The new year is always a source of change for many. Together we all grow older and gain responsibility. Many students, such as myself, are resolving to work harder in school in 2014.

Although most of us make resolutions, we never really stick with them. Following through with a resolution takes more than just wanting to; it takes strategy. To help you persevere on with your goals, I’ve put together some tips that can help any resolution become manageable.

While many make resolutions, it’s nearly expected that we forget about them by the end of the year. Before you reach for a huge goal, you need to know how to make your resolution stick.

All too often, we make our resolutions something that we think we should want, other than what we really care about. If you care about your goal, it will be easier for you to accomplish.

Another factor that is crucial for following through on your plans is to get socially involved with your resolutions. Find friends who are striving for the same goal and can push you further in progress. If you have peers working with you, you will find it much more difficult to simply forget about your resolution.

While forming a resolution, always start small. Often times, we plan to completely flip our lives in the new year, which is unrealistic. Small yet important changes will boost your motivation, because you are much more likely to accomplish these. Once we see actual change in our lives, it inspires us to continue working.

It is important to choose a specific goal. Avoid making vague goals such as to ‘work harder’ or ‘become healthier’. Rather, decide the grades you want and how you are going to get them. If you schedule your studying and decide exactly what you are going to finish, you will likely accomplish what you are aiming for.

Most importantly, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate progress. My biggest downfall is messing up and losing hope. Even if you get bad grades or don’t use your scheduled time, remember that there is always tomorrow. Progress requires perseverance!

This writer can be reached on Twitter at @_chloemueller. Follow The Feather at @thefeather.

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