Ten New Year’s Resolutions for Students

There’s no doubt that students are busy. With all they have going on, making ultra-ambitious New Year’s resolutions isn’t very practical and can add more pressure to an already stressful life. However, some simple, achievable resolutions can make a huge difference.

1. Create a study routine. Look at your weekly class schedule and block out homework/study time for each class – and then stick to your plan. Your school load will be much less stressful when you have a clear plan for studying rather than haphazardly squeezing homework in between other things that come up.

2. Get more sleep. No matter what you do there are bound to be some late nights, but sleep improves brain function so don’t skip too much! Most people need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. If you’re getting significantly less than that, resolve to go to bed earlier 3-4 times each week.

3. Do one service activity per month. Life is always richer when you focus on others. Commit to doing one service activity per month. This could be an all-day project or a simple random act of kindness, like surprising someone with their favorite latte. Once in awhile get your head out of the books and see how you can make a difference in the world around you!

4. Prioritize self-care activities that are truly refreshing. Time is limited. Leisure time is precious. Know what types of activities fill you up, and which ones deplete your energy. Spend your valuable down-time doing things that truly revive your spirit.

5. Read a book for pleasure. Nearly half of all college-aged Americans don’t read for pleasure. Pick up a book that’s not required for class and remember how wonderful it is to lose yourself in a story.

6. Save for next year’s tuition. Set a clear savings goal and work hard to achieve it! The more you pay for now, the less you’ll have to pay in loans later.

7. Make your bed every day. There’s something to be said for setting a goal and sticking to it. Even if you don’t make your bed until right before you crawl into it at night, you’re building a habit that will last a lifetime.

8. Read through the Bible. Improve your spiritual life by reading through the Bible in a year. If you don’t think the time required is achievable with your school schedule, there are reading plans and study books that walk you through the Bible without reading every word, so they take less time.

9. Ask for help early. Promise yourself that if you begin to struggle in a class, you’ll ask for help right away. Don’t wait until everything has gone off the rails. It’s easier to get back on track if you course-correct early.

10. Do career research activities. Start planning your future! Commit to doing a specific number of career research activities throughout the year. These could be job shadows, career research interviews, writing your resume, attending an interview workshop, or making an appointment with a career counselor. Don’t wait until graduation to figure out what you want to do next!