Making and keeping New Year's Resolutions can be especially difficult. However, choosing resolutions that are realistic to the life of a college student can be even more challenging.
Thought students may set lofty resolutions like losing a lot of weight, exercising for hours daily, or earning a 4.0 GPA, rarely are students able to achieve such elaborate and demanding resolutions with such a limited amount of time, a small budget and an academic and social life to maintain.

Many University of Louisville students look forward to that time of year after the grueling fall semester; after working countless hours, studying exhaustively and hoping they're sane enough for finals, the holidays beckon for a taste of sweet freedom.
But some students can find it difficult to rip themselves away from the relaxation of the holiday break and facing the laborious semester ahead of them.
Throwing oneself back into the demands of college life is usually easier said than done, but no task is impossible with a bit of planning and discipline.

For Tara Schapmire, social work has been a life long calling.
"I was meant to be a social worker," said Schapmire. "I found my life's calling in oncology social work. I was interested in the medical field at a young age and I was also very interested in fairness, justice, advocacy and the psychosocial aspects of illness. When I learned a field existed that would allow me to combine these interests, I went after it."

The holidays are upon us once again and, as the adage goes, it is better to give than to receive.

The giving is nice, but it can be a little tricky. Here are a few gift ideas for the special people in your life that won't break the bank.

Though students at the University of Louisville run the gamut of backgrounds and fields of study, the one common thread they all share is final exams and papers. As the fall semester creeps to a close, students across campus are eager to close the book on the Fall 2008 semester. Before they can do so, however, they will have to somehow endure those first two weeks of December that demand their full attention, energy and discipline.
 For computer science graduate Mark Woodcock, recalling his days as an undergraduate during finals week is just a sip of coffee and a bite of warm breakfast away.

For senior Elizabeth Self and Craig Thomas, an organization like Operation Smile represents a chance to give back to the University of Louisville community. Self and Thomas are placing their concerns not only with U of L, but with future generations around the globe. 
Operation Smile is a foundation focused on the cosmetic needs of children born with craniofacial disorders such as cleft lip and cleft pallet.
It is a widely recognized organization throughout the United States that helps raise money for these underprivileged children.

Due to a $600,000 grant from Anthem Blue Shield, the University of Louisville will be able to head a cardiovascular study that will help citizens in the Western Louisville area without access to quality health care.
The study will not only provide valuable research, but will also help West Louisville residents found to be at risk for cardiovascular disease to receive follow up screenings and aid.
"This is a great example of a community partnership with a common goal," said U of L President James Ramsey.

During their college careers, most students will take at least one class that stands out as being different or a cut above the rest.
Thanks to a recent collaboration with the American Red Cross, Public Relations Writing is such a class for students like senior communication major Ryan Piros.
"This class is different from other classes," said Piros. "I have taken several classes where we worked in group projects but none of them have actually benefited the community around the university."

The French have a popular saying that translates into the English language as: "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
University of Louisville archivist Tom Owen would very likely agree with the sentiment.
Louisville prides itself on being a diverse city, and the historian strives to keep that tradition alive. Owen has created several documentaries for the public, with each chronicling an era of the city's celebrated history.

Vice President of the Indian Student Association Srivathsa Bhattar wants to be clear: diversity is more about attitude than environment.
"I wouldn't say people have to [embrace diversity], but that it's their choice," said Bhattar as he spoke on Saturday night outside the entrance to the Multipurpose Room in the Student Activities Center.