12 New Year's Resolutions for High School Students
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Did you know that the tradition of new year’s resolutions dates back to ancient times?
From setting new goals or promising to change a habit or two, choosing new year’s resolutions is a fun way to prioritize self-improvement.
Here are some exciting and attainable new year resolutions for students in high school looking to start the year off strong!
1. Read More Books
Everyone could do with reading more! That’s because reading helps reduce stress while activating the imagination, introducing you to exciting new people, ideas and worlds.
Not only is it a great hobby, but it can help improve your vocabulary and strengthen other areas of your brain—a great benefit for teens.
2. Say Thank You to Your Parents and Guardians
Thankfulness is an important life skill, and who better to thank than your parents and guardians?
This new year, make an effort to be more appreciative of all that your parents/guardians do for you and don't be shy about letting them know how you feel. They will definitely love to hear more "thank you"s from you.
3. Clean Your Closet
When was the last time you cleaned your closet? Like really cleaned?
Taking the time to clean out your closet, organize it and donate items that are sitting there collecting dust can help you start off the year with a clean slate. And you’ll probably impress your parents in the process.
4. Disconnect and Unplug for an Hour Everyday
It's easy to get stuck in a nightly doom scroll, and there's no denying that social media is an entertaining way to connect with friends.
However, social media has a dark side and can negatively impact your mental health and self-confidence.
Set a goal to lower your social media time with designated breaks and spend an hour chatting with your family or participating in a hobby instead. Without social media dragging you down, you'll have time for more new experiences!
5. Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
The world is a very competitive place, and it’s easy to constantly compare yourself against your fellow students, siblings and strangers on social media.
Be easier on yourself this new year and give yourself grace when things don’t go as expected.
It’s also more than okay to take breaks when the stress of school and extracurriculars weigh you down.
6. Get More Sleep
High schoolers should get at least eight hours of sleep every night; some growing teens even need up to ten!
Sleep is vital to feeling our best, happiest selves and ensures that your growing body gets the rest it needs. But it's all too easy to stay up later than is good for us.
Try to get at least one more hour of sleep every night and you'll soon feel the benefits.
7. Eat Healthier
It’s a no-brainer that eating healthy is best for growing bodies, but it’s easier said than done.
Making small changes to eat better can have significant advantages. Some of the best foods to eat more of include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and lentils, and healthy fats like avocados, eggs, yogurt and cheese.
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
It can be hard to ask for help in moments of need, but one way to practice self-improvement is to embrace the help and support of others.
You shouldn't feel like you must tackle life's challenges alone. Don't be afraid to open up to loved ones in times of need. It doesn't make you weak or incapable, and you'd be surprised to find out just how willing people are to help!
9. Set Attainable Goals for Your Future
High school is the last chapter of your life before you leave home and head off for college, which means you're likely feeling some pressure! While that feeling is completely normal, it's very important to set attainable goals for college to avoid disappointment.
One way to set attainable goals for college is to understand where your grades and extracurriculars can take you. There are also many ways to earn college credit in high school, like academic travel abroad, which can help your college application too.
10. Work on Improving Your GPA
Improving your GPA can help you reach your college goals, and making a study plan can help.
A good study plan should have a study hours goal, a plan for studying with a tutor or friends and make an effort to ask your teacher for help when needed.
11. Get Outside Everyday
It’s not just a saying when people say “fresh air would do you some good”—it really is good for you!
Spending more time outside and in the sunshine can improve your mood and your mental and physical health. It also pushes you to be more active than you would staying indoors. Even a short 20-minute walk every day after school can do wonders.
12. Try Something New, Like Broadening Your Horizons with High School Summer Abroad!
Trying something new can add a touch of excitement to your life. Whether you try a new food, learn a new language, meet new people or pick up a new hobby, pushing your comfort zone is a worthy resolution.
Participating in a high school summer abroad program is an excellent way to add some excitement to your life in the new year!
CIEE’s high school summer abroad programs take high school students to countries all over the world where they can make new friends, practice a new language, explore careers, discover beautiful destinations, and grow as young adults.