NEW YEAR, NEW YOU – MOVING FORWARD IN 2018!
Happy New Year! I hope that each of you had a celebratory and restful holiday season, spending quality time with those most dear in our lives.
With the dawn of 2018, the tradition of making resolutions starts anew. We vow to do better – exercise more, eat more nutritiously, get organized, stop procrastinating, etc., etc. New beginnings take place for students, too. As you begin this new year, what commitments are you making to be a better student? A new semester often means new classes, so what actions will you take to make a strong start? Your college applications are submitted – how will you stay focused and keep senioritis from creeping onto your radar? Summer seems so far away, yet applications for summer enrichment programs will be due soon – will you be ready?
The new year is also a time for reflection, a look back before charging ahead on a new journey. This time is very important, and it’s always a good approach to start and end with the high points. What classes went exceptionally well? What did I accomplish that surprised even myself? What honors or recognition did I receive to add to my resume? If I could wipe the slate clean for my pre-calculus class, what would I do differently? I think if I started preparing for my US History exams sooner, I would have really learned the material better and earned a higher grade. Perhaps forming a study group for AP chemistry would have helped me.
Focus your energy on this new start – consider it a reboot, a refresh. As you set new goals, be realistic so that you have an opportunity to be successful. Include short- and longer-term goals, as achieving milestones along the journey is key to staying motivated. Think beyond your academic settings when it comes to establishing goals—remember you are a multi-dimensional being! Here are a few things for every age group to consider:
Middle school students – Some of you will be preparing to transition to high school. The standardized tests you will take this Spring will determine course placement, so take them seriously. Look for leadership roles in Scouts, on athletic teams. Begin thinking about how you can serve your community, sharing your talents and interests.
High school students – A new semester often means new courses; think of strategies to have a strong start. Standardized testing is important for you, too; it’s a good idea to develop a test plan that includes formal preparation if necessary. Identify summer enrichment programs that will provide exposure to academic and career areas of interest. Find community service projects that speak to your heart not your college application!)– there are many needs in our surrounding communities. Go visit colleges so you begin to get a sense of the wide variety of institutions across the U.S. And if you are a high school junior, now is the time to step up your game and prepare for the college application process that will be here in the blink of an eye!
College students – You, too, will start new courses and getting a good start applies to you as well. You will begin seeking out, applying to and interviewing for internships, research opportunities, and/or summer employment. Perhaps there are changes on the horizon for your housing arrangement – a move off campus or selection of new roommates. The ‘newness’ of your first semester at college is over so now you are ready to settle down and put academics first.
It wouldn’t be fair to ask you to think about starting fresh without sharing some of my own resolutions for the new year. Professional development will be a focus for me in 2018. There is always so much to learn in order to better support students and families. I am excited about conferences, counselor college tours and information exchanges with colleagues to ensure that I have the knowledge and resources necessary. I look forward to continuing my passion for giving back by leveraging opportunities to share knowledge with students and families who need support but may not have the financial means to secure additional services. That is my “heart-work” and I honor this commitment annually.
Let’s get this journey through 2018 started! Good luck, and remember The Journey Begins with You…
Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen. She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.
