Talk shows, magazine articles, and radio commercials all try to sell the same New Year's resolutions to society each year. “This year, you should go to the gym more.” “This is the year to look the best you’ve ever looked: Get fit and start eating healthier!” and “Stop procrastination in 2015: Get your work done!” Yeah, yeah, yeah. Get fit, work harder, we get it.
Now, while these are great goals for the New Year, there is more to it than just getting fit. College is an incredible time for personal growth, and this is only going to happen if you start pushing yourself to become a better person in all aspects of your life. Here are four lasting resolutions I think every college student should challenge themselves to work toward in 2015.
1. Reach out to others and go outside your comfort zone. Make it a resolution to reach outside your normal group of friends, and instead, go up and talk to new people. Ask the person you’re normally just friends with in class to hang out sometime. Talk to people you don’t typically find yourself having frequent conversations with. Smile at others as you pass them by on your way to class. I mean think about it, you’re at a school with thousands of pretty awesome people. College is a time to meet so many new people and learn from them, ultimately helping you to grow and develop as a person. So get out there and branch out — you never know who you'll meet.
2. Learn More. Now this does not necessarily mean take three extra classes or read textbooks on astronomical physics for no reason. But make it a goal to learn more from every person you meet. Learn about their experiences and tell them about yours. Raise your hand in class, ask questions, and complete the difficult assignments. Pursue a hobby you've always been interested in. Learning is something that never stops and knowledge is an incredible thing to have. Pushing yourself above and beyond will only help you in life, and you never know the opportunities that could follow.
3. Listen to others. Really Listen. We’ve all remember that time when we had a lot to say, and we talked for a long time while a great friend sat there and truly listened. Be that friend for someone else. When you ask others how their day is going, really listen for their response. Ask how you can help others, and listen to them when they have a great story to tell. “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”- Stephen Covey
4. Be present. Between social media, texting, and trying to keep up with the insane amount of emails you receive, sometimes it’s hard to give others your full attention. Strive this new year to put down distractions when in the presence of others. Set aside your phone and find out about what’s going on in the lives of those around you. Have a real conversation about the exciting things going on in life rather than about the latest Instagram post. In the long run, are you really going to remember time spent scrolling through Twitter or are you going to remember the awesome conversations and exciting moments you had with your friends? Be present with them.
Now what are you waiting for? Go have your best year yet!
