2020 was a pretty tough year with COVID-19, lockdown, and schools having to close down temporarily. This disrupted the academic calendar all around the world. Some schools like BlueCrest were fortunate enough to have a smooth transition from the traditional way of studying to an online learning system. Well, the new year is finally here and we’re hoping 2021 will be a far better year.
New Year New Me right? Most of us have probably made tons of new year resolutions. Some we might keep; some we might not even remember by April. Yes, resolutions are notoriously hard to live up to. But have you ever considered setting up goals for yourself as a university student? Not resolutions, but things you can aim for to help you feel proud of yourself. I compiled a list of 5 New Year’s goals you can strive to achieve in this new year as a college student that will develop a better you.
- Plan study times for each course.
One of the key things to being a successful student is to manage your time properly. Create a personal study time table so you wouldn’t have to cram when it’s time for exams. Need a group study session to understand a topic better? Plan with your course mates. Do not wait till the last minute (very important)!!!
2. Join a club or participate in extracurricular activities.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. I’m sure you’ve heard this countless times and I’m here to tell you as a college student, that this is very true (but don’t abuse it lol). Yeah, you’re in school to learn but make time to rest and relax. Join a fun club, partake in activities you enjoy, be part of that fundraiser. After all the studies, you need a break. So don’t forget to relax and refresh your soul.
3. Challenge yourself with a course outside your degree program.
Step out of your comfort zone and take a course that’s not a part of your program. This will help you widen your scope of knowledge and develop interests you didn’t even know you had. Also, read non-school related books to help improve your vocabulary.
4. Spend your money wisely and stick to your budget.
Budget! Budget! Budget! Plan how much you want to spend, keep track of your spending habits, and do your possible best to save. Don’t overspend all in the name of “chilling” or impressing people. Do not spend on things you don’t need. Save money and money will save you (wink).
5. Build a strong network.
This is very essential. In college, you have the opportunity to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds. Your course mates, dorm mates, your lecturers, people you meet at various events. Make it a point to build and nurture long term relationships with them. Networking will help you keep up to date with available jobs, help you meet mentors, and gain access to resources to help develop yourself.
Remember, these are goals and not resolutions (New Year’s resolutions can get exhausting). You might find it tough in the beginning to attain these goals, but over time it gets easier. Just take it one day at a time.
Have a Happy New Year and an awesome 2021!
