It happens every year. After the long winter break and the craziness of the holidays, almost every person out there hopes to improve in the new year. Some people set new fitness goals, while others attempt to make academic improvements. Some hopeful people just vow to live happier and healthier lives from the inside out, whether that be through small changes or a perspective change. Whatever the reason, people always attempt to start fresh at the beginning of the year. However, for college students, with a new brings the beginning of a new semester.

It’s the beginning of the end. The last semester before the end of the academic year can really be challenging! After coming back from winter break, it’s definitely hard to throw yourself into a new semester so quickly. Just when you got used to your days at home, it’s time to start a new set of classes, make some new memories, and achieve a new set of goals. While most people start a new year and new semester optimistically, that attitude can change as time goes on. A lot of students start to lose their resolutions quickly which sometimes can have negative effects. The thing about college, though, is that it is definitely a marathon not a race.

At the start of new semester, some freshmen feel a little more at ease. Having went through the fall semester, they feel like they have it all figured out. However, that doesn’t mean a new round of classes should be underestimated. If you haven’t found your go-to study spot or figured out how to manage your time, the new semester is the perfect chance to get into a routine. Balancing work and play is a key to finding both happiness and success. Maybe the first semester wasn’t your best, so making some adjustments both mentally and physically are the first steps in setting yourself up for a good semester.

Even though resolutions may not last, there are ways to stay motivated and regain focus when you fall off track. For people with fitness goals, it is often recommended to start with small changes and build up to bigger goals. It is believed that it takes about 21 days to form a habit. By making more regular lifestyle changes, whether that be eating better or going to the gym more, persistence is key. Sometimes, it helps to set a single goal for a short time span rather than a bunch of goals at once. Maybe that means for a week you will go the gym five times, or you will give up junk food for a week. Staying motivated is all about finding a way to make something work for you. I’ve noticed that when I find my pattern and find what I actually enjoy doing, it makes it that much easier to stick with it.

So while the “new year, new me” concept may be a little cliche, at the start of a new year, it’s the perfect time to start off fresh. While the past year may not have been your best, this is the time to let it go and move forward with a clear mind and full heart. Look back on your last semester and think about where things went wrong and take note of where things went right. Oprah Winfrey once said, “We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”  I plan to take advantage of this new year to become the best version of myself. I’m gonna take the highs with the lows and hope to have a successful 2017.