With a new year kicking off, there’s an intimidating buzz of new year resolutions. But hopes and dreams of getting straight A’s, becoming the captain of your sports team and mastering the art of yoga are often unrealistic. These far-fetched goals exert unnecessary pressure on you to achieve likely unachievable milestones. Here are five simple resolutions to help you thrive as a high school student.

1. Buy a daily planner

Purchasing a daily planner will help you stay organized and record all your assignments, activities, club meetings, etc. With midterm season coming up, you want to stay ahead of homework, and establish a schedule for studying. In addition, hand-writing an assignment down will help you remember it long term according to the HuffingPost.

    2. Go to sleep earlier

Teens need eight to 10 hours of sleep, and 85% of teens don’t get enough. Establishing a healthy sleep schedule will help you be refreshed and focused during school, especially during morning classes. Assuming most high schoolers wake up around 6:00 a.m., go to sleep at 10:00 p.m to get eight hours of sleep.

    3. Volunteer

Volunteering will allow you to develop interests and gain experience in fields that may not be covered in school. You can browse local volunteer opportunities via sites such as VolunteerSquare.com or WestportCT.gov. In the end, volunteering will give back to the community and boost your college applications. 

    4. Get a part time job 

This resolution may not sound the most appealing, but it pays off with long term benefits. Working part time allows you to earn money for spending or for long term saving like college funds. Having a job will also give you real life experiences like earning a wage, customer service and learning professionalism.

    5. Socialize

With the stress of high school, college prep, sports, learning to drive, etc.,it’s important to remember that you’re still a kid. Socialize with peers outside of school at least once a week, even just hanging out with friends. After all, your teen years are often referred to as “the best years of your life, so make them count.”