Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 Vol. 67, Issue I
STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
How students can maintain goals and resolutions
By Mikaela Graf Staff writer
The first month of 2022 is now over, and it is about time for students to check in on their New Year’s resolutions. Whether someone is trying to eat more vegetables or make use of a new gym membership, there has likely already been a few obstacles. Augusta University freshman Lena Hallam, like many others, is hoping to become healthier and more active this year. When it came time to make resolutions, she reflected on last year’s mistakes with similar intentions. “I set a goal to exercise every day for the whole year, and I failed within the first week,” said Hallam. “One of the first nights, I realized that I forgot to exercise at like 11:58 p.m., and I thought, ‘Oh! I can still do a 2-minute plank just to say that I did it,’ and then I failed in the next couple of days,” she said. Hallam said she has always enjoyed making in-depth resolutions for herself, but her lengthy journaling sometimes creates unhealthy expectations for herself. “In years past, I would write every detail of my
Students can find many ways to stay active as part of their goals for the new year. (photo by Mikaela Graf)
resolution, which was really unrealistic. This year, I want to be specific but reasonable,” she said. While her heart and mind may be in the right place, Hallam struggles with feasible goal-setting. Fortunately, AU Softball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Melissa Brocato has some tips for anyone making and maintaining resolutions this year, and it all starts with SMART goals. The acronym SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound. “Do some research,” said Brocato. “Don’t just haphazardly go out there and try to meet a goal if you don’t have the tools in place to be able to do it.”
Brocato said that the most important part of a SMART goal is the aspect of time. “Don’t leave it as an open-ended goal – give yourself a specific time,” she said. New Year’s resolutions are typically bound under the timeframe of one year, but if the goal could be accomplished sooner, making a three-to-six-month goal can be an alternative. This way, if the goal is not met within the timeframe chosen, there will still be time to reevaluate and set a new goal. “Be willing to reassess your goal,” said Brocato. “It’s okay to have to reset and modify the expectations you set for yourself.” Whatever the goal may
be, having someone to rely on for encouragement and assistance can ease the burden of maintaining it. “Accountability is always huge,” Brocato said. “Find a buddy or somebody who can do it with you and set some intentions together.” Since many goals involvemore activity and exercise, AU has several sites and services available to students. “One of the greatest things we have is the Wellness Center,” said Brocato. “Not everyone finds that to be the most convenient, but it is free.” The Wellness Center, located at 1488 Laney Walker Blvd near Oak Hall, is open seven days a week and of-
fers a variety of equipment and fitness classes. Other resources include the Christenberry Fieldhouse, activity courses, and the walking trail on Summerville Campus. Brocato recommends that students do not neglect their emotional and mental health as they pursue better habits this year. “I think the piece that people miss a lot is the mental aspect, or the emotional aspect, and I think the beginning of the year is a great time to reset with that, as well,” Brocato said. “We often times forget how important those are to our overall well-being.” Whether the resolution is to lose that little bit of weight or spend more time with their feelings, everyone can benefit from the fresh start that comes with the New Year, and it is not too late to make some SMART goals. Brocato urges students to make the most of their youth and choose to exchange 2021’s bad habits for 2022’s good ones. “While we’re young, if we go ahead and set some habits, even just one thing, we’ll see huge benefits down the line,” she said.
College students make efforts to save money budgeting Kristina Holmes, a senior, said the increase in price Can college students at for a number of goods has Augusta University save sparked a need for more enough money—or earn a sources of income. decent wage—to live a com- “Not only do I work at fortable life? As months and Publix, but I also do Dooryears go by, this question Dash and Shipt on the side becomes more and more to make a decent amount important for Augusta Uni- of money. I need to have versity students. several jobs to keep myself Recently, the cost of items afloat,” she said. such as meat, gasoline, and The difference in income automobiles have increased levels in many Augusta in price since this time a University students has a year ago. Therefore, it is direct relation to their norbeneficial to look at differmal budget. ent ways that budgeting can According to Holmes, be effective for college stuthere is no clear budget dents in the current climate. in place for her spending By Aaron Smith Contributor
habits. “I live paycheck to paycheck to pay my bills, so there is no clear budget that I follow. However, I would advise students to not spend so much money eating out at restaurants,” she said. For Lilly Rester, a senior, receiving income is a little more straightforward. “The majority of my income comes from student loan refunds at the end of January. My boyfriend helps me with the rest of my expenses,” she said. With varied income, it can be difficult for many
students to dictate what to spend their money on. For Rester, the plan for spending money is simple. “I’ll spend all day drinking coffee at Rooted Coffeehouse, but other than that, I really only plan to spend my money on car insurance and food,” she said. Many college students work part time schedules to accommodate their course schedules. Thus, it can be a little difficult to save money with bill payments and the cost of expenses. According to Rester, there are several effective ways to save money.
“Although it helps to not have a coffee addiction, it also helps to live at home until you are financially stable on your own,” she said. Because of the rising prices of goods, it can be difficult for Augusta University students to save money. Therefore, it is important for students to not only develop a clear budget, but also save money. For Rester, there is one thing that college students should avoid at all costs if they can. “For the love of God, please do not rack up credit card debt,” she said.