The Best New Year’s Resolutions for College Students
Posted: December 10, 2021 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 7 minutes
Have you ever heard of Kaizen? Unless you’re from Japan, probably not. Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning, “striving for constant improvement.” The resources available to you at Southern Utah University are abundant, but what goes under a lot of students’ radars is what other resources the university has to offer that can create habitual improvement.
What you learn in the classroom will assist you in your future career; now we ask, “what about outside the classroom?” Here are the best goals and New Year’s resolutions for college students to implement to enhance their experience here at SUU!
Seven New Year’s Resolutions for College Students
1. School Spirit and Getting Involved in College
Unity amongst students is an important part of the culture here at SUU. T-Bird Nation is one big red family! Attending athletic events and cheering together gives a sense of belonging, and all of these are included for free with a valid student ID as well, so there’s no reason not to attend! Every Friday, SUU hosts a campus wide event known as Red Friday, where the entire student body, staff and faculty are encouraged to show their pride by wearing red.
If sports aren’t your thing, you can always get involved with the over 120 clubs and organizations at SUU. When it comes to college, don’t go it alone, there’s a place for everyone!
2. Discovering Your Environment, Adventure Time
Getting out and exploring what this beautiful planet has to offer is one of life’s many treats, and thankfully, you’ve chosen the right college to get started on your journey of discovery. SUU is in the heart of every national park in southern Utah and is widely known as the University of the Parks. SUU’s outdoor scene is second to none, with dozens of hiking trails and camping sites to choose from. SUU Outdoors is the main resource on campus for everything you’ll need for your adventure! So why not make it a point to get out more, see what you can see.
3. Art is Subjective, What’s Your Subject?
Appreciation for art, in all its forms, is something students should be encouraged to get into as a possible new year’s resolution. And surprise surprise, you’ve chosen the right university to explore your artsy side! SUU is of course well known for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, where well renowned Shakespearean shows are put on by professionals and students alike. Are you a museum fanatic? The Southern Utah Museum of Art always has intriguing exhibits and opportunities to volunteer for the facility. SUU's College of Performing and Visual Arts puts on amazing events such as SUU Live, 24 Hour Theatre, SUU Opera, and so much more. We love our theatre nerds, and we want you to be as involved as possible with the programs.
4. Networking, Communication Skills, Making Connections
In every aspect of life, you’re going to need good communication skills. Not everybody can stand in front of a class or crowd and deliver a powerful speech or presentation. Not everybody can crank out a 10-page essay in two hours and get it back the next day with an A+ on the top of it. But much like Sam from the cinematic masterpiece, Holes, we can fix that. SUU’s Speech and Presentation Center and Writing Center are more than willing to help with any aspect of your communication skills you’re wanting to improve. Communication skills go hand in hand with connections made during your college years. Creating a valuable network for yourself can mean the difference between landing a job and landing your dream job. Get on with your bad self and make some meaningful connections.
5. Volunteering in the T-Bird Community
So many interesting things about society have been learned through the pandemic. One major discovery is that when you feel alone, you’re more likely to develop severe depression symptoms. A lot of people feel helpless and secluded during this unprecedented time and need the help of others more than ever. Volunteering in your community is a great way to connect with people who need a helping hand and is an amazing New Year’s resolution to add to your regiment. As a college student, you’re going to be incredibly busy with school, work, extracurriculars, etc., but taking just an hour per week to volunteer for a local shelter, public school, or church not only benefits the people you help but your own mental and physical health as well. It’s been scientifically proven that volunteering counteracts stress, depression, and self-deprecation by giving a person a purpose and increasing confidence that you’re doing the right thing. The Community Engagement Center has a list of ways you can help in your community today.
6. Understanding What You Understand (Study Skills)
If you’re like many, you got through most of K-12 with minimal studying necessary. It sure was nice while it lasted, but you may have already noticed that collegiate academics takes a bit more time to interpret and understand. Focusing on one subject for a few hours and never looking at your phone can sound like such an anxiety-induced nightmare, but fear not fellow college students!
A big misconception around studying is that you have to look over your notes, the book, or the lecture material for hours on end with no breaks in order to fully understand the material. However, taking time for yourself plays a very important role in the effectiveness of your studies. Every 45 minutes or so, take a small 15 minute break to relax your mind and eyes while your brain digests the copious amounts of information it just retained. Get a snack, drink some water, play Clash Royale for a second, watch some TikToks, and after that 15 minutes is up, put the phone back down and keep grinding for that A.
Struggling to understand the material? The SUU Tutoring Center is a fabulous resource for students just like yourself that need a little nudge in the right direction. They offer recurring tutoring, drop-in tutoring, and group tutoring. Other students around you often have their own way of studying as well, so reach out to them as a resource and find your own best studying ritual. Study habits will take you far not just in college, but in your future career and everyday life. Make it a resolution for the new year and bring your A-game!
7. Exercise and the Mental Health Boost
Unless you played sports, most people didn’t think about what kind of shape they were in or how much exercise they were getting while in high school. Some had their parents on their case about getting outside more or going for a run. Some were content with staying inside and never seeing the light of day; these are the people who were probably team Edward. Nevertheless, exercise and getting outside is a crucial part of maintaining your mental health and stability in college.
Campus Recreation is a great resource to help you get started on your fitness journey. With free classes, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and free recreational activities like basketball, volleyball, etc, what better way to get a sweat going and take that much-needed break from studies. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can create a regular exercise routine. It’s been proven that exercise reduces stress, wards off anxiety and depression, boosts self-esteem, and improves sleep. Exercise can really hoist many people out of deep mental holes; whether it’s a 10 minute walk outside or a full hour and a half of lifting, staying active has a substantial impact on your outlook on life. Don’t let the commonality of getting active as a new year’s resolution shy you away from the health benefits and the endorphins your body is craving!
To be fair, implementing every single resolution that’s been suggested would just be way too chaotic for your busy schedule. The greatest part about somebody else making a resolution list for you is that you can simply choose one and try it out! Take a day and go to an art museum and see how it makes you feel. The next day, go to the P.E. Building and take a dive in the pool. Next, set some time aside and go volunteer. You can even spread it out over the course of weeks and months.
The beauty of these new year’s resolutions for college students is that there are no time frames, just simple ideas to better yourself. While it is ultimately up to you to implement, the new things you’ll try and the better you’ll feel after the fact is what makes doing these activities completely worth the time and effort. A year from now, take a look back at all the wonderful things you accomplished and give yourself a big thank you.
Tags: Student Campus Resources
