As Kean embarks on a new semester, students are reflecting on their New Year’s resolutions—habits they hope to build in 2026. Students agree that next semester will represent a fresh start, encouraging self-reflection and personal growth both on and off campus.
Seeking to Prioritize Time Management for Academic Success:
Students are rethinking how they manage their time to balance jobs, coursework, and social responsibilities as they head into 2026. To improve academically, Danny Cray, a Media and Film major in his junior year from Roselle Park, NJ, said he is seeking more flexibility in his time management as a path to improvement.
"Throughout my life, I have struggled with time management, and it became more apparent when I first attempted college, nearly a decade ago at UCC,” Cray said. “When it comes to my time management, I’d like to make next year one where I spend every day wisely; I need to be the best it’s ever been so I can perform well with my classes.”
Cray is not alone in this as many students find themselves needing to priotitize their time and organization.
Alex Vargas, a Sophomore Computer Science major from Seaside Heights, NJ, said he’s planning on preparing his weekly schedule before the semester commences.
“I always plan my schedule way before the semester starts; I am a natural planner,” Vargas said. “In the long run, in the future, I would say for everyone, including myself is to make a document and have a timeline of how each day to day of the week will go.”
Making Campus Involvement a New Year Resolution:
Students are also setting goals for more involvement on campus as part of their resolution and have an opportunity to build community and connections that reflect their interests. Ahmaad Robertson, a Senior Communication major from North Plainfield, NJ, emphasized participation in student activities.
"The goal would be more academic based, aiming to be more focused when it comes to my schoolwork," Robertson said. "I tend not to give all 100% with a lot of school assignments, but I advise myself and students to try activities on campus when it comes to events, be there, participate, and show out.”
While they are great for building community and friendships, organizations, clubs, and volunteer activities also give students opportunities to broaden their knowledge, develop networking skills, and apply what they learn beyond the classroom.
Samuel Zubiate, a Junior Communication major from Riverside, CA, said he also plans to support organizations' event and even play a role in outreach.
“For my resolution, I’m trying to be more part of the campus life, like goicng to events that reflects me or involves my major, to show support for other things happening here on campus and off campus,” Zubiate said “I want to be more incorporated into helping Student Life but for other organizations too when they go about hosting occasions."
Putting their Mental Well-Being First in 2026:
Mental well-being has become a growing focus in students’ academic lives. Many are seeking safe spaces to process feelings and maintain balance. For some students, a healthy relationship with close peers plays a key role in supporting their mental well-being.
Sarah Fradella, a Communication major from Mountainside, NJ in her Junior year, expressed that connecting more with family and friends is part of her resolution to stay motivated.
“I will give myself breaks too to decompress and to not overwork myself; ensuring my mental health is at a reasonable level in the long term by hanging out with friends and people who I love and care about,” Fredella said. “In our personal life, we may be distant from family and friends because of the responsibilities, and it will eventually affect the relationships you have with them.”
For Fradella, maintaining connections is a priority she hopes to carry with her into the new year.
Reflecting on Personal Goals and Passions:
New Year’s resolution also extends beyond the semester ahead, motivating students to build habits that support long-term goals and future careers.
Kevin Casareo, a Junior Communication major from Jersey City, NJ, said he looks up to his brother as a source of inspiration as he reflects on his own path, using Spring as a time for a fresh start.
"I look up to my brother, who is getting out of grad school, and seeing him and his friends getting into the workplace, and it's definitely an encouraging thing for me because I don't know where I want to go," Casareo said. "I think seeing other people successful helps me see success for my own future, and I advise others to sit with themselves and question, 'What do I really want?' instead of chasing someone else’s dream.”
Casareo shared he wishes to avoid procrastination and begin working on self-care; discovering his purpose.
“I really want to start some work on myself and try to discover what I’m going to do with the rest of my life,” Casareo added.
As the semester comes to a close, the New Year offers students a chance to reflect, reset, and carry forward the habits they’ve begun to build. Moving forward into the next chapter does not mean perfection, but consistency and using the lessons from past semesters to create balance, protect well-being, and set goals that go beyond the classroom.
Happy New Year!
