Year after year, as the holiday spirit dies down once again, and the painful jolt of reality kicks back in, people all over the world begin to form their list of unrealistic and impractical New Year's resolutions. The New Year is usually perceived as a new slate for many, but we all know that the future cannot be ventured upon without learning from our past. With that being said, this year's New Year's resolutions should be about changing the little things in life, instead of going through the hefty process of undertaking extravagant and nearly impossible to manage, goals.

1. Talk less, listen more

The majority of people in our society in today's day and age have become EXTREMELY egocentric. The true form of a conversation between two people seems almost nonexistent at times. Instead of constantly chipping in your opinion and having a fixed perspective on things, try to be more open to what other people have to say. The greatest source of knowledge comes from learning from others, and being able to give someone your utmost attention is a step in the right direction in order to become more self-grounded.

2. READ

Whether it be the morning newspaper, the New York Times on your phone, or a classic novel like Catcher in the Rye (my personal favorite), you should always make time to get some reading in during the day. To those college students who may be thinking I barely have time to read my textbook for a class, just remember setting aside ten minutes a day can go a long way. Reading is a tremendous way to stimulate your brain, and a great way to stay up-to-date with global events and current news. It can also be used as a relaxing way to end the day. I mean, who doesn't choose to read half an hour's worth of Dickens instead of watching Netflix right before they go to bed? Am I right?

3. Travel

Something that everyone needs to do more of this year and all of the years to come is travel. And by travel, I don't mean booking a seven-day vacation at an all-inclusive resort in such places as Bora Bora or the Maldives. While vacationing is something that I support 100%, traveling is not the same thing by any means. The vast majority of us need to travel more this year in order to get out of our comfort zones and to be able to try new things and simply undergo a new kind of adventure. Experiencing new cultures, learning a new language, and participating in local activities are all wonderful components of traveling that all aid in making you a well-diversified human being, which should be an ultimate goal in life for everyone.

4. Make new friends.

It's 2017 folks, and cliques are way outdated- at least in my opinion. Now don't get me wrong, everyone needs their "ride-or-die's". We wouldn't be where we are today without the support of our closest friends and family. However, meeting new people is a crucial aspect of growing overall as a person. As I mentioned earlier, the greatest way a human being thrives and matures is through direct contact with a fellow human. Different types of people have different things to offer, and it's always great to discover new things about yourself that you hadn't known before. Joining clubs you normally wouldn't, rushing for a sorority or a fraternity, and even just walking up to people in classes are great ways of building new relationships that allow you to step out of your comfort zone.

5. Don't be afraid to do things alone.

A great misconception when it comes to societal norms is that doing things alone portrays you as a sort of loser. In actuality, doing things alone is one of the greatest displays of independence. Spending time with yourself is probably one of the best things you can do this year, and it's also the easiest and most convenient. Learn to discover who you really are- your likes and dislikes. Try new things by yourself, things you would normally never think of doing. Spending time alone gives you a chance to clear your mind from all your worries, and truly just focus on yourself. That's something we all forget to set some time aside for but is essential for our well-being.