Starting The New Year As You Mean To Go On

Each year, people ask, ‘So, what’s your new year’s resolution?’ Many of us feel a sense of pressure having to come up with something life-changing, such as becoming fluent in German, or going to the gym five times a week. But you can start small and build up – and as a distance-learning student, such commitments are particularly important.

Time, Time, Time

When you have more time on your hands, it can be hard to stick to set deadlines. You might think, ‘Oh, I’ve got lots of time, I will do it… later… or tomorrow… or in two weeks’ time.’ There’s no time like the present, though (sorry, a bit clichéd, I know, but it’s true!) If you have a deadline to meet, and a piece of work, such as a TMA, to submit, grab the proverbial bull by the horns and do it. You’ll feel much better afterwards.

If you have external examinations next summer, such as IGCSEs, it is helpful to set yourself a revision timetable. January is a great time to do this – yes, examinations are a few months away, but if you set yourself targets in January, you have plenty of time to put these into practice.

Don’t forget to fit in plenty of leisure time. If you play a sport and have three fixtures a week, make sure you complete work when you have more time. Perhaps you are a film buff and like to catch the Oscar nominees at the cinema? In that case, get your work done early, then you can go and enjoy that movie without feeling guilty.

Start The New Year Positively

The bottom line is this: your mental health and happiness is very important. If you plan your work carefully and make sure you stick to the deadlines you have been set, you will be starting off 2022 in a positive and proactive way. Having a handy notebook can help – and if you’re anything like me, writing a list is a useful way of keeping track of what needs to be done, and when.

So, with the new year just around the corner, make 2022 the year for you.