The new year is a great starting point for renewal and opportunity, or for you to begin doing those things you promised yourself you would do months ago. Among the sudden increase of gym and dating site memberships in the world are the sentiments of “I should probably get my life together” or “what am I doing with my life?”. If your New Years Resolution’s include doing better in school, being less stressed, and taking advantage of new opportunities, then you have come to the right place. Here are some tips on how to make this semester the best one yet.
Clean and de-clutter
Take the abundance of free time you have at the beginning of the semester to clean out your dreadful closet, chaotic drawers, and disorganized desk. Starting the semester with a clean and organized home can help you focus on schoolwork and other important things while also decreasing stress.
- Here are some tips and reminders while you clean:
- Donate the clothes and shoes you don’t wear anymore.
- Throw out pens, pencils, and highlighters that no longer work.
- Clean out any old makeup and wipe off all the filth that’s developed on in your makeup bag and on your products.
- Store your flip flops, sandals, and other summer clothes until it gets warmer.
- Clean up your laptop by placing all of last semesters work into one folder. Create separate folders for all of your future course work and syllabi (for example: “MKTG”, “History”) so you have easy access to any information you need.
Get a planner and write down EVERYTHING
You definitely should have a planner right now, but if you somehow forgot to get one this year, please invest in one immediately. Once you get your syllabi for your courses, sit down and write the due date for every assignment up until the end of the semester. Make sure you leave room to add things in the future. I like to color code my assignments by class, but I also have an obsession with colorful felt tip pens (I know I’m not the only one). You will never miss an assignment again! You should also include things like office hours, your school’s sports games, yoga classes, school events, and other responsibilities.
Try to go to office hours
Am I the only one that is always a little intimated by office hours? Even if I absolutely despise the professor I know that going to office hours will help my grade. For some reason, I still can’t convince myself to go regularly. This semester, make it a goal to go to office hours at least once this semester for each of your classes.
Create obtainable goals
One of the most common New Years resolutions is to be healthier. The biggest mistake people make is creating too difficult goals that are totally unrealistic to their lifestyle. As humans, we are motivated by reward, like when Fit Bit users strive to achieve that little buzzing on their wrist when they reach their goal steps. You should create obtainable goals with real rewards. Instead of telling yourself to work out five times a week, drop that goal to three times a week. If you have an off week and can only make it to the gym three days, you aren’t completely unmotivated since you actually reached your set goal. As a reward, let yourself indulge in a meal you hate to love that week goal. Stay active, drink a ton of water, and eat clean most of the time. This lifestyle will transfer into and improve your motivation, schoolwork and relationships.
Get involved
There are so many opportunities on college campuses to get involved. Whether it be Greek life, club sports teams, or clubs, you should get yourself out there this semester. Involvement in college will look great for future employers, and you will meet other students you may have never been able to meet before. Make it a goal to join or get involved with at least one organization or cause this semester.
To get involved on CU’s campus, check out the Center for Student Involvement website at http://www.colorado.edu/involvement/