which means that there’s only one month left of 2023. The end of the year, in my opinion, is a great time to reflect on the year you’ve had. I never really thought that New Year’s resolutions were something to take seriously. But I’m graduating in a few weeks, and I figured that 2024 could be a good time to start. In general, goal setting is something that I’ve been meaning to try. There’s still a good amount of time before the end of the year, which means it’s the perfect time to create New Year’s resolutions!! Giving yourself ample time to think of even just one resolution can allow you to really think about what you want to accomplish next year. I know it can be especially hard to keep up with resolutions/goals as students, but I still think it’s worth a try. You don’t even need to think of your own resolutions, because there are actually a ton of suggestions online.

Here are some quick tips that I plan on following when creating (and following through on) my New Year’s Resolution(s): 

1. Be Specific: This might be a no brainer, but your resolutions have to be specific. For example, if you want to get more sleep each night, “sleep more” probably isn’t the best resolution to make. The more specific actions included in your resolution, the better.

2. Don’t Downplay Their Importance: There has to be a reason we choose the resolutions we do. They are, to some extent, important to us and who we want to be. When creating resolutions, think about how your life could change by even attempting to accomplish this goal.

3. Hold Yourself Accountable and Stay Motivated: When trying to accomplish your resolution, think of the smallest, easiest step you can start with. Take note of the time, day, and date you plan on taking that first step, and then do it.

4. Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew: Creating 10 New Year’s resolutions sounds great in theory, and if you can accomplish all 10, that’s great. However, it’s probably better to start with a few, or even just one. The resolutions also need to be realistic, so think about whether you have the resources (time, money, etc.) to accomplish them. 

5. Understand It’s Going To Be Hard: Trying to accomplish your resolutions might make you feel uncomfortable, but that feeling typically comes with any type of change. You may encounter obstacles, so try to anticipate those obstacles as you create your resolutions.

If all else fails, there’s always next year!