At the beginning of each semester, we are all bright and shiny and eager to take on the road ahead. We create mental lists of everything we want to achieve this year, academically and personally. We also rant to our roommate about all the things we are *not* going to do, ie. eat too much junk food, get caught up with players and procrastinate or what have you. With this though, we tend to fall short with our promises to ourselves. Of course, it's more difficult to break a habit than to adopt one, but it's much more rewarding.

Before you kick off this fall semester, whether it be your freshman year or senior year, defeating these seven bad habits will allow you to enjoy your life more, and honestly, be happier.

1. Staying only within your friend group.

Whether your current friends are amazing or not, get yourself out there to meet more people. Just as education and travel help you to learn and to open your mind, so does your friendship circle.

2. Not exercising or being outside enough.

Due to the high stress environment of college life, it does the body and mind good to be outside and breathe in the fresh air instead of being cooped up in the library or your dorm room all day. And what better way to relieve all that stress than to get your body moving? Join the swing dance club or an intramural team or just walk with your friends around campus so you're refreshed to dig deep in the daily grind.

3. Not knowing when to say "no."

Ignoring your own feelings to suit someone else's is awful. If you don't want to do something, then don't. Why should you stress about the things you *can* control? Some suggestions for responses -- "No, thanks." "I'm busy, I can't." Or you can even say "No, I don't want to." Be straight forward.

4. Having "flakey" tendencies.

It may seem like a wonderful idea at the time to say "yes" to attending that party, but when it comes closer to the time of actually going, you realize you are much busier than you thought or that you just don't feel like it because you're tired, etc. Instead of agreeing to plans right away, say "Let me get back to you" or "I'm not sure if I can. Gotta check my schedule." And if you do have to cancel after agreeing, then give the person(s) the courtesy in advance and not the day of.

5. Not putting people in their place.

Solution to this problem? Stop taking a bunch of shit from everyone. Period. When someone is being unkind or inconsiderate, call them out on it. We're too busy trying to please everyone and keeping quiet. Stand up for yourself and those around you.

6. Getting upset when others belittle your major or career plans.

Be proud of who you are and your plans for the future. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If they have the audacity to question or disparage what you're doing with your life, then they've got some serious insecurities they need to confront.

7. Not calling family and friends enough.

Whether or not you have a quality relationship with your family, show respect to those who raised you and got you this far. They've made a way for you to succeed and it doesn't take any energy at all to show gratitude. Show the ones who love you that you care.