By Sam Cole
A new decade is upon us as 2019 waves goodbye with its figurative hand. Some may tearfully wave back, while others were already purchasing their one-way tickets to get out of the hectic year. In any case, New Year’s Eve is often a day many look forward to. While this day is filled with parties, bad decisions, and lots of Advil, it’s also the final moments before New Year’s resolutions begin. For college students, this is a great time to set some goals that can help personally and academically. The key to successful resolutions is thinking of ways to improve your life realistically. The more realistic the goal is, the more likely one will stick with it. Below are some simple resolutions to increase your chances of having a great 2020.
1. Uninstall Uber Eats
Getting good food on campus can be difficult, especially when dining services aren’t always available; however, apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and GrubHub slowly chip away students’ funds. Going to the grocery store and stocking up on food will save you so much money in the long run. Plus, this will give you a chance to explore healthier options. Trader Joe’s is a great place to get affordable yet healthy food.
2. Get More Involved at Dominican
There are so many clubs and activities here at Dominican and most of them don’t require too much commitment and time. Getting more involved will help you meet new people, improve your resume, and help you gain insight on some new interests. Some clubs available to join are Resident Student Association (RSA), Campus Activities Board (CAB), and Student Government Association (SGA). You can even join the school newspaper!
3. Sleep More
Some college students may think this is an unrealistic goal, but with proper planning this can be easily achieved. Sleep is extremely important when it comes to your physical and mental health, so planning accordingly to get more shut eye will truly benefit everyone. Buy a planner at the Dominican bookstore and write down your schedule and due dates. This will help you stay on top of your heavy workload and allow you to designate times for sleeping.
4. Build Your Credit
It’s never too early to start building credit. Your credit score can affect where you live, what you drive, your employment options, bank loans, and even your day to day living expenses. If you have a credit card, only use it on things you need and make sure that you can pay your bills. If you don’t have a credit card, you should look into getting one. There are credit cards specifically made for college students, so do your research before applying!
5. Volunteer More
Volunteering is a great way to become more involved in the community in a positive way. The world could use a little more happiness and helping someone in need can be just the thing that starts a little change. Helping others not only improves their lives, but studies show that it improves the mental health of the volunteers. Everyone wins when people try to make the world a better place.
6. Try Something New Every Month
Trying something new can be as simple as eating at a new restaurant or as extreme as skydiving. Trying new things will allow you to become more cultured and connected with others. Also, only trying one thing a month means you only have to step out of your comfort zone twelve times the entire year! Obviously, you shouldn’t limit yourself to twelve if you find something that interests you, and who knows? Perhaps you’ll find a new passion of yours!
7. Work Ahead
A great way to reduce stress is to stop procrastinating. Not only should you finish your work on time but getting ahead will take a lot of weight off your shoulders. You’ll be able to enjoy activities fully instead of constantly thinking about that paper you still need to complete. Working ahead also gives you more time to reevaluate your assignments. This can lead to a better understanding of the subject, resulting in better grades.
8. Become a Leader
The world needs more teachers, but this job shouldn’t only be assigned to your professors. Becoming a leader on campus can be a great way to get yourself out of a routine and inspire others. One way to become a leader is applying to be a Residence Adviser (RA). There is an RA info session in the Lewis Lounge on Jan. 16 at 2:30 p.m. Show up, absorb all the information you can, and apply for a chance to become something bigger at Dominican. Oh, and possibly get a free room on campus, but who wants to save thousands of dollars these days?
9. Meet New People
Dominican is a small campus, but many people still walk these halls not knowing many people here. Simply saying hello to another person you’re unfamiliar with can open up several doors to different possibilities. Some relationships will come and go but getting out of your comfort zone to speak to someone can possibly change your life. Next time you’re walking to class, don’t pretend you are reading something interesting on your phone. Look up and interact with your fellow students.
10. Have More Fun
College is full of stress. What will you do with your degree? What will you do for your next group project? What will you even eat for breakfast tomorrow? Sometimes we get so caught up in what we need to plan for next that we don’t sit back and enjoy what is happening right now. If it’s a beautiful day outside, go for a walk. If your friends invite you to hang out, don’t turn it down to watch Netflix. If there’s a trip you’ve always wanted to take, do it and enjoy every moment of it. Worry a little less this year and appreciate every day while you still can. After all, it is the 20s.
