In the Loop Newsletter
Jan 8, 2025
Dear Huskies,
Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope your holiday season was filled with joy, relaxation and memorable moments. We would love to hear about your adventures and how you spent your time.
People often reflect and set goals for听the听months ahead听at听the听beginning of听a听year.听A听common tradition听at听this time is crafting听a听New Year鈥檚 resolution 鈥� setting personal goals that focus听on听self-improvement that are motivated by听the听fresh start of听a听new year. Whether you are looking to excel academically, or to develop听a听new life skill such as learning how to drive or practicing meal-prepping regularly (check out听the听听and听), having clear and actionable plans can keep you motivated.
To help set meaningful resolutions, we encourage you to consider听. S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based 鈥� key elements that make your goals more attainable and actionable. Remember, setting听a听goal is just听the听beginning. Keeping track of your progress and adjusting as needed will help you stay听on听course.听The听following are some popular project management and planning tools that can keep you organized. This is not an exhaustive list. If you have any suggestions, please let us know!
- A weekly or monthly planner: If you prefer a classic and tangible way to organize your schedule, a planner can help you visualize your weeks and mark important dates. You can find them at the University bookstore or any local book retailers.
- : For those who prefer digital organization, Notion is a free and highly versatile application that allows you to plan and track everything from coursework to big purchases. It offers ready-to-use templates tailored to various needs, which you can browse within the app or download online.
- or : Ideal for project management, these platforms help you break larger goals into smaller tasks and deadlines. Both tools are user-friendly and offer free versions to help you stay organized.
If you are looking for more guidance and听a听community to create meaningful changes that sticks,听the听听organized by听the听WholeU runs from Jan. 13 (Monday) to Feb. 21 (Friday)听in听the听winter quarter. It is designed to help you thrive听in听areas including fitness, nutrition, connection, mental health and more.听.
As we set听the听tone for听the听new year, let鈥檚 also think about ways to contribute to听the听greater good. Martin Luther King Day falls听on听Jan. 20 this year. This is听a听day that honors听the听life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King,听a听leader听in听the听American civil rights movement who dedicated his life to justice, equity and community services. As international students, there are many ways to honor Dr. King鈥檚 legacy.听The听United Way of King County has compiled听a听list of听. There are also year-round projects that you can sign up for.听You can also attend lectures or discussions focused听on听civil rights and social justice or take听the听time to educate yourself about听the听roles Dr. King and many others played听in听advancing justice. Acts of kindness, however small, can have听a听rippling effect听in听fostering inclusivity around campus and society听at听large.
Now that classes are in session, please make sure to meet you as specified by ISS.
In 2024, CIRCLE supported record number of students and organized many memorable events. Check out our to learn more about what CIRCLE has achieved. In the year 2025, CIRCLE will continue to advocate, engage, and support you at UW. Feel free to visit us in 250 Schmitz Hall every Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm for office hours. Drop in and talk to a friend!