As much as I wish it wasn’t, the school year is rapidly approaching. I know once the semester starts I will be bogged down with reading, tests, papers and so much more. With the start of each school year there is so much excitement and opportunity for self growth. This year I am setting 10 resolutions I have for myself because who says resolutions are only for January 1st?

1. Get more sleep

Okay if you know me at all then this one will make you laugh. I think I sleep less than anyone I know and I sometimes think I’m invincible. Plot twist: I’m not invincible at all and I’m not super-human. I once slept seven hours total in a week. At the end of the last semester I was so burned out that I was barely human and I realized that my sleep needs to be more important. This semester I really want to sleep at least six or seven hours a night. It doesn’t sound like enough sleep, but it is more than ever before so, baby steps?

2. Travel more

Traveling while being a full-time student can be pretty challenging, but this summer has taught me that it is not impossible. There are so many places I want to see and with the proper planning and enough motivation I know I can make it happen. Plus who doesn’t love a good weekender road trip??

3. Volunteer

Although I am required to have volunteer hours for my sorority, I have never exceeded their requirement and that is truly a shame. There are so many amazing opportunities in the volunteer world and so many organizations that need help. I find it is easy to get wrapped up in my own life, but spending a couple hours a month volunteering can really put things in perspective.

4. Stop procrastinating

I think we have all said this one before, but truly it is such an important resolution. I avoid things pretty much at all cost. If there is a way to procrastinate I will find it. I can turn a 10 minute assignment into a 12 hour assignment. It truly is an impressive skill, but this year I vow to be better. Maybe I’ll turn that 10 minute assignment into one hour instead of 12?

5. Be more positive

This is a really big one for me. I have a tendency to be quite negative and honestly it is one of my biggest flaws. The world is truly a great place, even when bad things happen and I need to remember that. It is easy to get overwhelmed and forget all the positive and inspiring aspects of life. I am blessed with so much and I need to remember that.

6. Keep my room (and house) clean

When I get stressed and overwhelmed my room ends up being the last thing on my list of priorities, but this year I want to change that. I always feel better coming home to a clean house with a made bed. I started the last school year with this resolution and for the first few months I did a great job, but then I got stressed and making my bed was moved to the bottom of my checklist. This year, it will be at the top of my check list to start every morning with a clean room.

7. Stop eating take out and start cooking

Old habits die hard, what can I say? My mom isn’t what I would call a chef (If you’re reading this, sorry Mom) and for most of my life we had take out almost every night. I honestly never minded because what kid doesn’t love to have Rubio's, Subway, and In-N-Out for diner? But now as I get older I realize that take out is expensive, inconvenient, and not the healthiest choice. This isn’t to say that I will never order take out again, but I need to learn to eat at home at least 50 percent on the time. (Baby steps ya know?) My roommates always cook, so hopefully they will help to keep me accountable on this one. (Hey Claud and Meegs)

8. Go to more concerts

This one might seem strange, but I honestly forgot how much fun concerts are. I used to go to them all the time, but for some reason I just stopped. A lot of times they aren’t that expensive and it can be such a fun thing to do on a Friday night with friends. Some of my favorite memories are from concerts I’ve gone to with my best friends.

9. Be more present

For Lent last year, I took a small Instagram hiatus and it was honestly one of my better decisions. It gave me the opportunity to be present in my life without having to worry about taking a cute pic for the gram. I won’t be giving up Instagram again, but I want to focus on being more present in the moment. I want to check my social media less and truly experience every moment of senior year.

10. Stop letting other people control my happiness

I love all my friends and family so much that I tend to get caught up in their opinions of me, but this year I want to work hard to be happy with myself. I let their problems be my problems and that isn’t fair to me. I need to learn to be supportive and there for them without letting it control my own feelings. I can be happy with myself and my own life regardless of what is going on around me. I am me and I am great, so what other people think shouldn’t matter.

Cheers to Senior year and becoming a better version of my already great self!