It's trendy to set resolutions at the start of a new year, but it can also be really helpful to plan out your thoughts and goals. Many people make fitness or health-related new year's resolutions, but you should take a few minutes and think about all the areas in life you'd like to see progress.

When making goals, it's important to think about why you're making them and how you're doing them. You may have heard of SMART goals, which remind the person to make specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-specific goals. 

Instead of making a goal to "do well in school" or "finish the term," consider making your academic goals a little more intentional.

Goal: Learn More About a Subject

Your focus may be on grades, and it should be, but you also need to consider what you want to learn. Choose a subject you want to learn more about and then dive in! Find some experts to follow on social media, podcasts to listen to or books to read. Even a documentary on Netflix may be what you're looking for to satisfy the thirst for more information. The beauty of being an adult and choosing your own educational path means you can veer from it any time you want to learn more. 

Goal: Take the Right Classes

After consulting with your academic advisor and the program requirements, you may be able to fit in a class that seems "fun" or choose an elective that fits with what you'd like to do after graduation. When faced with the options, do a little research to see what skills people in your future career field have or want to see in employees. Then find classes that will help you learn those skills. Ask your advisor what classes you need and what they recommend.

Goal: Ask for Help When You Need It

You may remember a parent or teacher telling you that the time to ask for help is not the night before a test, and that remains true now. Don't hesitate to ask questions, don't wait until the last minute and don't be afraid to say, "I don't understand." Your professors want you to succeed. Form a study group at the beginning of the term, that way you can work together throughout the course.

Goal: Create Balance in Life

School is important, just like your work is important -- but it is not the only important thing in your life. Finding a way to balance the important things in your life will pay off later on. You may currently be balancing work, school and your family -- which is a lot of things. You'll need to learn when to buckle down and study, and when to push things off a night to spend time with your family. Balance is important.

Goal: Live a Healthy Lifestyle

If you take care of yourself, your body will be able to keep up with everything you want it to do. First up: make sure you are getting enough sleep. This may mean putting down your phone or turning off Netflix to make sure you are studying when you can and not pushing towards the midnight hour. Eating well will help your body function at its best, which means making sure there are some vegetables in your diet, choosing water over soda most of the time and taking the stairs if possible, for a little extra exercise.

Prioritizing your goals and making a SMART plan to achieve them will make this your best year yet.

Learn more about how practical degrees and flexible scheduling make GGU the perfect fit for military-connected students.