It may be the middle of the year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start on your New Year’s resolutions. Well, at least for the academic year. The current summertime gives us the much-needed break from lost sleep, overbooked schedules, and all-nighters of the past year, making it hard to think of doing anything else aside from sleeping in all day.

Unfortunately, summer break is actually the perfect time to reflect and plan ahead for the new school year. It may not be the most exciting task to do right now, but your future self will heavily thank you for getting ahead of it. Perhaps you want to improve academically, meet new people, or pursue interesting opportunities. Sometimes, you may just feel it’s time for a change, that something needs to be different.

If you’ve ever wanted to start fresh and become a new person for the upcoming school year, then these tips are just for you.

1. Feel free to set ambitious goals.

Many people don’t realize how helpful it is to have clear, ambitious goals, especially if they are slightly outside your comfort zone. While achieving them may seem difficult, they can serve as a guiding light for your personal growth. Whether aiming for higher grades, being more social, or seizing new opportunities, a well-defined goal can illuminate the new self you aspire to be. Don’t hesitate to aim high; as the saying goes, even if you don’t reach the moon, you’ll land among the stars and achieve more than you thought possible.

2. Choose your responsibilities wisely.

While it’s tempting to jump at every opportunity, especially at the start of a new school year, remember that each commitment takes time from your schedule. Each choice you make, such as taking on an executive role in a club, means foregoing other potential activities. Avoid overbooking and be mindful of your commitments.

3. Make your schedule sustainable.

During the planning phase, enthusiasm can lead us to overlook the need for breaks. Remember to schedule time to meet friends or relax at home. Breaks are crucial for maintaining productivity in the long run. Ignoring them can lead to burnout, disrupting your responsibilities unexpectedly. We’re not robots; cramming schedules together isn’t sustainable just because time allows.

4. Prepare to stay consistent.

While you can’t immediately enact your plans, you can mentally prepare for consistency. Achieving ambitious goals is often a mental battle, especially when stress mounts and motivation wanes. Be aware of common pitfalls and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. It’s okay if you miss a day or don’t achieve perfection; any effort towards your goals, no matter how small, is better than none at all.

5. Remember to be flexible.

Though planning is essential, being open to adjustments ensures your plans can adapt to unexpected events throughout the year. Life is unpredictable, and unexpected challenges may offer new, potentially better opportunities. Adjust your plans accordingly and move forward. The best plans anticipate life’s surprises.

6. Live your best school life.

These tips should inspire you as you embark on the new school year. If you need more time to recover from the previous year’s stress, that’s perfectly fine. Let these suggestions guide you toward less stress and more good days. However, remember to stay present and enjoy daily school life. Ultimately, the goal of “new school year, new me” is to enhance your school experience and personal growth.

However, always make sure to ground yourself in the moment. Don’t be so focused on achieving your goals that you forget to enjoy your daily school life as it unfolds. After all, isn’t that why we strive for a ‘new school year, new me’ – to become a better version of ourselves and to better enjoy our school life?