Students at OCCC recently gathered for a creative and goal-oriented event hosted by The Absolute, the college’s literary journal, in collaboration with The Pioneer student newspaper. Held in The Pioneer newsroom, the vision board workshop invited participants to reflect on their aspirations while crafting visual representations of their goals.
The event was organized and led by Absolute Co-Editor Christina Basara-Richter, who introduced attendees to the concept and purpose of vision boards through a presentation created using the Canva visual design platform. The workshop blended creativity with goal setting, offering students both the inspiration and the tools to begin mapping out their futures.
Basara-Richter said the idea for the event stemmed from her own personal practice of creating vision boards at the start of each year.
“At the beginning of every new year, I spend time creating a vision board and a list of goals that I hope to achieve,” she said. “It helps me push myself to grow and work towards having a life that gives back to me.”
She explained that the concept for the workshop came to her at the start of the spring semester, when she realized other students might benefit from a similar exercise. By hosting the event, she hoped to create a supportive environment where participants could reflect on their ambitions and begin working toward them.
“I thought it would be a good idea to help other students plan towards their own successes as well, in a space that positively reinforces their ideas,” she said.
During the presentation, Basara-Richter outlined the purpose and value of vision boards, emphasizing their role in making abstract goals feel more concrete. She believes that vision boards are a powerful tool for turning ideas into actionable steps.
“This is a great way to articulate your dreams and visualize them in a way that becomes tangible to achieve,” she said. “It is a way to motivate yourself towards success and clearly manifest a better path for yourself.”
Basara-Richter also offered encouragement to students who might feel uncertain about setting ambitious goals. She emphasized that vision boards can help break down even the most daunting aspirations into manageable steps.
“No dream is too out of reach,” she said. “For example, maybe your dream is to finish college with honors. You can work towards that goal every semester, and a vision board can help you see those goals more clearly and push you closer to that dream.”
Her own experience with vision boards dates back several years, beginning in high school. Since then, she has created one each year, building a collection that reflects her growth over time.
“I think I have a vision board saved on my computer for every year since 2021,” she said. “It has been cool to see how I have grown as a person and what I have achieved because I have palpable work to look back on.”
Beyond academic success, Basara-Richter noted that vision boards have also helped her maintain balance in her life. By visually organizing her priorities, she has been able to manage both her studies and her social life more effectively. This holistic approach was something she hoped attendees would take away from the event as well.
The workshop not only highlighted the importance of setting goals but also fostered a sense of community among participants. By sharing ideas and working alongside one another, students were able to see how their peers approached their own aspirations. The collaborative atmosphere reinforced the idea that success is not achieved in isolation, but often through shared motivation and support.
Basara-Richter left participants with a final message of encouragement. She urged students to start wherever they are, regardless of how small their first steps may seem.
“Any dream is not that out of touch,” she said. “Vision boards help create small steps towards those bigger dreams. Starting small can create a ripple, so do not be afraid to start anywhere. Creating a vision board makes those steps look easy.”
Through a combination of creativity, reflection and practical guidance, the vision board workshop offered students a meaningful opportunity to visualize their futures. By turning abstract ambitions into something visible and actionable, the event highlighted the power of intentional goal setting and the impact that even small steps can have over time.
