[media-credit name=”Carlos Magana/Staff” align=”alignright” width=”300″][/media-credit]It feels great to make New Year resolutions – until we realize we have not kept them.

There is an art and science to making good resolutions. Here are a few tips:

Weight-conscious students who want to leave Twinkies behind need to make healthy choices. Create a chart listing unhealthy snacks on the left side and healthy snacks on the right. Writing a list makes it harder to choose Doritos over carrots. Over time, making better eating choices will become a habit and there will be no more stomach cramps or sugar highs.

Keeping a calendar can be very helpful for students who want to stay on top of their game. Writing appointments and homework in a calendar is old-fashioned but it works. Children of the Steve Jobs Era may use smart phones or other electronic calendars. It is easier to remember when a small shiny screen alerts you to check Blackboard before class. Whatever method works, stick to it!

Determination is imperative for students who resolve to get good grades.

Reading the assignments is key. Reading ahead pays off. Knowing what a professor is talking about when she refers to a specific page can be a relief. Thanks to new technology, students can rent books online. There is also a link on the SWC website that allows students to read library books directly online. It allows students to stay on top of their studies while in the comfort of their own couch, rather than a cold desk.

One of the most popular resolutions these days is to quit smoking. Giving up cancer sticks is a hard one. One great way to knock out this destructive habit is by getting an electronic cigarette. They have less nicotine and are a good transitional tool. By the way, SWC is a soon-to-be smoke-free campus, so leave the ciggies at home.

Some students yearn to finish community college in less than three years. Students who hop on that bandwagon without a real plan are doomed to fail. Making an appointment with a counselor is the first step. Getting a Student Education Plan is second. Once students have their road laid out, the college journey is easier.

Beginning a new year with the right goals is a great step leading to a better life. It takes time and true dedication to become a better student, but we can all do it, one step at a time.