Making and Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions

By Kelly Leslie, Student at San Francisco State University

The new year is officially here and it’s time to think about setting resolutions.

The key to making successful resolutions is to keep it simple. It’s better to focus on gradual changes that can easily be implemented into your everyday routine, rather than making one drastic change.

Do you want to do better in school this semester? You may become overwhelmed if your resolution is to get straight A’s. Instead of focusing on reaching a certain GPA, make little changes that are going to affect your overall study habits. This could mean setting aside a certain amount of time each week that you are going to study or deciding not to miss any homework assignments the entire semester.

Want to shed the “Freshman 15?" Many people don’t succeed with weight loss resolutions because they quickly get discouraged. Try making a commitment to eat healthier and exercise more, rather than focusing on a target weight that you want to reach. You’ll be surprised how fast you can get in shape just by making little changes to be healthier.

Are you unhappy with your social life? Getting involved in clubs on campus is a great way to try something new, but you don’t have to make your decision right away. Be open to trying multiple different clubs and activities instead of just one. A great resolution would be to commit to going to one new activity on campus a week. You’ll meet new people and find something you love in no time.

Resolutions don’t have to be big to make a difference. Chances are, we all have something little we can work on to better ourselves. This year remember to focus on keeping it simple so you can be successful. Happy 2012!

Image: Vlado / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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