The new year is coming up quickly. With a new year comes new responsibilities, goals and mindsets. The gyms are usually packed in January and a new school semester begins. A lot of the time goals are set academically or physically, but fall off as the year continues. The gyms are emptier by March and academic motivation falls short after a week of hard studying; however, 2025 doesn’t have to be the year of lost motivation. There are ways to keep up with New Year's resolutions.
From an academic standpoint, there are ways to keep up with school and do well. Start with simple goals that aren’t too out of reach like making small studying tweaks or having a set bedtime for weekdays. These allow for small steps toward larger goals.
Also, having a farther-down-the-line goal rather than a momentary goal can help with maintenance. This means someone should have a goal to get a certain grade or study plan weeks (or months) down the line. This is so that in between that time, they are working harder than ever to reach the goal. This allows for growth and a consistent sense of motivation.
Motivation can also come from seeing others do the same. Tell people about the goals that are in place and either have them join or have someone be a motivator. Have them continue to be a reminder of the goals and why they are set. Sometimes holding oneself accountable just doesn't do the trick and it is always a good idea to bring in a coach. A coach can mean anyone good at motivating and they can be a tool for any form of goal. This could be in the gym, healthy eating or any form of self-care.
When it comes to health, a lot of goals are easy to forget about or fall off of. Writing down a plan and little reminders can help not forget the goals as a whole. Whether the results someone wishes for are far down the line or extremely small changes, there should always be a reminder around. Have a planner and plan how each day will be a change for the better.
Changes could include gym days, hikes or fun meals to try. Make health something that is actually enjoyable. Find fun workout classes, online workout plans or dance classes, and maybe include friends. Don’t make it a chore to be healthy, and risk starting the new year off bored; it won’t take long for you to fall off if this is the case.
Overall, the biggest piece of continuous motivation is remembering the reasons behind the goals. Write down, not just goals, but why they are set. Have a support system at all times and go in with a positive mindset. The new year is a time for a fresh start, so continue the fresh start for a whole other 365 days because there are ways to do it and no one is set to fail right away.
Kyra Dapore is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk more about it? Let Kyra know by emailing her at kd364521@ohio.edu.
