​​A widely embraced and encouraged tradition takes place at the start of every year, stemming from the human desire to change, improve, and succeed. 

Whether it involves a simple lifestyle alteration or a complete personal rebrand, New Year’s resolutions serve as an opportunity to reflect on the past and take meaningful steps forward on the road to self-improvement. 

For many, resolutions act as a symbol to a fresh start, which is necessary after a year of challenges, growth, and stagnation.

University of Iowa students are not exempt from this tradition. As 2026 takes off, students around campus are taking time to reflect on their resolutions from 2025, how well they followed up on them, and what they hope to achieve in 2026. With a wide range of goals and aspirations, students’ resolutions took on a role representing a true college lifestyle.

Reese Roberts, a first-year UI student, accomplished her 2025 resolution to do better in school.

“I definitely did reach [my resolution]because I really focused on applying myself to my goals,” Roberts said.

Academic success, an aspect strived for by many students, makes for a common resolution on campus — and an important one. Between balancing coursework, social lives, and extracurriculars, keeping a focus on academics can be a challenge. In addition to her studious intentions, Roberts plans to “read more books” in 2026 as a means to blend some enjoyment into her productivity. Laney Eggert, a UI first-year, took a different route to last year’s big goal. 

“I focused on my fitness goals and planned to go to the gym more,” Eggert said. “I feel like I definitely achieved it by managing my time better and creating space in my schedule to go to the gym, even if it was just in smaller increments.” 

Time management often plays a hefty role in attaining new aspirations. Many students struggle to add activities into an already overwhelming schedule, making realistic goal-setting skills irreplaceable. Figuring out what to prioritize and learning how to be flexible can make or break New Year’s resolution. Similar to Roberts, Eggert’s 2026 resolution is to succeed in school and focus more on her academics.

Not all resolutions are intrinsically motivated. For some students, financial growth and stability serve as the main role in the approaching year. With the cost of everyday expenses, tuition, and living situations, many students find themselves concerned about their cash.

“Honestly, I’m just trying to make money this year, which was actually last year’s goal, too,” AJ Jansen, a UI second-year, said, proceeding with a more materialistic approach to 2026. 

With financial goals often rooted in the desire for security, independence, and stress relief, Jansen’s practical mindset is echoed by several working students. While external success and productivity come to the forefront of many minds, prioritizing mental health and self-care at the top is another important thing to consider when creating a New Year’s resolution, which is exactly what UI first-year student Sara Sjobakken did in 2025.

“I wanted to spend more time alone, just working on myself and building my self-love,” Sjobakken said.

As for 2026, Sjobakken’s goal to read more finds a home among several other students’ resolutions.

Though there is a wide variety of resolutions among students, they share a common theme: the human desire to advance and grow. From academics and fitness to finance and personal growth, the resolutions of UI students reflect the vast range of aspirations and pressures that help to provide a sense of direction when navigating a new year of change and opportunity.