New Year’s resolutions have been a part of holiday culture for as long as I can remember. Numerous people make goals about bettering themselves, but the real question here is how many people actually stick with their goals? Of course sticking to a plan is not always an easy task. I am sure we all know what I am taking about.
I personally have been pretty good at keeping certain New Year’s resolutions. I suppose I just have a lot of determination. Each year is a fresh start and should be taken advantage of. Of course, certain goals are extremely challenging to achieve such as breaking bad habits or giving up something you are crazy about.
This year my New Year’s resolution was to try to give up chocolate and everything chocolate flavored since I am simply addicted to it. This goal was a bust and I failed my goal in three days. I know, it’s pretty pathetic and ridiculous. That itself is proof that chocolate addiction is very real. Breaking habits really are tough. I may try to give it another shot, but let’s face it, probably not anytime soon. I simply love it too much.
There are a myriad of methods to stick to a New Year’s resolution. One way could be trying to visualize the long-term effects of your goal. For example, a lot of people choose losing weight as their New Year’s resolution goal. The long-term effects of completing that goal would be overall better health and lifestyle. Other methods on sticking to New Year’s resolutions are taking change slow, realizing that making a resolution on New Year’s Day is no different than any other day, making realistic goals, and having a positive attitude.
College is full of motivated students and wise faculty, so I am sure some interesting New Year’s resolutions are around here somewhere.
Zina Auslander, a freshman anthropology major, said, “My New Year’s resolution is to just overall get everything together. I really want to make sure I get all of my assignments in on time and I want to make sure all of my work is the best it can be. I also just want overall structure in my life.”
Auslander continued, “I feel like everything would be a lot more relaxing and easy going if I planned out everything I would like to achieve.”
Dana Gurnari, a freshman accounting major, took a similar approach to her New Year’s resolution. “My New Year’s resolution is to do better this semester. I am really trying to aim for perfect grades in all of my classes and I am willing to fulfill this challenge. I know it won’t be easy, but it will be very rewarding,” said Gurnari.
Alexa DeTurris, a freshman, is trying to make a commitment to find time to enjoy her personal interests. “I would really love to try to read more for my New Year’s resolution. I used to read all the time, but lately I have not been finding the time. Homework really keeps me busy most of the time, but I really need to try to find time to fit some reading in,” said DeTurris.
Shannon Hokanson, a lecturer of communication, has a different outlook on New Year’s resolutions. “I don’t generally do New Year’s resolutions. They tend not to stick, and then folks find themselves back in depressing old patterns by mid-March! I just try my best, and sometimes fail of course, but I try to be happy and kind each day,” said Hokanson.
It is always good to set goals for ourselves whether or not they are small or large. New Year’s resolutions have the ability to motivate us to better our lives. New Year’s Day should not be the only day we make goals for ourselves. Every day is a new day and our opportunities to change our lives should be taken advantage of. Do not let one day determine your future.
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