Well, it is that special time of the year again. Want to take a guess? Deadlines are looming around the corner. Calendars are getting booked. You are always on the run around with your professors, and if you are anything like me, you may start to double your caffeine intake to try to stay awake during your 8 ams. You guessed it right. It’s back to school season! Now, this school year may look a little different for some of us. However, it is still 4.0 season. Even though we are virtually learning now more than ever, we must stay motivated. What I love about the start of a new school year is it symbolizes a fresh start. Maybe last semester did not go well, and that is fine. Do not be hard on yourself. Take this time to reflect and write out your goals. Being that it is my last year of undergrad, I feel more inspired now more than ever before to accomplish all of my dreams. Now you might think the only time to make resolutions is for New Years, but writing down resolutions for the school year is a great way to keep you inspired, and it will help keep you accountable. Make resolutions that will challenge yourself and force you to step outside of your comfort zone. There is no time like the present. Here are a few resolutions that I have, but feel free to create your own!
- Learning to say no
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This school year is all about setting boundaries. Many of us feel pressured to commit to things knowing deep down what we want to say is no. Overcommitting yourself to too many obligations will leave you feeling drained. Suppose you are like me, then you might feel guilty saying no to your family or friends. But that is okay! Know your limitations and set boundaries with yourself, friends, and family.
- Make connections
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Even though this semester consists of virtual learning, you still can connect with your peers. There are so many opportunities available for you to be involved on campus. And do not forget about virtual hangouts! Plan a brunch date with your friends over Zoom. I can get so overwhelmed with work that I forget to make time to reconnect with my friends. Just try to take some time out of your week to connect with your loved ones. It will make a huge difference.
- Take classes that interest you
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So many times, we focus on getting perfect grades but not learning the material, but going to school is the ideal opportunity to learn material that interests you. I wish I took more courses that sounded interesting to me. Instead, I was worried that the class might have been too hard, or it was not listed in my course requirements, so why should I even bother. Want to study African American history? Go for it. Want to know more about Greek philosophy? Then sign up for the course. What’s the worst that can happen?
- Self-care
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There is so much going on in the world right now. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed. Seriously. Now that a new semester has started, students have a lot on their plates. Papers, tests, club meetings, and do not forget about those dreaded group projects. Even thinking about all of my responsibilities stresses me out. It is vital to dedicate some time to yourself doing something that you genuinely enjoy. Whether that is watching your favorite movie, going on a run, meditation, journaling, or even baking your favorite dessert; the choice is yours! Maybe you might want to start a passion project. Don’t feel guilty about taking the time for some self-care. We are not machines. You have to take the time to recharge your battery. Remember, you can not help anyone else if you do not take care of yourself first.
- Time-management
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Now that we are not on campus, it is so easy to want to slack off and procrastinate. But trust me, those deadlines will be here before you know it. There is no worse feeling than realizing that you missed an assignment after it is due. Look at your schedule and see how you can divide your workload. One day you can focus on History, and the next day you can focus on English. Whatever you’re studying, know that you can not finish everything in a day. Try to set reminders in your Google calendar. And most importantly, invest in a planner. You will not regret it.
Your list of resolutions depends on what you want to accomplish this year. There is no time like the present. A lot of times, you may doubt yourself and your capabilities. But listen, use this time to write down a list of all of the things you want to accomplish but are scared of doing. Work on applying for that scholarship. Maybe you’re thinking about applying to graduate school; grab that application and get to work. Want to learn more about yoga and meditation? Then take this as a sign and attend a class. Just remember to be kind to yourself. Work on crossing off one resolution at a time.