It’s that time of year – as we head into a brand new year, everyone is making resolutions and promising to be the best version of themselves in 2026 and beyond. The turn of the year absolutely feels like a fresh start, and while you can make a change no matter what the date is, the ‘clean slate’ always feels like a good time to do so! If you’re a student, here are some good ideas for your very own New Year’s resolutions…
Better sleeping habits
New year, better sleep – make it your mission to get better at resting, whether that means earlier nights, more regimented wake-up times, no late night doom scrolling or improving your sleep hygiene to ensure you don’t wake up as frequently during the night. A mattress topper or orthopaedic-grade pillow can help ensure you’re as comfortable and supported as possible at night, and treating yourself to some super soft bedding will ensure you really enjoy snuggling in at night for some really refreshing rest.
Studying harder
Of course, studying should always be a priority when you’re a student! Make it your goal in 2026 to dedicate more time to your studies, especially if you’ve been slacking in 2025. Aim to set aside a certain amount of time, outside of your actual in-class time, to revise, write essays or work on assignments. Working in regular chunks is much more manageable than cramming everything in!
Getting healthier
As students, it’s easy to let your lower budget dictate the way you eat or prevent you from attending exercise classes. But you don’t need to survive on noodles or stop yourself from moving your body! Look at low-cost, healthy recipes and ensure you’re getting enough protein, fibre and good fats in your diet. Drink a lot more water (it’s free, after all) and get out for walks. You can exercise for free from the comfort of your student accommodation, too, by using tins from the cupboard as mini weights, or going up and down the stairs multiple times.
Hitting your deadlines
Those pesky deadlines… but you don’t want to miss them, so a great New Year’s resolution for students is to ensure you hit them all. Get yourself a cheap diary or make use of planning apps on your phone, and make sure you know exactly when all of your 2026 deadlines are and what you need to do to hit them. It’ll take the stress out of studying, we promise!
Trying something new
A great resolution to have is always trying something new – whether it be big or small. It could be trying a new food, reading a new author, starting a new hobby or sport, cooking a new recipe… whatever you choose to do for the first time in 2026, document it to look back on at the end of the year so you can remember the fresh experiences you had. You never know, it could turn into something you do regularly and really enjoy.
Whether you stick to your New Year’s resolutions or not, even the act of making them is a great way to reflect on the previous year and look ahead to this upcoming time.
