College New Year's Resolutions

January 1st: the start of a new year and, for many college students, a time to reflect between semesters. With the new year comes New Year's resolutions, too. How can you tell if your resolutions are good ones during your college years?

Good New Year's Resolutions for College Students

1. Don't procrastinate. If you're like most college students, time is one of your most prized possessions. Promise to manage it with the utmost care so you aren't always feeling rushed -- and stressed. Learning good time management skills (including how not to procrastinate in the first place) can be one of the best gifts you'll give yourself all year.
   
2. Learn to say "no." College is full of amazing, exciting, fantastic things. But there are only so many hours in a day, and only so much you can reasonably expect of yourself. Learn to say "no" early -- and to be okay with doing so -- so that you aren't constantly demanding more of yourself than you can actually deliver.
   
3. Get academic help, even if you don't think you need it. Sure, your paper will probably earn you a passing grade. But heading to the writing center, for example, for some helpful feedback just might make it an out-of-the-park-home-run paper. Why not take that extra moment of time and utilize the academic resources you have access to?
   
4. Make healthy choices. Instead of setting weight-loss or exercise goals, for example, aim to start small and make healthy choices. For example, you can decide to eat at least 2 more fruits or veggies a day, sleep at least 6 hours (if not more!) a night, exercise 3 times a week, or drink only one cup of coffee a day. Think about it in terms of making healthy choices (e.g., get more sleep at night) instead of avoiding unhealthy ones to set yourself up for a positive outlook.
   
5. Find fun, cheap ways to manage stress. Managing your stress may be one of the best resolutions you can make for the new year. Learn how to take your mind off of things -- without blowing your budget, of course -- before your stress gets the best of you.

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