5 New Year’s Resolutions for PR Students

​DISCLAIMER: No need to keep scrolling! These resolutions do not include going to the gym. 

We are well into the new year, which means New Year's resolutions are back in full swing. I am not usually one to stick to resolutions, but hey, let’s keep the consistency going and try again! This new year should be dedicated to developing our professional selves and preparing for a career in public relations. If you want to be a better PR professional than you were last year, then read on!
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​1. Become more organized than ever before. We are PR majors- we can never be TOO organized.
I am sure you have heard this before, but writing down all of your tasks has to be one of the best ways to successfully complete all of your daily duties. If you have tried this before with no success, try this other helpful technique. Find a planner that fits with your personality. Maybe it has a cool cover or just enough lines to fit all of your responsibilities. If planners are not your go-to recorder, then try out a white board or strategically placed post-it note reminders around your room

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​2. Put yourself out there. Do something that will make you stand out.
As PR majors, we are all overachievers and have plenty of extracurricular activities on our resumes to make us great candidates for jobs in the field. So, what do you do if you have already gone that extra mile? Go even further. Create a video blog, help promote a new restaurant in town, do something that others haven’t! A great way to look for ideas is to ask yourself, “Who do I look up to for inspiration?” Then, take a look at what they may have done to get themselves above the rest.

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​3. Add the word “no” to your vocabulary.
Like I mentioned, PR students usually have way too much on their plate, which stems from our willingness to take on everything that comes our way. Although it may seem like the best option to take on that third or fourth activity, think about how it might affect your other activities you partake in. It is better to give your all in a few activities, than give half of your potential across four or five. If you are one to take on everything that comes your way, then check out this study tip:

​4. Learn new de-stress techniques. 
A year without stress is a year with no challenges or obstacles. Find techniques that will help you in those times. There are plenty of yoga exercises and breathing techniques that have circled the internet, but sometimes being calm is not what works for us. Try putting on some headphones and blasting music, or find a sweet treat to reward yourself. We all are programmed in different ways, so if you have not found your go-to stress reliever, start looking for things that you enjoy!

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​5. Anticipate your future career in PR. 
As a senior, I know all too well how fast the time goes by in college. Before you know it, you are in your last semester and in the process of applying to jobs. Ask yourself, what do I want to do out of college? What exactly does a PR professional do? What is the work culture like in a PR agency? Familiarizing yourself with this information will help you prepare, or at least get your brain thinking about life after college. 

​Let 2017 be YOUR year. Which resolution will you take a shot at?


Written by Heather Tidwell