The end of the calendar year is a natural time to pause, reflect and assess what needs to be changed in our lives. The annual list may go something like: lose a few pounds, earn a few more dollars and overall be a better person. The pattern is so predictable that you can find at least five other persons within a 5mile radius with the same list. When it comes to becoming a university student there is a whole slew of things we want to improve on in the coming year. We may want to make more time for reading the weekly readings before class. We want to implement more organization into our work and part-time job schedule. Perhaps, we want to attend more seminars, workshops and event around campus.
The problem is that New Year’s resolutions usually loses its value and importance as the weeks go along. I truly believe that the only way to make resolutions achievable is to make them more attainable. Make it feasible.
- Be more patient and understanding with fellow classmates in the library working on a group project; instead buy some noise cancelling headphones.
- Take healthy lunches from home; Have pizza and onion rings delivered to lecture hall
- Complete readings and assignments before watching TV; only binge watch one season of Friends on Netflix.
- Spend more time with friends; tag them in a #tbt Instagram post with a heartfelt message about missing the old days.
- Keep room/ dorm clean; refuse to allow any takeout containers into your room.
- Attend office hours and have a thoughtful conversation with your professor; learn how to make ice-cream on YouTube
- Spend time developing skills and passions; sleep.
By taking this approach, you’ll be meeting your goals in no time and will no longer be a repeat failure. Overall, just accept the chaos and anxiety that school life brings. After all, 2017 can’t be as bad as 2016 was, am I right?
