At A Grade Ahead, we endeavor to set impressive expectations for our students. Still, we make sure that these expectations are attainable and maintainable; otherwise, they’re unproductive! It’s important that we set attainable goals for ourselves as well. If you didn’t make New Year’s resolutions, or if you made one that you’ve already broken, here are some meaningful goals for the new year that won’t take a significant time commitment.
Academics
Most of us are getting back into the groove of classes right now. For anyone who’s a little rusty after break, these are academic resolutions to consider.
Duolingo
- If you’re learning a language in school, Duolingo is a great way to complement your reading, writing, and listening skills.
Read
- Read! If you didn’t read much last year, find a good series that will keep you engaged.
Limit Screen Time
- Consider setting a screen time limit, especially if you’re often running down your phone’s battery. If you find that you overuse certain social media, try putting a screen time limit on specific apps. This is a great way to give yourself time for other hobbies, work, or rest.
Join A Grade Ahead
- If you aren’t enrolled at A Grade Ahead yet, taking our enrichment classes would be a wonderful resolution for the year. If you are already enrolled, looking back on past lessons is a great way to review math, English, or science skills.
Ready to get started on an unforgettable academic adventure? Take a free assessment with A Grade Ahead today!
Organization
Disorganization can be overwhelming. Focusing your thoughts and goals can help you gain control over the feel of your week.
Get A Planner
- It’s amazing how much writing down a physical to-do list can help. Getting all your assignments and responsibilities on one piece of paper frees up cognitive space for focusing on the task at hand.
Clean Your Room
- A messy room can be a surprising stressor. The environment you live, sleep, and work in ought to be a place you feel comfortable. Keeping your room clean can have a great impact on your focus and mental health.
Health
Here is some classic health advice. It’s classic because it works!
Sleep
- Make sure you’re getting enough of it! You aren’t operating at your best without a consistent sleep schedule.
Eat
- Like sleep, food gives us energy. Try to make sure you’re having three meals a day.
Go On Walks
- If your goal is to exercise, but you don’t have access to a gym or the time to go, you can start small. Taking weekly or daily walks is a great first step.
For more ideas on health goals, check out A Grade Ahead’s blog post from the summer: “A Grade Ahead Celebrates Healthy Minds, Bodies, and Souls!”
Self
My favorite resolutions to set for myself aren’t even specific goals. If you’re eager to work on self-growth, find a quality to aim for.
Patience
- Take a deep breath. Take lots of deep breaths. Practice letting frustrations go.
Honesty
- If you find yourself telling white lies more often than you’d like, consider making a conscious choice to be more truthful, even correcting yourself after instinctively telling a lie.
Positivity
- In the past, I’ve taken on the resolution to be more optimistic, and it made life much smoother. If you don’t let the tough things affect you too much, it’s a much happier way to live.
This year, I encourage you to challenge yourself without making such an unrealistic expectation that you end up unproductive and disappointed. Set attainable goals!
What are some of the best resolutions you have set for yourself in the past? What made them successful? Are you trying any of these or other resolutions in 2025? We would love to hear from you in the comments!
Author: Grace Heberling, Teacher at A Grade Ahead
