If you’re anything like us, establishing New Year’s resolutions can feel like you’re setting yourself up for failure. Are you going to go to the gym every day of 2014? Probably not. Are you going to forsake chocolate for the next 365 days? Yeah, right! If you’re looking for some more manageable goals for the upcoming year, here is a list of 17 ways to make 2014 your best year yet. It’s all about the baby steps!
1. Hit the Gym at Least Once a Week
This resolution gets a lot of heat for being one of the most commonly abandoned hopes for the coming year. That doesn’t mean you can’t do your part to stay healthy! Working out even one day a week is better than none, so get off the couch and get on your feet. Try going to a spinning or yoga class once a week with your friends. You can keep each other motivated!
2. Eat Healthier
You don’t have to spend your year knocking back wheatgrass smoothies to have a healthier 2014. Start with baby steps and skip your late-night Domino’s order. We know, your regularly delivery guy will miss you too, but he’ll be okay.
3. Mind Your Money
Keep the online shopping and coffee runs to a minimum this year and indulge in more valuable experiences like dinner with friends or a night on the town. You’ll be surprised how many fun things you can do with a little extra money in your pocket.
4. Drink Less Alcohol
Save some money at the bars and stick to just one or two drinks a night. It can be surprisingly fun to be one of the more sober girls at the party so you can have a night you won’t forget or regret!
5. Take More “Me” Time
In college, you spend your time constantly surrounded by your peers. As fun as this can be, it’s important to save some time for yourself. Go get a pedicure or hit the gym solo! A little alone time can go a long way in eliminating the stress in your life!
6. Boost Your GPA
We’ve all had trouble getting out of bed for our 8 a.m.s, but make the effort not to skip any classes and you’ll see the reward in your final grade. Study hard and seek help when you need it. Don’t be a stranger to your professor’s office hours!
7. Procrastinate Less
GET. IT. DONE. As much as it stinks to study when you could be watching Netflix, get your work done early and your nights will be open to endless possibilities.
8. Get Over Your Ex
You have no idea what you’re missing out on while you’re pining for your ex, so 2014 is the year to cut ties and embrace single life. If it’s meant to be, it will be!
9. Be More Positive
A positive attitude can put your dreams into motion! You’d be surprised what you can accomplish with a smile and a “can-do” attitude!
10. Keep Your Room/House/Apartment Neater
It’s okay for your closet to occasionally look like it threw up, but keeping your room tidy will make your life so much easier! Your room will instantly feel bigger, brighter and better, and your roommate will thank you. No more digging through piles of clothes for the shirt you thought you saw last week.
11. Be More Outgoing
Ever had the crush (or friend crush) you were too afraid to act on? He or she could be crushing on you too! Make a move, be friendly and be outgoing. You’ll be surprised how many new friends you’ll make.
12. Make More Friends
Get off the couch! Get excited about going out and introduce yourself to everyone you can. You can never have too many friends!
13. Sleep More
Save your Netflix binges for the weekends and get some sleep during the week. With the extra energy, you’ll be able to hit the gym and the books harder than ever.
14. Be More Mindful of Your Social Media Accounts
College is your last stop before the real world, so keep that in mind when you post drunken party pictures on Facebook. Your Internet activity will follow you into adulthood, and you may not want your partying reputation to precede you at your next job interview.
15. Stress Less
Will your future husband love you less for failing a test? NO! Are little things worth fighting over? NO! Do your best to control the things you can, but life is too short to hold grudges and live in the past. You’ll save yourself some frown lines and sleepless nights if you just learn to let it go.
16. Cut the Caffeine
It’s time to break the addiction. Wean yourself off of coffee and soda and you can say goodbye to caffeine-deprivation headaches for good.
17. Stop Binge Watching TV
Break the endless cycle and fight the instant play. TV binges certainly have their place in college, but don’t let your relationship with your laptop keep you from living in the real world.
Make some little changes in your life for 2014 and you’ll be surprised how easy our 17 New Year’s resolutions are to stick to!