By: Radhika Bhaumik, PhD Candidate in Biology
We often hear from our parents, that school life is a memorable time of anyone’s existence. It is the time we make the best of friends, some of whom stick through our lifetime, make some indelible memories that comprise the core moments in our lives, or develop certain habits that might get ingrained in us for our entire existence. These are the formative years of building good practices that can define our personality, and our careers that await in the future. So, I believe this year we should consciously and honestly promise to try and implement some positive resolutions as we step into 2024. Here are 5 practices that we must hold on to that will immensely change our lives for the better.
- Prioritize yourself- We are a social animal. One of the major parts that govern our daily routine is working for others. We complete projects and assignments that have been given to us by our teachers, and advisors. We work to earn our living or pay off our tuition, we try our best to make our family and friends proud. But in this quotidian running on the hamster wheel what we tend to forget is to put ourselves first. This heavily affects our quality of life and our mental health. This year, we all should promise to prioritize ourselves. Wake up early in the morning (scientific evidence proves it makes one more optimistic, and satisfied and gives us enough time to complete work within the schedule, leaving us more personal time), make time for meditation or some sort of workout, reduce caffeine intake, aim for a more balanced diet, limit screen time and try to sleep at least 7 hours. It seems very far-fetched but is a very realistic goal. Once we improve our circadian clock (sleep-wake cycle), we will notice ample time for incorporating the above. This is key to a healthy body and mind.
- Improve time management- One other key habit to incorporate is better time management. A better time manager will always lead a more balanced life. Use a planner to organize your projects, assignments, and extracurricular activities. Prioritize assignments over unnecessary procrastination. Learn to say “NO” to uncalled-for, and avoidable favors. Study and keep up with coursework. All these keep one level-headed with the academic pressures and help one excel in examinations leaving time for personal relaxation. Always remember, life as we move ahead will get tougher. We then not only have to manage ourselves but others. It is imperative that we learn how to balance our work and life for a strife-free, pleasant existence.
- Be kind and inclusive- The daily challenges in our lives make us very mechanical. We tend to worry about getting the best grades, the best opportunity, the best job, etc. Somewhere we tend to lose the human touch. One time, while I was descending the stairs with my biofilm plate for analysis a hurried student inadvertently collided with me while leaping through the stairs. She saw me drop all my samples (losing 3 days of work) but did not even have the time to apologize. Furthermore, I have heard numerous stories from others where passersby forget to lend a hand to an accident victim lest they miss their bus or arrive late. True honor in life transcends being so mechanized and cutthroat and thrives when you bring along a genuine sensitivity to the needs of those around you. Thus, this year let us try to be more kind, inclusive, apologetic, and appreciative towards others. We will receive the same treatment that we project externally. This is vital to improving our well-being.
- Learn a new skill- It is no news to anybody how learning a new skill makes way for deliberate personality growth. It is a gentle reminder that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. It is a conscious improvement of your cognitive ability, discipline, memory, adaptability, perseverance, creativity, resilience, and confidence. There is ultimate happiness that one derives from learning a new skill. It is never too late to learn something new and it also adds another beautiful feather to all the hats one wears.
- Travel and explore- Once you have mastered all the above resolutions, it is important to allow yourself to travel and explore. If we consider the Earth to be a human that lives for an average of 85 years, an actual person lives for just 141 seconds of that time. Our lifetime is too short to be just worrying and distressing over things. Apart from what we need to fulfill, it is imperative to travel, explore the wonders of nature, meet new people, get familiar with diverse cultures, and eat delicious cuisines. It makes one more empathetic towards others, grateful for what you possess, appreciative of new perspectives, more collaborative, and open to change. From this year onwards, let us emphasize traveling more, which helps us broaden our horizons, connects us to the vast tapestry of humanity, and reminds us of the remarkable world we inhabit.
I hope you all have an amazing 2024 and you accomplish everything you wish for and more.