New year, new me? Some students may tackle the upcoming year with motives to change or create new habits, while others may be entering with the goal of staying the same. The mark of a new calendar year serves as a breaking point for many to reinforce change in their lives, helping them to start the new year with the best version of themselves. 

According to History.com New Year’s resolutions were first documented 4,000 years ago, where the ancient Babylonians practiced making promises to their gods to pay their debts and return borrowed objects. Over time, New Year’s traditions and resolutions have evolved in relation to those applying them. Many people view resolutions differently, some see them as a positive way to enter a new life chapter, and others see them as an excuse for chance that won’t be enforced. 

Resolutions can be the starting point for serious change, giving the person setting them good aspirations for their upcoming actions and the future.

 “I think New Year’s resolutions are very good to make. They make you have a variety of goals to put your mind to. If you have the drive to achieve your goals, you will get it done, but you have to really want it to be successful,” said senior Jaidyn Jones said. 

On the other hand, some people consider New Year’s resolutions to be pointless. Many think that change can be installed at any given time, and waiting for New Year’s to hit is a waste of valuable time.

 “If you want to make change you can do it anytime, waiting until the New Year wastes time where you could be making those changes. Change doesn’t happen overnight, it also doesn’t happen if you wait for your goals to come to you, you have to constantly chase them,” senior Micah Stoner said. 

Many set goals in relation to their academic studies, physical health, or work ethic. Dreaming big is great, but setting realistic goals is even more important for the younger generation. Some teens may have a great amount of grit, making them more likely to achieve higher and more difficult goals. Most teens have difficulty applying and committing themselves to specific goals, especially if they require a great deal of output. 

“Setting goals for yourself is a great way to try something new and apply yourself. That’s the thing though, you have to be dedicated to see the results of your goals, and this can be a struggle for many people, including myself,” senior Eleanor Whykor said.

There are several solutions to beating the difficulty of dedication, getting a friend or family member to hold you accountable and check on your progress, journaling throughout the timeline of your goal, or recording your progress with an app. Tracking your journey through an app, like Build a Habit, Streaks, and Way of Life, is realistic and useful in today’s world. Many people spend excessive amounts of time on electronics, and if their devices are regularly reminding them of the goal at hand it can push them to stay more dedicated. 

New Year’s resolutions can be a great opportunity for new beginnings for some, and prove unsuccessful for others. Dedication and commitment is a huge element of achieving goals set during the evolution of the calendar year. Staying realistic and honest with yourself is also huge, always remember that change can be installed at many other times and hold yourself accountable to your personal work ethic and application skills.