The new year is finally here, and with it comes all of the resolutions so many of us will try – and fail – to adhere to for the next 12 months. According to a 2023 poll by Forbes Health, only 1% of people said that their resolutions lasted through the end of the year, a number that can be discouraging for those of us trying to better ourselves in 2026.
One of the main reasons behind broken resolutions is that people set vague goals with no real game plan on how to achieve them, but that doesn’t mean this year has to fall into the same pattern. Here are some resources on LSU’s campus that can help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions.
Health and fitness
The UREC is a great place to start your health journey. With its three-story Student Recreation Complex, rock climbing wall and indoor pool, the UREC offers the space and equipment necessary to get in a good workout any day of the week.
Workout classes are also a fun way to exercise with friends or learn a new routine in a supportive group setting. GroupX hosts classes every day on a wide variety of exercises, including pilates, cycling, barre, yoga, Zumba, dance and boxing. No matter your skill level or prior experience, there is a class for you.
The center is open every day, so fitting in some strength training or cardio around your busy class schedule is doable. And the best part? Full-time students automatically get free access to the UREC, so no need to worry about purchasing a membership.
Academics
Staying on top of your grades can be difficult, especially when trying to balance coursework with extracurriculars or jobs. Still, prioritizing studying now can save you from the pain of cramming an entire semester’s worth of material into an all-nighter before an exam.
Luckily, LSU offers plenty of resources to help improve your academic A-game. For STEM majors, the Center for Academic Success provides small-group tutoring for specific math and science courses. Located at the Shell Tutorial Center in room 141B of the LSU Library, these peer-led tutoring sessions can help you gain a deeper understanding of a subject through one-on-one instruction.
Supplemental Instruction, or SI, sessions are also offered for “historically difficult courses,” as described by the Center for Academic Success page on the LSU website, even those outside of the STEM umbrella. These courses are led by peers and are open to anyone taking that course.
Information about SI sessions and peer tutoring at the Shell Tutorial Center can be found on the Center for Academic Success page on the LSU website.
Hobbies and extracurricular activities
Whether you are hoping to try something new or get back into an old hobby, there is no shortage of campus clubs and organizations that will encourage your creativity. You can find every club the university has to offer on TigerLink, where you can then sift through organizations based on category, including interest and hobby-based organizations. From ballroom dancing to crochet and fiber arts, there is a club for almost anything. Don’t be afraid to step into a new hobby this year alongside others who share your same passions.
Wellness
Wellness is a comprehensive term that encapsulates multiple dimensions of a person’s health, including physical, cultural, social, financial, environmental, intellectual, emotional, sexual, occupational and spiritual well-being, according to the LSU Student Health Center. Essentially, wellness cannot simply be limited to physical health.
Prioritizing wellness and mental health is key in avoiding burnout, minimizing stress and overall boosting your happiness and productivity. Taking time to yourself to meditate can relieve some of the academic pressure experienced during the school year. Going on walks around the LSU lakes, relaxing in the sun on the Parade Ground or sitting outside in the Greek Theater are all great ways to spend time with yourself while still enjoying some fresh air.
If you are looking for more structured support in your wellness journey, check out the resources listed for each wellness dimension on the LSU website.
