Happy New Year everyone! We often see this time of the year as the start of a new beginning of sorts-- a clean slate. It is a chance for us all to recognize bad habits and make a change for the better. As a student, there is always room for improvement and what better time than now to get started.

Whether you’re half-way through your degree, about to start university or preparing to graduate, the beginning of a new calendar year is a good opportunity to think about what you’d like to do a little differently. New Year's offers everyone­—college students included—a brand-new start.Below you will find a list of 15 great new years resolutions for students.

1. Spend less time in front of the screen

2. Be more conscious of your mental health

3. Increase your kindness

4. Forgive

5. Try to stay organized

6. Eat more veggies

7. Banish the self-doubt

8. Volunteer

9. Ask for help if you need it

10. Experience new things

11. Take some time to think of the future

12. Try to stay in shape

13. Find more ways to alleviate stress

14. Don’t start papers the night before the deadline

15. Relax!

Bonus: Stay Positive

There will be days when all you want to do is stay in bed and watch your favorite movie instead of facing the challenging day ahead. It’s important that, even in the direst of moments, you try and stay positive. We know. Hearing “keep your chin up” is the last thing you want to hear when you’re having a bad day, but the alternative can have a negative impact on your health, your performance, and your surroundings.

If you find yourself in a tailspin of pessimism more often than you’d like, make this year the year to start retraining your brain to overcome the negativity. Resolve to make a mental gratitude list every night before bed, or keep a rubber band on your wrist to snap when you find yourself complaining. When you graduate and move on with your career, you’ll continue to face many challenges. If you make a resolution to create a habit of positivity, those hard times will be a little easier.