With many, I share the sentiment that September 1st feels like the REAL New Year. The traveling, interning, and general summer distractions from the normal routine of school or university have come to a close, and with the memories you may have of fun and rest from academic pressure now give way to a return to the library and a more constant schedule. To me, this has always felt like an exciting time to come back to school regrouped and ready to tackle the new school year. It’s a time where you can fully take advantage of the new year excitement and set yourself up for success – academically, socially, mentally, and even physically. But, it can also be daunting. Here are some ways to lay the foundation for a productive but balanced school year.
- Look Back
This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s a crucial step in my opinion. What went well last year? What, maybe, do you wish you had spent more/less time doing? For me, I definitely remember my first year going out maybe a bit too much first semester and then not going out enough second semester. Then, my second year I think I found a better balance between social life, drinking, and going out, and studying, working out, and being productive overall. Take some time to reflect on the good and not so good about your previous year or semester and then go from here.
- Set Your (Realistic) Goals!
You’ve done the introspection part. Now, you can focus on what you want to gain out of this upcoming year. This is where many fail. If you barely opened a book last year, there’s a slim chance that you’ll be a library warrior this year. Meet somewhere in the middle. Quantify and/or outline what this goal is going to look like. Maybe you want to devote 15 minutes to journaling each day after you have your morning coffee, or maybe you want to take a walk on East Sands once a week. At least for me, this is the only way I actually progress towards my goals. Build a rough schedule if that’s something that helps you visualise. Pencil in both work, but also rest. The two are equally as important!
- Consistency is Key
Cliché but it’s true. The planning is done, but the follow through is everything! Set scheduled reminders to help yourself stay on track. Keeping up with the little, micro tasks that can be easily procrastinated are crucial to reaching those longer-term goals and deadlines. For example, when I have an essay due, I like to set goals for each day before the deadline. I usually do 500 words a day plus a couple extra to allot time for research/planning/outlining. This way, essay writing is just one task in my day and I have flexibility for everything else. And then after just two days, you’ll have 1,000 words (usually halfway for sub-honours)!
- Your Support System Can be Make-or-Break
For those days when you have little motivation, your friends and family can help you dig a little deeper. Of course, it’s important to rest and reset (I’m not crazy!), but doing something together with a friend or even just letting someone in on your goals is so helpful. It’s impressive the difference some accountability can make.
- Link Habits Together
You might know this from the Atomic Habits book by James Clear, but if you don’t, habit stacking is the idea that you pair one habit you already have with another that you want to implement. For example, after I make my coffee in the morning, I’m going to text my siblings. Or, after I get my pajamas on, I’m going to stretch for 10 minutes. If you try habit stacking, like any goal, make sure it’s actionable and specific.
The new school year is a clean slate – an opportunity to reinvent yourself, refine habits, and realign yourself with your goals. If you can reflect honestly, set realistic goals, stay consistent, lean on your support system, and build habits that work for you, you WILL excel this school year!