As you start to think about your New Year’s resolutions, remember that it is a time of renewal. This is your chance to let go of any old habits or negative thinking that might be holding you back, and focus on setting new, positive goals that will help you achieve success.
For you students, the new year also means that you are half way done with the school year. Whether you have had a great year so far, or see room for improvement, there is still time to set goals, break bad habits, and become more dedicated and engaged. As you think about ways to become your best self, here are 15 ideas to also include your academic self in those New Year’s resolutions.
1. Eat Better
Eating right can help students have more stamina, become better able to focus, achieve better grades, and avoid becoming sick. Although it may resemble a New Year’s resolution more than an academic goal, it is essential to eat healthily, especially during the school year. Students have a tendency to eat unhealthily as they hurry to classes. The issue with this is that the candy bar at noon, the soda at 2 pm, and the burger after class soon add up. Eating properly can help students have more energy, become better able to focus, achieve better grades, and avoid getting sick.
The CNN article discusses a study that found that high-fat, high-calorie foods can lead to compulsive eating habits, similar to drug addiction. This is a problem because people need to have a healthy diet in order to have enough energy and function properly. A diet rich in nutrients is essential for a healthy body and fewer absences from school or work.
It’s important to make a mental note to improve your eating habits if you want to be successful in college. This is especially true for online students! Eating while watching TV or using the internet leads to overeating. Your mind goes on autopilot and before you know it, you’ve eaten an entire bowl of popcorn.
Going out to college night and dorm parties can be a great way to make memories while in university; however, it is important not to let drinking interfere with academics. Drinking alcohol can make it difficult to focus and perform well, so it is important to find a balance between enjoying college life and maintaining good grades.
2. Learn something brand new.
What topics do you find most stimulating? Make a resolved to chase one of those this year, even if it’s just in your free time. Fervor and inquisitiveness are great inspiration for learning, and setting aside time to investigate something that really interests you is a great way to recharge your overall love of learning. Who knows? You might get a new hobby out of it, or perhaps even find a future profession goal or topic for a project.
3. Ask for help.
Asking for help can sometimes be one of the hardest things to do. However, it is important to get the support you need in order to be successful. This year, try to use the resources available to you when you are in challenging situations.
4. Get more sleep.
We’re sorry to say this, but you need things like sleep to survive. Not getting enough sleep can actually alter activity in your brain, causing problems with skills like making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions and behavior, and coping with change. We’re not saying you need to aim for 12 hours of sleep per night or anything, but setting some goals related to healthy sleep may help you function better in class and perform better academically.
Sleep goals to consider
Helpful sleep goals might look like:
- Setting a bedtime.
- Shutting off electronics an hour before bed.
- Using a meditation or calming app to wind down before sleep.
- Sleeping and waking at the same time each day.
5. Focus on learning, not just grades.
Alan Watts once said, “There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes.” Learning is an experiment, and the only way to fail is to not try at all. Grades are important, but it’s more important to focus on your lifelong love of learning. If you’re only worried about your next test or getting a good grade in a tough class, you might miss out on some of the parts of learning that you find most engaging. Every subject won’t be your favorite, but try to really immerse yourself in your studies this year and noticing what makes you tick, excites you, and makes you want to learn more. Maybe keep a journal of your favorite tidbits from your classes and reading. Learning is a process, not just a way to get a good grade, and you might find more joy in your schoolwork if you remember that. Alan Watts once said, “There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes.” Learning is an experiment, and the only way to fail is to not try at all.
6. Maintain school-life balance.
It is important to have time for schoolwork, but it is also important to have time for rest. You should set goals for things like your hobbies, time with friends, time off from school, and self care. Taking time to rest and having an active lifestyle outside of school is important for your mental health. It is a way to recharge and come back to schoolwork with newly focused and energized. There is nothing wrong with taking a break, so plan to do it often this year.
7. Overcome procrastination.
It’s tough to break the habit of procrastinating, but don’t put off trying! If you have trouble getting motivated, you’re not alone. There are lots of reasons why people procrastinate, like anxiety, too much decision-making, depression, and even brain differences. This year, take some decisive actions to combat the urge to procrastinate, like:
- Dividing large assignments into smaller, easier tasks.
- Using timers to motivate yourself to work for short windows of time.
- Working with a study group or partner for accountability.
- Using checklists.
You can explore the reasons why you procrastinate more by talking to a trusted teacher or counselor.
8. Get organized.
This year, try to be more organized. This can help with studying, getting to class on time, and finishing assignments on time. What being organized looks like will be different for everyone, depending on your schedule, your motivations, and your personal style. You may need to buy a new planner, get a new scheduling app, or just organize your books and supplies. Figure out what would help you be more productive and feel more in control, and then make it your new normal.
9. Get involved.
This year, don’t stay on the sidelines; get involved in your school community. Joining a new club, volunteering, trying out for a team, or getting involved in a play or activity are all great ways to get involved. Being a part of your school community can help you feel more engaged and supported, and make you aware of new resources and opportunities you may not have known about otherwise.
10. Prioritize your mental health.
Although it may be appealing to sign up for lots of different classes, clubs, and extracurricular activities, it is essential to consider how doing so might affect your stress levels and emotional needs. Being overloaded with work or constantly having to meet deadlines can take a toll on your mental health, making it hard to do well academically when you are feeling overwhelmed. So, as you start the new year, pledge to check in with yourself regularly, say “no” when needed, and make it a priority to take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing just as much as your physical health. Keep in mind that you cannot take care of others if you do not first take care of yourself.
11. Exercise
This is another common resolution people make, especially after the holiday season when they have probably indulged a bit too much. However, students should consider making this their resolution for the new school year. Exercise has many benefits for brain function, student-athletes, and overall health.
Campus group exercise activities are a great way to meet friends and manage stress. While some people believe these activities are a waste of time, they can actually contribute to academic success. A balance of these activities strengthens all aspects of student life.
The main thing is to be active. The point of exercise is to get you moving, so it doesn’t have to be something that makes you sweat or that you have to pay for trainers to do. You can do something fun like playing ultimate frisbee, hula hooping, or bird-watching. The main thing is that you’re active.
12. Stop Procrastinating (or, Manage Procrastination Better)
Although it is something that many students do, there are ways that procrastinators can reduce their stress levels. By being more aware of which assignments are more important and by allowing the right amount of time to complete them, procrastinators can still get their work done without feeling as much pressure.
Television and the internet can be fun, but students should use their allocated time for studying instead. Tools like apps and websites can help limit access to social media. One way to stay motivated is to form a study group where phones are put away to stay focused.
One way to stop putting things off is to not have unrealistic expectations for what you’ll accomplish each day working on a project. Give yourself permission to work on something for just 5 minutes. Once you start, you’ll likely find that you keep going for hours, making the task less daunting.
13. Take the Time to Manage Your Social Media
It is important for students to remember that potential employers may be looking at their social media accounts. They should try to present themselves in a positive light and be careful about what they post.
This means that you can still take silly pictures and videos, but you should keep them to yourself instead of sharing them.
14. Assess Mental Health, Stress, and Anxiety
The school year can become a time when students feel a lot of pressure. With all the things they have to do, like assignments, tests, and research papers, as well as things like student clubs, finances, new responsibilities, sports, and social life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is not uncommon. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. It’s important to get your work done, but it’s also important to manage your stress and take breaks so your mind can relax.
Know the signs of burnout and take steps to prevent it. Your peace of mind and mental health should be a priority, over any class. It’s easier to maintain your sanity, than it is to make up for a bad grade.
15. Get to Know Your Professors
If you want your professor to write you a letter of recommendation in the future, it’s a good idea to build a professional relationship with them. You’ll also have an easier semester overall if your professors know you well. They’ll remember students who ask lots of questions!
There are many benefits to getting to know your professors and developing a relationship with them. Some of the benefits include: gaining valuable career advice, networking opportunities, and referrals for jobs or internships. Additionally, your professors can write letters of recommendation for you and provide academic advice or guidance.
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