Photo Credit: Forbes.com

By: Javanique Darby

“Good resolutions are a pleasant crop to sow. The seed springs up so readily, and the blossoms open so soon with such a brave show, especially at first. But when the time of flowers has passed, what about the fruit?”–Lucas Malet

Often times we have heard of persons speaking about their New Years resolution which take into consideration what they want to accomplish for the coming year. Whether it’s to do better in school, start exercising or learning a new skill; many persons make them because they want better for themselves. However, how often do persons really stick to their New Years resolution?

We are in a new semester for the academic year and for some, another semester down and many more to go and for others, this is the final one before graduating. As college students, we all want to aim for academic excellence every year so we set goals that we want to achieve in school. Sometimes due to other factors, we throw them away mid-semester.

So, here are three tips on how to stick to your college resolutions for this academic year and onward.

Plan Ahead- Stating your goal is one thing, but what you should be doing is working to create a realistic plan to reach that goal. By writing and breaking down your resolution into small checkpoints, it will help you to be more accountable and make your goal more attainable. So start writing!

Avoid negative self-talk- Often times we tend to think negative thoughts as soon as we make a mistake and that should not be the case. Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t let that small mistake get you off your game. Acknowledge in advance that you will face setbacks occasionally and create a plan of action to bounce back whenever these occur.

Reward your progress- Some of us are guilty of not awarding ourselves with something good once we’ve completed an assignment that was quite draining. So now, consider rewarding significant improvements and milestones with thoughtful celebrations that will not derail you from all your hard work. So if it’s to try a new food that you’ve always wanted to or buy specific clothing, do it; as these are simple motivators to help you on your way.

So, as we go through this academic year, remember to take good care of yourselves and stay accountable throughout the semester in achieving those New Year’s resolution.