New Year, New Habits: A Student's Guide to a Successful Spring Semester
Photo taken by Austin Nie
To start the new year off right, here are some study tips, helpful habits, and ways to stay motivated throughout the semester!
Happy New Year Pacificans! With a brand new semester among us, it is time to set some goals and resolutions for each of the new beginnings that are to come this year. Whether it is getting better grades, working on your health, or just wanting to take some small steps to make your life better, here are some ways you can start!
Start a study group
If one of your goals this semester is to get on that academic grind, starting a study group or having peer review sessions with your classmates is a great place to begin! Whether you are working on your essays together, reserving a study room in the library, or quizzing each other on material; these are all great ways to spend time with your friends while also getting some quality study time into your schedule. Plus, it helps to be doing something fun while you work, so you can remember content from your classes and be social at the same time!
Find time for self care
With the start of a new school year, many students go above and beyond with their resolutions, starting new diets, waking up super early, and working out everyday. Although it is awesome to be active and working on healthy habits, we should also remember to take it slow. Self care can be as simple as taking a walk, making yourself a healthy meal, or taking a break from a long day of schoolwork to watch your favorite show! We have to remember that new year's resolutions are not just the big and crazy changes we make to our routines or schedules, they can also be what we choose to do in small moments in our everyday lives. Taking it one day at a time is a great step to remember, along with taking deep breaths, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep of course!
Get involved on campus
With so many incredible clubs, activities, and student run organizations to try out here at Pacific, what better time to try out something new? You can check out Greek life, join a cultural club, try a new intramural sport, or even just check out some of the cool events that are constantly being held specifically for students to get out and meet new people. It can be difficult to try new things or to be in environments that are unfamiliar to us, but with a new semester starting, so many students are in the same boat! Getting out of your comfort zone and meeting others is a crucial part of college life, so take a chance and try it out for yourself!
Stay organized
Many students find it helpful to use a variety of digital tools to help them stay organized during the school year. This could include a planner, using Google Calendar, or even organizational apps like Notion, to keep track of important dates, exams, or deadlines. This also applies to individual classes and making sure you have everything you need such as textbooks or any necessary supplies like notebooks, pens or pencils. You can even stop by the Student Success Center in the WPC (Wendell Phillips Center) that provides school supplies to students for free!
Utilize on-campus resources
Speaking of free services for students, there are so many awesome resources on campus that can aid you in your journey to success this semester! You can make an appointment at Pacific’s General Academic Tutoring Center (GATC) if you need some assistance with your schoolwork, visit the Writing Center for some help with your essays, check out Career Services for some advice on your resume, or even request a session with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) if you need someone to talk to. Academic success is not our only priority this semester, we should also be prioritizing our mental health!
Get creative
Another great way to make this year memorable is to tap into your creative passions. Start a club on campus, make music, create content for social media, start your own business; whatever it is you care deeply about, do it! The time is now and your peers will support you in your endeavors!
Make a difference
Giving back to your community is another crucial aspect of bringing in positive energy to a new year. You can check out Pacific Volunteer Center for opportunities to serve, donate to the Pacific Food Pantry on campus, support your local businesses and organizations, and most importantly, be kind to others! Bringing in the new year with a kind heart and an open mind is essential.
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