As the new year approaches, many students begin to think about what they want to change, improve, or work toward. In a recent episode of the Countdown2College podcast, we interviewed Alex Juergens, EducationQuest scholarship and grants specialist, who shared thoughtful and realistic advice to help students retune their mindset and build lasting habits. Instead of pushing perfection, Alex emphasized balance, intention, and progress—ideas that can help make 2026 feel more manageable and meaningful.

Get a Fresh Start

While change can happen at any point, a new year naturally invites reflection. It’s a chance to look back on what went well, what was hard, and what you wish had gone differently. That reflection can help shape what you want moving forward. The key takeaway? You don’t need to wait for the “perfect” moment to start over, but the new year can be a helpful mental reset.

Rethink Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions often get a bad reputation, and for good reason. Many people set goals that are so big or unrealistic that they feel discouraged by February. Alex encourages students to focus on fewer goals and to be honest with themselves. A good resolution should feel both challenging and exciting. If a goal feels like something you should do rather than something you want to do, it might not stick.

Instead of measuring success as pass or fail, it can help to think of goals as intentions—something you’re working toward, not something that defines your worth.

Choose a Guiding Word

For students who don’t love making lists of goals, selecting a “word of the year” can be a powerful alternative. A word can act as a theme or guiding idea rather than a checklist. When making decisions, you can ask yourself whether your choices align with that word.

Finding your word can be as simple as browsing a list online or noticing a word or phrase that keeps showing up in your life. The goal isn’t to pick the “perfect” word, but one that feels meaningful and motivating to you.

Balance School and Personal Goals

It’s easy to focus only on grades, activities, and achievements, but Alex reminds students that they are people first. Academic success is important, but so too are mental health, rest, and joy. When setting goals, students should also consider what helps them feel fulfilled—whether that’s spending time with friends, getting enough sleep, or engaging in something they enjoy for its own sake.

Taking care of yourself isn’t a distraction from success. It often makes it easier to show up fully in school and other responsibilities.

Find Motivation

Inspiration doesn’t have to come solely from social media. Students can look to role models in their schools, communities, or families—people whose paths feel relatable and authentic. Talking with teachers, counselors, coaches, or mentors can also open the door to new perspectives and encouragement.

If social media is a source of inspiration, it’s okay to lean into that; just be mindful of who you follow and how their content affects you.

Build and Break Habits

Whether it’s cutting back on procrastination or starting a new habit, such as journaling or exercising, small steps matter; trying to quit a habit all at once often backfires. Instead, gradually limiting the habit can make change feel more achievable.

The same idea applies to building new habits. Even five minutes a day counts. Small, consistent actions add up over time and are often more effective than big changes that are hard to maintain.

Check In and Adjust

Goals don’t need to stay the same all year. Using tools like reminders, planners, or simple to-do lists can help you stay organized and adjust as needed. What matters most is finding a system you’ll use.

Discussing goals with a trusted friend or family member can also be beneficial. Accountability works best when it’s supportive, flexible, and free of judgment.

Learn from the Past

Not every year turns out the way we expect, and that’s okay. Alex encourages students to focus on what they learned rather than what went wrong. Some of the most important lessons come from challenging moments. Reflecting on those experiences can help you move forward with more confidence and clarity.

A new year isn’t about erasing the past; it’s about using it to grow!