Spring semester is flooded with New Year’s resolutions, especially ones promising ourselves that we will be more organized than we were last semester. Most of us start off strong, as we do with the majority of resolutions, but about halfway through the month, we all find that we are no longer working toward the goal we’d made for ourselves. If you’re tired of this annual trend, here are some ways to start the semester off right, as well as make your goals into habits that last the entire semester.
Invest in an agenda.
If you don’t already own one, an agenda is a great way to stay organized. Agendas that are broken down day by day, are the ones that I find most beneficial. Also, when choosing an agenda, choose one that is aesthetically pleasing to you. Once you find one that suits your tastes, it’s important to list your tasks in order of importance. You could also write your most important tasks in a different color so that they stand out. When I complete a task, I like to cross it out in my agenda. Seeing the progress I’ve made is somewhat of a confidence booster when I’m not so excited about what I need to finish up.
Post your calendar in a place that will motivate you.
At the beginning of the semester, it may be difficult to break yourself of your fall semester routine. To be sure that you don’t miss any classes due to a simple mistake, it may be helpful to post your new schedule at your desk. Assuming that you sit at your desk frequently, this will be a friendly reminder. For those who don’t sit at their desk, or simply prefer electronic schedules, Google and Apple calendars are both great resources that send reminders straight to your phone.
Sleep, sleep, sleep.
It is a common mistake to pull an “all-nighter” the day before an exam. Cramming information into your brain, will actually result in a loss in knowledge rather than a gain. Instead, plan study days well in advance of your exam. Doing so will allow you to get more sleep, so that you are well rested on exam day. Doing this at the beginning of the semester, will result in a positive habit that will last you the entire semester and so on.
Above all else, keep yourself in check. Give yourself a break every once awhile, because continual stress will get you nowhere in the end. Plan time each week, just for yourself; no homework, no phone, just you. Disconnecting will allow you to think more clearly when it comes time to get to business.
These are just the things that have helped me start the semester off right. Different things work for different people, but I do hope that this will at least get you headed in the right direction!