2019 is a new year! Coming back to school for the Spring semester is a perfect time to put those New Year’s resolutions into action. The key to maintaining them throughout the semester is to make sure that they are realistic goals that you have set for yourself. Here are a few resolutions for college students to consider.
1. Do not let yourself fall behind in classes
Sure it’s easy to push everything off until the last minute, but when it comes to your schoolwork this is not something you want to do. It is much easier to bounce back from a bad grade on a homework assignment than it is to wait until the final to try to bring up your grades. Review your notes weekly and go in to office hours if there is anything you are unclear about. Be proactive. The more you worry about your classes during the semester, the less you will have to stress about the final exam.
2. Do something athletic 2-3 times a week
We’re in college. Yes I understand that we have busy schedules with work, classes, and friends. However, it is also important to look after ourselves. I’m not saying that you should try to expect yourself to change from not going to the gym at all to being someone that goes 6 times a week. That’s unrealistic. If becoming more active is something you are interested in, then there are smaller goals that you can set to get yourself there. You can start with something as small as walking to your classes instead of riding the bus. You can go to the gym and run on the treadmill or on the track. You can try one of the free group fitness classes that the CRWC offers. You can play pick up games at the Rec. You can join intramurals. There are lots of great resources available to us as college students. Try finding one that fits your needs best.
3. Set healthier eating patterns
I know that sometimes college comes with a lot of stress. It’s busy, hectic, and a little chaotic at times. It might seem like the move to ease this stress by snacking on junk food or going out often for meals. I know I certainly am guilty of this. However, you don’t have to completely give up those unhealthy study snacks or your occasional dinners out when you simply don’t feel like cooking. There are little changes you can make to take a step towards eating healthier. You can try to meal prep for the week so that you don’t have to worry about not having time to cook later on in the week when your schedule is busier. You can seperate your snacks into smaller containers so that you can keep track of how much you’re eating when you’re sitting on the couch enjoying your favorite show. If you live in the dorms or have a meal plan, then you can limit your dining hall meals to one plate.
4. Establish a sleeping pattern
It’s important to make sure that you are eating and sleeping well. I’m sure that’s something that you have heard your parents telling you before and it’s true. Staying healthy will let you be able to focus more on your schoolwork. I’m not saying that you have to go to bed and get up at the same time every single day, but try to set a routine for the week. Obviously, there will be some nights that you stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning and thats totally okay because let’s face it, you’re going to remember the fun nights you had out with your friends, not the nights that you woke up feeling well rested. It’s all about finding that balance.
5. Call your parents atleast once a week
Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in your life at school; your life away from home. But it’s important to remember that our parents have spent our whole lives raising us and taking care of us. It is hard for them to transition from seeing you every day to only seeing you every few months. They just want to feel like they are still a part of your life. It doesn’t have to be big news, it can be something as simple as telling them about your day and asking them how theirs was. It means a lot more to them than we realize. It will make their day to see your name pop up on their screen.