10 New Year's Resolutions for an Economics Student

Now it's time to start looking ahead to the new year and thinking about what you want to achieve. For economics students, we've got suggestions for 10 new year's resolutions which will help to make your studies more engaging, less stressful, and more rewarding.

1. I will try to stay up to date on world politics and the effect it has on global economics.

Economics in the real world is intricately connected to politics, international relations, and sociology. To be the best economics student, you need to stay updated on global political events, so make a point of regularly reading newspapers, websites, or magazines.

2. I will read up on related fields like finance, business, and psychology.

Keep expanding your mind and learning more from fields which are related to economics. It is both interesting and valuable to understand how one discipline affects work in another.

3. I will think about the transferable skills I am learning and identify areas where I need to learn more.

When it comes to career success, it's not just good grades that you need to consider. Think about what jobs you'd like to do in the futue, and what skills you would need for them. Then consider the skills you're learning (like programming, presentation, writing, and so on) and which skills you still need to work on.

4. I will work on my mathematical and data analysis skills.

Talking of skills, remember that data analysis is an important part of economics which students often struggle with. Especially if you're not terribly mathematically inclined, put aside some time to work on your data analysis so you can approach this area of your studies with more confidence.

5. I will start looking for internships or jobs as soon as possible.

If you need to complete an internship as part of your degree, or if you're nearing the end of your studies and are thinking about your next steps, then it will help to get started hunting for positions early. Internships can be filled as early as 6 months before they start, so if you need to land a position then the sooner you start looking, the better.

6. I will arrive on time to all my classes, and I will listen attentively during class.

Not only is this polite to your lecturers and fellow students, but it will also be good practice for the working world where you'll need to be on time.

7. I will participate in debates and discussions within classes and outside of them, and I will seriously consider opposing viewpoints.

When you first start debating in class it can seem like the point is to “win” - to show that you're right and to persuade other people. But in fact you can learn even more from discussions but really trying to listen to and understand opposing view points.

8. I will plan out my assignments in advance and hand them in on time.

Everyone finds it stressful to have to complete essays or to take written exams, but you can make the experience easier for yourself if you start preparing in plenty of time. Give yourself a month to work on your essay or exam revision and you'll learn more and feel less stressed than if you leave it until the last minute.

9. I will attend a conference, workshop, or public lecture in my field.

One of the best ways to hear about the latest work in your field and to meet other academics is to attend events like conferences, workshops, or lectures, so don't miss out on these opportunities.

10. I will look for grants or scholarships which I could apply for, for added financial security and as a boost for my CV.

It's always helpful to have more sources of funding, and being awarded a grant or scholarship will make you stand out when applying for jobs or further study.