We’ve heard the saying: ‘new year, new me,’ yet our resolutions often don’t make it past January. For students, new year resolutions need to be achievable and balance more than coursework and revision. So here are our 10 new year’s resolutio10 New Year Resolutions for Students
We’ve heard the saying: ‘new year, new me,’ yet try as we might, our resolutions often don’t make it past January. Many of us set off on the wrong foot by setting unrealistic goals. For students, new year resolutions need to be achievable, and balance more than coursework and revision.
Here are 10 new year’s resolutions for students that you’ll actually be able to stick to.
Stay on top of uni work
Improve your physical fitness
Make new friends
Learn to cook
Take time for yourself
Get a part-time job
Try a new hobby
Learn to manage your money
Make the most of your university resources
Limit screen time
Stay on top of uni work
‘This year, I’m going to stay on top of my uni work,’ you say to yourself. Yet, despite being one of the most frequent new year’s resolutions for students, it’s often one of the hardest to stick to.
Depending on your course and the way you like to work, this can mean a lot of different things. It’s easier to stay on top of your work if you break your resolution into small achievable goals. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
Try and stick to at least thirty minutes of uni work a day.
Consider creating a to-do list on Sunday night.
Consider learning methods that work for you. Sometimes, just reading things isn’t enough. You might want to write things down, create mind maps or even colour code ideas, depending on how you learn best.
Get someone you trust you to hold you accountable, through check-ups or study meet-ups to help you both.
Be realistic with goals and deadlines.
Sometimes, even the best plans can fall apart due to the environment around you. If you’re struggling to focus, try trading your bedroom for a coffee shop, library, or a dedicated study space. In some Unite Students properties, there are comfy communal study areas that could be the perfect change of environment.
Improve your physical fitness
Christmas is a time for comfort, celebrating, and (over)indulging – and so it should be. Don’t feel guilty, you earned it. Still, coming back after the holidays might have you feeling less healthy than usual.
“New year, new me” becomes a lot harder when you don’t feel good in yourself. So, strap on your running shoes – it’s time to get physical.
Staying fit is awesome for your physical and mental health. It may take discipline, but it can give you a boost in every other area of your life.
For many people, the resolution rush can make them gym intimidating, and for others the cost may be a barrier. Don’t worry, at some Unite Students properties you can access on-site gyms where you can work out without the extra costs.
Make new friends
University is about more than just grades, coursework, and exams – it’s an entire lifestyle and being social is just as important as studying.
You may be comfortable in your current social circle, but don’t cut yourself off from making new connections. In each new semester, there’s opportunity to meet people all around. Give yourself chance to nurture these relationships.
Meeting people means making new opportunities for fun, support, and networking. What may be a coffee and study date today, could become a lifelong friendship or work partnership in the future.
It can be daunting to introduce yourself. If you live at a Unite Students property, taking advantage of the communal areas could be a great way to meet people. Read our guide to making friends at University, and enjoy the start of some unforgettable moments.ns for students, that you’ll actually be able to stick to.
Learn to cook
Takeaways feel like a treat, until it starts to hit your student loan. Save the ready meals for a rainy day and learn to cook.
Munching on more nutritious meals is great, but it can be a real time and money saver too. By learning to cook, you can make the most out of your weekly shop, pack up meals for those days where you just need a quick bite and save money for other things you enjoy.
Best of all? It’s easy to learn. With tons of recipes online, you’ll feel like a chef in no time. Start off easy, with simple pasta meals and start adding more to your repertoire. You’ll have a restaurant menu’s worth of meals to prepare before you can say “MOB kitchen”.
At Unite Students accommodation, you can enjoy great kitchen facilities, so cooking is even more enjoyable. Plus, it’s a great time and place to socialise.
Take time for yourself
New year’s resolutions for students often focus on socialising or doing more coursework. But if you don’t take time for yourself, you could burn out.
It’s okay if you want to hide away from time to time. Go on a walk, find a little corner to call your own, or relax in your room and take some time out. Our cosy, private rooms are perfect for those who need some time alone now and then.
Get a part-time job
If you like to have a bit of extra spending money, you may not be able to live on your student loan alone.
Give your bank account a health check and save your finances from being stretched with a part-time job. It can be tricky to balance a job alongside your university commitments, but the extra cash in your pocket makes it worthwhile.
Plus, having work experience is a big plus when it comes to your career post-uni. Even in entry level or part-time roles, you can learn a lot of transferable skills and begin building a portfolio of work for your CV.
Not only that, but with some planning you may be able to get roles relevant to your career goals. Don’t rule out internships either, these can be great for landing you the position you want in the future.
Try a new hobby
Don’t think that New year’s resolutions have to be about work. Students are allowed fun too – so this January, do yourself a favour and discover a new hobby, either by yourself or with friends.
Trying new things can be fun and exciting, but they’re also a great way to socialise and unwind. It can be a great way to boost your mental well-being too, and you never know what connections you might make, or where your passion could take you.
It’s also an opportunity to meet people outside of your usual circle. The hardest part is figuring out what to do, so here are a few hobbies you could try:
Dance lessons - salsa, bachata, contemporary, ballroom.
Arts and crafts - pottery, painting, collaging, woodworking.
Sports - running, football, gymnastics, rock climbing.
Learn to manage your money
As a student, any new year’s resolutions that focus on your finances are good pledges to make. It sets you up well for your future but can give you a lot of financial security even now. If you’re in control of your finances, it can remove a lot of stress.
There are a lot of ways to budget, but using something to track your finances is a good start. There are a range of apps to help you monitor your money – or you could simply use a spreadsheet.
If you're a Unite Students resident, you also have access to Blackbullion's free financial wellbeing platform which helps students develop financial skills and empowers better decision making. Blackbullion is an online learning platform that is jam-packed with tools, resources and courses to help you grow your financial skills and your confidence! Get access here and take control of your finances.
Once you’ve got that in hand, you can look at ways to reduce outgoings. Cutting your spending doesn’t have to mean never going out. Look for chances to reduce the cost of your shops, takeout orders, or even your bills. If you’re unsure where to start saving money, visit our student money saving guide.
Make the most out of your university experience
University isn’t just about essays and exams. From exploring the hidden depths of the library to finding the confidence to speak in front of classmates, make the most of the resources at your disposal.
Sharing your thoughts in seminars can be intimidating, but they can be a great way to learn, inform and create conversation which can lead toward inspiration or surprising opportunities. Not only that, speaking up can be a major confidence booster.
Joining university societies can do the same thing, serving as both a new hobby and an extra-curricular boost.
If societies aren’t your thing, have you considered looking at volunteering, or any university-led internships? These aren’t just good for the money – you can create a compelling portfolio of work, or even establish contacts in the industry.
Whether you’re speaking with your tutor, visiting the library for support or seeking advice from a career councillor, making the most out of university resources means you get more out of your time studying.
Limit screen time
While everyone should try to limit their screen time, this new year’s resolution is even more important for students.
You’re busy – there’s not enough time in the day – so those minutes spent scrolling can quickly add up. Your phone is an always welcome distraction which means it’s a hard habit to kick. Here are some ways to limit your screen time:
Leave your phone out of reach when you’re in bed. (It might force you to get up on time too!)
Use focus mode when studying or in the morning – you can schedule this in the settings of most phones.
Give yourself something else to focus on – like learning a language, reading a new book, or journalling.
Many of us struggle to reduce screen time because we’re bored. Think of an enjoyable and helpful habit to replace it with, like brain trainers or other small but productive tasks you enjoy.
