This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UGA chapter.
It’s the same old story every year: new year, new you. But how many collegiettes can honestly say that they’ve stuck to the resolutions that they make at the beginning of each year? Keeping those pesky promises can be tough, but certain methods can make all the difference.
- Visualize: Whether your resolution is academic or social, choose a photo that inspires you. Visualize how your resolutions will help you achieve larger goals: Will getting better grades increase your chances of getting into your dream graduate school? Will being more outgoing help you obtain a position of leadership in a certain organization? Think about real, tangible rewards that you will eventually acquire from your new year’s resolutions and find a photo or design that represents that reward. Keep it somewhere where you’ll be sure to see it every day.
- Plan ahead: Keeping a resolution requires planning. Many people welcome the new year by celebrating with close friends or loved ones. To keep these relationships as strong and lively as they were as the New York City ball dropped in Times Square, some people resolve to make more time for their friends or family members. Take some time at the beginning of the semester to figure out when you’re both free, and use that time to do something with each other on a regular basis, like a daily jog, weekly study session, or having a meal together once in a while. If your resolution is more personal, like going to the gym more, write out a workout schedule NOW, while its fresh in your overall outlook for the year… The more detailed, the better!
- Be flexible: We all have our ups and downs. Certain resolutions are harder to keep than others: you may find that you don’t have as much time to work out as you thought you would, or an emergency might come up and you end up having to dip into your savings to travel home. Whatever the scenario is, don’t get discouraged. Plans change, and it’s okay to adjust your resolutions as the year goes on. One of the most important things to keep in mind is it’s never too early (or too late!) to make a New Year’s resolution!