VOICES

Setting goals for the New Year has always been a goal for many people, particularly students who have taken their sweet time to use the Christmas holiday to view the projects they have done in retrospect. This tradition brings optimism to the hearts of students who desire to start with a clean slate as they strive to be better versions of themselves for the upcoming year especially in the realm of academics. Here at Keys, we are proud to say that students are very much familiar with setting goals as this is a consistent practice in various learning activities and conferences. Goal setting in Keys is holistic; the school instills in the students to see themselves as whole persons with unique intelligence and personalities. 

Here are some of the ways that Keys students do as they start every new year strongly. 

Thorough self-assessment

Before classes resume, learners practice thorough self-evaluation (since it is also the beginning of the Second Semester). Using different tools such as interactive worksheets or discussion circles, students are compelled to rethink the following questions:

1. What worked well in the previous year and what needs attention?
2. What are my strengths and weaknesses? Upon knowing these, how can I tailor my study habits to align with my learning style?

Thorough self-evaluation aims to help Keys students create habits that support academic success and learning life skills. 

Effective time management

Since Keys is a progressive learning environment, it provides a lot of activities that will challenge students’ higher-order thinking skills and real-life lesson application in different forms. Those tasks require time which is why students are taught to tackle each activity with mindfulness. A major part of being mindful as a student is establishing a strong sense of time management. A well-structured study schedule for the new year can alleviate stress. Task batching or time blocking can enhance productivity and deep focus as the activities are broken down into manageable chunks and are allocated in specific time windows. Calendars and planning apps can also help visualize deadlines. 

Sample time block schedule from “The Blog Relay” (Surbhi Manot, 2021)

Various study techniques

It is an integral part of Keys learners’ life to find the most effective study strategies that they can utilize for optimal learning. Methods such as active recall, peer teaching, and concept mapping can help students discover what works for them. For the students’ overall cognitive well-being, incorporating study breaks such as the Pomodoro technique or taking a walk or stretching will also help them be more refreshed and concentrated on the tasks at hand. 

Embracing the New Year with clear goals coupled with an action plan in mind can truly make a significant and positive difference to students. By reflecting on their experiences in the past year and using those as bases to better study life, learners will be able to cultivate a commitment to personal and academic growth not only for 2024 but for a lifetime.