Bucket List: Laury Miller

 

For most, the ideal bucket list is made up of activities such as travelling to places around the world. The main goals on my bucket list are to be the everyone’s favorite teacher, to be financially stable, and to be the best mom possible.

My high school Spanish teacher inspired me to become a teacher. Her encouragement, positivity, and care made me want to be like her, an excellent teacher for my future students. I want to be the teacher that my students feel comfortable talking to, who love being in my classroom, and who leaves an impact on their lives. I want to help as many students as I can, and I know I will make this possible with hard work and dedication.

Being financially stable is also on my bucket list.  I do not want to worry about not having food, electricity, clothing, or other needs my parents provided, and I want the same for my future children. It is important for me to be stable on my own before finding a significant other in order to have a good base for a relationship.

Lastly, I want to be the best mother to my children. My mom was at every dance competition, every school award ceremony, and every other occasion to show me her support. I want this for my children too, but I realize that a good relationship with them starts with me being the best version of myself that I can be. I love children and have a passion for not only being a great teacher, but also a great mother. Since starting college, I realize that my bucket list is easily achievable with hard work and dedication, and I cannot wait to see how it all unfolds as I begin my journey at SAU.

Bucket List: Chloe Smith

 

Creating a bucket list is a daunting task because doing so brings to mind the idea of one’s own death. I have always known exactly what career path I wanted to pursue, but have never given much thought to what else I was going to do in my life. During my senior year in high school my best friend was killed in a car accident. To me, he was the definition of living life to fullest and without regrets. His death made me think about how I wanted to be remembered and made me focus on the things I want to accomplish.  

The first item on my bucket list is to graduate from medical school. It has always been my dream to be a pediatrician. From a young age I have enjoyed helping other people and working with children. It would be so rewarding to help sick children get healthy.

The second item on my bucket list is to travel the world. Since I was a girl, my father and I have taken a road trip every summer to a state we have not yet visited. Those trips are some of the best memories of my dad. He and I have traveled to at least 35 states; we hope to see all fifty soon. I love the freedom inherent in traveling. I would love to be able to travel for fun and also to travel to third-world countries and work with the children there. I would love to be able to provide help and care to those in need.

I hope to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to take risks and go after what I wanted. I feel that accomplishing these items on my bucket list will help me to live life like my friend did.

 

Bucket List: Leah Sanders

 

            Merriam Webster defines a bucket list as “a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying.” Many people’s bucket lists include experiences such as sky diving or traveling the world. Others point to attending events like the Olympics, performing astronomically difficult challenges, or reveling in exotic experiences. My bucket list focuses on morals and the achievement of personal success.

            My first goal is to live life to the fullest by not being afraid of trying new challenges or adventures. I do not want to be like Henry Longfellow’s poem, “Ships that pass in the night,” he wrote: “we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence.” Longfellow highlights the loss of opportunity and the possibilities it could bring if one were not afraid. Personally, I don’t want to miss opportunities by being too timid and scared of rejection or failure.

            Secondly, I choose to give maximum effort to everything I undertake. For example, in middle school, I was a children’s worship leader; I had to dance and sing for the kids. I may have looked ridiculous, but I looked on the bright side while acting “stupid.” I want people to know I care about whatever activity I engage in and perform it to the best of my ability.

            Next, on my bucket list is the goal to make a difference in my lifetime. My major is Social Studies Education. I plan to utilize it to help inspire future generations and share my passion for history with them. Also, I want to coach cross country and track. I hope to teach my athletes discipline and show them how a good work ethic opens possibilities.

            My bucket list is quite different than those of Nicholson and Freeman. However, it points to experiences and goals for me to achieve in life.

Bucket List: Ashleigh Shaw

 

When I think of a bucket list, I imagine people skydiving or climbing the highest mountain; those are amazing experiences, but they are not on my list. I have always been driven succeed in life, so my bucket list includes getting a college degree, getting married, starting a family, and enjoying lifelong financial stability. If I can achieve those things before dying, then I have had a very successful life. 

Getting a college degree is first on my bucket list because it will set the foundation for the rest of my life. Today, degrees are need most jobs, especially those in the career I am pursuing, Exercise Science. I plan to become a physical therapist or occupational therapist. 

My second bucket list item is to get married. What is life if you don’t have someone to share it with?  Especially when things get hard, I want someone to lean on.

Starting a family has always been a dream of mine. I am blessed with very caring and loving parents. The way my supportive parents cared for me made me realize I have always wanted to be a mother too and care for a daughter or son like they did for me. 

Lastly, being financially stable is very important to me. My family has been through rough patches; one week we could not afford the house payment or buy groceries. I have seen the strain lack of money puts on a family and the stress it puts on household leaders. That will be me one day and I do not want my children to ever similar worries. I want to give them the best childhood imaginable. 

Bucket List: Ross Whitley

 

In high school my goal was always to be successful. Now, I am past that stage and the transition to college has forced me to look hard at myself and ponder about the rest of my life and the decisions I need to make from now on.

First and foremost is to marry and have children. As long as I have a family I will not be alone. Not only do I wish to have a family but will want to provide for them. For this reason becoming a licensed physician is another goal that I wish to achieve. That profession will enable me to care for my family, and at the same time, help others.

Lastly, and perhaps at the very top of my list, is to experience life to the fullest. I am only 18 and already can look back on my life and see so many regrets because I was scared, nervous, or just plain lazy. I only have a short time left to live; the thought of lying on my deathbed and being consumed by my regrets in life haunts me to my core.

In the end, I know not everything on my bucket list may be completed by the time I pass. But, I will keep these goals in mind as I journey forward and will count myself blessed if I am able to check even one item off my list.

Bucket List: Stephanie Tabor

The bucket list, society’s way of writing down goals to accomplish before dying is an extremely common practice. However, I have never considered making one until confronted with the assignment. I thought about all the things I have dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. The top four things were: getting my college degree, a road trip through Italy, getting accepted into Law School and building my dream home.

    Graduating college has been something I have wanted to do since my brother left for college. Now that I have officially started my first year of school, as a History and Political Science major, I know how close I am to achieving the first of my dreams.

    Next, a road trip in Italy has been another thing I’ve dreamed of since I began studying the Renaissance period in elementary school. Ten years later I’m majoring in  history. So, to see the places, the architecture, and art I have admired for so long would be amazing. In addition, seeing the world is important to me because it will expose me to other cultures and help me learn more about the world.

    My dream job has been to become an attorney since I was in middle school. Since making that decision being accepted into Law School has been something I have always wanted. Attending Yale Law School would be my top choice.

    Lastly, I’ve always dreamed of building my dream house back home in Texas. Although I decided to go to school out of state, I have always loved being around my friends and family. So building a home to fill with family and celebrate holidays and accomplishments with them has become something I have wanted for a long time.

Bucket List: Brayden Ritchie

 

I have never thought about what all I want to do in my life or what I saw myself completing. I have always been a spur of the moment type. I never thought beyond what’s in store for the next day. Now that I’m in college I find myself thinking more and realizing that I’ll be thrown into the real world soon. I’m constantly battling over not wanting to grow up while also wanting to get a taste of everything life has to offer.

 

All people have so much they want to accomplish from little to big feats. Most don’t start until it’s too late to complete most of their bucket list. I plan on completing my list if time permits it. My number one end goal is to have a loving family. I want to have children and hopefully grandchildren one day. I want to take time to travel the world and see all the different wonders it has to offer. I want to give back to my community. I also want to accumulate enough wealth so that my family can live comfortably. If I’m lucky, I may even retire before I get too old to go travel the globe.

 

Starting college has really made me think about the things I want to experience and take from life. My life would be complete if I could make the world just a little bit better. This desire is the reasoning that made me want to be an engineer. I want to help make the world better. I hope my work will help people bond together and marvel at what can be done when we are one. Mankind can have a bright future if we all work towards achieving it. Still, we have to make sure to enjoy ourselves along the way.