As part of IB curriculum at Kanakia International School – IB, Chembur, we encouraged our higher grade learners to explore their emotions and thinking process by penning their goals, aspirations, and resolutions for the new year in a short & sweet blog post. Mentioned below is one such unique entry by our grade 10 learner – Ms. Vedika Rau.
At the start of 2025, I found myself navigating one of the most challenging transitions of my life. At the time, I had recently left a school that had been a significant part of my life for three years and played a major role in shaping who I am today. While trying to adjust to a new environment, I found myself caught between two phases of my life. On one hand, I was holding on to the comfort and familiarity of what I had left behind, and on the other, I was reaching towards an uncertain future and trying to control as much of it as I could.
This constant pull in two directions left me emotionally and mentally exhausted. I was putting immense effort into maintaining old friendships that no longer had the same place in my life, while simultaneously trying to adapt to new surroundings.
Eventually, I realised that this was not a sustainable way to live. I began to take a step back and think about what was truly holding me back and what opportunities I had overlooked. I understood that moving forward did not mean erasing my past or changing who I was. Instead, it meant recognising which parts of my past continued to help me grow and which ones were limiting my progress. Letting go was not easy, but it became necessary.
I started releasing habits, expectations, and attachments that no longer benefited me, and redirected my energy towards things that supported my future—my goals, my learning, and my personal growth. This change in mindset helped me view the New Year differently. Rather than seeing it as a complete reset, I began to see it as a continuation—a chance to make more intentional choices.
New beginnings are not about abandoning the past, but about deciding what we carry forward with us. Growth comes from being honest with ourselves about what adds value to our lives and what does not. One of the most important lessons I learned was to stop making excuses—for myself or for others—and to take responsibility for my own growth.
As this new year unfolds, I encourage others to think about what the past year has taught them and how those lessons can be carried forward. My focus is on setting realistic goals and working towards them consistently, rather than expecting immediate results. Whether it is improving my approach to learning, managing my time more effectively, or maintaining a healthier balance in my routine, I want to prioritise steady progress over perfection. I have learned that growth comes from showing up every day and putting in effort, even when motivation is low.
This year, I aim to be more disciplined, more patient with myself, and more open to learning from both successes and setbacks. I also want to broaden my learning beyond textbooks and examinations. I am especially excited to explore opportunities such as internships that allow me to gain practical experience and a better understanding of my interests. I want to focus on activities that genuinely motivate me and bring me a sense of purpose, while also helping me explore potential career paths. I have come to realise that the choices and efforts I make now play an important role in shaping my future, and this motivates me to be more intentional with how I spend my time. By maintaining a balanced approach to learning—both inside and outside the classroom — I hope to grow not only academically, but also personally, as I work towards a future that aligns with my goals and passions. I hope to make the most of the opportunities that this new beginning has to offer.
One practice that helped me was writing down my intentions, clearly outlining what I needed to do to achieve them, and working steadily towards those goals. While outcomes may not always be what we expect, it is important to remember that progress lies in persistence. The only thing we can truly do is move forward and continue to put our best effort into the opportunities ahead.