Eric's Tip of the Week: How to Roll With Your Academic Goals

Hey guys! Allow me to be one of the first to welcome you back from winter break! As you might know, a new semester sometimes means a new beginning, a fresh start to do what you planned to do last semester! A new semester is like a new year: the time to make resolutions. That is why my tip of the week is to discuss goals for the new semester and how to achieve them and stay on track.

   1.    Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:

      I fall a victim to this myself from time to time. Sometimes we try to set goals for achievements a lot bigger than we are prepared for, like losing 30 pounds or becoming the new master of schoolwork. In the beginning it all sounds pretty basic and achievable, but adding more and more goals makes achieving the bigger goals even harder! Start with a smaller goal and grow from there. For example, start by saying you will go to the gym at least twice this upcoming week or start reading each chapter of a book on Sundays and then review notes after class! It will be much easier and a lot less stressful to have a simple goal and then to build on it because once you have a habit going it’s a lot easier to achieve those bigger goals.

  2.    Make Lists Of Tasks You Need To Get Done:

            I know from experience that if I do not write my goal down somewhere that I can see I will just push it out of the way. It is just so easy to push a goal out of the way and forget about it because you do not want to do it anymore! Try making a list of things needing to be taken care of that day so when free time comes around those smaller tasks can be done while you are bored. There’s a sense of pride that comes with crossing off goals from a list. Being organized is key when it comes to being on top of your goals!

  3.    Try Achieving Goals With A Partner:

Friends make the greatest partners when it comes to achieving goals, especially goals that take time to accomplish. When it comes to motivation there is nothing better than having a friend trying to accomplish the same goal with you. There is a bond that gets created, and friendships grow that way. Your friend will also push you harder when it comes to finishing an achievement because they want to see you do better than you thought you could. If you are trying to lose those 10 pounds at the gym or just gain some muscle, I suggest bringing a friend because it relieves stress but also makes you more comfortable with what you are doing!  More than just workout buddies, friends can also be helpful when it comes to achieving academic success.

So there you have it, everyone: some tips on making goals for the semester! Remember to always keep a positive outlook on the goal you are trying to achieve! Optimism goes a long way, and at the end of the semester, you can look back at all the hard work that you have put in to get where you are now!