For all the hype they receive, the stereotypical New Year’s resolutions can sometimes seem pointless. It’s common for people to have ideas of what they would like to happen; what’s usually lacking, however, is any kind of strategy for making it happen.
Having said that, the first of the year—and for many, the start of a new semester—actually IS a good time to pause and contemplate how to get the most out of the coming months. But instead of simply saying “I resolve to have a great semester!” or “I resolve to raise my GPA!”, here are some specific steps you can take to make this the best semester ever:
#1. Do Your Homework…Before Classes Even Start
In some ways, getting ready to tackle the new semester is as important as the actual course work. Whether you use a three-ring binder, separate folders, or even create files on your tablet or computer, figure out the best way to organize and keep assignments, papers, and information from your different classes. There’s no right or wrong method here–it’s whatever works for you. The sooner you get a system in place, the less you’ll have to play “catch-up” later on. Consider adding test dates and other due dates to a calendar on your phone, so it only takes a glance to know what’s due when.
#2. Plan Ahead for Structured Study Time
It’s hard to know for certain exactly how much homework you’re going to have from any one class, but you can usually get an idea from talking to friends, older siblings, or even the teacher. Then you can start working out a schedule that includes the appropriate amount of study time.
It’s important to plan out time for fun, family, and friends, too, of course. But without specific periods reserved for studying, it’s tempting to feel you have plenty of time to binge-watch Black Mirror or get lost in Far Cry 5. Next thing you know, you’re turning in assignments late and pulling all-night cram sessions–not the most effective way to succeed.
#3. Develop Good Study Habits
If you feel like you’re putting in the time but you’re not seeing results, it could be that your study skills need fine-tuning. We’re not just talking about homework: effective study starts in the classroom. That includes paying attention, taking notes, and then rephrasing what the teacher says in your own words.
Once you have good notes, go over them on a regular basis as the semester progresses–don’t wait until the night before the test. Forming a study group can also be beneficial, too, even if you’re only studying together online via a sharing program like Google Docs.
#4. Go Beyond the Classroom
Learning to take good care of yourself is also vitally important to success, in school and in life. Getting enough sleep, eating the right foods, regular exercise–all help stimulate brain activity.
Of course, “staying healthy” could be another of those blanket resolutions that sounds great but is ultimately meaningless without a plan. In this case, the plan could revolve around your phone: apps like “Sleep Cycle” monitor your sleep patterns and wake you during your lightest sleep cycle. There’s also “Fooducate,” which helps you find the healthiest food options. Both are available for iOS and Android.
#5. Don’t Try. Train.
All of the worst New Year’s resolutions seem to start the same: “I’m going to try to …” But when you’re talking about making a major life change, “trying” is a recipe for disaster. Goals are not reached by trying; they are reached by For example, you don’t decide one day to show up at the starting line and “try” to run a 5K marathon. You train for weeks or months in advance, preparing your body for the race. By the same token, continued commitment to your education will yield greater long-term results than simply “trying” to get better grades.
No one is saying that change is easy. It will be tempting to give in to discouragement and fall back into the same patterns of behavior you had before. Like most great endeavors, succeeding in school requires sacrifice, focus, and self-discipline. But the end result is worth everything you put into it.