In the past month, you've eaten your weight in food many times over. You've logged an almost impossible number of couch-hours. An entire tub of Roses no longer seems like a challenge. But now it's January and the good times have given way to the "new you"... Don't worry, I'm not gonna tell you to drink seaweed for a month or start doing 10km runs every morning before college. Instead, here are a few realistic New Year's resolutions for the sensible college student.
1. Dieting
The most common and ridiculous New Year's resolution usually involve eating. If you're considering becoming a fruitarian, subjecting yourself to a soy&quinoa-only diet or limiting your gluten intake to one cube of cheese per day, don't bother. What no-one has told you is that, once you go back to eating normally, you'll just put the weight back on again. So save yourself the stress of eating like a rabbit and just try to add some more fruit and veg into your diet instead.
2. Drink Too Much
Give the bank balance a rest for the month of January and dramatically decrease your clubbing itinerary. If anyone is out this soon after New Year's, they're probably having a shit time. Instead, why not grab a few cans and enjoy some well-deserved downtime for you and your wallet.
3. Get Fit
If, like me, the idea of running on a treadmill makes you feel physically sick, try Yoga/ Pilates. For the males out there, 5-a-side with the boys is always a good option. Instead of a €400 gym membership, these alternatives cost next to nothing. If you're trying to get your fitness up to scratch and make this resolution last longer than a week or a month, it's important to choose a method that's fun and won't break the bank.
4. Smoking
Every New Year, smokers are united with overriding guilt about a coughy December and dreams of quitting for good. Stop if you have the willpower and determination. Your bank balance and lungs will thank you for it. However, if you're having a shit day and you really want a cig, don't be too hard on yourself. There's no need to make January any more miserable than it already is.
5. Get Less Stressed
Much easier said than done. My advice is to plan plan plan. Once you find out when all your college assignments are due this semester, map out how and when you will get them done, accounting for parties and hangover days. Once you know what to do and when to do it, stress will begin to disappear. No need to develop a habit for "relaxing" prescription medication then...
6. Save Money
The easiest way to achieve this is to stop going out so often. If you are still desperate to get out of the house in the evenings after Christmas, head over to a mate's house or another college dorm.... and bring some drink. Cheaper and usually more fun, depending on your friends of course.
7. Volunteer
We all want to be helpful and lovely people, but shyness and laziness can get in the way. If you don't want to volunteer somewhere totally alien to you, help out with a charity at your college once a week. If you're feeling super nice, contact local charities in your area. Who knows, you might really enjoy playing Bingo at a nursing home.
8. Travel More
This is the time to get planning. Airlines are dying for customers, so check out the best deals on flights and plan a trip for later in the year. Use some of the money you've accumulated over Christmas and thank us when summer comes around.
9. Spend Time with Family
You may be sick of them after the holidays, but try and make time once a month to go home and see your family. It'll be really appreciated and you're likely to receive money/washing/food/presents. Even if they're too far away for a quick nip home, a text or a skype can make all the difference.
10. Learn a skill
Whether it be knitting or learning a new language, you might as well give it a go. You could discover you're secretly a ninja at knitting or French. But if you're too lazy for anything proactive, watch a TED talk each day or sign up to stumbleupon. You'd be amazed what you can learn sitting on your ass.
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