The new year is upon us, and many have begun their freshly conceived resolutions. There are the typical ones — exercise, losing weight, read more, start that side project — but sometimes, it can be difficult deciding what to set your mind to. Here are three suggestions with an accompanying essay to dive into.

For the student — Balance studio with other classes

Most students prioritize studio over other classes, so much so, that those other classes sometimes suffer. Balancing Studio With Other Classes is a short essay that gives students strategies for managing class time and proposes a new way of seeing the hidden benefits of classes outside of studio.

For the professional — Physical fitness

This applies to all of us who sit at desks for hours a day, but, for the working professional, especially the busy one, physical fitness is crucial to ensure optimum mental performance and personal wellness. The Importance of Physical Fitness in Mental Performance is a short piece that looks at some of the science behind the connection between our physical health and our mental bandwidth and how we might maintain a healthy mind and body.

For the job seeker — finding a new job

Naturally, the goal for the job seeker is securing a new job. This is one of those things where you can do everything perfectly and still come out with no result, and so a promising course of action is diligence and determination. Don't give up. A 3-Step Guide to Choosing Your Next Architecture Job explores 3 approaches to identifying the best firms to pursue and how to investigate them. This piece is particularly beneficial to recent grads still looking for employment.