We are back from three weeks of a much-needed winter break. Now it is time to get back into the swing of college. It is incredibly important to make sure you start off on the right foot in order to set the tone for the rest of the quarter! Here are three key things to keep in mind when going into the new quarter:
- Reflect
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Think back on how fall quarter went. What were some mistakes you want to avoid this time? Were your grades not the best? Did you take on too many responsibilities?
Make sure to also give yourself a pat on the back for all the successes you had. Were you confident in your self-worth and relationships? Did you do well in a really hard class? Once you have a good idea on what you need to improve on and what you did well on, it is time to look forward to the upcoming quarter.
- Set Goals
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The start of the new quarter coincides with the start of the calendar year. This makes the start of this quarter a prime time to grab onto that new decade motivation and make it last as long as possible. If you have not written any New Year’s resolutions yet, take some time to brainstorm a few goals. These goals should be small, achievable and concrete. Vague, lofty goals like “be happy” are great in theory, but hard to accomplish if you do not think of baby steps to work on first. Think instead of goals like “get off campus once a week” and “text Mom more”. If you break up your goals into smaller steps, big goals will seem much more doable.
- Think Positively
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It is vital to keep a positive mindset on how your quarter will go. If you are too hard on yourself for things that went wrong last quarter and cannot even imagine this quarter being better, it will be that much more difficult to actually have a good quarter. Go into the quarter feeling motivated and excited, and you will be much more likely to succeed. Even if you do mess up here and there, know that those moments will pass. One mistake will not ruin your life. It is obviously easier said than done, but believing in yourself will help you get through all the rough patches of the quarter.
Regardless of how your past few months went, take the beginning of this year as a fresh start to make the most of winter quarter. Keep these things in mind and know that you are fully capable of succeeding in anything you want to do.