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Life&Arts
• Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Student life
Students set unique resolutions I
t’s a new semester and a new year. With 2012 upon us, I’m sure many of you have set up your New Year’s resolutions. Typically, these goals involve health, money or stress-related “self-help” plans. The Huffington Post recently released its top five resolutions, and they follow this pattern . However, some students are branching out from the typical “new year, new me” norms. “One of my big New Year’s resolutions this year is to be more straightforward and to really go after what I want in life,” said Elyse Anderson, modern dance senior . She described her strategies for fulfilling her goals as small steps. “I’m going to audition for everything I can, take small risks every day in the studio, and if I don’t graduate with a job, move to a new city with enthusiasm, faith and courage,” she said. Civil engineering junior Dan Rhoades described a co-worker’s curious resolution to give no more courtesy laughs when someone tells a bad joke or story. Here’s to the awkward pauses sure to ensue this year. “One of my resolutions is to be happy, rather than focusing on things that might make me happy,” English junior Sarah Willis said. Photography junior Ryan Harris said his New Year’s resolution is to get his photography published in at least three publications. “I’m already confident in my art,” Harris said. “It’s really just a way for me to try and get my name in front of people and gain recognition.”
BY THE NUMBERS Resolution struggles
75%
of New Year’s resolutions are kept within the first week of the year.
71%
of New Year’s resolutions are kept within the two weeks of the year.
64%
of New Year’s resolutions are kept past the first month.
46%
of New Year’s resolutions are kept beyond six months.
8%
of people who successfully complete their resolutions.
31%
of all New Year’s resolutions are related to relationships. Source: University of Scranton Clinical Journal of Psychology
AT A GLANCE Top resolutions for 2012 Torin Halsey/Wichita Falls Times Record News
YMCA fitness instructor Crystal Amador leads an overall conditioning class using kettlebell weights that resemble a cannonball with a handle. Weight loss and fitness are consistently among the most popular resolutions made at the start of each year according to a study done by the University of Scranton.
“One of my big New Year’s resolutions this year is to be more straightforward and to really go after what I want in life. I’m going to audition for everything I can, take small risks every day in the studio, and if I don’t graduate with a job, move to a new city with enthusiasm, faith and courage.” Elyse Anderson, modern dance senior
These resolutions are definitely not the normal “lose 10 pounds” goals for the new year, but maybe
looking outside of the normal realm of resolutions can help the success rate of completing these goals.
“Psychology Today” reported that research shows that after six months, less than half of people who have set resolutions have kept up with their goals. The magazine also reported the self-help industry is worth about $2.5 billion, which means the tools are there, but there is something in the human brain that needs more than workout tapes, get out of debt books and miracle vitamins. The magazine
suggest that people need courage and determination in order to achieve their resolutions. As you kick off your new semester, perhaps creating new ways of thinking about goals or resolutions can help you stay on track with them beyond that fatal six months.
1. Lose weight 2. Get organized 3. Spend Less 4. Enjoy life to the fullest 5. Stay fit and healthy 6. Learn something exciting 7. Quit smoking 8. Help others 9. Fall in love 10. More family time
Westlee Parsons is an English literature senior.
Source: University of Scranton Clinical Journal of Psychology