It’s that time of year: The dazzling ball has dropped, the confetti has popped and the clock has struck midnight. The next day, or week, as revelers recover from their New Year’s Eve celebrations, many decide “this year will be different.”
In fact, millions of people around the world set what are popularly known as “new year’s resolutions.” They resolve, or determine, to start doing something new
—or to stop doing something that doesn’t support their physical or mental health.
In the United States, younger adults are more likely to make resolutions than older people (59% of those ages 18 to 34 compared to 19% of those older than 55). This is probably because we are hopeful about the future. We believe in creating change and understand that changing the world begins with ourselves.
Some Popular New Year’s Resolutions
Did you know that more people join a gym in January than in any other month during the year? Fitness goals like getting in shape, eating healthier and drinking more water are usually top priorities when it comes to setting resolutions.
In 2023, more Americans prioritized their mental health, with that being the top resolution nationwide. This year, the Forbes Health/OnePoll survey found some resolutions to be more common than others, with the most popular goals including:
- Improved fitness (48%)
- Improved finances (38%)
- Improved mental health (36%)
- Lose weight (34%)
- Improved diet (32%)
It’s interesting to note the relationship between these goals. Like we say at Mind Body Life—it’s all connected. Boosting our mental health helps our physical health, boosting our physical health (through fitness and nutrition) boosts our mental health and all these things will help us focus on finances to get those in order too.
Time Management Tip of the Month
While finances matter to college students (um, tuition, loans, hello!), time management is also a concern.
Talk to teachers, coaches, counselors, and students, and most will tell you that the number-one ingredient to being successful in college is time management. You might have even made improving these particular skills a New Year’s resolution!
If you reviewed your performance from last semester and decided over winter break that time management is an area to address, here are some tips that will help:
- Maintain and develop a list of specific things to be done each day.
- Prioritize that list, and complete the most urgent tasks at the start of the day.
- At the end of the day, briefly evaluate your progress.
- Look ahead to the next few weeks/month to better schedule your time.
- Set incremental deadlines for longer-term projects.
- If you tend to procrastinate, do the hard thing first.
If you have 15 things on your to-do list, just focus on getting one task done. Dwelling on the entire list can feel overwhelming and cause feelings of stress or anxiety, which can fuel procrastination.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it’s going to take time to add time-management skills to your toolbox. So, encourage yourself with this mantra—Getting one thing done is better than getting zero things done. Yay, me!
Don’t Quit on Your Goals . . . or on Yourself
The key to keeping resolutions beyond January is to not quit on yourself or your goals. Researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. In fact, research goes on to show that 23% of people quit their resolutions by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.
If you expect setbacks (and there will be setbacks), you’re less likely to be derailed when you hit a snag in your progress. Obstacles are normal, and creating new habits takes time.
Here are two practical suggestions to help you be successful.
- Set S.M.A.R.T. goals. This is a memorable acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based.
Check out these examples of SMART goals:
Specific: Instead of “I want to get better grades,” try “I will score a 70% or higher on each assignment this term.”
Measurable: Instead of “I want to pass this class,” try “I will study for this course at least 30 minutes every day.”
Achievable: Instead of “I want to perform on tour with Beyoncé to get over my stage fright,” try taking a theatre class or auditioning for a local production.
Relevant: Instead of “I want to be happy,” make an appointment with the SF Counseling Center or utilize Timely Care.
Time-Based: Instead of “I want to lose weight,” try “I want to lose 5 pounds over the next 6 weeks by eating healthier and moving more.”
- 2. Use an app to help you maintain accountability. Some of the most popular tools are step counters, habit tracking apps, and meditation apps. Apps are easy to use, and our phone is usually always with us. Many useful apps are free too! Like the TimelyCare app where you can schedule virtual appointment(s) with a certified health coach to talk about: nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, mindfulness, goal setting and more to enhance health and well-being. Download it today!
Avoiding Temptation Can Help You Succeed
While some people practice a technique called “exposure therapy,” this should be done under the guidance of a licensed therapist. On your own, it may be safer and more helpful to practice a strategy that psychologists call “situation change.” According to Time magazine, which cites a review of 102 studies, this is the best strategy for exerting self-control.
Situation change believes that exposing ourselves to known temptations and hoping we have the willpower to resist them is an outdated strategy. Instead, it is better to avoid facing temptations in the first place.
Some examples include:
Dieters remove all the sugary foods from their kitchens.
Recovering doom scrollers delete social media apps from their phones.
Students with low grades create a study schedule with the tutoring center for consistency and accountability.
For additional expert tips on persevering, click here.
Getting Back Into the Swing of School
For many students, it’s hard to go back to school after winter break. We’re used to staying up late, sleeping in, eating whenever we get hungry and doing whatever we want.
To help us all get back in the swing of things, here are a few practical suggestions:
Get back on the “school clock” a few days before the term starts. This will help the body adjust to its necessary sleep patterns in time for that first day back.
Eat healthy foods (light on the junk, heavy on veggies and plenty of protein) and drink lots of water so you have the physical and mental energy necessary to get through the school day.
It’s going to be super fun to catch up with your friends if you haven’t seen them or talked to them all break. Be careful of socializing too much; you don’t want to fall behind in class.
Remember, we offer resources to help you stay focused on your goals, and Santa Fe College has numerous resources to assist you. Visit Timely Care or stop by the Counseling Center, Financial Wellness Center, or Fitness Center. We want to see you meet your goals for 2024!
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