10 New Year’s Resolutions for Test Prep Students
January gives us a natural mid-year reset—one we don’t always take advantage of.
Students return from winter break ready to “do better,” “try harder,” “get organized,” or “raise my ACT® score.” And while those sentiments are valuable, motivation can fade fast without a plan.
If we help our students turn that spark into clear, defined goals, it can genuinely propel them forward—not just in test prep, but across their academics for the remainder of their school year.
The key is simple: a resolution only works when it becomes a plan. Our job is to help our students take their vague intentions and turn them into specific actions they can follow.
I’ll share with you a framework I like to use when setting my own goals, along with realistic and attainable resolution examples that you can implement in your prep sessions immediately.
Why New Year’s Goals Work (and why they usually fail)
New Year’s resolutions can be a powerful motivator because they give us a “fresh start” narrative. They make you feel like you’re stepping into a new version of yourself. But most resolutions fail for predictable reasons:
They’re too broad
They’re outcome-only
They don’t include a system
There’s no accountability
When we help our students set their goals, we can avoid those common goal-setting pitfalls by creating goals that are:
specific
measurable
small enough to start
structured enough to repeat
The Framework: Turn Resolutions Into a 3-Part Plan
Part 1: Start with one clear academic “why.”
Before you talk tactics, anchor the goal to something real:
“I want to qualify for merit scholarships.”
“I want to feel confident on test day.”
“I need a SAT® score that matches my college list.”
“I’m tired of feeling behind in math.”
This matters because motivation is not automatic. Students borrow confidence from clarity. Meaning: When students know exactly what to do next, they feel more confident, and they’re more likely to follow through.
Part 2: Convert Outcome Goals Into Behavior Goals
Setting a score goal is a great idea, but it’s not a daily action. So, maybe translate it like this:
Goal: Raise ACT® Math by 4 points
Action: Complete two targeted math sets per week and review every missed question
When students commit to the action, the raised score becomes the byproduct.
Part 3: Build Accountability Into Your Sessions
Accountability needs to be consistent. Try this:
Start each session with a 2-minute check-in:
“What have you done since our last session?”
“What got in the way?”
“What’s the next small step?”
Track one visible metric (even a simple weekly checklist).
Adjust quickly so the problem areas don’t snowball.
If you tutor students who struggle with follow-through, a structure-first approach matters even more. (This is especially true for students with ADHD, where “make goals visible and measurable” is often the difference between planning and progress.)
10 Attainable New Year’s Resolution Examples for Test Prep
Below are ten examples of attainable prep goals that, with a solid plan, can make a huge academic impact.
Resolution #1: “I’m going to stop cramming and start studying in a way that sticks.”
This is one of the best resolutions a student can make. Cramming creates the illusion of progress and then collapses under real test conditions. Read: Why Cramming for the SAT® and ACT® Doesn’t Work.
Make it actionable:
“I’ll do 20–30 minutes of prep, 3x per week.”
“I’ll review mistakes the same day I make them.”
“I’ll use spaced repetition instead of re-reading.”
Tutor support:
Build a rotating weekly plan (skill focus + review focus).
Teach an error-log routine (i.e., what happened, why, what to do next time).
Use proven effective study strategies, such as spaced repetition and interleaving, as the backbone of the prep plan.
Resolution #2: “I’m going to get organized, so I stop falling behind.”
Students often think organization is separate from test prep. It’s not. A student who can’t track deadlines, test dates, and tasks will struggle to follow a prep plan consistently.
Make it actionable:
“All assignments and test prep go into one planner/calendar.”
“I’ll do a 10-minute Sunday reset to plan the week.”
“I’ll check my upcoming deadlines/test dates/tasks daily.”
Tutor support:
Begin each session by reviewing the student’s weekly schedule.
Help them identify the two most realistic study windows.
Tie organization back to performance (i.e., less stress, fewer missed sessions, better consistency).
Time management strategies are the most useful anchor for achieving this goal. Read: 8 Effective Time Management Strategies for College-Bound Students.
Resolution #3: “I’m going to stop procrastinating and start earlier.”
Procrastination is rarely “laziness.” It’s usually the effect of overwhelm, unclear steps, or perfectionism.
Make it actionable:
“I’ll start with a 10-minute ‘starter task’ instead of waiting for motivation.”
“I’ll set a timer and do one short round, then decide if I continue.”
“I’m going to begin, even if that means I make a mistake.”
Tutor support:
Break assignments into micro-steps that the student can begin quickly.
Use time-blocking and prioritization as recurring routines.
Normalize “starting messy” and making mistakes as part of learning.
If you want a supporting resource on this topic, read: Procrastination and Test Prep: How to Support Even Your Most Sluggish Clients.
Resolution #4: “I’m going to raise my test score, but I want a plan I can actually follow.”
This is where tutors shine. Students don’t need more pressure. They need a roadmap.
Make it actionable:
“We’ll set a baseline score, then pick two target areas.”
“I’ll complete one targeted set between sessions.”
“I’ll do one timed section every other week.”
Tutor support:
Start with diagnostics and trend analysis.
Build a short-cycle plan: skill → practice → review → repeat.
Use mini benchmarks (e.g., 2-week goals), so progress stays visible.
Read: How to Raise Students' Test Scores Between Tutoring Sessions and Helping Students Who Haven’t Hit Their Target ACT® Score Goal (Yet!).
Resolution #5: “I’m going to improve my note-taking and study habits.”
Students often treat study skills as optional, but these are the habits that raise scores and improve retention.
Make it actionable:
“I’ll use one consistent note-taking method in every subject.”
“I’ll rewrite or summarize notes once per week as a review.”
“I’ll make my study sessions active (i.e., practice, not re-reading).”
Tutor support:
Teach one note-taking method (e.g., Cornell, outlining, charting) and stick with it long enough to work.
Pair note-taking with retrieval practice (e.g., quick quizzes, verbal summaries).
Show students how to turn class notes into test-prep assets.
Read: Poor Study Habits & How to Fix Them Immediately: A Guide for Test-Prep Tutors.
Resolution #6: “I’m going to increase my speed—without rushing.”
Speed is one of the most common student goals, and it’s usually the wrong starting point.
If speed is a goal, it can only effectively be improved through:
Familiarity
Skill Mastery
Repetition (under realistic circumstances)
Make it actionable:
“I’ll begin with low-pressure practice, then increase the time pressure step by step until I can perform under real test timing.”
“I’ll learn one timing strategy per section and rehearse it.”
Tutor support:
Diagnose whether speed issues are content gaps or strategy gaps.
Use targeted drills to build automaticity.
Teach students to recognize “time traps” and move on.
Practice untimed → lightly timed → fully timed.
Resolution #7: “I’m going to build stamina so I don’t burn out mid-test.”
Test stamina is trainable—and it’s often neglected until the last month.
Make it actionable:
“I’ll complete one longer set weekly (45–60 minutes).”
“I’ll do at least one full-length practice test per month (or per phase).”
Tutor support:
Build stamina gradually (don’t jump straight to full tests every weekend).
Debrief stamina like a skill: when did focus drop, and why?
Advise how to pair stamina with recovery routines (e.g., sleep, nutrition, breaks).
Read: How High School Students Can Build Stress-Resilience for College Success.
Resolution #8: “I’m going to close my biggest content gaps.”
This resolution only works if the student can identify the gap(s).
Make it actionable:
“I’ll master 2–3 micro-skills per month.”
“I’ll redo missed question types until I’m consistent.”
Tutor support:
Use a skill map (not just “math” or “grammar”).
Teach students how to learn, not just how to answer.
Keep the goal small enough that wins happen quickly (small victories make a big impact in building confidence!)
Read: How to Identify and Fill Knowledge Gaps During Tutoring Sessions.
Resolution #9: “I’m going to take more ownership of my prep.”
This is a big shift for many students, especially those who are in test prep because their parents pushed for it. But it’s also one of the most important goals for long-term growth, particularly for juniors and seniors.
Make it actionable:
“I’ll put in the work between and during each session because I want to achieve my academic goals.”
“I’ll come to each session with questions and at least one reflection.”
“I’ll track my mistakes and patterns, so I can learn from them.”
Tutor support:
Require a simple weekly reflection: what improved, what didn’t, and why.
Encourage accountability and ownership by creating—and adjusting—the prep plan with your student.
Rotate leadership: the student explains the strategy back to you.
Resolution #10: “I’m going to make test prep part of my routine, not a panic project.”
This is the resolution that prevents burnout—especially with spring around the bend.
Make it actionable:
“I’ll schedule my prep work for the same days each week as part of my weekly schedule.”
“I’ll set a default schedule and adjust when needed.”
Tutor support:
Build a realistic cadence to their prep time that fits their sports, homework, and family schedules.
Practice consistency over intensity.
Remind your students: the goal is progress, not perfection.
Turn Motivation into Momentum
I’ll say it plainly: setting clear, defined goals can kick-start student progress in a way that carries through the rest of the school year. The motivation spike matters—but only if we use it wisely.
As tutors, we’re in the best position to make our clients’ resolutions realistic. We can translate their big hopes into small actions, create accountability without shame, and help our students reach their academic goals.
And that’s what students actually need in January: not a bigger dream, but a solid plan.
At Clear Choice, we provide a structure that makes goal-setting work: diagnostics that pinpoint what to focus on, skill-based lessons, and ready-to-use practice + review workflows that keep students moving forward week after week.
Want support building goal-driven prep plans your students will actually follow?