Making resolutions a bit earlier

By Katie Powers

Welcome back to the Clara! It's time for another riveting school year, one that will hopefully give way to all the promises we hope for and not the systematic stress that inevitably takes its toll come midterms. Pessimism aside, while still in the bliss of the first week, it's time you set some goals for the rest of the quarter.

For now, September has become New Year's. Let the resolutions begin!

1. Be productive during the day so you can go out -- earlier and more often. My freshman year of college my dad told me to treat college like a job. If I could just manage to do school work until about 5 p.m. everyday, college would be manageable with time for a social life. This has never worked, but this quarter will be different. The more focused I am during the day, the more fun I can have during the night. Wednesday nights, here I come.

2. Take less naps. Ah yes, the guilty culprit which so alluringly deceived me from my first resolution. Take it from my friends who are napless go-getters: Naps are a waste of time. I know it sounds harsh, but even you know naps are only temporary comfort and really just a distraction that leaves you even less productive and more groggy than before.

3. Give/get digits more often. This may be my junior year, but it never hurts to keep branching out and meeting new people, especially when half of my friends are halfway around the world studying abroad. Whether it's in your class or at a party, why are we so hesitant to ask for someone's number and give ours to others? This does not necessarily mean you want to date them (though be warned not everyone may be as sophisticated to realize this), but rather have a new friendly acquaintance and another option for Friday night. And if you do want to date, it'll be easier.

4. Spend less time on Facebook while you are trying to do your homework. I can see the scene from last year: Me, Bon Appetit coffee in hand, happily trudging to the Interim Library, sitting down and opening my laptop to start my five-page paper, and then, before finishing a heading, signing on to check my profile. So much caffeine-induced proficiency was wasted with updates, albums and wall-posting analysis. This quarter, I'm saving Facebook for a lazy night on the couch.

5. Set "Me" time for yourself everyday. For me, this will hopefully be taking a bike ride or getting to Malley for some treadmill or elliptical action. For you, it could also be that or taking a 20 minute walk, painting or playing soccer. Whatever you can do to get your mind off of school and preferably away from a computer will ease your brain and yourself. Besides, with no naps and job-like scholastic dedication, you'll need some time to relax.