It’s the first day of the new year and many of us are still working on our New Years’ Resolutions. After the nightmare of 2016, we’re determined to make 2017 a bigger and better year.

Yet many students may skip this exercise, since their general goals each year are the same:

• Survive school
• Pass somehow
• Don’t shoot self from frustration

While these are reasonable goals to have, life doesn’t just stand still waiting for you to finish school. Don’t let other facets of your life slip by while you get an education.

With that in mind, here are five New Years’ Resolutions that should be on every student’s list.

1. Earn a 4.0 GPA

Even if it’s unlikely you’ll get a 4.0 GPA, you should aim for one anyway. The higher you aim, and the more you make an honest effort to achieve this, then the better your chances of success.

In school, this may not seem like a big deal. Sometimes you’re lucky just to make a passing grade. But when you’re sitting next to another candidate with the same qualifications as yourself and an employer needs to make a decision, they’ll likely pick the one with honors over the candidate who “passed”. The more technical your field, the more likely this is.

If you’re planning to continue on to graduate and post-graduate education, then good grades play an important role in whether or not you’re accepted into the best programs.

2. Increase Income

Who really has time to work in college? And yet that’s exactly the time you should be trying to scrape together all the extra money you can. College is expensive and unexpected emergencies wait on no one’s budget.

The easiest way to make money is of course to have a job. Something part time and flexible is best for college students, and freelancing, even better. However this can prove to be quite the balancing act when the coursework and tests start piling up.

If you are unable to find a job or other means to increase your income, then save every penny you can. You’ll need it.

3. Get Fit & Stay Healthy

A tight college budget often leaves little room for luxuries like annual checkups, bi-annual dentist appointments, and the gym. However, if these options are available to you, make the absolute best of them.

Knowing full well how expensive healthcare is, many colleges around the world provide free clinics for students. Find out if yours has one, or if the school has partnered with a clinic nearby.

Outside of the doctors’ office and a gym, there are other great ways we can take care of our health. Try to eat healthy meals regularly and to work some exercise into your busy schedule.

Conventional exercise isn’t your only option. You should also try climbing, hiking, running, and even just walking more often.

4. Build Meaningful Relationships

No, we don’t mean turning your Tinder match into your husband by the time you graduate. Though, who knows? Stranger things have happened. Instead, meaningful relationships should include friends and business connections.

The connections we make in college are the ones we bring with us into those first few years after graduation, and often for a lifetime. These connections can help us get better jobs, earn faster promotions… or even fall in love and start a family.

The first year of transition from college student to a working adult is often one of the hardest of young adult life. So choose your allies wisely.

5. Travel More

Take the time to explore your surrounding area, and to know your way around without GPS. Go for a walk. Take a hike. Ride your bike on the trails and get to know your environs, and the people in it.

Whenever possible, students should also take the opportunity to travel out of town. Even a weekend away from school can help you recharge, refocus, and relax. So don’t skip out on that weekend beach trip, or the offer to go camping.

You could learn a lot along the way, not just about new locales, but about yourself.

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What New Years’ resolutions do you have on your list? Tell us about them in the comments below!