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New year’s resolutions typically have a self-development bent to them. Some people make resolutions to kick bad habits or trim some holiday weight; others make general pledges to their family and friends. But where does that leave high school students?
Sure, some high school students may benefit from the so-called “traditional” New Year’s resolutions. But mostly, students are focused on making it to the end of next semester in one piece.
If you’re a high school student looking ahead to post-secondary applications – or if you just want to prove to yourself that you can finish the year on a high note – consider these four education-based New Year’s resolutions.
Apply Yourself: Stay on Top of Post-Secondary Application Deadlines
As most students know, deadlines can creep up quickly. One minute, you’re handed an assignment, and the next, you’re cramming words into an online doc, trying to make tomorrow morning’s deadline.
There’s one deadline you definitely shouldn’t cram for: post-secondary application deadlines. University and college applications take time, effort and thoughtful application. If you want to give yourself a fighting chance of successfully applying to your top schools, start early.
Begin by listing all the important deadlines – when to order transcripts, when to write your application essay, the cut-offs for volunteer hours, etc. Then, list the deadline for final applications. Stay on course with your applications by entering all the pertinent information into a calendar or spreadsheet. This works best for Junior students, but Seniors may find that there’s still time too.
If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try Upgrade Courses
“Mistakes happen. It’s why they make erasers on the ends of pencils.” In other words, don’t be disheartened if you receive a less-than-stellar grade for a course. It’s not a reflection of your tenacity, ambition or potential.
If you receive a grade that you’d rather expunge from your transcript before post-secondary deadlines, make it a resolution to take upgrade courses. Upgrade courses are often abbreviated do-overs that let you retake a course on a shorter timeline. At the end, the school places the better of your two marks on your transcript. You can easily take upgrade courses while you fulfill your regular course load by enrolling at an online school. Which leads to the next resolution…
Get Ahead on Your Passions at an Online School
This new year, get ahead. If you’re passionate about physics but feel held back by your class’s pace, or if you simply love English literature so much that you want to read ahead, enroll in advanced courses at an online school.
The best online schools are “self-paced,” meaning you can go as quickly as your passion allows you. Even if you’re still in grade 11, you can take grade 12 courses online in the hopes of completing early for a competitive shot at post-secondary enrollment. Best of all, online schools are flexible, leaving you time to explore your passions away from the classroom.
These are just three New Year’s resolutions to consider. Students may also opt to work on time management, hone their written skills, etc. Making education-based New Year’s resolutions is a fantastic way to improve your high school studies.