A Fresh Start

We have all heard about the promises people make when the new year comes around. “I promise to stop eating junk food!” “I promise to do my homework when I am supposed to!” “I promise I won’t go out as much as I did last year!” Halfway through the year, these New Year’s resolutions are immediately left in the dust and forgotten.

Why does this happen? Well, possibly because of a lack of commitment. As you know, temptations are everywhere, and it’s hard to stick to a healthy diet when your parents bring home a Family Bucket from KFC.

Are there effective tips you need to help you stay focused? The YouthPaper takes a look.

You have to admit, as much as you love the delicious hotdog the snoopie sells every break time for N$12, maybe it’s time to start eating healthier. Swopping those delicious gummy bears and samoosas every day for apples and sandwiches brings about a ton of perks. Healthy foods provide the necessary nutrients for your body to function better, plus it could lower your risk of getting heart diseases and regulate your blood pressure too. Prepare your lunchbox the night before so that you don’t panic the next morning. Nobody likes to learn on a hungry stomach. And if you’ve been sticking to your food plan for a couple of months, sneak in a couple of treats like a bar of chocolate or a muffin!

Eventually you are going to do sports in your school career, especially when it comes to athletics. But what if you feel like you’re too unfit for it? Do not fear. Instead of heading off to the gym with your parents (because how awkward would that be?), you can try easier exercises at home. Try doing sit ups in your bedroom before and after school. If you’re not up for waking up early in the morning, take a walk around the neighbourhood in the afternoon with a friend when it’s not that hot. Not into weights? Replace them with telephone directories or bricks which are just as effective. Is there a playground near your house? Climb up that jungle gym! Swim a bit! Or play around with your hula hoop and compete with your friends. Do you live near school? Well, take a walk every once in a while and save your taxi money for something else.

Having your nose in the books for hours can get a little draining, but you can always make it a fun experience for yourself. Studying doesn’t have to be about cramming loads of information in your head five days before the exams. Make it fun! Make it interesting! Some people prefer studying while listening to soft, slow music. Using the rhythm of a song is a great way to remember what you have studied. Replace the lyrics with your notes and maybe you might sing your way to success! Do you prefer visual materials instead? Create a poster with funky designs to help you study. Flashcards are smaller versions of posters which also might help you, especially if they are fun, decorative and quirky. Are long bullet points a problem? Create mnemonics for yourself. For example, to remember Bracket, Of, Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction (which some of you may have encountered in Maths), minimise them to Bodmas as it is easier to remember.

Tired of always having no money to spend? Keep your pocket money for a rainy day. Don’t buy too many items at the tuckshop every day. By making your own meal the night before, you can save up on that N$20 and keep it for something useful. Are you constantly going to the salon to do your hair? Ask a friend to help you out once in a while and make you look extra pretty.

If you have a knack for cleaning the car better than the carwash does, ask you parents if you can do it for them (or any other chore that you wouldn’t normally do) to earn an extra N$20. Afraid of using the money? Get a piggybank and save your money there, or store it in a place where you won’t be able to access it that easily (a bank account would do).

Get yourself a debit card where you can deposit your money at the bank and withdraw it when you really need it. Some banks offer students the opportunity to open accounts and save with low interest rates.

It’s no crime to want to change bad habits you might have acquired over the years, so here are some more tips to start afresh this year:

• Make a goal to figure out how much you want to save and set up a budget for yourself.

• Don’t buy things you don’t need!

• Get a study buddy if you feel that you don’t study well alone.

• Limit your time on social media networks! Allow yourself certain amounts of time each day to check out what’s happening.

• Set some secondary goals for yourself. Examples might be signing up to being a book room prefect or trying your hand at high jump for the first time this year.