New Years Goals, Plans, and Resolutions

In this article, I will be putting forward my goals, plans, and new years resolutions for 2025. I intend to use this article as a guide to live my life for the next year, as there are several changes that I want to put into place that I feel will make my life better.

2024 Recap

2024 Recap: A Year of Growth, Adventure, and New Beginnings

  1. Mastering the Art of Fly Fishing

This year, I went from a complete novice in fly fishing to a confident angler who can consistently catch fish. Fly fishing taught me patience and the value of learning through trial and error. I delved into understanding weather patterns, water conditions, and entomology, which opened up a whole new perspective on the sport. Whether it was the rush of catching my first trout or the quiet serenity of early mornings on the water, fly fishing became one of the most rewarding parts of my year.

  1. Adventures with Emily

2024 was filled with wonderful moments spent with my girlfriend, Emily. She is my rock and a source of constant joy and encouragement. Whether it was the small, everyday moments like cooking together or binge-watching a new series, or larger adventures that took us to breathtaking places, our bond only grew stronger.

One of the most unforgettable highlights of the year was our trip to Iceland. It felt like stepping into another world, with dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Together, we explored the incredible natural beauty of the country, creating memories I’ll treasure forever.

We snorkeled between the tectonic plates at Silfra, a surreal experience. We rode Icelandic horses across the countryside, with serene views of sprawling fields, volcanic rock formations, and distant mountains. And we capped off the adventure with a relaxing visit to the Blue Lagoon, an amazing experience that only left my hair fried for a few weeks.

Emily has been my partner in adventure and in life, and this year wouldn’t have been the same without her. I’m so grateful for the memories we made and the love we continue to share. I’m looking forward to more adventures, laughs, and quiet moments together in the years to come.

  1. Progressing as a Skier

Skiing became one of the highlights of my year, with over 30 days on the mountain. This season, I challenged myself by exploring tree runs and reveling in powder days. Whether it was carving through fresh snow or icy Steamboat days with my brother, skiing reminded me how much I love the mountains. From taking over an hour to get down Schoolmarm to ripping black diamond mogul runs at Winter Park, the improvement I saw this season would be hard to match.

  1. Starting at Colorado School of Mines

One of my biggest achievements this year was starting my journey at the Colorado School of Mines. It’s a school I’ve admired for years, known for its rigorous academics and reputation for excellence. Getting in felt like the culmination of hard work and determination, and beginning classes here has been both challenging and exciting. I’ve already learned so much and look forward to continuing to grow in the years ahead.

Goals

Now, I'd like to list the goals I would like to achieve in the coming year. Many of these goals are overly ambitious or even a bit naive, but excellence isn't achieved by those who don't push themselves. Here are my goals:

  • Become a Zig master and get my chess engine to over 3,000 ELO on CCRL
    • Daily Practice: I will dedicate 1-2 hours per day to programming in Zig, focusing on my chess engine. Alternating between learning new Zig features and optimizing my engine.
    • Study Algorithms: I will deepen my knowledge of chess algorithms like alpha-beta pruning, ideas like transposition tables, and learn implementation of neural networks like Stockfish's NNUE.
    • Benchmarking and Testing: I will set aside time each week to test my engine against other engines on CCRL and other platforms like Lichess. Analyze the results and document weaknesses.
    • Contribute to the Zig Community: I will write tutorials and answer questions in Zig-related forums to help solidify my understanding and connect with other Zig developers.
    • Weekly Goal Review: Every Sunday, I will write a blog post summarizing this week's progress on the engine, including improvements, challenges, and future plans.
  • Excel in school, achieving over a 3.75 GPA in the Spring 2025 semester
    • Creating a study schedule: I will use a calendar to plan study blocks for each subject. I will aim for consistent study times every day, and review material before and after lectures.
    • Seek help early: If a topic is unclear, I will consult professors, TAs, or peers within the week.
    • Group study: I will join or form study groups interested in collaborative learning
    • Track Progress: Every two weeks, I will assess my standing in each class and adjust my efforts accordingly. I will also be documenting these reviews for self-accountability.
  • Cut out social media for leisure
    • Setting boundaries: Allocate a specific amount of time each week for professional social media use. I will avoid scrolling outside these periods. To assist with this, I will be removing most social media apps from my phone and exclusively use them over the web browser.
    • Use apps for monitoring: Installing a tool like Freedom or StayFocusd to block distracting apps and sites during focus hours.
    • Replace bad habits: I will identify times where I habitually use social media (for example, when I wake up and go to sleep) and replace it with activities like reading or journaling.
    • Content creation focus: I will plan weekly posts for my blog and progessional accounts, focusing on my programming projects, tutorials, and technical writeups.
  • Drink more water
    • Set a daily goal: I will aim for at least 2-3 liters of water a day, using a refillable water bottle with markers to help me track my intake.
    • Habit pairing: I will drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, before each meal, during programming sessions, and in between classes.
  • Daily Programming and Writeups for 365 Days
    • Daily coding practice: I will spend between 30 minutes and two hours programming every day. I will rotate between ongoing projects like my chess engine, learning new languages, and solving coding challenges
    • Streamlined writeups: After each session, I will write a short blog entry (~200-500 words) summarizing what I've worked on, what I've learned, and what I plan to tackle next.
    • Content Schedule: Outline themes for the week ahead so that I am able to have these ideas in my head before sitting down to program.
    • Promotion strategy: Share my posts on social media and programming forums to try and build an audience and foster engagement

Closing Reflection

2024 was a year of growth, discovery, and memorable adventures. From mastering new skills in fly fishing and skiing to strengthening relationships and tackling academic challenges, I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished. As I look ahead to 2025, I’m excited to carry these experiences with me, using them as fuel to achieve even more.