With a new semester just a few short weeks away, college students are filled with anticipation of what the coming year has in store for them. No matter what happens, it is important to make the best of every aspect of college. Here are 12 promises that all college students should make to themselves to help ensure success, happiness, and personal growth.
1. I promise to practice good study habits.
Sometimes it's easy to get wrapped up in the fun of everything in college and forget what your true purpose for being there is. Ultimately, the most important part of college is to learn and obtain a degree. Without studying hard enough and correctly, getting a good education is nearly impossible. Don't devote every waking minute to studying, because that will drive you insane. Be sure to keep a good balance between studying and having fun. Skipping on a night out to study for a huge exam is a wise choice. You have four years to make a memorable college experience for yourself, so if you only have a couple of days to study, use them wisely.
2. I promise not to become too stressed out.
College students are faced with so much pressure to be perfect in every aspect of their lives. It's so easy to become overwhelmed with an obscene amount of work and responsibilities. However, it's crucial that you don't let yourself drown in stress. Know your limits and don't take on more than you can handle. Find an outlet for your stress, or it will just continue to build up until you inevitably have a breakdown.
3. I promise to do more of what makes me happy.
Whatever it is that makes you happy, make a conscious effort to do more of it. That sounds so simple, but people often push aside things that they enjoy doing. Life is too short to be anything but happy, so be honest with yourself about what you have to do to be happy. Whether that means joining a club, leaving an organization, or changing your major—if it makes you feel happy and fulfilled, do it.
4. I promise to be less judgmental.
Everyone is guilty of passing judgement on others for many things. Judging others for their life choices doesn't have a positive impact on your life, so why do it in the first place? Judgment is a discrete form of hatred, and it is not healthy to constantly feel so negatively about others. Live the way you want to live, and accept that others will do the same.
5. I promise to get involved on campus.
Getting involved in any way you can on campus is a great way to meet new people and find a new passion. Take on as many opportunities you can to get involved with different groups without overwhelming yourself. College doesn't last forever, so use the time you have now to build friendships, connections, and valuable skills.
6. I promise to leave behind the people that make me unhappy.
People who add negativity to your life in any way should not be in your life, period. Take this new semester as a fresh start to surround yourself with great people. Whether you are a freshman or a senior, you still have the chance to meet so many amazing people who can have a positive impact on your life. Your time in college is limited; don't give it to people who don't deserve it.
7. I promise to go to the rec center a few times a week.
If you've already completed at least a year of college, you know how easy it is to gain weight. If your tuition includes the price of your rec center membership, take advantage of the opportunity to get in better shape. Working out is a great way to let go of stress, and it will also help you feel less guilty about ordering Chinese takeout twice in one week.
8. I promise to be friendly to everyone.
Being friendly and opening yourself up to new people is extremely important. People often get set in a specific group of friends and shut themselves out to meeting new people. By doing this, you will miss out on amazing friendships that you never got to experience because you didn't give people a chance. Keep your old friendships strong, but always be willing and able to make new ones.
10. I promise to step outside my comfort zone.
It's often said that "life begins outside your comfort zone," and to a certain extent, that is very true. By doing things that you normally wouldn't do, you are opening yourself up to more opportunities for personal growth and satisfaction. Being more spontaneous and conquering some of your fears will give you some of the best experiences of your life. Don't make obviously poor choices, but allow yourself to do new and fun things that you might not have done last year.
11. I promise to stick to the goals I have set for myself.
Throughout all the fun happening in college, you will be more inclined to lose sight of what you really want to accomplish. If there was a goal that you set for yourself for this year, be sure to work diligently to accomplish it. If you didn't set any goals, set one! Whether it's getting an A in an important class or something completely unrelated to academics, it is important to continuously improve yourself in any way you can.
12. I promise to live with no regrets and have an amazing year.
At the end of the day, you decide whether or not you enjoy your time in college. You are in control of your happiness. You will make both good choices and bad choices, so instead of dwelling on the mistakes you will inevitably make, allow yourself to be happy by not feeling regret. If you did something you wish you could undo, simply amend the situation as best as you can and let it go. Let every mistake you make be a valuable lesson learned. A mistake becomes a bigger mistake when it is accompanied by regret. By making mistakes while you're young and learning from them, you're growing as a person. You must become wise enough to accept the things you cannot change because your time in college is much too short to be filled with regret.
Best wishes for a great year!
