As the first day of the New Year approaches, there are a lot things to consider when it comes to “resolutions” or “goals” for the 12 months ahead. There are plenty of big things you could change, like things about your physical appearance or your eating habits. But, I think coming up with several ways to look at your everyday life can make for a bigger impact than just your average “this year I want to eat a salad every day!” kind of year-long aspiration. This kind of goal is good, but at the end of the day, maybe taking things one day at a time can lead to a better year. This is a list of ideas I’ve compiled to consider in your everyday life:

• Keep an open mind: Be open to anything and everything. Take your conclusions and opinions of the past and allow room for change! Don't be so set in your old ways.
• Get organized: take these last few days of freedom before the semester is in full swing and get your life together. Organize your schedule, books, even organizing your computer can make you feel more put together.
• Smile/laugh more: Positivity is such a big part of your own health and well-being. It's actually good for stress and anxiety to smile and laugh to suppress that potential pounding in your head.
• A new year does not automatically imply a "new me": I'm all for fresh starts and change, but it doesn't happen overnight. Claiming you're a new human the first day of the year doesn't really justify claim on a new "person." Consider it more of a fresh opportunity rather than a fresh start!
• Remember the little things: Consider the smaller things about your life or your friends lives that could turn around their day. Send a quick "I love you, hope you're having a good day!" text. Even just a smile for a stranger can make someone else's day!
• Sleep more: Sleep is good! Take more time in the day to get ahead so you feel good about going to bed at a reasonable hour. I always fight myself on whether I should sleep because there's a list of things I want to accomplish before bed. Put that aside and hop in bed. Those extra hours will make for a better tomorrow.
• Make the important, feel important: Remind those important in your life that they are in fact that important. Every person deserves to know that they are wanted and needed. Even if you haven't spoken to someone in weeks, they should know they're still an imperative piece in your life.
• Give back when you can: Even if it's just spare change in the American Cancer Society bucket at the counter in the gas station, that's a few cents to help others. When you have extra time or money to spend, put it towards a good cause. It not only helps others in your community, but it makes you feel a little better for stepping outside your lifestyle for a second to help someone else toward a better life themselves.
• Make new friends/connections: Change things up and make some new friends! Whether it's a romantic interest or a person you pick to sit next to on the first day of class, reach out and start a conversation! Chances are you could end up with great people to surround yourself with!
• Spend less: This is my biggest goal for this upcoming year for a lot of reasons. I've been teaching myself to reconsider every object before purchase. This has led to a lot of "Can you take these items off" at the register, but I know even if it's at the last minute, it's a matter of deciding what's necessity and what can go back to the shelf.
• Don't procrastinate: College is about time management. When a professor gives you an assignment in the syllabus that's going to be due at the end of the semester, go ahead and look into it! If it's something you can already accomplish ahead of time, do so! It will save you weeks from now when you remember you have a week to get it done. Use every day to your advantage.
• Try new things: This is pretty self-explanatory. Just branch out! It could be food, a new style, or even a hair color. Just let go a little and do something you normally wouldn't!
• Make the first move: This could refer to a romantic relationship, academic choice, or even a job opening. Make the first move! Romantically, gender doesn't matter, guy or girl, you make the first move if you want something to happen! In school, take a class you normally wouldn't. And when applying for jobs, contact them, reach out and show high interest, persistence and self-motivation, these are great qualities.
• Don't feel obligated to look for love: You could be 18 or 28 and you will never find love if you go and try to make it happen. Yes, I believe things can't change unless you make them, but you can't make love happen. Love will find you. It can happen in the strangest of ways, but I believe it will find you when it's time.
• Be supportive: If you found yourself angry, annoyed, or even jealous of people in your life, I know firsthand how hard it is to support someone when they're doing something to themselves or their life that you might not agree with. Know that having the support of those you care about is so important when going through new obstacles.
• Let go of the past: Yes, this is cliché. But, the past occurred and that can't be changed. People who dwell on the past and beat themselves up about it are the people who struggle the most to enjoy everyday life! Even if the mistakes of your past hurt you, allowing yourself to accept that it happened and concentrating on the future ahead, is the best thing you can do.