We have all successfully rang in the new year, hopefully recovered from 2016’s first hangover, and are now writing out our New Year Resolutions. Most college students are vowing that 2016 will result in a “beach bod” that Khloe Kardashian would approve of, a bank account that ends in several 0’s, and a relationship that would put "Full House"’s Jesse and Becky to shame. I know this because these have been my New Year Resolutions for the past three years.

But, when asking a close family friend what her resolution(s) were, she unknowingly showed me that I have focused on short term goals these past years. When asked, her response was simply “My resolution is to be happy.” Her definition of happiness is not measured by the amount of pounds she loses, how much money is in her bank account or by any other tangible measurement; she is simply “measuring” her resolution progress by her quality of life.

No, this friend is not chronically depressed, does not cry all of the time because she is miserable and she is not unhappy with her life. This determination is not the result of any "outside" cause, but is a result of simply wanting to live an overall happy and positive life.

Happiness has a different meaning for each person. For myself, I am vowing to "take it one day at a time." This means, that I am going to focus on each day given to me, ensuring that I work my hardest when needed (school, work, etc.), while also allowing myself to enjoy the time I can spend with my friends and family. As most college students, I tend to bite off more than I can chew and then continue to stress, plan and worry about all of my upcoming tasks/assignments or obligations, leading me to forget about me.

By taking it one day at a time, I am able to simply enjoy each day I am given. Whether it is full of homework, or folding towels at work, crying, or laughing—I am reminding myself to take it day by day and not to stress about what is coming up. In turn, improving my quality of life and becoming a happier and more joyful person.

Make your resolutions and be proud of the goals you are setting for 2016—whether you want to run a 5k by the end of the year, stop procrastinating on your homework (because… who doesn’t do that?), or stop smoking cigarettes, make sure you remember the reason you are setting these resolutions/goals: to ultimately improve your quality of life and becoming a happier/better version of yourself.

So, set your resolutions, think about them daily, and always remember that every day is a fresh start and chance to become a happier you.