5 New Year’s resolutions for students

As a student, it can be tough to set goals that you're sure you can follow because your busy schedule often gets in the way. Goals like "eat healthy," "get more sleep" and "study harder" are often disrupted by the fun and busy student life. Instead, it's a good idea to set resolutions that can improve your overall experience. Choose simple New Year’s resolutions for students that don't need a lot of effort but can make a big difference.

Below are five New Year's resolutions for students in the UK, we believe you should consider for 2024. Happy New Year!

1. Overcome procrastination

You might have trouble studying because you have a lot of things that distract you, like friends, social media, TV and video games. Procrastination can also happen when you're worried or too tired to make decisions.

1. But there are ways to beat procrastination! Here's what you can do:
2. When you have a big assignment, break it into smaller, easier tasks.
3. Study with a friend to make it more fun and to help each other stay focused.
4. Get rid of distractions, like turning off your phone or computer (Unplug!).
5. Do the challenging work, so the rest feels easier.
6. Reward yourself after finishing your work, like watching your favourite show or having your favourite snack.

2. Focus on your health

When you're a student with deadlines and a packed schedule, it's easy to forget about taking care of your health. We all know we should do better, but it's often hard to find the time. How about making a change next year? Decide to make a few small adjustments to your daily life that can have a significant impact.

For instance, every student should aim to get a full eight hours of sleep every night. Instead of staying up late binge-watching your favourite Netflix shows, try setting a regular bedtime for yourself. You'll be surprised at how much more energetic you feel in the mornings and sleep is known to help you remember information and facts better. This process is called ‘consolidation’ and it involves moving knowledge from short-term to long-term memory. Having a good bedtime routine won't just make you feel better; it can make you smarter too.

3. Learn new skills

There are lots of skills you can learn that will make your life better. If you've always wanted to learn something new, why not start now? You can use the free time you've set aside on your calendar for this.

Did you know Steve Jobs took a calligraphy course and it sparked his creativity and influenced Apple's designs?

Learning new skills can also help you in your career. One of the best ways to do this is through more learning. There are many ways to learn, ranging from short, online or offline courses that take just a few hours to more serious options like getting a bachelor's or master's degree.

Global Banking School (GBS) in the UK can help you gain a recognised degree that is valued by employers across the globe. The industry-specific courses offered by GBS can help you stay ahead of the competitive job market.

Learning a new skill takes time, especially when it's something valuable, so be patient and give yourself the time you need.

4. Boost your productivity

The pandemic made everyone feel like they had to work super hard and be extra productive. People started posting on social media about learning new skills or starting their own businesses, thanks to the extra time they had from not commuting. It felt like everyone was doing it and you didn't want to miss out!

But it's important to remember that being productive is tough, especially when your daily routine is all over the place This can make you feel exhausted and make your health problems worse.

In this case, you should not push yourself to be super productive. But there are things you can do to make your productivity better. Here are some ideas:

• Create a new routine: Set a schedule for when you wake up, eat and exercise. Even short walks away from your workspace can help. It is important to stick to your routine for pursuing further education.
• Take breaks and schedule downtime: Don't skip breaks. Breaks help you stay focused and reduce the need for a long rest at the end of the day.
• Block time for downtime: Protect your evenings for family and activities you enjoy. Treat your downtime like an important task, not something you can skip.
• Limit news and social media: Staying informed is good, but too much news can overwhelm you. Try to keep your news time to about 30 minutes a day. Social media can be a big distraction, so use it only a few times a day for short periods, like in the morning and evening. You might even consider removing social media apps from your phone to use them less. It can help you pursue further education.

These steps can help you be more productive without stressing yourself out.

5. Make a career plan

Having a clear idea of your career goals is an important way to stay motivated and overcome challenges. Students often don't reach their goals because they either don't really care about them or don't set clear steps to achieve them. Here are some tips to help:

• Keep your CV or resumé updated.
• Invest in yourself by taking advantage of professional development courses.

Global Banking School (GBS) is a leading higher education institution in the UK, known for its industry-specific courses in areas such as finance, business, healthcare and more. With a wide presence in the major cities of the UK, the institution is dedicated to its mission of “changing lives through education.”

GBS courses that can help complete New Year’s resolutions for students in the UK

*Please note we no longer offer this course at GBS UK.