Here we are again.
It’s that time of year. Fresh syllabi are being handed out, friends are way too excited to see each other after a short time of being away from school, and pockets are being emptied of their dollars at college bookstores once more. Oh yes, it smells like a new term on college campuses. With the introduction of a new decade, new years resolutions are a whole lot bigger than every other year. People are setting goals with their study habits, sleeping habits, exercising habits. 
It’s habits galore. This is all for the purpose of a final goal, that once attained will bring along a feeling of accomplishment and achievement. So now that we’re entering a new chapter in the novel of our lives, why not just start doing things better than before instead of cramming it all into a list of impossible new years resolutions? Here are some ideas to start your term off the right way; a way that is productive.
Change doesn’t come easy.
But while we want it, we should question our motives. Why we want to be a better person. Is it for our benefit or another person’s? I think looking at these goals short term is pretty centered on the self, but let’s face it, the college experience is pretty focused on the individual and what they can do for YOU. But while creating these goals I would challenge you to think of the bigger picture, in the context of graduating college and taking your diligence and self-control other places that can benefit others. Because what’s so good about a life that serves only the self?
1. Think of your first term, and the flaws in it. Did you do everything you wanted to do? Were you tired most of the time? What did you spend most of your time doing? Question all aspects. Then proceed to next bullet.
2. Make a list of what you want to accomplish throughout the whole term. This will be your hard copy of what you will need to remind yourself to do for a while, until the list becomes habit. But the thing is, it can’t just be a list of bullet points that you would like to accomplish, because it would be nice to learn some new things. It has to be an intentional reminder that you are in these things for the long haul, and you’ve thought over them a lot therefore you are making a point to accomplish them. You have to really want that six pack or the ability to scuba dive, for example. It takes more than just mere interest to actually accomplish something.
3. Make a schedule of your week, with all of the intentional tasks included, along with classes, work, eating, social events, and indubitably open chunks of time for spontaneity. Or for being lazy (more to come later why being lazy sometimes can be a good thing). Plaster this on the ceiling where you look up every night, or in your nifty iphone, or in your underwear drawer. Wherever will be the most likely place for you to see it. This list will change, definitely. But just as a starting point, try and solidify your actions by putting it into writing.
4. What else is there to do except go for it? I have to admit, it feels great even just accomplishing all of one day’s intended duties. So there is definitely no guarantee you’re going to be perfect. But like George Smith Patton once said, “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” Well said, sir. Well said.
