New semester, new year, new me. At least, this is what many of us are thinking with all this talk of new year’s resolutions in the air. Maybe the “new me” is a little melodramatic, but the start of a new year is the perfect time to get some new habits started and kick some of the old ones out. Lucky for you, not only is it a new year but the start of a new semester. Whip out that trusty spiral-bound notebook of yours and start jotting down some ideas for this year’s college resolutions.
Find a New Study Spot
If you are guilty of falling asleep during your study sesh because you're doing homework on your bed or the couch, then enough is enough—it’s time to break up with your favorite study spot. As tired as you are in college, it’s not you, it’s them. You’re 10x more likely to stay awake at the library or a quiet spot on campus than by sitting on your bed.
Maybe you don’t have a problem falling asleep, but is there something else about your go-to study spot that’s hindering your success? Perhaps you’re easily distracted, or have a serious case of FOMO (fear of missing out). If either of these things sounds familiar to you, then your apartment may not be the best location for you to stay focused. Or, maybe a study partner is what you need to stay alert and on top of things. Find your mojo and stick with it.
Go on a Social Media Cleanse
As fantastic as social media is for staying in touch and updated with friends and family, it can be a bit of a mood-killer, too. If you feel like you’re spending excessive amounts of time scrolling through memes mindlessly, comparing yourself to Instagram influencers, or procrastinating homework because of it, then it may be a good idea to take a break and go off the grid for a week or two.
Set a Budget
Chances are your high school didn’t do squat to teach you about budgeting, credit scores, or anything else regarding finances in the real world. But that’s okay because we can all play the recorder like a pro thanks to elementary school music class, right?
If you are new to budgeting, then there are some great apps made to track your spending habits, create a personal budget, and check your current credit score. Mint and PocketGuard are two popular favorites to try.
Make a New Friend in Each Class
While there are no official seating charts in college, everyone seems to stick to the same spot for the entire semester. Along with this, the first day of class sets the tone for whether or not you’re going to be social with those sitting around you. So be wise about who you choose to sit next to, and introduce yourself to at least one person around you.
Exchange numbers with your classmates so you have at least one person to ask questions or compare notes with throughout the semester. If anything, now you’ll have someone to exchange looks with the next time someone says something ridiculous in class!
Connect With Your Faculty Mentor
If you weren’t aware, or you forgot, every BYU-I student is assigned a faculty mentor to answer questions and assist them with their academic goals. Take advantage of this resource to help you understand the courses you need to take and to get help in discovering your career options.
To find and contact your mentor, log in to your BYU-Idaho account, go to the student section, and look in the “Academic Summary” located on the right-hand side of the screen.
We’ve all got our own resolutions in mind heading into the new year, but hopefully, some of these suggestions will spark some ideas for the new year and semester. Take a deep breath, jot down some goals, and make the most of your life in college this year.