16 New Year's Resolutions For College Students

Another year means another crop of New Year's resolutions that motivate people to go to the gym, eat healthier, and work harder — at least, for the month of January. But if you’re in college, there’s a good chance that you’re looking for some New Year's resolutions for students that will help you not to improve your life in a more general way, but to start, continue, or finish your college career with a bang. College isn’t easy, but a few little changes here or there can make it all the more enjoyable and fulfilling.

It doesn’t have to be hard to keep your New Year's resolutions, as long as you pick goals that are at least somewhat attainable, or goals that you’ll enjoy striving towards. I'm not asking you to give up your movie nights or campus parties, but rather to change your approach to them. As difficult as it may seem, you can succeed both academically and socially in school (although I can’t always make promises on getting extra sleep because, you know, life happens). With some relatively easy New Year's resolutions, you’ll actually find yourself on the path to self-improvement.

Enjoy winter break while it lasts, and get ready for another semester. It may just be your best one yet.

1. Come To Class Prepared

OK, I totally understand that sometimes, there is just no way that your reading is going to get done. It happens to the best of us. Do whatever you can to make sure you can understand whatever your professor is talking about, whether that means reading SparkNotes, going through Wikipedia, or simply skimming the reading before class. You'll have a much easier time keeping up.

2. Make Your Bed Every Day

Sometimes your room gets messy — that's a side-effect of life. But if you make your bed every morning, you'll start your day on a productive note, and make your living space a little more tidy. Your mom had a point!

3. Cook One Meal A Day

Unless you don't have a kitchen and rely solely on the dining hall, it's easy to end up spending a lot of money on takeout. Save major cash by making at least one meal at home every day — even if it's just breakfast!

4. Set A Routine

Start waking up around the same time every day (during the week, at least), and be sure not to lay in bed for an hour. Once you start getting into a routine (eating, getting dressed, going about your day), your productivity greatly increases.

5. Make Time For Friends

It's easy to get stuck either watching TV alone in your room or slugging through work in the library for hours on end. But too much alone time can drive you crazy. Take care of yourself by making sure you hang out with your best friends every so often, even when things get hectic. Try starting up a study group in a school cafe, or doing homework at a friend's apartment.

6. Find A Study Spot

You know that studying in your bed never works out, so just stop doing it already.

7. Learn How To Multitask

I'm not going to tell you to give up your TV, because that would be unreasonable and unrealistic.

8. Be Wary Of Shots

While there's certainly nothing wrong about enjoying a drink or two, getting shot-happy can be super dangerous. If you're reaching for the shot glasses, just make sure that you wait a bit in between each shot so it doesn't all hit you at once, and be sure to down plenty of water. Your hangover will thank you.

9. Eat (At Least) One Healthy Thing A Day

A good rule of thumb is to eat one green thing a day. That way your immune system stays strong, and you know, you don't get scurvy.

10. Keep Tabs On Your Bank Account

College may be the first time you have a debit card, and expenses on food, alcohol, and online shopping (no shame) can add up. Make sure you don't dip too low by checking your balance every few days — and be sure to keep some money in your savings.

11. Think About Your Career

College is an important time to start thinking about your career, whether that means getting an internship, or figuring out exactly what you want to do. Take advantage of your school's career development services while you can.

12. Make A Friend In Every Class

That way you have someone to message when you forget due dates — and also someone to make eye contact with when someone says something questionable in lecture.

13. Get To Know (At Least) One Professor

This doesn't just mean going to office hours to talk about assignments. A lot of your professors are really cool, and are interested in your life. You never know what kind of insane life stories you can weasel out of them — while also making a great connection.

14. Focus On Yourself

It's easy to get caught up in friendship drama and hookup insanity, but college is a time to focus on your own development as a human being. You're doing great!

15. Stay Hydrated

It doesn't take a lot of effort to bring a water bottle with you so you remember to get your eight glasses a day. In 2016, you'll never be (physically) thirsty.

16. Have Fun!

Your parents have probably already told you, but you're only in college once! The all-nighters may be rough, but you might miss those dining hall memories, study sessions, and extracurriculars once they're all over. So, carpe diem this year.

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