The start of a new year can sometimes be a tricky time… you have all these plans that you want to make but somehow not enough motivation or time to do them. We know the struggle is real but it doesn’t have to be!

Set yourself up for success by focusing on goals that are at least somewhat attainable, or goals that you’ll enjoy working towards. There will be days when you don’t feel like you’re making progress. That’s normal. The key is to try your best again the next day. A positive step in one direction will encourage other positive behaviours.

To help you make this new year the best year of university ever, we’ve prepared a list of 6 relatively easy New Year’s Resolutions for you to kick off with.

1. MAKE YOUR BED EVERY DAY

This may sound like a strange resolution to make, but hear us out. According to lifehack.org, making your bed in the morning can have several benefits. Here are the top 3:

1. It gives you feeling of being on top of things and sets a productive tone for the remainder of the day.  
2. It lowers stress. Making your bed is a good way to declutter your space and bring a sense of calm after a long day at university.
3. It leads to other good habits. Once you start making your bed on the daily, you’ll begin feeling the desire to tidy up other corners of your room. A tidy space is a tidy mind!

2. SET A ROUTINE

Setting a routine that you actually stick to can be difficult at times. The key is to plan out your days realistically. A good starting point is to develop the habit of waking up at the same time each day. You can start adding different activities to your routine from there. The same applies to a skill that you wish to master. Once you start working on it regularly, you’ll start to see improvements in no time!

3. COOK ONE MEAL A DAY

If you’re someone who orders in a lot, you’re probably aware of how draining it can be on your bank account. You can save a lot by making one meal at home in your own private kitchen at OurCampus. Plus, the supermarket is right around the corner so you don’t have to travel very far! Learn how to get creative with your leftovers on our last blog post: Turn Leftovers into Party Snacks for the ideal Friday night in.

4. THINK ABOUT YOUR CAREER

Whether you’re in your first year of university or your last year, it’s never too late to start thinking about your career. It’s okay to not know what you want to do, but rather than getting stressed about it start talking to your classmates, teachers, or even your advisors. Sometimes exchanging ideas can help to push you in the right direction. Check out OurCampus event page for interesting seminars and workshops happening around Amsterdam!

5. FOCUS ON ‘ME TIME’

University is the time to focus on your own personal development. Fight your #JOMO (joy of missing out) and make some time for yourself. It’s important to discover who you are as a person and make some time to work on your own goals. Remember – be you, do you, for you – always.

6. HAVE FUN

At the end of the day, remember to have fun! When you’re older you won’t remember classes, exams, or studying as much as the exciting adventures you were part of. So, take some time to explore new places, hang out with friends, and do things that you enjoy doing. You’re only in university once!