I'm not usually one to jump on the 'new year, new me' bandwagon but this year is different. Normally I am one of the people laughing at others harping on about how much their life is going to change and how the new year is a brand new start which they'll be able to change by altering their hair colour BUT this year I am planning on really working on myself as a person, and - as a result - hopefully becoming fitter, happier and more productive (or so the Radiohead song says...)
1) Become a better University student.
I'm not perfect. Nobody is. But my aim for the new year is to stop being lazy and attend every single lecture and seminar. I have a habit of burying my head in the sand when things become too much for me to handle and this first semester has been no different. So, this year I plan to tackle my problems head on and ensure that I attend every single lesson possible. I am paying £9k a year, after all...
2) Reach a level of semi-fluency in my Italian reading.
Learning a language is an absolute dream, which I would really recommend to anybody. I am lucky enough to study a language from scratch at one of the best Universities in the world, which I really need to remind myself from time to time! My plan for my Italian is to reach a level where I would be comfortable reading an article in the language without having to ask for much help. I know this is a pretty steep aim considering I have only been learning the language for 3 months BUT it's not impossible and it will really help me when I go to Italy on my year abroad!
3) Do not allow myself to be walked over/stand up for myself more.
I have always been a bit of a wallflower - in class I rarely speak up unless I feel extremely confident, despite knowing the answer. The same goes for me at work and in many social situations. Whilst I understand that this is something that comes with my confidence and will be worked on in time, I really want to make the effort to stop being walked all over in every aspect of my life this year! Too many times I have found myself crying, stressed and feeling depressed because I have allowed myself to be used as a doormat for other peoples' gain and it's really unfair, both on my mental and my physical health. I need to learn when to say no and realise that some of the people who ask for help won't necessarily return it when you need it.
4) Stop impulse buying and actually save some money!
My worssssst habit is impulse buying, and it's something I need to tackle in the new year. One of my good friends, Ellie, told me that she saves up her money and treats herself to a Topshop personal shopping spree every few months, which I really think I might start doing as it allowed her to build a wardrobe of interchangeable items, giving her really good value for money and an amazing style at the same time! Too often I will go into a shop, purchase one or two items without considering what the rest of my wardrobe looks like, wear it once and then just never even consider it again, which needs to stop. It is wasting me money because I end up returning to the shop a week later claiming I don't have anything to wear and selling my impulse bought items on ebay for a quid! Not good and something which desperately needs to be tackled. Saving money wise, I am reaching the age where I am starting to understand that blowing all my money on clothes and shoes and make-up and hair extensions is NOT the best idea... especially when I am sat here nearly crying because I am into my overdraft and still need to buy people Christmas presents with money I do not have! My plan is to deposit money from every wage into my savings account and allow it to build up gradually. I don't work at uni, but I do have a job when I come home which allows me to earn some money whilst not interrupting my studies.
5) Join a gym and actually attain the body I want.
I am quite fortunate in that I am currently the largest I have ever been... yet I am still a size 8. Uni has definitely had its toll on my body recently, and it's left me feeling sluggish and heavy. So, in the new year I plan to join a gym and really work hard on eating healthily. I feel happiest when I am smaller and more confident, so weight loss through exercise and eating well will definitely have a knock on effect with my confidence and happiness. I have found a cheap student gym which is open 24 hours too so I can hit the treadmill instead of ordering dominoes at 2am!
6) Stop smoking.
This is a habit I'm really not proud of and hate admitting as it makes me sound really dirty but I started smoking properly when I joined my current job as most of the staff there do it and it meant I got paid breaks when it was dead... win win situation? Not really. It's expensive and taking its toll on my health, so along with my mum I plan to join the NHS stop smoking service in order to cut it out altogether and save money along the way!
I understand that this post has been reeeeally long but it's more a note for myself to keep myself going in the new year.
What are your new years resolutions?
Lauren x
