A new year can feel like a fresh start, but New Year’s resolutions aren’t for everyone. In fact, most college students don’t bother making any.
A new survey of 1,500 undergraduates finds that a majority (62%) do not plan on making any New Year’s resolutions for 2020, while about one-quarter (24%) will make at least one. Roughly one-quarter (24%) of students who don’t plan on making any resolutions say it’s because they’ve never kept up with their goals in the past. But more students say it’s because they set goals for themselves throughout the year (39%), or they simply don’t like the idea of New Year’s resolutions (19%).
There is a gender divide, however. Female students are more likely than male students to say they won’t set resolutions for 2020 because they’ve never kept resolutions in the past (28% vs. 19%). Female students are less likely to say they just don’t like the idea of New Year’s resolutions (15% vs. 23%).
4 in 10 Students Not Making Resolutions Set Goals Throughout the Year
Why do you not plan on making any resolutions?
For students who will set goals for the new year, almost three-quarters (72%) plan on setting resolutions around physical health and fitness. Resolutions around mental health (49%), school (43%), and relationships (39%) are also common on college campuses, while fewer students set career (31%) and money goals (30%).
But health-related New Year’s resolutions are significantly more common among female students. Female students are more likely than male students to make resolutions around both their mental health (56% vs. 36%) and their physical health (77% vs. 66%).
Female Students are More Likely to Make Resolutions About Their Health
What categories would you say your resolutions fall under? Please choose all that apply.
A majority (64%) of students didn’t make resolutions last year, and only 6% of students say they kept up with new goals for 12 months. Among students who did make resolutions last year, about a quarter say they had the most success with those focused on their physical health and fitness (27%) and school (24%).
Almost half (46%) of students who do plan on making resolutions this year say they don’t do anything to hold themselves accountable throughout the year. But using a calendar or journal to track progress (17%) is the most popular method. Just 11% use apps to track their progress, compared to 9% who tell friends or family about their goals.
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Methodology: This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted among a sample of 1,500 full-time and part-time students attending four-year colleges or universities in the U.S. who are part of College Pulse’s American College Student Panel.
