Everyone has heard of “new year, new me,” but what about “new semester, new me?”
It would be great to study more, better your GPA and make it through the semester all in one piece, but you don’t have to go to crazy extremes to reach those goals.
Here are a few simple resolutions to try.
Go outside! Yes, studying and schoolwork are very important, but so is physical health and well-being. Get your body moving and give your eyes a break from a screen or a book.
According to Business Insider, doing something outside for 30 minutes can lower stress, blood pressure and heart rate. Start with just two or three days a week and see if your mood changes.
Be realistic about studying. Tomorrow never comes when it comes to studying. Early risers can make time in the mornings to get stuff done.
Night owls are the complete opposite. You know yourself, but you have to be honest with yourself about what you will actually do.
Don’t skip class unless it is for a justifiable reason. Obviously, some days going to class isn’t something you feel like doing, but go anyway. You’ll feel better after you go. High school was eight hours a day that somehow we made it through.
Eat better. Think of food as the gasoline in your car. You wouldn’t put bad gas in your car because you know it wouldn’t run, right? Why would you put bad food in your body and expect to feel great?
Grab an apple instead of a coffee or a Red Bull. The fructose in apples can give the same amount of energy as a cup of coffee.
Plus, coffee is expensive and causes bad breath, so you will save money and be more pleasant to talk to!
Say thank you to someone at least twice a day. Whether it’s to a professor, a parent, a friend or even yourself. Give appreciation and credit where it is due.
We are in the South and good manners are usually common, but make sure you are using them. Yes, you are paying to go to school, but there are a lot of people behind the scenes that we tend to take for granted.
Try out these resolutions and see how you feel. Ease into a doable routine, and congratulate yourself for the little victories.
“New year, new me” isn’t always a realistic idea, but each new semester is an opportunity to do a little better, and sometimes that’s all we need to do!
Photo Credit / University Relations
