The beginning of a new year means a fresh start for some students at Fresno State, but “new year, new me” is easier said than done. There are many measures students can take to ensure that they follow through with their resolutions.

Fitness/Health Resolutions

While many people may find a fitness plan resolution as cliché, it should not deter you from trying it out. There are many ways to engage in fitness-related activities on campus, even for beginners.

A good place to start would be the Student Recreation Center. The center is free to students and provides a variety of different activities and classes.

Students can ease into training by trying out the equipment on the main fitness floor. The two-storied room features both weightlifting and cardio equipment and an indoor track.

Intramural sports are hosted in the east and west gyms, and are open to all Fresno State students, from beginners to the more experienced.  Joining an intramural sport is a great way to get fit and meet new people

The center also offers free group fitness classes, which can be a fun way to engage in workouts. If you are looking for more one-on-one instruction, the center now offers personal training for an additional fee.

While all of the tools needed to achieve fitness resolutions are available on campus, the most important factor is knowing your goals.

“The most important thing is to know what you’re shooting for because if you don’t have that then you’re just going through the motions of the exercises,” said Christian Hall, a local certified personal trainer. “You’re not really envisioning what your goal is [or] what you are trying to accomplish.”

Another important factor is time. In order to see a physical improvement, it will take time to achieve that goal. Creating a timeline can be a great motivational tool, but having too short of a timeline, such as three weeks, will not be enough to see an improvement, according to Hall.

Diet also plays a huge role in a fitness routine. The different restaurants on campus all provide items with varying levels of nutrition, which can make this the most difficult aspect for students on a budget or in a rush. However, there are ways to slowly transform a diet by cutting out certain products slowly like drinks with a high amount of sugar.

“The reason why drinks have the most negative effect on someone’s physique and health is that you don’t realize how much you’re taking in,” said Hall.

School Related Resolutions

The way a semester ends very much depends on how a semester starts. Many changes can be applied in order to ensure resolutions regarding school, such as getting better grades, can be attained.

Organization is key to a successful semester. Printing out and reading the syllabus of each of your classes and keeping them on hand can go a long way.

One way to stay organized throughout the semester is to assign each class a folder to store classwork and returned assignments. The same can be done with notebooks or digital folders. Having set areas for each of the classes makes it easier to find assignments fast.

If you are falling behind, getting to know the other students in your class can be a great asset. They may be able to share missed lectures and notes or help in study groups.

It’s important to manage your time throughout the semester to avoid getting burned out by midterms.

“It may be helpful to have an accountability partner [and] work together [on] some of the projects or new tasks they are wanting to undertake,” said Stacey Torigian, a licensed clinical social worker in Fresno.

While students should be focusing on their school work, it is also important that they do not stress themselves out by making poor decisions regarding planning.

“I’ve seen people wait until the last minute to get an assignment done or study for a test or read,” Torigian said. “If you don’t balance your time and allow adequate time [for each] class or assignment and you get stuck in a pinch, then people stay up all night, use too much caffeine or other stimulants and then it throws their whole system and body out of whack. That can create problems with sleeping, confused thinking, irritability, frustration and anger.”

Getting assignments and work done ahead of time would make the semester much easier to handle and give students wiggle room at the end.
No matter what your resolutions are, using campus resources can make them more attainable.