Does it feel like the year flew by and you’re still settling down?
It’s mid-November already, students. Another year’s coming to an end.
Don’t you think it’s time to go over the last 10 months and see if you’ve been able to stick to the plans you had made or at least tried to do something about it?
Believe me, taking stock of things is good for you. It helps to find out where you are, where you’re slacking and what you need to do; in short, gives you more clarity and focus.
Regular reviews prepare you to deal with situations instead of getting taken by surprise or shock.
Self-Reflection: Where Did I Slip?
Take an honest review of your goals you may have missed or where consistency could improve your performance. Sit down and identify the specific subjects, habits or activities that didn’t go as planned.
The beginning of the new academic year is full of high energy and plenty of distractions. Getting settled into the schedule and making the best of the available resources (including time) requires you to be focused. Now is the best time before it gets too late.
Divide your review into 3 broad categories –
- Personal
- Academic
- Health
Let’s start with personal growth.
Personal Growth: Building Skills and Character
1. Reflect on Personal Growth and Changes in Attitude
Notice the changes in your personality or mindset? Focus on the positive changes, like you’ve become more focused, less reactive and more mindful.
If it’s your first year living away from home, how have you learned to adapt to the new environment? Have you become resilient, patient or understanding? Become more responsible about your things, learn to manage your time and schedule?
What new changes have you noticed about yourself that have brought about changes in your attitude?
Make a note of these subtle changes to see the progress so you can map your growth.
2. Evaluate Current Habits and Potential New Ones
List out the habits that helped you improve this year – consistent self-evaluations, setting small achievable goals, balancing indoor and outdoor time, etc.
Which habits do you want to build on or replace? How to develop self-discipline and a positive mindset?
What can you do to increase your productivity? Try creating a study routine or a exercise routine or eating healthy.
Test one positive habit daily for a week and see if it sticks. This way you can find what works for you.
3. Identify Positive Influences and Mentors
Try to remember teachers, friends or family members who have been the positive influences in your life.
What’s it about them that you like? Make a list of such characteristics you would love to inculcate (it gives more clarity about what you want).
See if you can emulate that characteristic or habit. Don’t expect drastic transformations immediately so go easy with one at a time.
It’s about imbibing the good and improving yourself in the long run.
4. Assess Communication and Interpersonal Skills
What skills do you need to work on to become a better team player – empathy, compassion, active listening, positive attitude, better communication abilities?
Have you made progress in expressing yourself better, speaking up, and listening to others?
Have you moved out of your comfort zone to make new friends and try new activities?
5. Identify New Skills Acquired or Needed for Future Growth
What new skills have you picked up this year? It can be learning a musical instrument, developing a new hobby, or learning a new language, coding or managing your time better.
What specific skills must you focus on in the next two months to help you move ahead faster in your personal growth and give you an advantage over others in the coming year?
6. Setting New Goals: What Can I Improve Before the Year Ends?
You can make progress in the remaining days of the year if you set realistic, short-term goals for yourself. Maybe set punctuality targets or time management goals.
Focus on one or two key areas like improving your study habits, exercising regularly or being better organised.
Don’t try to do many things simultaneously or you’ll feel overwhelmed and give up even before you begin.
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Academic Progress: Tracking Learning and Study Habits
1. Review Academic Achievements and Challenges
List out the subjects or topics for this term.
See where you’ve excelled in. Were you satisfied with your preparations or could you’ve done better?
Which subjects or topics need more focus?
What kind of challenges did you face – shortage of time, inadequate resources, bad time management or just distraction?
How do you plan to work through them? Have you decided on a new schedule to overcome the lapses?
Create a table or checklist for quick reference where you list the problem or challenge and the possible (doable) solution. Like, using a planner or time block for better time management.
2. Evaluate Study Habits and Improvement Strategies
Check the study practices that worked for you till now.
Maybe setting a study schedule or using flashcards or practicing in groups or preparing personalised notes. Refine the process for better results.
Set new, achievable goals for daily study habits. Become your own motivator and learn to be more organised and focused.
3. Create a Study Plan for Finals or End-of-Term Projects
Create a study plan. Use a large, single-page planner, if that helps.
Map out a basic plan for upcoming exams or assignments. Break them down into manageable steps.
Work backwards giving yourself time for preparations in advance.
Identify the subjects you need to focus more on and allot more time for them.
4. Assess Time Management and Planning Skills
Once your study schedule is prepared, review how well have you been managing your academic tasks and deadlines.
This will help you to make small adjustments to make the system more efficient.
Create a calendar, set weekly goals, take regular breaks to avoid burnout, keep time for social and extracurricular activities and exercising.
5. Prepare for End-of-Year Exams or Projects
If you’ve to prepare for end-of-the-year exams or submit projects, then plan out your work so you don’t fall back during the Christmas or New Year break.
Bit size tasks make the work look doable, it gets over faster and gives you confidence to keep going.
Create an outline of a realistic revision plan or project timeline that balances academic and non-academic responsibilities. This will greatly reduce the last-minute stress levels.
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Health Check-in: Building Physical and Mental Well-being
1. Reflect on Physical Activity and Exercise Routine
Do not take this lightly. Be honest when you review how active you’ve been this year. Have you participated in sports? Been regular with your exercises?
If you’ve been slack, then see which physical activities you can add to your schedule to stay healthy and energised.
Even 10 minutes during the day is enough to energise you and overcome your lethargy.
2. Assess Eating Habits and Nutrition Choices
Take stock of your eating habits.
Are you conscious of what you consume? Are you making balanced choices? Are you cutting down on your junk food intake?
Add more fruits and vegetables to your daily diet. If it’s possible, eat fresh, simple meals instead of buying or ordering.
3. Evaluate Sleep Schedule and Quality
Be mindful about your sleep quality. Are you getting consistent, restful sleep?
Sleeping early daily may not be possible but try to improve your bedtime routine.
If possible, set a regular sleep schedule.
Start with reducing screen time before bed to calm yourself and give your eyes some rest.
4. Mental Health and Relaxation Practices
Take care of yourself. A healthy mind in a healthy body is what gets the best results.
Include small daily breaks for relaxation and quiet time. Meditate, if you can.
Spend time by yourself in nature if possible.
Learn to manage stress and talk to family and friends regularly.
Be aware of the triggers so you can avoid them.
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It’s never too late to take a status update of what’s been happening in your life. And by that, I don’t mean your Insta posts or online life.
Prepare for the life you want to live. Put in the effort needed. Sort out your priorities. And start living in the real world.
A quick review of the past few months will give you an idea of whether you’re headed in the right direction or not, creating the awareness to build a strong foundation for success in the coming year.
Use the next few weeks before the year comes to an end to get your act together.
Time lost is lost forever. Even your parents cannot give that back to you.
So reflect and plan well. Wishing you a great year ahead.
