It’s nearly 2023, so you know what that means. New Year’s resolutions. Even if you’re the kind of person that makes a resolution and has forgotten about it a week into January (not calling anyone *myself* out), maybe this year will be different? Who knows. But, New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to learn new skills, develop new hobbies or try something new. If you’re looking for some ideas, here are 10 of the top new year’s resolutions for students.
1. Get more sleep
An obvious one, but it goes without saying. Being a student is tiring, so, consequently, why not try and get more sleep. Studies show that the average uni student needs between seven and nine hours a night. I obviously don’t know how much sleep you get a night but it’s safe to say we can all do with some more. Some ways of tackling this as a New Year’s resolution could be not going on your phone or laptop before bed (as hard as it is), going to bed a little earlier than usual or reading before bed (more on that later). Prioritising sleep is a great way to take care of your physical and mental health in the new year!
2. Learn a language
In 2023, why not learn a language? In our multicultural world, having some proficiency, no matter how much, in another language can be very useful. Not just for when you’re travelling, but having a language on your CV will instantly make it more attractive to future employers – here’s what you can do as a job with another language. You could sign up for language classes at your uni or, if you don’t have as much time, you could try an app like Duolingo. According to Duolingo, five to ten minutes a day can go a long way. Every little helps.
3. Find a job or internship:
Whether it’s for the summer or part time while you study, having a job can be useful. This New Year’s resolution is useful for both to gaining experience for the future and to just getting some money (we can always do with more money). Jobs can fit around your studies pretty easily, no matter what kind of job you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for a part time job, check out our list of some of the best part time jobs for students.
4. Volunteer
Volunteering can be a great way of giving back. It can be a great New Year’s resolution if you’re looking for something new to do with added benefits. Whether it’s helping out at your local charity shop or in homeless shelters and food banks, there’s something to do for everyone. While it’s not something you’ll probably get paid for, volunteering is something that can fit in no matter what your schedule is.
5. Take a free course
A great New Year’s resolution for students is to learn a new skill from a free course, which is something that can encompass a wide range of areas. Whether that’s learning a new language, learning how to code or developing a skill related to your degree, there’s plenty of interesting courses out there. Plus, it’s free. We students like free things. Companies like Coursera offer free courses online, with north of two and a half thousand different courses. Something that will benefit your CV and it’s free. What more could you want?
6. Drink more water
Always a good thing. If you don’t feel like you drink enough water, then that can be the perfect new year’s resolution. Water is good for you, drink some. There are bottles like these that have time markings that tell you how much water you should have drunk to have 2 litres a day.
7. Try new foods and recipes:
If you, like us, are in a near constant food rut, then you could make your New Year’s resolution to try new foods or recipes. There are so many benefits that come from this. If you find a new recipe that you love, then you can add that to your uni food recipe rota (as much as we love takeout and pesto pasta, it’s probably not a good idea to eat them every single day). Check out our list for the best student recipes for university.
8. Make time for yourself
Uni, at least on the academic side, can be so incredibly taxing. Long days of classes, long nights of homework in the library, it can be a lot. So, make sure you find time for yourself. Whether it’s watching your favourite TV show, reading a book or just taking some time away from your studies to relax. I’m genuinely not kidding, this was my New Year’s resolution this year and it was great for both my academics and my mental health as I wasn’t burnt out all the time. Try actually scheduling it in your calendar, so you make sure you stick to it and don’t over plan.
9. Read more often
If you, like me, do an essay-based subject, then you already do enough reading, but here me out. We may do a ridiculous amount of reading for our degrees, but it’s not the same as reading for pleasure. Reading for fun can be good for you. It can be a great way to destress, and reading before bed rather than going on your phone or laptop means that you’ll sleep better. We can always do with more sleep.
10. Budget better
Talking about finances and budgeting can be stressful, but by making it a New Year’s resolution, you might be able to start budgeting more responsibly. The cost of living crisis means that everyone is a little more pressed for money these days, so being more aware of your finances and what you’re spending can be a New Year’s resolution that may actually last.
So, there you have it, these are some of the top New Year’s resolutions for students. While it’s not an extensive list, this will hopefully get you thinking.
Last Updated on March 17, 2024
Published on December 29, 2022