Drexel-Inspired New Year’s Resolutions

By Kylie Gray

January 8, 2020

Still looking for a New Year’s resolution? Hint — we’ve been sharing ideas all year long! Check out some of our top articles from 2019 for a little aspiration inspiration.

1. Apply to grad school.

Drexel College of Arts and Sciences Graduation

This year, we shared student, faculty and adviser perspectives on reasons to consider graduate school, along with tips for aspiring students. Is professional school in your future? Check out these Q&As on pre-health at Drexel and pre-law at Drexel.

2. Stand up for your beliefs.

“An Evening with Tarana Burke” brought together survivors and allies, as well as campus resources and organizations, in Mitchell Auditorium to get to know Burke as more than just a face of a movement.

It takes guts to advocate for something you believe in. You might take inspiration from biological sciences alumna Deanna Mauro ’19, a public speaker for mental health issues, or Tarana Burke, founder of the “Me Too” movement, who visited campus in May. For advice on finding your voice, check out these nine empowerment tips for Drexel students.

3. Be more successful in the workplace.

man at a desk wearing a helmet holding a paper airplane

Looking for ways to unleash your creativity at work? Psychology professor John Kounios, PhD, showed us why, from a neurological perspective, a vacation could be just the trick. Meanwhile, communication major Shana Joseph shared tips for workplace success following her co-op at Fox 29.

4. Deepen your connections.

Terry Gross speaking at Drexel University to a sold-out audience in the Mandell Theater on April 10. Her talk was titled 'Off Air With Fresh Air.'

If you’re focused on having better conversations, you could take some pointers from the Queen of Questions herself, Terry Gross, who served as the 2019 CoAS Distinguished Lecturer in April. For more advice on deepening your connections, check out this list of 12 ways to feel connected at Drexel.

5. Do more for the planet.

Katy Gonder, PhD, and Maria Schultheis, PhD, with dignitaries in front of the newly adopted research center

There is always something that you can do to be more Earth-friendly, whether it’s decoding proposed climate policies or reducing your carbon footprint to combat the ocean’s warming. You can also join the Academy of Natural Sciences and United by Blue this spring to clean up the Delaware River.

This year, the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program earned another win for the Earth when its research center was adopted by the government of Equatorial Guinea, expanding conservation opportunities for a 200-square-mile protected area.

6. Explore a new culture.

“I’ve always been interested in China because it’s kind of like this place that everyone says is so different from any other country in the world and it’s so far away and it’s kind of like this unknown land,” said Sarah DiPasquale. Here she is at the Great Wall.

Is it your New Year’s resolution to go abroad? Global studies major Sarah DiPasquale shared five tips for taking an international co-op after completing two co-ops in China. For destination inspiration, check out this list of 10 favorite travel destinations by CoAS majors.

7. Go exploring (even in your own city!)

Roy Aguilar - Behind the Scenes

If travel isn’t in the cards, you can still be a tourist in your own city. Communication major Roy Aguilar rediscovered his city by creating a documentary about Philadelphia subcultures and communities. DrexelNow also shed light on a hidden gem right here on campus: the city’s largest telescope.

8. Get more fresh air.

Fabrice Kentatchime, manager of the Ganga Station, teaches students how to identify food remains from chimpanzee feces.

Fill your lungs with a vow to enjoy the great outdoors — and earn course credits while you’re at it! This year, students camped out at a remote field station in Cameroon in the course Chimpanzee Biodiversity and Conservation, and traversed the ecosystems of Island Beach State Park, New Jersey in Marine Field Methods. Find more ideas for getting out and about in our list of 15 outdoor activities near Drexel.

9. Ask for help.

Korman Center at Drexel University

Start the year off right by taking advantage of Drexel resources — they’re here to help you! The Drexel Writing and Tutoring Centers opened in the Korman Center this year, offering free walk-in tutoring in biology, chemistry, math, physics and writing. You can also read about how the Drexel Writing Center has focused on anti-racist pedagogy.

10. Think BIG!

In celebration of both the International Year of the Periodic Table in 2019 and National Chemistry Week, students from two chemistry organizations unfurled a 100-foot-tall, 135-foot-wide handmade periodic table on Buckley Field.

If there’s one thing to take from this year’s Drexel news, it’s that Dragons don’t wait to think big. Whether it means pressing your luck on “Wheel of Fortune” — to the tune of a trip from Belize! — creating the largest periodic table on the East Coast, starting your own tea company, working at an electric vehicle startup, or pioneering a role as a diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator, don’t be afraid to think big and go after your goals this year!