New year, new me, right? Every year, January 1st brings about a plethora of resolutions to better oneself, as if we only have this opportunity once a year. And I will admit, I do usually fall into the trap of making resolutions, only to break them within weeks and pretend they never existed until the following year. Well this year, I decided to keep doing things as I was and make adjustments as needed. So for those of you still unsure about how to better oneself in 2016, here are some things to keep in mind. Yes, I know a lot of these may sound like the broken record you hear every time you return home, but sometimes, a little reminder is all we need.

1. Take time to relax

While it is important to accomplish all you need to for school, health, etc., it is even more important to do things for yourself, to improve yourself academically and healthily.

2. Grades don't define you

Yeah, grades are important for degrees and your career, but they are not everything. It is more important that you demonstrate your work ethic, learn about yourself, and remain curious. Curiosity triggers the reward pathway in your brain, so learning about things you're curious about is a reward in itself, never mind the grade you get in the class.

3. Neither does that friend group

Step out of your comfort zone. Befriend people you never thought you would. If you're typically friends with a "type" of person, try something new. No one you hang out with can define you. That's your job.

4. It's ok to eat alone

Not only does it give you time to be alone with your thoughts, but it also gives you the ability to be confident in yourself and your thoughts. In the age of technology, being alone with your own thoughts is terrifying and overwhelming, but it is so worth it.

5. Add exercise to your routine

If it's already there, great. If not, try it. It allows you to clear your head, change your lifestyle, and overall make you feel better. Find what you love. Whether it's running, yoga, lifting, or Zumba, in class or on your own, find something that suits you and your lifestyle.

6. Smile

It's a simple action, but it could make someone's day. A smile is about as contagious as the Colgate plague, so just by attempting happiness, you can share that with anyone.

7. Say hi to someone new

This is probably the only time in your life you will be living entirely with people in your age range. Say hi to someone you see all the time, but have never talk to, or someone you've run into once. You never know who that person could be to you.

8. Call your family

Let's be real, sometimes that weekly family FaceTime chat can seem like a chore that you're constantly trying to get out of. Instead of waiting until Sunday at 3, give someone a ring sometime during the week. Call your grandfather, aunt, cousin, little sibling, whoever. It's nice to hear their voice and they'll be ecstatic to hear from you.

9. Talk to an old friend

Whether it's your best friend from elementary school, middle school crush, high school teammate, or freshman year roommate, take the time to text or call them. Get dinner together. Do something. For old time's sake.

10. Explore

Go somewhere new. Go on a hike. Go to a new lake or river or beach. Go alone or with friends. Just do something different. Take a risk. Appreciate the world for what it is.

11. It's ok to fail

No one can be perfect. We spend too much time striving for perfection that when we achieve something that doesn't meet our standards, we don't know how to take it. Well, take it with pride. Learn from it. Put it behind you. Improve yourself. Sometimes, failures can be our biggest accomplishments if you know how to take it.

12. It's ok to be afraid

We don't know what this year will hold. Whether it's good, bad, or anything and everything in between. It's ok to be afraid of the unknown. As long as you don't let it hold you back, good things will happen.

13. Love yourself

Loving yourself gives you confidence, which allows you to be even more comfortable with who you are. The more you love yourself, the more others will love you too. If you have trouble with it, change a habit. You don't need January 1st to start loving yourself.