If you’re like me, then in December you try to plan next year’s goals. Then, Christmas comes around, and you haven’t written a single goal yet. New year comes around, and your notebook, habit tracker, agenda, and whatnot are still empty. Another new year that goes by without any idea at all about what you’re trying to accomplish. But, who says it’s got to be January 1st to have clear goals? Why not January 15th? So, let’s set some academic & professional goals, shall we?
Start Learning a New Language
This is a great academic and professional goal that transcends into your personal life. I’ve always loved to learn new languages, and lucky for me, almost everywhere I’ve been I can speak a few phrases at least. Trust me when I tell you, it comes in handy to know Chinese even if you’re in Vietnam. So, for your 2023 goals, how about learning at least basic travel phrases in a new language?
Get Professional Experience
Too many of my classmates focused solely on getting good grades, thinking that employers would look at our GPA for jobs. Turns out, not one of the jobs I applied for asked about my GPA, but they did ask about my experience. I did plenty of internships while I was an undergrad, and that boosted my resume a lot. My internship in France was the game changer, and my current employers told me so. How about boosting your resume too by getting an internship this year, or even better, an internship abroad?
Read More!
Books are a way to experience other lives, and other cultures; a way to explore people’s minds. You can learn a bunch of stuff by reading a book. Just last year I learned that Tajikistan is home to Pamir, a place that looks like the swiss alps, just by reading “Sovietistan” by Erika Fatland. So, why not make it a goal? Don’t start by wanting to read 70 like the crazy booktokers. Be realistic, and start with something like 6 for this year.
These are just a few simple goals you can have to boost your academic and professional self! You don’t need to pick all 3, you can focus on one, and once you achieve it, it will help you grow tremendously. Don’t be afraid to try new stuff, and get ready for a life-changing experience!
