Every year, we make resolutions to accomplish a series of personal goals, from practicing healthier lifestyle habits to attaining a perfect GPA.
I like to make a short, realistic list of resolutions for myself to stay focused, especially because I tend to look at the goals I’ve recorded as steps to becoming my best self. Making these steps requires focusing on aspects of my life that could be better and working toward correct them.
It’s all about striving for greatness, but greatness doesn’t happen overnight. Spending a whole year working on a few goals is an effective method for self-improvement.
Here are five questions to consider as you create this year’s list of resolutions:
1. What’s your worst personal habit?
Everyone has one, whether it’s biting your nails until they’re too short or not eating enough vegetables. Focusing on taking the first step to stop this habit will change your life and probably improve your health in the long-run.
2. What trait do you value most in a person?
Thinking about what traits are most valuable in a person will help you reflect on your moral character. Do you have the trait that you value most? How can you do more to show this trait to others?
For example, if you value generosity, then the main way to show your generosity is by giving a bigger tip at a restaurant or volunteering at a soup kitchen during the holidays. Think about “paying it forward” on a more regular basis by taking care of a stranger’s coffee order or volunteering at a food bank in your spare time.
3. How can you challenge yourself physically?
I know better than anyone that physical fitness often takes a backseat in college. We do enough to get by. But challenging your body is important, and developing these habits while we’re still young is critical to our future health. Think about something you’d like to work on, whether it be something as general as endurance or as specific as toning your triceps, and make it a point to work on it a few days per week.
4. What kind of people do you surround yourself with?
Like they say, you are your friends. The kind of people you hang with will help you to reflect on both your character and overall happiness. If you can learn to separate yourself from toxic people, you will add positivity and have a higher quality of life.
5. What is one of your greatest academic obstacles?If you can’t admit to having one of these, you’re kidding yourself.
While we usually all start the quarter strong, it’s easy to start lagging behind three weeks in. It may be that you’re not reading closely or that you’re using too many commas in an essay. Whatever the issue, it can and often does affect your learning process. Picking one challenge or to focus on and creating a game plan to overcome it will enhance your UC Davis experience.
Here’s to a promising 2016 (and beyond)! Best of luck, collegiettes.