Keeping New Year’s resolutions can be hard for all of us, especially with the stress of balancing school and work, but with these tips, your resolutions will be able to last until May. (Maybe)

1) Set realistic goals

Do not set huge, unachievable goals for yourself and expect to reach them overnight. For example, if your goal is to start exercising, running five miles on January 1 is unrealistic. If you fail at one thing at the beginning you are more likely to give up. You know yourself the best, start where you’re comfortable.

2) Include multiple small goals

This kind of relates to number one. You want to build up to your main goal, so brainstorm all of the steps it will take you to get there. Then, week by week work to tackle one goal at a time!

3) Tell your friends and family

Your inner circle will most likely want to help you through your journey. If they know about your goals they can catch you when you’re cheating on your diet or skipping out on going to the gym. Whatever your resolutions are, those in your inner circle can help motivate you to keep going.

4) Treat yourself

If you do something right, do not be scared to reward yourself! If you reach one of your bigger goals, do something nice for yourself. For example, if you have followed your diet all week, eat your favorite fast food the following Saturday or Sunday.

5) Do not restrict yourself too much

You should not be so hard on yourself; it takes time and effort for a habit to stick. If you want to change your diet, start slowly. If you begin with a super strict diet you might end up binge eating after a few days.

6) Track your progress

Whatever your goal is, tracking your progress through photos or journaling every few days can help. It might even be fun to look back on all of them after a month because you will see how much progress you made. It might even inspire you to keep going!

7) Limit your phone usage

Your phone is often a perfect example of procrastination and is a distraction from the goals you set for yourself. You don’t have to stop using your phone completely, but try to focus on the present and enjoy the new year with friends and family. It is not as fun to live life through a camera after the moment is over as it is to enjoy the moment while it happens.

You CAN do this. Think about how much happier and productive you will be if you stick with the goals you want to achieve.