New Year’s Day is both a time to reflect on the past and to look forward to the future. Many people use this time of reflection to create a resolution that they will commit to for the rest of the year.

While many people participate in this activity, resolutions are unique and special to each person. Two students and a staff member who have made and kept past resolutions continue to make resolutions this year.

Anthropology teacher Sharon Hollon’s resolution last year was made due to her love of flowers, as she pledged to always have fresh flowers in her home.

“All year long, I went to the store at least once a week and bought fresh flowers and it made me really happy,” Hollon said.

Sophomore Claudia Fiallo’s resolutions are more academic based. Last year, she achieved her goal of better time management which gives her hope for her new resolution; in 2018, she hopes to stay focused on her schoolwork.

“My new resolution is to put my entire focus on school,” Fiallo said. “I hope to get higher grades and just to stay focused completely on school because that is what’s important.”

Another factor in keeping New Year’s resolutions is perseverance. A few years ago, senior Julianna Enders turned a New Year’s resolution into a tradition.

“I started it freshman year. My dad just asked [me] ‘What do you want to give up?’ And it kind of just went from there,” Enders said.

Enders truly perseveres as she holds an unwavering commitment to her resolutions.

“It’s a tradition. This year, I decided not to eat chocolate,” Enders said. “My dad and I make one [resolution] every year.”

Although chocolate can be difficult to shy away from, Enders hopes to prove that it is not impossible.

Like Enders, many have made New Year’s resolutions an annual tradition; however, others don’t even bother with them. IB coordinator Mark Henderson believes that New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time.

“I’ll never do them,” said Henderson. “I don’t think they’re worth it. [It’s] probably because I know I won’t stick to them. Most New Year’s resolutions aren’t realistic, so I don’t want to set them because I know I’m just going to disappoint myself.”

Even if it may seem daunting to keep a New Year’s resolution, remember to keep persisting despite the challenges.

“Every day is a new day,” Hollon said. “Just because you didn’t keep it yesterday doesn’t mean you can’t keep it tomorrow or today, so don’t give up just because you slipped. Keep going—you made the resolution for a reason.”