2018, to many, brings the prospect of a fresh start, a new beginning, a chance to improve and recreate themselves.

According to U.S. News, about 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. Today marks the third week.

I began interviewing people around Eleanor Roosevelt High School in January about their New Year’s Resolutions, and compiled the responses below.

I hope that they may beat the odds, and wish them all the best!

Ms. Brooks (Teacher):

“My New Year’s Resolution is to prioritize myself and engage in less business. In reflection, I have a tendency to go from task to task to task with little or no time. Balancing all the things you need to do to give time to yourself and also give time to other things. So, basically, finding the balance.”

Magister Moore (Teacher):

“I don’t really have a New Year’s resolution. I set out a list of things to accomplish to make a good year. For example, I’ll make a list of books I want to read or to run a marathon. The ups to this is being able to finish something on your list. The general down is when the year is coming to an end and you haven’t got through what you wanted.”

Haniyyah Abdulrahman (Freshman):

“My New Year’s resolution is to better myself as a person. I chose this resolution because I want to better myself and surround myself with people that make me better. In doing this I had to sacrifice my friends.”

Maryssa Edwins (Sophomore):

“I personally don’t have a New Year’s resolution, it’s very hard to adjust yourself in a short period of time. If you put your mind to it and feel that you can accomplish it then it shouldn’t be a problem. Personally, my so called “New Year’s resolution” was to go a month without missing school because it never happened. I did it for a whole month of January. I felt accomplished…I got the materials I needed, didn’t need to make up work, and I didn’t need to explain myself to my teachers. The downs were it was really hard to wake up on time and catch the bus.”

Sara Dollen (Junior):

“My New Year’s resolution is to procrastinate less because I was pulling all-nighters twice a week. I set a bunch of alarms amd reminder to go to sleep at a certain time. Because of this, I’m handling junior year better.”

Celeste Pazos (Senior):

“My New Year’s resolution is to have a healthier lifestyle exercise, eat healthy…I want to be healthy but I also want to have a toned appearance. I exercise often but I also eat a lot of junk food which makes it harder to lose weight and be more energized.”