Turning last year’s struggles into this year’s success

If you struggled during the last academic year, turn that disappointment into success. Edel Walsh explains how

As this academic year draws to a close, the new academic year is nearly upon us; now is a good time to reflect on the year gone by.

It is an opportunity for you to review what worked well for you last year, analyse the gaps and create a plan for success for the year ahead.

Last year’s challenges and struggles do not have to follow you into the next academic year.

Self-reflect

Self-reflection is taking time to think. Self-reflecting on your study and exam performance, regardless of whether you passed or failed, encourages deeper thinking about how you approached both.

It helps you consider what worked well for you, what didn’t and how you can approach both differently in the future.

Reflecting on your study and exam performance will give you valuable information to help you grow and develop.

Let’s look at some self-reflective questions to support you. Grab a pen and paper and take 30 minutes to answer these questions:

• What worked well for you when studying and preparing for your exams last year that you want to bring into the next academic year?
• What do you want to do differently next year?
• What learning strategies were most/least helpful?
• How realistic were your study habits and schedule last year? What changes can you make to your study habits and schedule this year?
• How did you manage your work-life-study balance last year? Are there any changes you would like to make to this going forward?
• How well did you look after your well-being last year? What changes would you like to make in this area of your life?

Work-life-study balance

When I ask students to reflect on the last year, a common struggle is the lack of balance.

At this point in your career, there is a lot to juggle. Work is busy, studying can feel laborious and you are trying to fit some time in for yourself, your family and friends. It is hard to find the right balance.

As you plan for the year ahead, consider your non-negotiables when it comes to looking after yourself and your well-being and incorporate this into your plan. This might be returning to a hobby, going to the gym or meeting friends for coffee on a weekly basis.

Block out fixed slots in your calendar for yourself and treat them as non-negotiable appointments.

I speak to a lot of students who are often burnt out before their exams even start. If we don’t look after ourselves, then we cannot perform to the best of our ability at work or in our studies.

Track and refocus

Instead of waiting for poor interim assessment results as a wake-up call, monitor your progress monthly. Every month, ask yourself:

• Am I hitting my study milestones?
• What’s working/not working this month?
• Am I looking after my well-being?

Change what doesn’t work and keep what is working for you.

A new starting point

Last year’s exam results are the best predictor of the year ahead. If you’re not happy, you can make deliberate changes this year. Use your struggles as your starting point.

Identify the habits and systems that did not serve you, replace them with new habits and systems, and keep reviewing your progress along the way.

The difference between a good year and a bad year is learning from what did not work well for you, making adjustments, tracking your progress and refining your plan when you need to.

Edel Walsh is a student coach and mentor. She supports her clients with their studies and exams using a holistic approach that focuses on academic success, personal development, and their overall well-being. For more information, check out www.edelwalsh.ie