He’s already made the commitment to exercise more often, eat healthier by adjusting portion sizes and even will join me in running a couple of marathons this semester. Unfortunately for me, this also marks the end to our weekend Goomba’s pizza tradition. Somehow I will find a way to survive without it.

Whether your goal for this year is to shed a couple of pounds, volunteer more or earn better grades, 2014 gives us all a chance to make a positive change.

My resolution for the year is one that I’ve been trying to accomplish since I first came to MSU three years ago. Like most students when they first arrive on a college campus, I made a pledge to garner as many leadership roles around MSU and East Lansing as my class schedule would permit.

I honestly can say I stuck to that goal throughout my freshman year. I quickly secured a job at the Michigan House of Representatives in the constituent relations office, coached the debate team at Pleasant View Magnet School in Lansing and was appointed the Ambassador of Outreach Activities for Michigan by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

But fast-forward to today, and you’ll only find me involved in one of those positions. Simply put, my drive to stay involved in leadership faded over time. After pushing myself to the brink of insanity, I became overwhelmed by all of my activities outside of class. Things eventually piled up so much that I decided to put an end to it altogether.

But this year, I’m getting back in check. I’ve successfully worked my way into securing positions on the Alumni Board as the undergraduate representative, College Curriculum Committee, University Advisory Council and the All-University Awards Committee for the spring semester. What I’ve learned from freshman year is how to appropriately manage my time to prevent me from being overwhelmed by the work.

For me, that meant I had to suck it up and start writing as much as I could in a planner. I started writing down all school-related activities, and as I started making a habit of it, I began writing down everything I had to do throughout the week.

So whatever your New Year’s resolution is for this year, be sure to be honest with yourself and more importantly, have patience. I know first-hand how easy it can be to stress yourself out by focusing on the big picture of your resolution, so start by taking baby steps. Set an easily achievable goal every week and build from there. Fill out one job application. Make one healthy meal every day. Write in your calendar at least once a week.

Expect these goals to take some time to accomplish and don’t worry if you hit a few bumps along the road. 2014 certainly won’t be my year of perfection, so let’s not try to burden ourselves with unwarranted stress. Remember, it all starts with having confidence in yourself and what you’re doing.

Terence Gipson is a global studies in the arts and humanities junior. Reach him at gipsonte@msu.edu.