New Year Resolutions
1) Take the time to explore: It is easy to get caught up in the great LSE bubble. Between the curriculum and the extra-curricular, it is easy to forget that this is probably a once in a lifetime experience studying in London. At least once a week, I will take the time to explore this town and live its stories.
2) Exercise more: Year after year, to exercise more is probably the perpetual resolution for most people that make resolutions. Exercise has been shown to be excellent for physical health, emotional wellness, and mental acuity. Overall, I am actually doing quite well in the exercise department. If I walk to the LSE, which is approximately a 40 minute return trip, I get all the exercise I need. Although the motivation to take the bus increases dramatically during rainy London days, the thoughts of saving some extra pounds in my wallet and off my butt provide the motivation to keep my feet on the road.
3) Eat more fruits and vegetables: maybe not more, but at least one serving of vegetable and one serving of fruit a day. The cost of food is surprisingly reasonable in London when you shop at supermarkets. There is no reason not to eat well.
4) Learn to not accumulate things: There are always events happening at the LSE and around London. During these events, people like to give you things…food, pamphlets, brochures, pens, notepads, etc. The natural impulse is to take it, and bring it back to your dorm where it will sit for weeks until you have no idea where you got it and what to do with it. The first part of this resolution is to take fewer things to begin with. The second part of this resolution is to do something with whatever you got (business cards, stationary, food, etc) within 48 hours of getting it.
5) Don’t overbook: This resolution is simple. I have come up with three strategies to keep my schedule in check: 1) never double book, 2) always go for quality over quantity, and 3) start to block time aside to think/reflect/explore/do nothing. It is most difficult sticking to the second strategy, because I always try to cram as much into my day as possible thinking I should maximize my time at the LSE. However, there is a equilibrium point where productivity and enjoyment drops off when there are simply many things on the plate. How this equilibirum is achieved is different for all individuals.
