Read time: 5 minutes
New years’ resolutions...they're like the chores we think we’re going to do but never do.
Every January 1st we convince ourselves that next year is when we’ll finally going to... Get organized. Eat healthy. Finish that education goal.
But here is the truth: January 1st is just a date on a calendar. It holds no special power to change your habits or your circumstances.
In truth, waiting until January usually has the opposite effect. It builds a mountain of pressure that is impossible to sustain long-term. Those who wait until January 1st to begin their goals, often fizzle out within a month. In fact, most people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by January 19th (Strava).
This year, you can be different. Instead of waiting for that confetti filled ball to drop, you can start now. Yes, right now.
If you have been thinking about going back to school to finish your diploma, enrolling in an online program like Smart Schools before the holidays isn't just "getting ahead,” it’s a psychological hack that can virtually guarantee your success in 2026.
Here is why your future self will thank you for starting today.
1. You will Escape the "January Trap"
The desire to start fresh is the reason gyms are always packed the first week of January but nearly empty by February. We love the idea of a clean slate, so we delay our goals until a "perfect" start date not realizing the “perfect” time to start is now.
The problem? When you wait until January to start, you’re piling all the stress of new beginnings onto a single day. You have to research schools, fill out forms, find transcripts, and figure out tuition—all while coming down from the holiday season. It's overwhelming.
By enrolling in November or December, you lower the pressure. You can get the application, the orientation, and the setup out of the way.
When January 1st arrives, while everyone else is scrambling just to find the starting line, you’re already running the race. You wake up on New Year’s Day not with a "to-do" list, but with a "done" list.
2. You Self-Identity will Shift
There is a powerful behavioral science concept called pre-commitment. It is the idea that we are more likely to follow through on a hard task if we lock ourselves into it beforehand.
When you enroll in Smart Schools now, you’re making a pact with yourself. You’re telling your brain, "I am a student." Even if you only complete one assignment before the year ends, you have shifted your identity.
When you submit that first assignment, you go from being someone who wants to finish high school and become someone who is finishing high school.
That shift in identity is so crucial. It protects you from the doubts that inevitably creep in during the holiday season. You won't spend need to spend more time worrying if you're smart enough to go back, because you’ll already be enrolled. You’ll have an advisor. You’ll have a plan. Plus, once you start, it only gets easier to keep going.
3. You Can Take Advantage of Flexible Enrollment
Traditional schools operate on specific dates. If you miss the September enrollment, you may have to wait until January, for example. That waiting period is where dreams go to die.
Smart Schools USA is different. It was built specifically for adults over 22 who have lives, jobs, and families. Here’s how this program fits you:
No Semesters: You can enroll on a Tuesday in November just as easily as a Monday in September.
Flexible Pace: Worried about the holiday rush? You can enroll now to lock in your spot and get your transcripts evaluated, then move at a slower pace until the holidays pass.
Adult-Focused: This isn’t a classroom full of teenagers. This is a program designed for you—accredited, online, and respectful of your time.
4. Starting Right Now Ignites Momentum
Motivation is a feeling; momentum is a force. Motivation comes and goes depending on your mood or how tired you’re after work. Momentum, however, carries you forward even when you’re tired.
Starting now builds momentum. Even if you just log in for 20 minutes a day, you’re building the habit of studying. You’re learning how to navigate the online portal. You’re connecting with your academic mentor.
By the time 2026 hits, the awkward "new student" phase will be over. You will already be in your groove. While others are struggling to figure out their login passwords in mid-January, you could be finishing your first course.
5. Get Bragging Rights at the Holiday Table
The holidays can be difficult when you feel like you aren't where you want to be in life. Family gatherings often come with well-meaning but annoying questions: "So, what are you up to these days?" or "What are your plans for next year?"
Imagine the difference in your confidence if you can answer those questions with, "Actually, I just enrolled in school to finish my diploma."
That sentence changes the energy of the conversation. It changes how others see you, but more importantly, it changes how you see yourself. You're not just talking about it anymore. You’re doing it.
6. There isn’t a "Perfect" Time
Don’t wait for the perfect time, there will never be a perfect time to go back to school. There will always be something to clean, a bill to pay, errands to run, or a family thing to take care of. Waiting for things to calm down is a trap.
Your 2026 self is depending on you to make a move today. Don't leave yourself with a mountain to climb in January. Give yourself a head start.
If you still need your high school diploma, Smart Schools can help you. Fill out the form, talk to an advisor, and secure your spot today. Let this be the year you stop planning to finish high school and actually start finishing it.
How to Get Started
Ready to earn your high school diploma? Find out how Smart Schools can help you accomplish your goal and learn more about our free tutoring, academic advising, and flexible learning options. You can achieve your dreams and build a brighter future with the proper support.