In case you didn’t know, it’s a new year. And with a new year comes a new semester of school. We hope that everyone set their goals nice and high for this year.
Maybe 2012 was a great year for you. Maybe it wasn’t. Regardless, there’s no reason why 2013 can’t be one of the best years of your life. And succeeding in school is a great way to make that happen.
Since we like to see our students (and just people in general) succeed, we decided to put together some tips of how you can succeed during this semester.
1. Plan it Out
Look at your calendar, your work schedule, your school schedule, and map out the next few months. Know ahead of time where things might get a little crazy. If you work ahead in a few of your classes, you can avoid choke points that would otherwise overwhelm you.
One of the biggest benefits of online school is going according to your pace. Plan your school schedule according to your life’s schedule.
2. Work Hard. Play Hard.
It’s how a lot of the most successful businesses and industries do things these days. They work incredibly hard so that when they take a break, they feel like they’ve earned it. They can completely shut off and escape for a while.
Use down time, hobbies, and fun activities as a reward. Start with the work. Do those things you know you need to do. Then unplug and go have some fun.
3. Set Goals
New Year’s Resolutions aren’t always the most successful plans people tend to make. But that shouldn’t stop you from setting goals anyway. Be the difference. Be the person who actually accomplishes their goals.
Challenge yourself, but be modest. If you got multiple D’s last semester, telling yourself you’ll get straight A’s might be a bit of a stretch. But there’s no reason why you can’t say I’m going to get mostly B’s and maybe a C or too.
Start small. Work your way from there.
4. Don’t Wait or Procrastinate
The biggest killer of new year productivity is procrastination. With a whole year ahead of you, you think you have all the time in the world. But you don’t. You have a year. And there’s a lot to do in that year. Get started now and the rest of the year will be so much easier.
So go. Get going. Do some home work. Go to the gym. Read that book. Write a book. Whatever you’re planning on doing in 2013, go do it now.