New Years resolutions are overrated: Confessions of an Edinburgh student

I don’t know about anyone else but I can’t help but feel so unmotivated over the Christmas break period. For the last three years I always go back to my home town for the duration of Christmas and New Year but it is always a bittersweet experience for me. I absolutely love spending time with my family and friends with a side of drinking (excessively) at the local but in terms of my motivation, it absolutely disappears.

Who would not be motivated by the majestic Old College?

I have figured I am not the same person I was when I left home. Moving to Edinburgh was certainly character development. Whenever I come back to the city all sense of drive returns to me so I decided to wait until the new semester, when I was back in the city, to make all the new year changes I wanted.

But why did I still feel so guilty that there was a delay?

This got me thinking about the whole concept of New Year’s resolutions and if it is really necessary to put so much pressure on the first of January. In the grand scheme of things, it is just another day.

As a student, setting New Year resolutions is a logical pathway to making the most of the academic year. However, this may also hinder our progress by adding unnecessary pressure to be doing the most. Unrealistic resolutions are not uncommon and we’ve all been there waking up on the first of January and declaring we are joining the Edinburgh half (never happens), but do resolutions need to be extravagant?

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And why shouldn’t we be encouraged to set new goals any time of the year when it suits us and not be conditioned to feel as if we have failed in some way? Whether it may be to attend 75 per cent of your seminars this semester or not leave essay writing until the night before, resolutions should be beneficial to you and not of the high standard society expects.

What about a resolution to buy your own flowers instead of waiting for a man to? Sounds like a plan to me.

That being said, if you are one to make resolutions and stick to them, Edinburgh is the best place to do so. If you fancy taking up running or even walking, this city is so scenic and historical that it makes trying new things a lot less daunting and a whole lot more bearable.

Mayvn on George Street, quite possibly the coolest spot for a solo study/coffee date.

Walking Arthur’s Seat is a prime example of a new endeavour that is just on our doorstep (it is literally on mine and I regret to admit I have only done it now). If the outdoors isn’t your thing, Edinburgh also has a treasure trove of new experiences such as pottery painting, solo coffee dates, or you can even set a resolution to “split the G” in every pub if that’s what you’re into. 

This is me walking Arthur’s seat for the first time since moving here three years ago, I told you to watch this space.

So, if you are feeling downtrodden about already butchering your resolutions in 2025 not to worry, the concept is overrated anyway.