Happy New Year, studiers! Along with parades, candy and miswriting the year on every assignment, the new year ushers in a brand new semester. Although many students dread having to wake up early again, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited. A new year means new grading periods, a clean slate and a chance to start the year off strong after getting several weeks to rest and relax (or take SAT prep classes).

Kids come back from winter break just like they do from summer: changed. A lot can happen in two weeks. Mindsets can shift, promises can be made, and the beginning of the year, even if it’s already February, is the perfect time for a student to dedicate several of their New Year’s resolutions to propelling them towards better academic success.

Actually keeping them is a whole different matter.

It’s not impossible, though. With a good plan to keep these resolutions, 2018 can be a successful and positive year.

“Plan” is literal, too, because planning is the only way to effectively follow through with a promise. Although students may fully intend and want to improve their school habits, breaking habits takes more than intention. It requires thought and serious action.

Try making a list of tasks that will help achieve that goal. For example, commit to do all the assigned reading the day it’s assigned instead of promising to do half the next day. Or try taking half a page less of notes to cut down on the confusing, excess information. Try dedicating at least an hour every night to doing something not school related.

With a set plan or list of tasks to keep in mind, the next step is to start following those steps. It might be difficult at first, but when it’s easier to drag your feet, push the limits instead. Athletes and recovering addicts both agree that they experience what’s called a “three day hump”, meaning that the first day of implementing a new habit is easy, the second is frustrating, and the third is painful. But after the third day, the mind loosens up to the idea and it’s easier from there on out.

Once on the road to a better GPA, all A’s, or any other resolution there are lots of bumps along the way. Some nights, a student is so busy that it’s almost impossible to keep all of their resolutions. They feel like they absolutely have to sacrifice one or two or else they’ll go brain dead, and promise over and over that they’ll pick it up again tomorrow… And that’s completely okay.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably human (except for maybe a few robots there in the mix). We need sleep, and we need rest. If sacrificing one or two of these resolutions is necessary for health reasons, then there’s no shame in it. There are priorities that trump responsibilities.

Here’s a resolution idea: get more sleep. Don’t stress out so much. Do something that you don’t have to do but that makes you happy. With better mental health comes a happier life, more energy, and therefore more brain power to get higher grades.