New Year's Resolutions are not for everybody. However, we've got some resolutions for you from people you can trust. Throughout the last year, 2aDays has sat down with many college coaches and athletes to ask them about their sport. Here are the most important things we have learned that we think you should take into the new year!

1. Take advantage of resources

As a college athlete, you have access to incredible academic and athletic resources. University of San Diego runner Sean O'Keefe talked about all that his school has to offer for athletes: “We have a great system for scholar-athlete counseling and tutoring, and our practice schedule works around our class schedules. Professors are also very understanding of the added stress and lack of extra time that athletes have and are always willing to support us.”

2. Be a good teammate

You aren't going to get where you want to in your sport without the help of your teammates. Cheer them on, watch them compete, and learn from them. Northern Vermont University head basketball coach Alfred Johnson told us, “It takes being a good teammate to be successful on our team. Not everyone plays, but good teammates understand that and are still able to help others get better.” 

Skidmore College soccer player Paige Karl held a similar sentiment “The relationships I have formed with so many of my teammates hold a very special place in my heart. There are so many memories entangled with these incredible people in each of our seasons over the past 4 years.”

3. Take advantage of free time

As a college athlete, you know that free time is not something you come by often. Instead of procrastinating, try to get ahead on schoolwork, recovery, training, etc. UMD field hockey player Maura Verleg talked to us about how she stays on top of her busy schedule, “I would always do my homework before or after breakfast, and then something that personally helped me was to just get ahead of schedule schoolwork-wise whenever I can because you always have times that are busier than you thought they would be.”

Nebraska golfer Reed Malleck also emphasized the importance of staying ahead; “A lot of us try and just do all of our homework before we hit the road. Then, we can get out there and have four days where we don't have to worry about anything.”

4. Carry yourself with confidence

Confidence is key, in athletics and academics. Nebraska baseball player Drew Christo knows this well. “The biggest thing I have learned…is that you've got to carry yourself with confidence. That comes from what you do every day; you can't just fake it.”

5. Show up every day

You can't expect every day to be your best day. Everyone has off days, and the best thing you can do on these days is to just show up. Mount Saint Mary's University cross country and track and field assistant coach Josh Poole mentioned “To be successful and gain the respect of your teammates within our program, all you need to do is show up every day and work hard.”

6. Don't be afraid to ask for help

If you are struggling with your sport or in the classroom, the best thing to do is ask for help. Head cross country coach at the University of Hartford, Connor Green, always emphasizes the importance of seeking out help. “Be proactive, if you know a class is hard, get a tutor on the front end. Do not wait until it's too late!” 

Vassar Fencing coach, Abram Gregory, shared that asking for help can mean talking to people in the same boat as you. “I suggest finding support groups, whether in or out of sports, of students with similar workloads and passions to sympathize and build with.”

7. Put 100% into everything you do

To finish up our New Year's Resolutions list, you want to make this year your best. As a student-athlete, you need to remember that both the student and athlete parts are important. You can't compete without good grades. University of Missouri wrestling head coach Brian Smith loves to recruit athletes who do well in the classroom and in competitions. “When I hear that he's an overachiever and gets A's all the time, but he works hard, I love that type of kid. I know if they're going to do that in the classroom, they're going to do that in the wrestling room.”

While making your New Year's Resolutions, you want to remember to make them reasonable. 

Vassar fencing coach Abram Gregory said it the best:

“The most important thing for me is that one's stated goals match up with the work they're willing to put in. If there's an incongruence between the two, we won't work well together. “