As Highline opens up its doors to 2025, its students are primed to take on the next chapter of their education with the kind of vigor you’d normally find with elite sports teams or characters from the Avengers. Superheroes are not the only ones with academic, social, and personal excellence, however; for that, you don’t have to look further than Highline’s own campus.

“I always feel like January is a time to reset,” says Dilornie Muliaganotoa, a student in the Running Start program at Highline. “I use this time to reset and push myself even harder, it’s a new year and a new quarter so it’s like a second chance to do everything better than I did before.”

Making sure one is headed in the right direction and continuously making progress during the quarter can occur by setting specific, reachable academic goals. Time management is a crucial tool that cannot be ignored if you want to succeed in the coming year.

A study schedule that is broken into modules or manageable tasks can create a thinking pattern that will help students stay on track as well as remind them of the progress of the assigned tasks. Using planners such as Google Calendar or Notion are some common tools that can be used and to help with time management. 

Personal planning is another key aspect of school that should not be neglected; however, it’s also vital that students seek the many academic resources that are available on campus. 

Highline College also offers well-designed support systems such as tutoring, writing workshops, and study groups, which boost that illustrious and coveted student excellence. Getting easily involved in class is also a component of what one will display when they become successful.  

The new year should be a poignant reminder for students to prioritize their mental health because of the very anxiety that typically marks the early semester session. On the other hand, a student who is healthy mentally and physically improves their chances of making it. 

The Counseling Services office is available in Building 6 if students need a hand dealing with the pressure of life or school. Through individual and collective therapy programs, such as stress management and resilience uncovering, students are given necessary support. 

To better understand how students can make the most of their winter quarter and ensure they stay on track, we spoke with Maria Reyes, an academic advisor here at Highline College. She shared valuable advice and tips about how students can overcome challenges, utilize advising, and take advantage of campus resources to achieve their goals this quarter.

“One of the most common challenges students face is not being aware of deadlines,” explains Reyes. Many students underestimate how quickly time could progress and could easily fall behind. Staying on top of deadlines is important for success, and it’s important to use tools like reading through a class syllabus or planners to stay organized.

She goes on to explain that academic advising is a valuable tool a student here at Highline College can make use of. “Advising ensures that students are on track with their academic needs and requirements,” she says. Academic advisors are able to help you map out academic plans, and give you further knowledge of requirements and transferring credits to a different school.

Reyes also suggests many other resources like the TRiO Program that offers support for first-generation students, low-income, students with disabilities, and students who are unfamiliar with the college system. 

Highline’s student organizations such as the Mental Health Awareness Club give students the chance to meet others and spend meaningful time together through social interaction while relaying support to one another.

The beginning of the quarter is a very good time to connect with your classmates and peers who can make college life even better. Joining a club or student organization is one of the possible ways to get in touch with others. Highline College has a variety of student groups available, including academic clubs and cultural and social organizations. 

Membership in a club is not only the creation of a culture but also a chance for students to pick up leadership skills and mingle with people having common goals. Attending campus events such as student fairs, guest speakers, or cultural celebrations is another great way to meet people and get involved in campus life. 

Joint ventures in the classroom also give students the chance to connect with each other, discuss ideas, and develop teamwork skills. These encounters not only increase the procured academic credit but also help students form strong bonds and associations that last over time.

Balancing studies, social life and physical health is quite crucial since total burnout or breakdown is counterproductive and may harm academic goals in the end. Effective time management and energy conservation entails putting up some barriers. One of the lessons that has to be acquired is learning how to refuse when one is overloaded with commitments for one’s own good. 

Completing all important tasks and making sure that the student has enough time for leisure is one way of preventing student burnout. Another aspect of health is physical activity. Whether it is hiking, weight lifting, yoga, or even a regular 30 minute walk in a park, it has mental and physical benefits. 

Since most human body functioning depends on the amount of sleep one gets, this aspect should never be overlooked. Getting enough sleep helps in concentration, memory, and results in better performance in class work. Students should make sure that they get enough sleep to be able to contain their energy for the entire quarter.

The beginning of a year has always been a great opportunity for the students of Highline College to get ahead. 2025 is a brand new start to get on top of grades and prioritize health. If students possess the appropriate mindset, strategies, and resources, they can make this quarter their best one so far.

Whether you find yourself concentrating on schoolwork, friendship, or mental well-being, always remember that the road to success consists of a single step and indeed, a step that you don’t have to take alone.