A Middlesex University student looks ahead to the new year

Middlesex University student Youssef Bashir — Youssef Bashir

With the festive season having just ended, January is usually when most make the switch from reminiscing about events of the past year, to beginning to actively think about the next. Between ambitious new year’s resolutions and concrete plans people set for their future, the upcoming months become filled with everyone’s hopes.

When I started thinking what my hopes for 2024 are, my mind quickly became filled with well-wishes for family members, dreams of great personal success and a general desire for peace in the world – all the standard stuff. However, as I continued to think about it, I began to wonder if I had any more specific hopes I could put into words for this particular year.

Having just recently moved from abroad to start my first year at Middlesex University, I’m a newcomer to the Barnet area eager to learn about its history. Considering my course is writing-focused, and that I tend to seek inspiration from my surrounding environment, a hope I have for 2024 is to get to explore more of this massive borough, and to visit its landmarks, such as the Royal Air Force Museum and the site of Friern Hospital.

But the university environment is not solely academic, so in 2024, I also hope I will get more opportunities to engage with all the different societies, from the leisurely ones oriented towards gaming and sports, to the ones that volunteer and try to enact positive change locally in Barnet.

Lastly, for 2024, I hope to learn to actively live in the moment and make fond memories, enjoying the process of realising all my hopes, as much as I would achieving them.

Youssef Bashir is a student at Middlesex University – read more Barnet Hopes for 2024 from Dan Thomas, Bidemi Alabi, Dan Tomlinson, Propa Rezwana Anwar, Sara Hall, Dane McCrindell, Sarah Sackman and Ameet Jogia.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.