Three, two, one...
Even though the ball has dropped and 2005 has officially begun, the new year continues to resonate in the minds of individuals as they set about drafting and attempting to follow their new year's resolutions.
At the onset of every new year, people are confronted with the same plaguing question: How can this year be better than the last? And every year, most conclude that the new year will be different -- perhaps the treadmill will not remain untouched or the stacks of paper on a desktop will finally be cleared. Despite the ways in which resolutions vary from person to person, there is a common theme: Embracing the new year by throwing out bad habits, adopting a better way of living and making 2005 the best year yet.
Many University students spent time over break pondering ways in which to improve their years through the adoption of resolutions. First-year College student Dan Buckman said he believes his new year's resolution will enable him to start the new semester out on the right foot.
"My new year's resolution is to develop a work ethic, both for studying and for working out, since both have slipped in the first semester due to an excess of 'fun,'" Buckman said. "I'm making my resolution to possibly prevent me from [continuing to be] as lazy as [I have been]. It's really important because it involves mental and physical fitness and learning to take control of my own life."
Others said they believe that a change in day-to-day habits will enable them to maintain a healthier lifestyle in 2005. First-year Engineering student Jessica Johnson said she thinks that increasing her water intake could have a beneficial impact on her overall well being.
"My new year's resolution this year is simply to drink more water," Johnson said. "This is important to me because I feel it will help keep me focused and healthy."
Other students hope to cut out some of the bad eating habits they picked up last semester instead of adopting new additions to their diets. This year, second-year Engineering student Ryan Turner is focused on reducing his reliance on caffeine, a problem that plagues many University students, especially around exam time.
"My new year's resolution would be giving up Dr Pepper -- my main [source of caffeine] -- and trying to reduce my caffeine consumption in general," Turner said.
Second-year College student Vanessa Garvey said her main focus for the new year will be on regulating her diet, specifically in regards to her consumption of one of the University dining halls' best-known indulgences -- the Belgian waffle.
"The waffles in the dining hall are awesome, but I know they are high in calories and aren't good for me on a regular basis," Garvey said. "The problem is that they are always available in the dining halls, even after breakfast is over. My resolution this semester is to cut back on them, to eat more cereal and fruit rather then heading for the waffle maker."
Though many students adopt resolutions, many said they believe resolutions are often left behind as students get caught up with work during the semester.
"I think most people are only fairly serious about keeping resolutions," Johnson said. "Most will come up with a resolution with the idea of keeping it, but when it comes down to the facts, most people are too caught up in their everyday lives to keep up with it."
Although second-year College student Tam Le always formed a new year's resolution in the past, she did not have any interest in forming one this year.
"Every year I'll make a new one for myself, and I'll be ready to work hard for about a month, but then I just stop worrying about it," Le said. "Since I know that I won't be able to keep up with it, I just don't see a point in making one anymore."
The reasoning behind the abandonment of these annual goals could be anything from a lack of motivation to a lack of free time. However, some students remain optimistic about the status of their individual resolutions.
"I believe that some people can be serious with their new year's resolutions, but I also feel that many are made less than whole-heartedly," Buckman said. "Many will lose the motivation to maintain their resolutions in the next few months, but I'm hoping that I can stay the course."
The celebration of the New Year is one of the oldest holidays in history, stemming back to 153 B.C. -
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