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Sure you may have gotten through 2015, but here are 16 things that you should do to make 2016 your best year at university!
1.   Learn a New and Interesting Skill
Remember in 2015 when you said you wanted to learn that new skill, but you never got around to doing it? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a new skill just because you thought it was cool. Well, 2016 is a great time to start! Not only will everyone think you’re cool (boo ya), but learning skills such as coding, graphic design or a new language will help boost your resume and help you land that dream job or internship.
2.   Stop Buying Caffeine Every Day
If you’re the person who waits in the 20-minute SLC Tim’s line every day 5 days a week, not only are you spending too much time waiting in line but you are also spending too much money. Buying coffee every day at Tim’s can cost up to $715 a year. With that amount of money you probably could’ve spent it on textbooks. Instead, make some coffee before you leave for school to cut down on the cost!
3.   Join Extra-Curricular Activities or Start Volunteering
Instead of spending all your free time on Netflix, spend it joining a club or volunteering! Studies even show that if you’re more involved in school, your grades will also increase.
4.   Pick Up a Leadership Role
Roles such as orientation week leader and club executives are an awesome way to build organizational and time management skills that employers are looking for. Not only is this a great way to build your resume, but it’s also fun seeing how much you grow as a person!
5.   Travel More and be More Adventurous
Always wanted to study abroad? 2016 is the best time to start planning for a possible study abroad! If you’re not able to travel far,  there’s still plenty of ways to fulfill that feeling of wanderlust. Consider the Explore program. It’s a program in which you only pay $250 to live in Quebec for 5 weeks and earn a French credit. In addition, consider exploring different parts of Waterloo you didn’t know existed; maybe you’ll come across a hidden treasure that no one else knows about.
6.   Put Your Health Before Your Grades
Your mental health and physical health are much more important than your grades because let’s face it: your university grades in the real world won’t reeeally matter, but your mental and physical health will. Take care of yourself; eat well, find some sort of exercise that you enjoy doing and meditate! Try checking out UW’s fitness classes, there’s something for everyone.
7.   Minimize the Amount of Time You Procrastinate
By minimizing the amount of time procrastinating, you’ll feel less stressed and have time to do other things like joining a club! Installing productivity apps such as Stay Focus can help minimize procrastination. Stay Focused is a Google Chrome extension that allows you to limit the amount of time you spend on distracting websites like Facebook and Twitter while you’re working. Check out this video if you want to learn how to procrastinate less.Â
8.   Read Something Other than Your Textbooks
There are many benefits to reading which includes relieving stress. Don’t have time to read? Try reading a book or even a magazine before bed instead of going on your phone. Not only is it good for you, but it’ll help improve your sleep quality (which everyone could use). 2016 top reads include The Her Campus Guide to College and Why Not Me by Mindy Kaling.
9.   Start Going To That Class That You Never Show Up To
It’s acceptable to miss a few classes in university, but it’s definitely not ok to skip the class the whole semester. Not only are you wasting money by not showing up, but you also risk finishing the course with a low grade. If you do plan on skipping, make sure to ask a friend in that class to take notes for you and visit the TAs during their office hours.
10.   Learn How to Make a Proper Meal
And no, making instant noodles or a bowl of cereal doesn’t count. By learning how to make a proper meal, you’ll be able to stay healthy and impress your parents too! Check out Pinterest for fun and easy recipes — psst crockpots are your friend.
11.   Spend Less Time on the Internet and Social Media
On average, 18-34 year-olds spend 3.8 hours a day on social media. It’s ok to keep up with your friends, but amazing things happen when you stop using Facebook like getting more work done and feeling more accomplished.
12.   Stop Caring What Other People Think and be More Confident
You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish when you’re confident. To become more confident try meeting new people, setting small goals and smiling more often. Check out this cute article for 25 other self confidence boosters!Â
13.    Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
The memories we cherish the most are the ones in which we stepped outside of our comfort zone. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to productivity, creativity and the ability to adapt to change. Try doing something you normally wouldn’t do like take a new route to class, going vegetarian for a week or even just try a new restaurant/type of food.
14.   Start Controlling Your Finances
Doing things like keeping a money diary, downloading a budgeting app, creating a clear financial picture and setting short and long-term financial goals can help you think twice about buying that new dress at Forever 21.
15. Â Stop Taking Boring, Easy Electives and Start Taking Electives that Actually Interest You
Everyone learns differently, so a course may be easy for one person but not for someone else. If you actually take a course you’re interested in, you have a high chance of getting a good grade because most people excel in subjects they enjoy.
16.   Start Being Appreciative
Being more appreciative will not only have a positive impact on your well-being, but it will also have a positive impact on others as well! Now go forth and conquer 2016 Warriors!!!!