Whether a New Year’s resolution includes becoming healthier, improving grades or even something as simple as making more conversation, students are approaching the new semester with a new image in mind.

The biggest challenge when it comes to resolutions is not the goal itself, but maintaining it. Students will often get distracted by other tasks, forget about their goals, or choose not to make that hike to the gym during those cold months. However, some students have decided to put forward the effort to make a difference.

Jennifer Doornbos’, sophomore special education major, goal this year is to be more positive and not stress as much about issues that are out of her control. Doornbos plans on making notes for herself as a reminder to stay positive, and post inspirational quotes that will help turn her goal into a habit. Doornbos also uses another technique that has helped her maintain her resolution thus far.

“At the end of each month I usually do a self-reflection type of thing to see how I did with my resolution,” Doornbos said.

For sophomore biology major, Rebecca Cohler, getting better grades is her number one priority.

“Not only am I going to try harder in classes, but also learn new study techniques, start looking into new ways to get involved with my department and really start thinking about the future,” Cohler said.

Students are always looking for ways to get those As, and there are several opportunities to help around campus. In the basement of East Campus, the Visor Center offers tutoring sessions. There are a variety of services such as assistance on writing a paper and learning new study techniques. There are weekly group sessions, and even drop-in hours throughout the day.

Along with the Visor Center, there are office hours with teachers and private study rooms within the library. Cohler also hopes to make school a priority over her social life this semester by partying less and buckling down instead.

Like many students, Maggie Ziemann, a sophomore public relations major, doesn’t think resolutions are for her.

“I mean, it’s not that I don’t believe in them, I just don’t usually make them. I just see what the new year will bring me,” she explained.

Ziemann thinks that being healthy is important, and if making it a resolution is what will motivate someone then it’s a good idea for them.

“I’ve tried resolutions in the past like most people with being healthy and exercising more, but I always felt like my resolution got interrupted by my busy schedule,” she said.

According to Time magazine, being healthy is the number one New Year’s resolution. Luckily for Ziemann, there are many ways to stay healthy on campus, even if it is not through a committed goal.

The Student Fitness Center offers a variety of activities to keep students active on campus. There are two floors of equipment, a rock wall, yoga, Zumba and personal trainers.

Robert Collins, a personal trainer for Gold’s Gym Express, has offered some helpful hints that can help students see a difference throughout the year.

“For students, hours upon hours are spent sitting in class, at a computer, and in front of a television, letting every calorie that has been taken in throughout the day be stored and turned into fat,” Collins said.

Collins added that the best way to prevent this is to stay active. For those students who have a full schedule like Ziemann, the gym does not have to be part of your daily routine.

“Working out at least three to five hours a week is ideal,” he explained, “We have 168 hours in a week, therefore there is no such thing as not enough time.”

If the gym does not sound appealing, there are also sports clubs, running groups and even smaller gyms located in the dorms.         If your goal is focused toward healthier eating rather than just exercise, there are healthy choices in the dining centers and Jamba Juice in The Student Fitness Center. There is also a new “lite menu” at McAlister’s Deli. Phone applications, such as “Lose It!” that count your calories and help you set a goal and stick to it are also an option.

No matter what the resolution is, the key is to make it a priority. Like anything else, the more effort that is put into the idea, the better the results will be. As ISU takes on the spring semester and a clean slate, consider doing something that will benefit you as a person.

A resolution can help improve someone as a whole and give students something to look forward to. Collins has helped others achieve their fitness goals, and his best piece of advice for others is to “turn off the television, think about what is motivating you, get up and get active.”