How to Build Habits and Accomplish Your Goals This Semester
Welcome back to campus, Bulldogs! As we kick off both a new year and a new semester, now’s the time to build the habits you need to succeed. Whether you’re trying to stick to your New Year’s resolutions, set goals you want to accomplish, or are just looking to start the semester off strong, here are some tips to keep you on track:
Plan out your time.
Time management is one of the most important skills you can have as a student – and as you enter the real world. Take a look at your syllabi and mark down all the important dates and deadlines for your classes, and then add in any athletic commitments, job schedules and student activities. Block off time each week to work on your tasks and goals. Write down your priorities each day. And break larger goals or projects into smaller, manageable steps to keep you moving forward. Managing your time will help you stay on track and keep you from getting overwhelmed.
Track your progress.
Whether you’re trying to drink more water, save more money or tackle your to-do list, tracking your progress is a great way to build a new habit or finish a project. Find an app you like, have some fun with a sticker chart or just rely on pen and paper to set your goals, break them down into steps and check off your progress. Plus, seeing how far you’ve come can help keep you motivated.
Quiet the distractions.
Having trouble focusing when it’s time to work? Identify what’s distracting you and figure out how to address it. If you can’t stop scrolling, set screen time limits on certain apps or devices to help you manage your time. If your residence hall is pretty social, try working in a quieter place on campus, like the library. Conversely, if the library is too quiet for you, find a spot with more background activity, like the Rooney Student Center. Figuring out what’s interrupting your focus will help you minimize the distractions.
Celebrate your accomplishments.
Remember, progress is a marathon, not a sprint. To avoid burnout, make sure you take the time to rest and acknowledge what you’ve accomplished along the way. Schedule daily and weekly breaks into your calendar. Break semester-long projects into milestones and reward yourself when you reach them. And once you’ve completed a big project, nailed an important internship interview or accomplished your goals, make sure to celebrate what you achieved!
Here's to a successful Spring 2023 semester, Bulldogs! Learn more about student support and success at Dean.