2022 Goals of a Western Student

New year, new goals! Western student Emily plans to make the most out of 2022: here's how.

Written by fourth-year Western University Medical Sciences student Emily Dietrich.

The start of a new year is the perfect time for me to reflect on this past year, make plans and set goals for my next (and final!) undergraduate semester. Here are some of my ideas to make 2022 my best year yet:

1. Continue to build relationships with my professors

As someone who is a bit on the shy side, I have definitely struggled with having the confidence to participate in class discussions and seek clarification from my profs directly, but last semester I decided to tackle that! I've learned that participation is more than raising my hand in class — it is also coming to class prepared, contributing to our online platforms and running my ideas past my profs and teaching assistants.

As intimidating as they might seem (trust me, I've felt it too!), the profs and TAs are there to help! I want to continue to make use of this resource in the New Year, since developing relationships with my profs and TAs this past semester has made me feel much more comfortable with reaching out to them. Plus, creating a connection with your profs often means they will recognize you on campus and greet you by name, which is really neat!

2. Check-in with myself and my friends

Mental health has been a huge topic during the pandemic, and it really is so important that we take care of ourselves. Everyone has their own ways of de-stressing and practicing self-care, so remember to do what works for you! For me, when I find myself getting really overwhelmed, I take a break from my work to maybe watch an episode of Netflix or go for a walk with my roommates. I know that friends of mine like to journal, read, or bake cookies — all of these are great options when you need a mindful moment!

Remember to check-in on those around you as well. This could be through grabbing a coffee with your roommate, or even just sending your friend a text saying "hey, I'm thinking of you and hope you're doing well!" It's those little acts that can really make someone's day. If you or your friends are struggling, there are tons of options for additional support. For example, Western has a Peer Support Centre, which is a fantastic resource!

I know that working hard and achieving good grades are important, but you're allowed to put yourself first!

3. Work on managing my test anxiety

If you're anything like me, writing tests and exams can be a huge source of stress and panic. Even being in fourth year, I still get nervous when it comes time to write my midterms and finals!

It is important to recognize that test anxiety can be a different experience for everyone, and that I need to develop my own strategic toolkit for handling it. On top of getting a good night's sleep before a test, my goal is to try and better manage my stress. Western's Learning Development and Success team has put together a video series on how to manage test anxiety, which is a resource I plan on using in the new semester! Academic or guidance counsellors can also be a great resource — everyone has experienced test anxiety at some point.

My biggest thing to work on: remember to breathe!