Every year, many students make great New Year’s resolutions like staying in shape or eating better. However, a few weeks after New Year’s, these resolutions fade away as quickly as the hangover on New Year’s Day. How can you stick to your New Year’s resolutions as a busy student? Here are five tips to not only help you stick to that New Year’s resolution, but actually see results!
1. SET SMALL GOALS
Everyone makes grand resolutions such as “I want to lose 50 pounds this year” or “I want to make straight A’s this year!” and then are disappointed when they don’t accomplish their entire resolution one month after New Year’s. There is a reason you make a resolution for the year. It is a big change or goal to spend a lot of time working on to achieve. So, as with any big project, set smaller goals to help you achieve your big resolution. If you want to eat healthier, start by swapping one or two orders of fries or nuggets per week with a salad. If you want to lose weight, start by exercising one or two days per week and gradually increase to every day or every other day. Don’t try to change your entire diet or exercise routine in one day.
2. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PROGRESS
Write down your progress every time you stick to your goal or make an improvement. Something as simple as making a note in your phone when you choose a salad over potato chips or recording how much time you spent walking, running or exercising at the gym or studying for a big test will help you keep track of your achievements. Actually seeing a record of your results and progress can help motivate you to stick to your goals.
3. SCHEDULE TIME TO MAKE YOUR RESOLUTION HAPPEN
You have a class schedule and probably a work schedule you stick to every week. Include some time on that schedule to devote to your resolution. It can be small chunks of time such as five or ten minutes. But doing the same activity at the same time every day of every week will quickly become a habit and pretty soon sticking to your New Year’s resolution will become a part of your everyday routine.
4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR RESOURCES
As a college student, you have many free and available resources to help you achieve your resolutions. The Wellness Center is free and open seven days a week for all fitness and losing weight resolutions, with many resources such as exercise classes and personal trainers. The campus library is also available with tutors for every subject and for any academic-related resolutions. There are also many free websites and apps for the iPhone to help you keep track of and achieve your resolution.
5. MAKE SURE YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR RESOLUTION
All of the time and energy you will invest trying to keep your resolution isn’t going to be worth the effort if the resolution isn’t something you really want. Don’t make a resolution your parents, friends, significant other or someone else thinks you should make. Your resolution should be a goal or improvement you want to work toward and change, not something someone else thinks you should change.