2024 was a wild ride. I’m not sure if it was the stars and planets having a cosmic meltdown, but last year was an unprecedented rollercoaster – from rushing to uni through Downing Tunnel, to haphazard notes and a million-and-one Chrome tabs (seriously, I’m convinced closing them is the highlight of my life). Now that things are slowing down again, let’s take January as a time for reflection.  

That being said, resolutions are overrated (yes, I might’ve click baited you). “Don’t set goals, set systems” is a quote that’s been etched into my brain from a YouTube video I watched once 4 years ago. Because no matter how much effort you invest, there’s no guarantee that you can land that dream job, that HD, or that super-competitive program placement. Those are uncontrollable external loci. What we really need are internal measures – things we can control. Enter: systems. 

 Let’s dive into the 10 systems I’m setting up this year to keep this little factory of mine (aka my life and happiness) running smoothly, as I juggle uni, work, hobbies, and trying to be an adult in 2025:  

Do it for you, not for ‘should’

I’m the type of person who can intuitively dive into things because they just feel right. But I’ve caught myself overcompensating at times, feeling like I need to prove that I can commit and stick to things, even when they’re not the right fit.  

The era of sticking to one life or career path forever is over. On average, people change careers 5 times throughout their life. If fashion design sparks your interest, go for it. If you’re feeling burnt out and need a break from uni, take it. Need more time on an assignment? Don’t hesitate, contact UTS Accessibility. Anxious about your future? Head over to UTS Careers. 

Bottom line: If it’s not a “hell yes!”, it’s a “hell no!”. Learn to say no so you can say yes to what truly matters. If you don’t give yourself permission to pursue your own agenda, the world will impose its own on you. That’s when you’ll find yourself staring out of a rainy train window, feeling drained, like you’re the MC in a JoJo music video. 

Use and rely on tools to get organised 

Keep on top of assignments, work, and life tasks by leveraging tools. Here’s how I’m getting organised: 

• Outlook calendar: I used to swear by paper planners, but Outlook is my new best friend. It syncs across all devices, sends reminders, and lets me organise my work, school, and personal life all in one place. 

• Canvas: Bookmark it. Check it often. Canvas is life.  

• My Student Admin: Manage course enrollments, withdrawals, grades, and graduation info. 

• myTimetable: Track your classes and download to iCal to sync with your Outlook calendar. 

• UTS Library: The APA 7 referencing guide has saved my life too many times to count. And the website has citing shortcuts, journal articles, books, and even free resources like LinkedIn Learning, Informit EduTV and Kanopy.  

• UTS CareerHub: Access job boards, career events, workshops, and advice. And even sync your booked events to your Outlook and get application reminders on jobs you’ve saved. 

• UTS Faculty Career Hub: Yes, this is different from the general CareerHub. It’s faculty specific, with industry tailored resources. 

• Recall: It’s an amazing free AI tool I discovered a few months ago that summarizes texts and journal articles for you, so you can focus on learning efficiently. 

• ChatGPT and Copilot: Our collective soulmates. Break that writer’s anxiety, lean up your typo-ridden notes, and cut your creation process time in half. 

• Get a “second brain”: Our brains can only handle so much. To prioritise learning and thinking, we need to offload mental clutter. Use a Moleskine, the Notes app, or whatever you prefer to store ideas and tasks, freeing up your mind for active thinking (like focusing on that lecture recording). 

Roast your resume

Bondi, bikinis, white sand, and gleaming waters sound amazing, but future you will be smirking like Mr. Burns when you can apply for that role closing in an hour. Get ahead with the UTS CareerHub checklist. Some points are: 

• Tailor different resumes for different roles (e.g., hospitality, retail, admin, internships). 

• Use RateMyResume for instant digital feedback. 

Develop your personal pitch

How many times have you fumbled through a sentence explaining what you do, what you’re studying, or what job you have?  

Instead of: “I study journalism, write news, and make videos,” try: 

“I’m studying communications with a focus on journalism, and digital and social media. I’ve covered stories like Yang Hengjun’s disappearance, written a think piece on the Lehrmann case, and documented Cessnock High’s rise to academic success. These experiences have honed my skills in writing, speaking, and critical thinking, and I’m eager to apply them to contribute to your company’s success.” 

When the employer asks, “Tell me about yourself?” you’ll be ready. Practise with a friend and watch their eyes light up!  

Go to networking events

Think SEEK is the go-to for jobs? Think again—80% aren’t even advertised. Networking is key. You’ll connect with everyone from potential project partners to quirky peers who know of interesting job vacancies. UTS Careers’ Career Consultant, Candy Jenkins, shares some pro tips. Here are some I’ll keep in mind: 

• research who to prioritise connecting with 

• set a goal for how many people to talk to 

• prepare one personal and one professional question to ask 

• don’t pretend to like tennis if you don’t like tennis 

• know when and how to ask for contacts (LinkedIn, please!). 

Find a professional mentor

You think you’re fine until you’re not. That’s where a mentor steps in, offering guidance, trusted advice, and a space to bounce your ideas. They can also keep you in the loop with industry trends, giving you practical insights you won’t find in the classroom, which can help you stay ahead.  

Check out the UTS Professional Mentoring Platform, where you can choose from hundreds of industry pros (even UTS alumni) to be your mentor. Whether it’s a quick chat or a long-term connection, the choice is yours. 

Become an interviewing weapon

Recruiters can tell when you haven’t practised your interview skills. So, practise with a mentor or friend. While you’ve probably heard these tips before, they’re worth repeating: 

• Develop your personal pitch. 

• Research the company: Don’t just skim their website. Dig into their strategic plans, values, and recent projects. When you drop some knowledge about them, they’ll be impressed by how much you’ve stalk… I mean researched! 

• Anticipate behavioral questions: Prepare STAR answers for common hypothetical questions. 

• Have questions for the interviewer: Asking questions shows you’re engaged. Skip salary or leave policy, and focus on things like company culture, the role’s challenges, or how they see recent projects or their strategic plan unfolding, and how you fit into that. 

• Plan your wardrobe: Stay sharp and have 2 outfit options ready, just in case. 

Learn something new

Try UTS Open and LinkedIn Learning to upskill for FREE. Attain workshop insights, badges, credentials, micro-credentials and level up during your degree. 

Make connections

You know the deal: friends = joy, friends = networks/jobs opportunities, friends = a better social life, friends = fewer mental breakdowns. Join ActivateUTS uni societies, clubs, or befriend that cool kid in your tutorial (or maybe that annoying know-it-all who is actually really nice (hi, it’s me)). Set a goal to connect with at least one peer in class this next session. 

Look after yourself

UTS Counselling offers free and confidential services, UTS Accessibility helps with those extensions and support requirements, and UTS HELPS can be your online or in-person academic supporter. 

Let’s make 2025 a year focused on being aligned, not big (because we all know burnout is real). Let it be intuitive, centered, and just outside your comfort zone, but perfectly true to YOU. Ready to jump in? Start with UTS CareerHub—your one-stop shop for bookable appointments, resources, events, and step-by-step guides. 

Featured image courtesy of Pexels