Taking stock of your study progress helps you see how far you’ve come and what still needs attention. But reflection is only half the equation — planning what’s next ensures you stay on track.
Whether it’s focusing on new skills, career goals, or personal growth, now’s the time to think ahead and set yourself up for success.
MANCOSA offers several skillME short online courses in business, IT, and healthcare to help improve your skills and knowledge — opening the door to more career opportunities.
In this article, we’ll discuss how you should start this year and what you can do to improve your personal and professional growth.
Before you launch into the new study year, it’s important to reflect on how far you’ve come, take care of any outstanding practical matters, and think about what you want to achieve next. Here are eight tips to help you handle any remaining tasks from the previous year, and get ahead of the new school year.
Make a checklist of any remaining tasks, such as any outstanding study payments, and prioritise them based on deadlines and importance.
Think of it like tidying up a workspace; the clearer it is, the easier it is to move forward. Tackling these loose ends early lets you enjoy your break without unnecessary distractions.
Take a quiet moment to look back at your academic journey.
Asking yourself these questions will show you what’s strong and what needs adjustment. Break it down into two columns: wins and improvement areas.
This honest evaluation will help you create actionable goals for the year and ensure that you’re constantly improving.
Don’t underestimate the value of getting feedback from your mentors, lecturers, and classmates. Reach out to these people and ask for honest feedback about your performance. Constructive insights can guide your learning strategies and professional development.
Note that the goal of this feedback isn’t to make you feel bad about yourself. Instead, it’s intended to help you improve your performance even more.
Sort through your notes, projects, and other study-related materials. Think of this as a digital and physical declutter.
Archive what’s valuable, such as key resources for future courses, and eliminate items you no longer need. You’ll instantly feel more prepared by starting the new academic year with a clean, organised slate.
Your institution likely offers valuable resources, such as workshops, career counselling, or mentorship programmes. You can use these resources to align your studies with your long-term plans.
These resources can help you determine your goals and open doors. For example, MANCOSA’s career centre supports students and graduates in networking, finding career opportunities through our live job board, and gaining virtual internships.
Good physical and mental health is important for studies.
Incorporate self-care into your routine to ensure you’re starting the new year refreshed and balanced. Whether exercising, meditating, or simply spending time on hobbies, recharge your mind and body.
Think of it as recharging a battery — overworking yourself without rest leads to burnout. Starting the following year in a balanced state ensures you’re ready for what comes next.
Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they might feel. Treat yourself to something fun, plan a get-together with friends, or take a well-deserved break before you begin the new school year.
Recognition fuels motivation — when you associate hard work with rewards, you’ll feel more driven to tackle future challenges.
Based on what you’ve learned from the previous year, outline clear and realistic goals for the upcoming one.
Be specific: instead of saying, “I’ll study harder,” commit to studying one hour more daily. Instead of saying, “I’ll learn new skills,” commit to learning specific skills, such as communication and leadership.
These goals act as a roadmap, keeping you focused and driven throughout the year. Setting intentions now will make knowing precisely what you must do in the following year easier.
Before signing up for another course, ask yourself: what’s my end goal? Defining your purpose gives structure to your learning journey. Your reasons might include:
By understanding your goals, you’ll know exactly which path to take — professional, academic, or personal.
If you feel motivated to keep studying, learn skills that’ll benefit your career and professional growth. Expanding your abilities can help you land higher-paying roles.
skillME could be a perfect fit for your skill-building needs. With short online courses across business, healthcare, IT, and more, you’ll find options tailored to your ambitions.
Examples of some of the courses offered include:
Short online courses are an excellent match for busy students or working professionals. With flexible learning models, you don’t have to put life on hold. Here’s why distance learning works:
Improving your skills with the help of short online courses is a great way to increase your employability and open the door to more advanced career opportunities.
From business to information technology and healthcare courses, skillME offers many programmes to uplevel your skills and help you build a thriving career.
Automating business processes has never been more necessary than today. With so many businesses streamlining their workflows and systems, it’s essential to do the
Digital tools are transforming healthcare management — helping processes move faster, smoother, and more accurately. As a result, these modern systems help healthcare providers
Taking stock of your study progress helps you see how far you’ve come and what still needs attention. But reflection is only half the equation
Any Questions?
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