1.) It is a brand-new year, so you can be a brand new you
You may not have had the best previous year. You may even be a freshman about to embark on this crazy journey. Remember that you do not have to be the person you once were. Any college campus, whether tiny like Clarion or huge, has plenty of students and opportunities to tell people a different version of yourself. Always stay true to yourself. Do not lie and make up grandiose stories of your past. If you were shy and not talkative in the past, you can change yourself to be outgoing and fun. You can become your best self and people do not have to remember who you used to be. Your past does not define you.
2.) Don’t forget your positive attitude at home
Negativity is so common and easily clung to. Remind yourself that every time you have a negative thought, you only have a few seconds to change that in your brain to something positive. Thinking negatively does not help you or the people around you.
3.) The semester will get chaotic, so enjoy the calm before the storm
Maybe the storm of classes has already hit and you are stressed about what more is to come. Whether you’re in the eye of the hurricane right now or not, remember that midterms and on will be stressful times. Take the calm to hang out with friends as much as possible. Take advantage of the lazy days, but do not over do them and avoid social contact.
4.) Drop the negative people in your life
If someone has shown you time and time again that they cannot remind you of all of the good things in life…. If they have kept you down and thinking about how sucky the world can be….. Simply drop them. No time for people that will not help you to advance to your better self.
5.) Start a routine
A routine can really help you to prioritize your school work and your fun time. You can set up a routine where you eat healthier and exercise and get your homework done before the weekend. It will make you feel on top of the world to accomplish that stuff. So get rid of the naps and hitting the snooze all the time! Start a plan and keep to it for a few weeks. Once you have a routine down, you will be able to have all the free-time to do things that make you happy.
6.) Don’t forget your self-care products at home
Moisturizer is your best friend. You will get wrinkly when you’re old if you do not start now! You want to moisturize your entire body after every shower. Trust me, you will thank me later! As for other self-care products such as face masks and hair treatments and nail polish, etc., do not leave them behind. Give yourself one spa-night every week to take care of you and make sure you are feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.
7.)Try something that scares you every chance you get
Chances come along more than you know. Even if they are small. Take those chances. If you are afraid to call and order the pizza, take the phone and order it. Practice makes perfect. If you keep calling to order the pizza, eventually that little fear/anxiety will go away. Try bigger and better things. Walk up to the person you are attracted to and ask them out. Go for a hike with friends. Go skydiving if you have the money! Do things out of your comfort zone so that you can say you are truly living your life to the fullest. Do not let fears hold you back!
8.) Remember to set aside time for yourself
Time for yourself is important. Being around your awesome positive new friends is perfect for becoming a better you. However, if you don’t take that time to just be lazy and binge watch some tv for a few hours you will not become the better you. You have to take that time for yourself. It does not have to be binge watching tv. It could be anything that you like to do for yourself in your free time. Do not let others get away with stealing all of your time. Go out and socialize but never forget about your needs.
9.) Do not give all of yourself for others
You may care and love so much. You may be a giving person. But if you give too much you will end up empty. Be sure that you are giving and receiving at the same rate. This goes along with cutting negative people out of your life. If you keep giving your all for them and they can’t give that back, then they are draining you and not worth your time!