New Year, New Me: Getting organised for a better year

Happy New Year! As 2025 begins to settle in, and a new semester begins, there is still time to implement practices that can translate to a better and more productive year. Below are a few tips for making 2025 the best it can be!

1. Focus on a specific goal 🥅

It is imperative you focus on a few specific goals to better track the way in which you plan to achieve them. Often in a new year it can be simple to make a list of habits you would like to change or objectives you plan to reach, but the daunting list can eliminate motivation. So start small, think of two or three goals you would like to achieve by the end of the month or year.

2. Measure your progress 📏

To keep yourself on track, measure your progress. If you have decided to eat better, create a food diary in which you track your consumption of dietary needs and harmful foods. If you are writing down a record of your progress you can track how close you are to your goal or what steps might be missing.

3. Start a routine 🕰️

Once you have a schedule finalised for classes, work and other academic  responsibilities, start a routine you can commit to. Make time for self-care, practicing a hobby,  going to your local library or hitting the gym. Whether it is before class begins or after work, set a routine that works just for you.

4. Get an accountability friend 🙋🏽‍♀️

If you are struggling to stay on track with reaching your goals, find a friend or acquaintance and ask them if they can keep you accountable. They can be your support to help you get rid of any toxic habits or and eliminate distractions when you need to focus. You can equally be their support and encouragement for them.

5. Time blocking⏳

With so many things that need to be done, it can seem arbitrary to write to-do lists. Nevertheless they can play a pivotal role in staying organized and focused. After writing a list of tasks add a time block to maintain structure. Maybe for 45 minutes you’ll study for your next Biochemistry exam  and then the next 30 minutes you’ll switch to English readings. While blocking out time for a specific task, you’ll be able to track what task you are completing while simultaneously keeping yourself engaged.

6. Declutter🪴

To echo the sentiments of research that has been done, clutter and stress have not only a correlation but causation. When you declutter the space around you there's more space and you  also increase your sense of productivity and motivation, and have more confidence. 

7. Plan for the future 📒

Living in the moment is important. To be completely present and reflective can be helpful, simultaneously that is also important to be thinking about the future. What are your plans a few months from now? What about a year or two? Thinking about the future can help you plan what you do now. If you have a dream company you want to work for, start doing the work now to get there. If you see yourself collaborating with a brand, do the research now. You never know what could happen tomorrow because of what you do today.

As the new year gets into full swing, we are wishing all of you a memorable 2025, sure to be better and brighter than last.

 “Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.”

~Ellen Goodman, journalist and columnist