There’s something about the start of a new year that makes us want to make changes. I think this is why people make New Year’s resolutions. Having a specific start date makes it easier to decide to make changes. A New Year’s resolution can be about anything you want to change in your life. Often, people resolve to change their diet or begin a new fitness routine. Sometimes, they decide to learn a new skill or to travel somewhere they’ve always wanted to visit. Resolutions can be intensely personal, like resolving to spend more time with family, or to repair a broken relationship. The point is, the start of a new year is a powerful motivator to make needed changes in your life.
January 1st falls in the middle of the academic calendar, so people don’t always think about making academic resolutions, but it’s a great opportunity to change something that isn’t currently working for you. Think back over the last semester.
- How successful were you?
- Did you meet your goals?
- Were your goals attainable?
- How well did you balance your academic requirements with the other areas of your life?
- Did you manage your time as effectively as you could?
- Did you work hard enough to achieve your goals?
- If you worked hard, do you need to find ways to work smarter so you can maximize your study time?
Potential academic resolutions lie in your answers to these questions. If everything is running smoothly, that’s great! But if it isn’t, what do you want or need to change? If Plan A isn’t working, then it’s time to move to Plan B or even Plan C. No plan is ever perfect. You should always be updating and changing your plan based on your needs. What worked for you in the past may not work in your current situation. So, make a new plan and meet your goals for academic success.
If you want some help creating a new plan, the Student Success Center has a wide range of resources to help you find what you need. Visit the Learning Resources webpage to find materials that provide support and guidance. The Writing Resources page is loaded with all kinds of online writing sites that can answer your questions. The Apps, Tools, and Websites page offers a selection of time management, organization, and note-taking apps and websites for students who are looking for tech solutions to managing their academic workload. And if you don’t see what you need, tell us what you are looking for. We will work with you to find it. Stop by our offices on the 3rd floor of the Library or use the Contact Us form to tell us what you need. We want you to have a very successful New Year.