Let's face it: For most of us, New Year’s resolutions are dead by Valentine's Day. Luckily, the goals and changes we want to make in our lives for the year do not have to be as drastic as losing 20 pounds in order to make an impact. Don’t so much think of these as resolutions, but as simple habits to form in your daily schedule that are easy to retain and will hopefully help to make your new year a little less stressful and a little more fun.
1. Create a better study schedule
Sure, when a test comes we could pull an all-nighter and probably do fine, but in 2015 let’s try to break this unhealthy habit. Setting aside a couple hours every day to study may seem annoying, but anything is better than the panic that strikes when you realize it’s already 2:00 A.M. and you’re still nowhere near prepared for your test in the morning.
2. Call or visit your family more
As we grow older and enter the terrifying world of adulthood, our parents are getting older, also. Don’t forget your roots, and no matter how much they might make us want to rip our hair out, they’re still the reason we’re here.
3. Look for positive news stories
After a year of Ebola, missing planes, and riots, sometimes it’s easy to forget that there’s good that goes on in the world. Violence and tragedy is what the media loves to fill our heads with, so make it a point to find something uplifting to read or watch each day.
4. Remember you can't make everyone happy
Make 2015 less stressful. Help people as much as you can, but accept that sometimes there’s nothing more you can do in a situation. At the end of the day, what matters is that you’re happy.
5. Just say yes
Okay, obviously not to everything, but this year try to take more chances. Make time for fun and to be young; college doesn’t last forever. Say yes to Spring Break and say yes to the date night you were asked to. Once college is over, you’ll know you got the most out of the experience that you possibly could.
Cheers to a new year and a new semester! Here’s to the Dawgs, to friends, and to resolutions that we can actually accomplish. May we keep our GPA’s high and our records clean. Best of luck in 2015.
