Overview
As the 2024 season concludes, we once again will come across the phrase “new year, new me”. This ambitious phrase has left many individuals feeling as though they must reinvent themselves at the start of each new year. Oftentimes we end up in a situation that leaves us feeling defeated. This year I invite you to shift your mindset from “new year, new me” to “new year, better me”, because our past selves deserve credit for getting us this far. We shouldn’t feel the need to become a completely different person in a snap of a finger, rather we should rejoice in another year to be better than the last. Whatever this looks like for you, here are some tips to level up in 2025.
Fitness
This past year the fitness lifestyle was commonly present on social media, and is the first resolution that people make again and again at the start of each year. The most obvious reason that we fail is that we compare ourselves to those who have been working out for years, and expect it to be easy. As a former athlete, I understand the difficulty of getting back into the fitness realm which is why I suggest you start with a small achievable goal. I personally set a goal to work out three to four days a week for 15 minutes. Although this is a minimal commitment, I ensure that these workouts are intense, and listen to my body to prevent injuries.
Finance
As first gen college students, finances are always the first thing we think about when it comes to pretty much anything. One of the first things I’ll say is to try to get an on-campus job or at least one that is close to your living arrangements. On-campus jobs are a wonderful opportunity for students as scheduling is flexible and you can do your schoolwork. A job that is closer to you will require you to spend less money on gas, and therefore save money. Another thing I recommend is meal prepping. Meal prepping can save you a lot of money, as eating out is extremely expensive and adds up over time. If you have any student loans, make sure to keep an eye on any interest that is being accumulated and be sure to pay it off to avoid incurring interest on top of interest when you graduate.
Self-care
When I think trendy, the first thing that comes to mind is self-care routines. There are so many things that are unnecessary, and actually aren’t self-care. If your self-care routine does not actually make you feel better about yourself but rather helps you fit a beauty standard, you are not practicing self-care at all. Self-care is supposed to help you feel better, not worse.
Academics
If your first semester did not turn out the way you hoped, the second semester is your chance to redeem yourself. There are many things you can do to ensure you get the grades you want this upcoming semester including reading your syllabus. I would recommend putting in all your due dates into a calendar whether that’s digital or in a physical planner. This helps you come up with a gameplan of when you should do each assignment, and keeps your timeline much more clear.
Mental
As students, our mental health is the one thing we often overlook. We spend endless hours studying, participating in clubs, and passing time with friends. We usually don’t build in time for our bodies or minds to rest. This is something I personally struggled with, and try my best to attend to. The thing that helps me most is having a definitive bedtime, and scheduling breaks in between my daily tasks. Putting these breaks in my schedule ensures that I will actually take them rather than doom scroll at the end of each day.
Conclusion
The new year is a time to celebrate where we have been and where we are going. This year I invite you to adjust your mindset to conquer 2025 like the Modern Queen you are. Everyone’s goals and timelines are different, so you should strive to be a better you, not a new you.
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