Stuff I Really Want To Do

BYU campus - photo by Philms on flickr

So, apparently  my official graduation date is tomorrow, December 14, 2012. There is no commencement in December, so if I want to walk, I have to do it in April. I don't necessarily care a ton about my specific date, or commencement (although I'll probably walk, mostly to get pictures with the cap and gown and all the pizzazz--for posterity, you know); what I DO care about is all the stuff I want to do, now that I'm not going to be taking classes. So here is my "wish list" of all the things I want to do now that I'm graduating.

• Learn how to program
• Improve my graphic design and illustration skills
• Do more freelance graphic designing--try oDesk or similar sites (like those advertised through Tweelance graphics)
• Give my blog a professional makeover
• Create a personal website linked to my blog and other social media profiles (maybe using about.me)
• Using my blog and social media, participate more in the online conversation about education
• Begin doing research into writing a school charter for the state of Utah
• Since I'll be working for Student Services at Provo School District, learn more about what they're doing with their e-Learning programs 

I think all of my most important interests and desired pursuits are represented on this list. This is actually a lot shorter than I expected! I guess I didn't include things like health goals, keeping my house clean, sewing, cooking more real food, etc. I also expect that, having more time on my hands, I will be able to keep a better spiritual balance through prayer, scripture study and journal writing, which always helps everything. Keeping physically and spiritual healthy can be very difficult when going to school full-time--the scale often feels very unbalanced toward the intellectual side of things. 

So, there's my list! I'm excited to get started. Post-graduation life has seemed like such a dream to me for so long. I have had a really rewarding experience during my time as an undergrad, though. I think this new phase of life will be similarly rewarding, although perhaps in different ways.