New Year, New You
How the Fordham University Libraries Can Help You with Your 2024 Resolutions
By Hannah Herrlich, Emerging Technologies Librarian
Welcome back, Rams! We hope that you all had a relaxing, or at the very least, enjoyable, Winter Break. Now that you’re recharged and ready to slide into 2024 with ease, it’s time to hit the books, and focus on some of those New Year’s resolutions. Whatever your goals for 2024 may be, the Fordham University Libraries has a plethora of material that can help guide you in seeing through those resolutions, and setting your sights on becoming the best version of YOU.
Some of your resolutions might include improving your health, your finances, or various other aspects of your life. Perhaps your resolution is to not make any resolution at all and just take the year day-by-day. However, since we are a library, we take a lot of pride and joy in helping our users find the reading material best suited for them- It’s kind of our thing. So we’ve compiled some of the most common resolutions, with books available in our collection that can assist in tackling said resolutions and achieving your goals. Keep reading to find out which book you might enjoy to kickstart a happy and healthy 2024!
Save Money
“A penny saved is a penny earned,” once famously quipped by Benjamin Franklin more than 200 years ago, still applies today. Of course, it might be hard to stop shopping entirely, like Cait Flanders did in, The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store. Nonetheless, you still can develop clear financial goals and set yourself up for long-term success with the help of books like, Making Money Simple: The Complete Guide to Getting Your Financial House in Order and Keeping it that Way Forever by Peter Lazaroff, or It All Adds Up: Designing Your Game Plan for Financial Success by Devon Kennard (yes, that Devon Kennard).
Healthy Eating
Would it really be the start to a new year without at least a mild attempt to eat healthier? Whatever your motivation for healthy eating is, there’s no denying that food matters, and it can have an impact on your overall health and lifestyle. So consider diving into Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan, or perhaps, Eating Well for Good Health: Lessons on Nutrition and Healthy Diets by Valeria Menza.
Perform Better at School or Work
After a well-earned break, it’s time to hit the books again. Raise your GPA to astronomical limits by learning how to study like a champ and making it stick. Better yet, why not apply techniques learned from these books into other aspects of life, such as work, internships- and beyond?
Exercise
Nourish your body with exercise, and you will find benefits to both your physical and mental health- Just ask Michael W. Otto, author of Exercise for Mood and Anxiety: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression and Enhancing Well-Being. There are plenty of resources available to help you discover what type of exercise is best and most enjoyable for you. So get moving! Whether it’s strength training, aerobics, or stretching– We got you covered.
Get More Sleep
Don’t sleep on sleeping! With so much going on in the world, it’s hard to imagine getting an ample amount of sleep, but a good night’s rest is vital to a better, healthier life. For insight and solutions on how to sleep better consider checking out Sleep: The Mysteries, the Problems, and the Solutions by Carlos Schenck.
Prioritize Mental Health
Making resolutions to eat right, exercise, and get more sleep are important, but they can only get you so far without also prioritizing your mental health and achieving inner balance. So don’t sweat the small stuff, and consider making your next read Comfort: An Atlas for the Human Body and Soul by Brett Hoover, or Make Peace with Your Mind: How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You from Your Inner Critic by Mark Coleman.
Spend More Time with Loved Ones
Human connection is a vital part of the human experience. Sometimes it can be hard to find people we really connect with, which is why it’s important to foster these relationships and spend time with those we love. Reading books like On the Benefits of Friendship by Isabelle Graw or We Should not be Friends: The Story of a Friendship by Will Schwalbe, provide great insights into why we should make time for our loved ones.
Pick Up a New Hobby
Resolutions aren’t always about improving upon what you already do or what you already have. Sometimes, they can be about discovering something new. Maybe you’re looking to take up knitting, cooking, or ceramics. Perhaps you want to learn a new language, like Spanish, German, or Korean. Regardless if you want to play a new musical instrument or a new sport, there is plenty in the stacks for you to explore.
Break Bad Habits
In the spirit of picking up a new hobby or habit, maybe it’s time to drop one that no longer serves you. From cigarettes to smartphones, there could be a number of things you find yourself dependent upon that you might want to minimize or stop. Picking up Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear, is just one of the many resources you can use as a guide in your journey.
Read More
Okay, we couldn’t leave this one out. We are a library, after all! Fortunately, the Fordham University Libraries has plenty of books to choose from. Your reading journey can begin by visiting our homepage and checking out the library catalog. And as always, you can use our 24/7 chat service, Ask a Librarian.
