1. Exercise
Yes, while you and 99 percent of everyone hates the gym, that’s not the only way to get in or stay in shape. Go out there and join a club or intramural team or go off campus and take a nice walk or run instead of staring at the gym rats next to you on the treadmill. Once you get it into habit, it becomes easier. And you will feel better, which will automatically make you look better, regardless of the calories you burn.
2. Eat healthier
No you do not have to hit up the salad bar for every single meal in dining hall, but just try to make a more conscious effort. Go for the fruit cup with your burger instead of fries or drink water at lunch instead of your daily diet coke. Not only will you be eating a more balanced diet to give you more energy, but it will also make you skin look better as well.
3. Get organized
Whether you are scatterbrained or your dorm is a total mess, a little organization can go a long way. Do your notecards need to be color-coded? No, but at least having a basket of your Spanish notecards together will help when it comes time to studying your final. Or make sure to make a list on your phone, a sticky note or stationary, if you want to be fancy, of all the goals you want to complete that day, and do it. Keep in mind to keep your goals realistic.
4. Do a digital detox
I promise you Twitter did not get way more exciting since the last time you refreshed it 2.8 seconds ago. Social media, while is interesting, for the most part is trivial and superficial. People only post the good stuff about their A on their quiz and but not the C on their midterm paper. So get off your phone, go down the hall and have some human contact.
5. Make your bed
It will take you about thirty seconds and will instantly make your room look cleaner. Bonus, there is no better feeling than getting into a made bed after a long night in the library.
6. Challenge yourself
Set a long term goal for the year or push yourself a little more in your Calculus II class to get that A. Whatever you choose, go hard at it. You are so smart and talented that if you put in extra effort, you can do it.
7. Start a journal
While we are so tired of seeing those “Page X of 365,” all over social media, create a private journal for yourself. Write two sentences or twenty pages, go on a rant about the annoying girl in your psych class, who thinks she has every disorder discussed or write about how you wore mismatched socks because you have not done laundry in six weeks. Whatever comes to mind, you will feel better to have written our feelings and frustrations from the day.
8. Sleep more
I know, seems impossible. Even if you try to get just thirty more minutes a day, you will feel more rested, relaxed and be able to focus better on whatever you need to conquer that day.
9. End the negativity
As cliché as “New Year, New You” is, try to rid your life of toxic relationships and habits. Whether it is a toxic friend or an ex, cut the cord of communication and focus on the positive things going on. Do not let someone's poisonous opinions get in the way of how amazing you are.
10. Love yourself
The best way to have a great 2016 is to not talk down to yourself. You won’t be able to love everything life has to offer if you do not even love yourself. Remember to compliment yourself when you deserve it, and when you mess up do not be too hard on yourself either. Always remember that life goes on.