Make a spreadsheet check list for all of your assignments. This lets you see each week what assignments you have to do for all of your classes to stay on schedule. Plus it's fun to check the boxes!

"You're stuck." "You'll never change." "There's no path forward." The voice in my mind condemns me and holds me back from hope in a future that is different from today. I have always struggled with negative self-talk. My biggest critic in life is me, as I squash all glimpses of hope with messages of shame and despair. I expect perfection from myself and as that is unattainable, I wallow in the imperfection. I avoid taking risks because that could mean failure. But I am no longer going down without a fight against my inner critic. This last year, I have taken some significant steps toward confidence in who I am and silencing my inner critic. As I have engaged in therapy, in openness with others, and taking new risks, I am replacing those lies with the truth that I am capable and that it is ok to make mistakes. My biggest step in growth towards this end was my decision to attend graduate school and make a career change. As a husband and father of two boys, a change like this has a lot of consequences for my family. There was so much self-doubt to overcome. But as I talked with my family, therapist, and community, I recognized that this was the right opportunity and with their support, I could make this change. So many times along the way, that voice of doubt and fear comes beckoning. But I have learned to hold fast to the truth that I am capable, I have help from others, and I can learn from mistakes. My best contribution that I can make to the world is to live an honest life that gives others permission to be who they were created to be. As I step into the field of mental health counseling, I can now offer others the opportunities to grow that I have received. My story can give hope to others in their path to healing and wholeness. I do not have to pretend or hide my doubts and fears and failures. As I authentically wrestle with them openly before others, I give them permission to do the same. I have gained immense hope over the past year. As I think about growth, hope is the essential element. We need hope to believe that we can become more tomorrow than we are today. And as I live in that hope, my desire is to inspire others to hope for themselves.