As the year 2023 begins, students at Cascade High School realize that the school year is already half over. While this brings stress for some and hope for others, it allows students to set a plan for how they are going to improve in school or outside of school over the next year. Already, some students have been focused on earning good grades before the next semester starts. The New Year starts around the same time as a new school semester, right as new classes allow for a fresh start. As the New Year dawns, New Year's resolutions and new goals are set for improvement in school and outside of school.
Not all resolutions are fulfilled. Many people give up or forget about what they wanted to improve. As many goals are set, it depends on the person's motivation to complete these goals. According to Time.com, the most failed New Year’s resolutions are losing weight and getting fit, eating healthier/starting a diet, and learning something new.
On the other hand, what is the most successful resolution? To have a successful resolution or goal, motivation must be present. Even the ancient Babylonians set goals for themselves to improve on. The New Year’s resolution has been around for thousands of years. According to history.com, the ancient Babylonians would make promises to the gods to pay their debt or return anything they borrowed. If they kept their word, the gods would favor them in the next year. But if they did not keep their word, they fell out of God's favor. Unlike today, it does not mean life or death if a goal was not kept. Similarly, goals are still set for self-improvement.
While some students want to improve in school, others want to improve themselves. “I would like to improve my diet and be consistent with my workouts,” said sophomore Melvin Northrup. “I need to work on mental discipline in general. Which comes to like doing my homework on time and eating healthy.” Mental discipline is a skill everyone can work on. Being able to push yourself even when your body tells itself it cannot, is not as easy as flipping a light switch. Many athletes use self-discipline and self-improvement to perfect their craft, whether it is basketball, baseball, football, or even editor of a local newspaper. Improving relationships and treating others is an important goal that can help in life.
“I want to be nicer in general,” said freshman Olivia Melton. “I like to see how I treat people is the way I'm being treated.” Students are two weeks into 2023 and already seeing success. Although not all goals have instant results, for example getting stronger takes time and effort as well as dedication. Many goals revolve around mental state. Even if it is mental, it can still be a huge challenge. People can get in their own way which can be self-doubt or telling themselves cannot. Dedication is a huge part of mental goals. “Keeping an open mind” is a popular mental goal for improving listening and mindfulness. In the future, as students become more independent and self-driven, setting goals will be more of a regular thing.
As of now, many students at CHS choose not to make New Year's resolutions, whether it be because they do not care, or they want to float in the flow of life. Sophomore Benjamin Jerome said, “No. I think they are stupid. If you really wanted to do something that bad, you wouldn’t sit on your butt waiting for January 1st to do it - you would already be doing it.” Ben Jerome makes a reasonable point that sometimes waiting around for things to change can create unhealthy habits and make you miss opportunities.
On the other hand, many other students have made resolutions to be better “I plan to complete all my schoolwork and graduate to continue on to higher education,” said senior Juan Castro about his resolution.
Goals and resolutions do not have to be all mental. It could be a physical goal of going somewhere, getting a job, or going to a college. Many seniors at CHS plan to go to college or have already been accepted. Senior Quentin Farrell has always wanted to go to college, it has been a long-term goal for him. In preparation for college, Quentin “made a goal to be a happier person. That allows me to focus on things that make me happy, allowing me to be more focused on preparing for college.” Quentin believes that his previous resolutions and self-improvement goals prepared him for the college experience. Many long-term dreams take longer than just a year to complete, but a promise to take a step towards that goal is sometimes all that is needed. Over time and step by step, any dream can be achieved.
New Year’s resolutions are a moment people commit to improving themselves, unfortunately many people fall short of their goals. While some of the students of CHS refrain from making New Year’s resolutions, many others fall just short of their goals. “The goals that you don’t make, you just adjust, and you know, you keep trying to meet the goal, extending the timeline, or I guess moving on and getting a new goal,” said CHS Principal Mr. Joya.
Even if goals are not made, it is possible to adjust and keep moving forward. “I’ve tried to eat less sugar before; it did not end out so good. I’m pretty addicted to chocolate,” said Mr. Bard who teaches at CHS. Some goals may seem simple and attainable, but people can always get sidetracked. Due to many extenuating circumstances some people may miss their opportunity to achieve their dreams. Whether they fall due to mental struggles, other commitments, or any other reason, people striving to improve should be encouraged at every turn.
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