Becoming the Best Student You Can Be: Resolutions That Stick

Becoming the Best Student You Can Be: Resolutions That Stick

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? It’s a personal question that often gets mixed responses. For us, resolutions aren’t just for January; they’re also perfect for the start of the school year. After all, a new academic year feels like a fresh beginning—a chance to reset and aim higher. This sense of renewal is the inspiration behind this guide, designed to help you make and keep resolutions that can transform your academic journey.

• Crafting Resolutions That Work

The first step in crafting a meaningful resolution is ensuring it’s achievable. For instance, resolving to become the President of NASA might not be realistic (though it’s a fun dream). Instead, choose something attainable with focused effort. The key is to pick a goal that genuinely matters to you—something you’re passionate about. If running marathons doesn’t excite you, don’t make it your resolution. Instead, align your goals with your interests. For instance, if you’re keen on learning, resolve to master a new skill or improve your grades.

Specificity is your friend when setting resolutions. Avoid vague goals like “I’ll be a better student” or “I’ll get healthy.” Instead, break your objective into concrete, actionable steps. For example:

Better Grades: Dedicate 30 minutes daily to review lecture notes.

Language Learning: Study 10 new vocabulary words or characters each day.

Having a clear plan makes it easier to track progress. If your goal is to study new vocabulary, carry flashcards with you and review them during breaks. Small, manageable actions build momentum and foster success.

• Adopting Good Habits and Breaking Bad Ones

Resolutions often revolve around habits. For instance, adopting a 20-minute daily walk can improve your mental and physical well-being. Exercise reduces stress and enhances focus, making it an ideal break during study sessions.

On the flip side, breaking bad habits is just as impactful. Smoking, for instance, is an expensive and harmful habit worth quitting. Identify the habits you want to eliminate, but don’t overwhelm yourself with too many goals at once. Focus on one or two resolutions to increase your chances of success.

• Keeping It Simple and Consistent

The simpler your resolution, the better. For example, placing 10 flashcards in your pocket each morning is a small yet powerful habit. It’s manageable and integrates seamlessly into your daily routine.

Tracking your progress can be a game-changer. The “Don’t Break the Chain” method popularized by comedian Jerry Seinfeld is a great strategy. Mark each day you stick to your resolution on a calendar, creating a chain of success. Over time, the desire to keep the streak alive motivates you to stay consistent.

For a modern twist, you might be inspired by inventor Simone Giertz’s resolution calendar. Her beautifully engineered device lights up each day you keep your resolution, turning progress into a visual reward. Whether you use a high-tech gadget or a simple calendar, find a system that works for you.

• Overcoming Setbacks

Nobody’s perfect, and it’s normal to slip up. If you break the chain, don’t despair. Tomorrow is a new day. Perfectionism isn’t the goal—progress is. Celebrate your wins, even if you succeed 350 days out of the year. That’s an incredible improvement compared to the previous year.

Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same understanding and encouragement you’d offer a friend. Reflect on your challenges. Did you skip a healthy meal because you didn’t pack lunch? Forget to log an assignment? Learning from these moments can pave the way for lasting change.

• Building New Habits

There’s a myth that habits take 21 days to form, originating from a 1960s study on amputees. More recent research by psychologist Phillipa Lally suggests the process takes an average of 66 days. However, the timeline varies widely, depending on the habit. Whether it takes 18 days or 254, persistence pays off.

• Enlist Support

Share your resolutions with supportive friends or family. Encouragement from others can make a significant difference. If you’d rather keep your goals private, that’s okay too. The important thing is staying true to your commitment.

• Final Thoughts

What’s your New Year’s resolution? Is it something we can help you achieve? Share your goals, and let’s support each other in our journeys. Resolutions are more than promises; they’re steps toward becoming the best version of ourselves. Whether it’s improving study habits, learning a new skill, or fostering a healthier lifestyle, every resolution brings you closer to a life you’re proud of. Here’s to a year of growth, success, and becoming a GREAT student!