The start of spring semester might be the most exciting of them all, and for good reason. Spring semester signals the start of the New Year, a chance to start fresh. Forgotten is that 2.0 grade point average from last fall, this semester – you promise yourself – things will be different.

The arrival of spring classes, with the winter holidays not too far in our rearview mirror, brings with it hope – hope that things will be better this semester, that your grades will improve, that this year, for once, you might actually persist with that New Year’s resolution for more than a few weeks.

We’ve all seen it before; we resolve to study harder, to exercise more, to get more involved in extracurricular activities at school, only to succumb once more to the endless allure of hanging out with your friends, partying or convincing yourself that one more night eating cookies on the couch while watching your favorite show on television won’t hurt you.

The truth is, it shouldn’t be that hard to commit yourself to making your annual resolution a reality. All it takes is some careful planning and execution, and the following tips should help make it happen.

Step one is to set the right goals. Be specific and realistic in deciding what it is you want to improve about yourself. If your New Year resolution is to do better in school, set yourself a specific target you want to achieve, like “this semester I want to get a 3.0 GPA.” But make sure it’s realistic – if you’re a perennial ‘C’ student, don’t go shooting for a 4.0 straight out of the gates, you’ll only discourage yourself when you inevitably fall short. The best goals are those that are realistic enough for you to have hope of achieving them, but ambitious enough to challenge you to work harder.

The next thing you should do is to write it down. Putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards as is more often the case these days) is the perfect way to make yourself accountable for your goals. Writing down your goals and why you want to achieve them makes it real, and it helps keep you motivated if you can place them somewhere where you will see them every day. Sometimes when you are feeling discouraged, seeing your goals and motivation for achieving them can be just the confidence boost you need to get back to it.

Another great tip for success is to find a friend – or group of friends – with similar ambitions and to work together in achieving your goals. For those of you in the “I want to exercise more” club, finding a workout partner is the ideal motivator for you to not only get in the gym, but to have fun while doing it. Working out alone can be tedious and tiresome, but when you have a friend running by your side on the treadmill, or spotting you on the bench press while you max out, things not only become easier, but also more enjoyable.

Similarly, if you’re having trouble studying by yourself for a tough class, or you find yourself constantly distracted while working alone at home, a study buddy might be the best thing for you. Studying with a friend or as part of a study group can make it a lot easier to learn and certainly more enjoyable. But choose your study buddies wisely – just because you get along with someone doesn’t mean you are well equipped to study together. You may end up having too much fun, which will only distract you from your studies.

This is not to say you shouldn’t make time for your friends, in fact it may be just the thing you need to keep you motivated. Often you may find yourself getting bored or tired from studying too hard or working out too often, and it begins to feel like a chore. This is the perfect time to take a break from all your hard work, to treat yourself with a night out with friends, a weekend away, or by simply lounging in front of the TV (we’re all entitled to a little relaxation).

If, even after your time off, you’re still finding it hard to stay motivated, try adding some variety to your schedule. Sick of running on a treadmill and staring at the motionless confines of the Campus Center? How about going for a run around the beautiful UWG campus. Getting bored of sitting at your desk reading your notes over and over again? Take it outside, find a nice secluded area in the wintry sun and enjoy the natural ambience (your notes will most likely still bore you, but at least the atmosphere is a little more enticing).

Finally, make sure you have some way of rewarding yourself for your hard work and persistence. If your striving for that 3.0 GPA, then every time you get 80% or better on a quiz or an exam, go buy yourself something nice. If you get a 70%, no reward for you, and you better get back to hitting the books.

Same deal with working out – whether your trying to shed some pounds, or building those muscles in preparation for spring break – if you’ve been exercising regularly for a couple of weeks and you’re seeing the results, then treat yourself to something you’ll enjoy.

Above all else, have a good time doing it. New Year’s resolutions are not just about improving you; they’re about committing to something meaningful and achieving it. Seek progress, not perfection, and make this spring semester your best yet.