New Year, New Me: Building good habits for 2026

Hi! I’m Liv, a second-year Psychology student at the University of Huddersfield. Even though we’re at the start of a new year, the cold, dark days can still feel a little… well, gloomy. However, now 2026 is here (I know... crazy, right?), it’s time to start with those well-intended New Year’s resolutions.  

Here’s my take on some of the best ones for a student, and tips on how to actually stick to them. 

I’m sorry to mention it, but exam season is right around the corner (I know… I said sorry!) Now I know how hard it is to motivate yourself, especially in winter.  

The temptation of staying a couple of extra hours in your warm, cosy bed is almost too hard to resist. Notice I said almost impossible to resist! If you’ve slipped into full winter-hibernation mode, don’t worry- you’re not alone. In fact, now is the perfect time to start building tiny study habits.  

Set yourself realistic goals: maybe an hour or two a day, or even task-based ones like, "I’ll finish one paragraph of my assignment today."  

Then, when exam season finally sneaks up on you, you’ll be calm, prepared, and way less likely to spiral into January’s classic panic mode. Here are some ideas of small but realistic goals you could set: 

• Do a 30-minute recap of something you learned that day. 

• Watch one short YouTube video explaining a tricky topic. 

• Create a mini revision plan for just the next three days.  

• Write one paragraph of an assignment.  

These small but manageable tasks often spark motivation, and next thing you know, you’ve revised a whole topic, recapped the week or written 2,000 words (okay… maybe that’s a slight exaggeration).  

My favourite advice for anyone wanting to move their body more is simple: choose something you actually enjoy. If you genuinely like the activity, you’ll naturally make time for it. Trust me- I’m not saying I’m thrilled about running 12 kilometres in cold, rainy England, but I do know how good I’ll feel afterwards. Another tip? Schedule your workouts like appointments. For example, every Friday is my long-run day, and it’s become second nature at this point. 

And the best part is, it really does help with student life. When your brain is constantly juggling assignments, deadlines, lectures, and general life admin, your body ends up taking the hit.

Moving in a way that feels good gives your mind a break, boosts your energy, and reminds you that looking after yourself physically is just as important as all the studying you’re doing.  

The importance of sleep

Another healthy habit many people attempt (and often abandon) is creating a good sleep schedule. Getting up in winter is a whole battle in itself. In another blog, Procrastination and Motivation from a Second-Year Psychology Student, I talk about how tough it can be to motivate yourself - and honestly, dragging myself out of bed on dark winter mornings is one of my biggest challenges. 

But getting up earlier has genuinely transformed my uni life. It gives me more time to tackle my endless list of tasks during the day, and it means I can get a proper night’s rest without feeling like I’m constantly playing catch-up. Here are my tips for building better sleep routines: 

• Put the phone down - I’ll talk more about this in the next paragraph, but just know your late-night blue-light scroll is not helping you sleep. 

• Aim for around eight hours a night - your brain needs it, especially when you’re juggling lectures, revision, and life in general. 

• Create a proper wind-down routine - choose a time to stop working and stop scrolling, and stick to it. 

As we head toward 2026, remember that building new habits doesn’t have to wait for January each year.

Start small, stay consistent, and choose routines that actually make you feel good. Whether it’s studying smarter, moving your body, fixing your sleep, or finally tackling your screen time, these little changes add up. Future you - tired, busy, uni student-life you - will be so grateful you started now.