Reflecting on Your Year and Preparing for the Next
Take some time this holiday season to think about where you are and where you're going next.
How has your year been? The decade's coming to a close, and that means it's time to reflect on where you've been and where you're going. 2020 is sure to be a big year, so find a few moments to relax and take stock.
Your Grades
How are you faring academically? Are you earning the marks you want? It can be helpful to plan where you'd like to be, then setting achievable goals and working towards them in bite-sized chunks. Goals are achieved piece by piece, and rarely all at once.
If your grades aren't as strong as you'd like, don't despair. After all, you've got a goal, and that's the first step to enacting meaningful change. Check out some strategies for studying and writing exams, and think about how you could integrate them into your own practice. If your grades are even better than you'd hoped, that's great! Think about what's brought you where you are — is there a particular habit or approach that's helped you succeed? Consider sharing your strategies with friends and classmates who might be struggling. We're all in this together!
Your Relationships
How are your connections with friends and family? Have you been making time to socialize, or have you been a hermit as deadlines and assignments loomed? Is there someone in your life you've been neglecting? Strong social networks are important, even during a time-crunched semester, so consider reaching out over the holidays to rekindle your relationships — and perhaps even turn an acquantaince into a friend.
If you feel like you'd like to meet new people but you're not sure how, look at joining a campus club or association once school's back in session. They're likely filled with others who share your interests, and you'll have the benefit of an environment where the ice is pre-broken. No clubs that catch your eye? Start your own! Most colleges and universities offer support for new student-led clubs, so be a pioneer. You'll be doing a favour to others who'd also enjoy your new group.
Your Developing Career
How is life looking after graduation? Many students consider college and university to be training for their future careers, so how is yours coming? Are you on the right track? Do you know what you want to be "when you grow up?" If so, is your program the right fit to get you there? If not, you've definitely got some thinking to do. Will you pursue further education — perhaps a master's degree or even a doctorate — or maybe you should transfer schools or programs altogether? More students do so than you might think!
If you're still on the lookout for the right career, whether you're in school or not, try a tool like the Career Quiz to help you organize your preferences. Don't feel bad about not knowing what you want to do with the rest of your life. People change careers all the time — study X says as many as Y times before retirement — so follow your instincts and do what's right for you. Your dream job might bear almost no relation to your current course of study, and that's okay!
The end of the year is a natural time to reflect on the past and ruminate on the future — doubly so at the end of the decade. Be honest with yourself as you think about the year that's passing and the years to come. Consider how you can best design your life so it's the life you want, and be ready to face 2020 stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever.
From all of us here at the SchoolFinder Group, have a great holiday and a happy new year!