2017 is just around the corner!
*Cue the sentimental Facebook posts, "nobody to kiss on New Year's" jokes, and lists of new years resolutions on social media platforms, showing everyone how awesome their 2017 is going to be*
If you're a college student looking for some resolutions (like me), because - let's face it - you're on break and therefore don't have the energy, time, interest, motivation, obligation, etc., to come up with some on your own (also, me), here's a list of resolutions tailored just for you.
1. Get More Sleep
WHAT: Studies have shown that while the average college student should be getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, most students get less than 7 hours a night. Setting a goal to get a certain amount of sleep per night could help improve attentiveness in class, improve attendance to 8 am's... boosting your GPA, maintain a constant weight, improve mental health, improve memory (making studying easier and more efficient!!!) and relieve stress, fatigue, and anxiety.
HOW: Okay, so you might not be able to get 8 hours of sleep every night, but even setting a goal of getting 30 minutes more sleep each night is a step in the right direction! Establish a bedtime routine, including a constant bedtime and wake-time (sleeping more than 1-2 extra hours per night on the weekend can ruin your weekly sleep schedule), exercise regularly, only use your bedroom for sleeping and sleep-related activities, avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol close to bedtime, and keep a "sleep journal," where you track your sleep schedule.
Click here for some super awesome napping tips!
2. Call Home More Often
WHAT: While enjoying the freedom that college brings is nothing short of blissful, It's never bad to make it a habit of calling your mom and dad more often. Or, your siblings, grandparents, friends at other schools, etc.
HOW: I am super guilty of not calling home enough, so this is definitely going to be on my list of resolutions. Whether it's calling one of the above once a week or once a month, add it to your calendar, or make a note of it somewhere that you won't forget it.
3. Stick to a Workout Routine
WHAT: You've probably heard countless times about how important exercise is in maintaining a healthy mind and body in college. Well, it's been for a good reason! Exercise improves memory and concentration, stimulates brain cell development, relieves stress, and boosts your overall mood. Maybe you started off the first semester in full gym-rat, never-miss-a-day swing, but faltered as the school year took its toll on you. Now is the perfect time to set some new goals for a cliche, "new you!"
HOW: Set reasonable, attainable goals, and make the goals personal to you. Whether it's losing a certain amount of weight, improving a mile time, decreasing waist, thighs, etc., size, choose a goal that you know will motivate you. Start off slow - you don't want to shock your exam-week-stress-binge/Christmas-break-diet laden body with seven days a week of HIIT workouts.
4. Watch Less Netflix
WHAT: This one is self-explanatory. More Netflix means less time for friends, sleep, studying, clubs, work, exercise, adventuring, and anything else you can think of that is most likely more beneficial than Netflix.
HOW: Start with a set number of hours for Netflix a week (or number of episodes a day) and wean yourself off of Netflix. If you really want to, you could cancel your Netflix subscription (or tell your friend to cancel theirs, since you're most likely using their account), and save yourself $9 a month to put towards that gym membership!
5. Get Better Grades
WHAT: This is a pretty typical resolution for anyone in school: get better grades, boost that GPA, skip less classes, etc. While grades might not be super important to a potential future employer, they could qualify you for a scholarship or two, saving you a pretty penny here and there.
HOW: Just like all of the other resolutions, start of slow, and make reasonable goals. Have a set time for studying in your schedule, go to class more, take notes (if that helps you), and get to know your professor.
6. Meet New People
WHAT: After your first semester of college, you've most likely already found your friend group, or one or two close friends that you spend most of your time with (if not, that's totally okay, and this doesn't really apply to you!). You never know which potential boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, future employer, possible business partner, the "funniest person I've ever met," is out there waiting to bump into you, and you'll never meet them unless you make it a point to meet new people.
HOW: We stick with our friend group because (1) we like them, and (2) it's comfortable. Make it a goal of yours to meet a certain number of new people a week. Or, make it a goal to hangout with someone that you usually wouldn't hangout with.
7. Budget/Spend Less & Save More
WHAT: It's easy to lose track of how much money you're spending with classes, social events, sports, jobs, and anything else that's crammed onto your schedule. A few dollars here and there at the vending machine, and going out to eat a couple times a week might not seem like much, but it adds up over time. Starting to budget in college will only put you one step ahead for when you graduate and money-management becomes that much more important.
HOW: As always, set a realistic budget. This budget can be weekly, monthly, by semester, or however you want it to be broken down. When you set your budget, keep in mind the things that you know you are going to need to spend money on (rent, groceries, credit card bills, etc.), and make sure that when you are spending your money, those things get paid first. With that said, make a note of what your needs are, and what your wants are. After that, keep your spending within your budget, and if there is money left over at the end of your time frame, save it!
Click here for some great, easy to use budgeting apps!
Click here for 10 useful budgeting tips!
Here's to a great 2017!
