challenges instead of avoiding them when they get hard. Because of that, my one word for this year is commitment.
This is my first year taking more difficult classes, including AP courses, along with more honors classes than before. Academically, it has been challenging but manageable. The workload is heavier, and the expectations are higher than what I was used to last year. There have been times when balancing assignments felt overwhelming, but choosing these classes was intentional. I wanted to push myself and see what I was capable of handling.
Commitment means continuing even when things get difficult. It means putting in effort when it would be easier to give up or do the bare minimum. This year has shown me that growth does not come from staying comfortable. It comes from challenging yourself and following through, even when it feels uncomfortable.
My one-word resolution has also played a big role in my experience in the newspaper. This year, I stepped into my first leadership position as Sports Editor. Being responsible for sports coverage has taught me that journalism is more than just writing — it requires accuracy, organization and attention to detail. From collecting rosters and names to working on slideshows and features, I have learned how important consistency is.
Having a leadership role has made me more aware of how my work affects others. When I stay organized and meet deadlines, it helps the entire section run more smoothly. Balancing newspaper responsibilities with school has not always been easy, but it has helped me become more disciplined and dependable.
This year has not been perfect. There are still stressful days and moments when everything feels like too much. However, commitment is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about continuing to show up and putting in effort, even on hard days.
As I move through the rest of sophomore year, I want to stay committed to challenging myself academically and growing in my leadership role. Choosing commitment has helped me take on more responsibility with confidence, and it is something I plan to carry with me throughout the rest of high school.
This article was edited by Kate Duncan, Emily Logan and Trisha Panicker.
