--- title: How to Make This Your Best Year Yet description: With the start of a new school year comes the opportunity for a new beginning. Take a look at these tips to see how you can make this your best year yet! image: https://blog.jjc.edu/hubfs/bridge%20inside.jpg --- [Joliet Junior College Home Page ![Joliet Junior College Home Page](https://blog.jjc.edu/hubfs/RGB%20JJC%20Wolf%20Outline%202-Color%20Purple%20White.svg)](https://jjc.edu/) - [Apply Now](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/apply-now) - [My JJC](https://stujjc.sharepoint.com/) - [iCampus](https://icampus.instructure.com/) - [Technology Resources](https://www.jjc.edu/technology-resources) - [Giving](http://www.jjc.edu/giving) Open Search ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=224127874799132&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=224127874799132&ev=PageView%20&noscript=1) - [Getting Started](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started) - [Admissions](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions) - [Admitted Students](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/admitted-students) - [Pay for College](https://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/pay-college) - [Register for Courses](http://www.jjc.edu/getting-started/register-courses) - 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[Community](http://www.jjc.edu/community) - [Adult Education](https://jjc.edu/community/workforce-education-adult-ed-literacy) - [Continuing Education](https://www.jjc.edu/community/continuing-education) - [Facility Rentals](http://www.jjc.edu/community/facility-rentals) - [Small Business Services](https://jjc.edu/jjc-entrepreneur-business-center-getting-started) - [Vendors](http://www.jjc.edu/community/vendors) - [Workforce Development](http://www.jjc.edu/community/workforce-development) - [About JJC](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc) - [College Leadership](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/leadership) - [Inclusive Excellence & Advocacy](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/office-inclusive-excellence-and-advocacy) - [Employment](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/human-resources/jobs-careers) - [Freedom of Information](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/freedom-information-act) - [History](http://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/history) - [Institutional Effectiveness](http://jjc.edu/about-jjc/institutional-research-effectiveness) - [Locations](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/campus-locations) - [Places of Interest](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/places-interest) - [Police & Safety](https://www.jjc.edu/about-jjc/college-leadership/administration/finance-administrative-services/police-and-safety) - [Strategic Plan](https://jjc.edu/about-jjc/strategic-plan) - [Apply Now](https://jjc.edu/getting-started/admissions/apply-now) - [My JJC](https://stujjc.sharepoint.com/) - [iCampus](https://icampus.instructure.com/) - [Technology Resources](https://www.jjc.edu/technology-resources) - [Giving](http://www.jjc.edu/giving) Open Search # JJC Blog Learn more about student life and what you can accomplish at Joliet Junior College in our blog. # How to Make This Your Best Year Yet Posted by [Sam Sottosanto](https://blog.jjc.edu/author/sam-sottosanto) on Aug 19, 2019 8:08:00 AM ![Sam Sottosanto](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![How to Make This Your Best Year Yet](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/How%20to%20Make%20This%20Your%20Best%20Year%20Yet.jpg?width=600&name=How%20to%20Make%20This%20Your%20Best%20Year%20Yet.jpg) With the start of a new school year comes the opportunity for a new beginning. Are you ready for a new, transformative year? Take a look at a few tips below to see how you can make this your best year yet! **![positive mental attitude](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/positive%20mental%20attitude.gif?width=400&name=positive%20mental%20attitude.gif) 1. Be positive.** Studies suggest that positive thinking will not only boost your mood, but [it will also impact your work, your health and your life](https://jamesclear.com/positive-thinking). That's because when you have a positive attitude, you're likely to see more of what's possible (instead of just dismissing ideas all together).     **![new girl im in](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/new%20girl%20im%20in.gif?width=400&name=new%20girl%20im%20in.gif) 2. Get involved with student activities. ** Did you know that getting involved in extracurricular activities has been [proven to have a positive link](http://elearninginfographics.com/value-extracurricular-activities-infographic/) to student attendance, high GPA, and high test scores? Check out our [Office of Student Activities webpage](https://jjc.edu/campus-life/student-activities) to learn about how you can get involved - or stop by our Mainstreet event this September to meet with members of student clubs.   **![you got it dude full house gif](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/you%20got%20it%20dude%20full%20house%20gif.gif?width=400&name=you%20got%20it%20dude%20full%20house%20gif.gif) 3. Be proactive! Set yourself up for success by meeting with the right people.** Are you undecided? Set up an appointment with our [Career Services Center](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services). Think you'll need some extra help in your math class? Stop by the [Tutoring and Learning Center](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/tutoring-learning-center) to ask about meeting with a tutor. Want to strengthen your relationships with your professors? Find out when their office hours are. JJC offers plenty of resources to assist students - [check out our list of the 13 services you didn't know about here](https://blog.jjc.edu/13-services-jjc-offers-you-that-you-didnt-know-about).   **![thats amy](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/thats%20amy.gif?width=400&name=thats%20amy.gif) 4. Get to know yourself better.** Use the time in the beginning of the semester to understand yourself. Figure out how you like to work - are you a planner or do you prefer having your phone send reminders about your school projects? What is the best way to stay motivated - do you need to implement a reward system or are you better studying with friends? Also - don't be afraid to take classes in different areas! Experiment with your likes and dislikes. If you need help choosing a major, set up a meeting with the [Career Services Center](https://jjc.edu/student-resources/career-services).   **![bob ross happy accidents](https://blog.jjc.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/bob%20ross%20happy%20accidents.gif?width=400&name=bob%20ross%20happy%20accidents.gif) 5. Allow yourself to make mistakes.** It's inevitable that things will go wrong - but when they do, take a breath. Know that it's impossible to be perfect 100 percent of the time. In fact, making mistakes may actually help you do better in school - to learn more, [check out this interesting study](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180611133437.htm).    **Related Posts** [10 Motivators to Get You Through Second Semester](https://blog.jjc.edu/10-motivators-to-get-you-through-second-semester)[Mistakes To Avoid Your First Semester at College](https://blog.jjc.edu/mistakes-to-avoid-your-first-semester-at-college)[7 DIY Projects To Get You Ready for Fall Semester](https://blog.jjc.edu/7-diy-projects-to-get-you-ready-for-fall-semeste)[You're Graduating... Now What?](https://blog.jjc.edu/youre-graduating-now-what)[10 Famous JJC Alumni](https://blog.jjc.edu/10-famous-jjc-alumni) \*\*\* **Like this post? 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