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Every year people start fresh and are determined to make resolutions. Annually, 45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. On the other hand, 38% of Americans vow to never make resolutions. However, only 8% of people report successfully achieving their resolutions.

English teacher Andrea Donaghe, does not make resolutions, but prefers to make or add to her bucket list or to just flat-out make goals.

“I realized that if I decide to do something I’ll just do it,” Donaghe said. “I think New Year’s resolutions are silly. I know that people have good intentions for them, but if people want to do something, they shouldn’t wait until January to do it. Its cool when you see people go outside the box and do things for other people instead of just themselves for their resolution.”

Though Donaghe has not made any resolutions this year, she has made some in the past.

“My past resolutions, or what I wanted to achieve, were just to do things for others or even my parents and my nephew,” Donaghe said. “I used to give up on my resolutions all the time, that’s why I stopped doing them. As Christians, we want to better ourselves, to have a good relationship with the Lord, and just to be kinder to others for our New Years resolution, but often forget about it.”

Sophomore Taylor Cowger only has one goal this year to achieve, since in previous years his resolutions overwhelmed him.

“My New Year’s resolution is to get better grades this semester,” Cowger said. “I think it’ll be hard because I have a lot of classes that are difficult. My past resolution was to do the best I can at everything. I didn’t keep it because it was too much to handle and I didn’t plan anything out.”

Eighth grader Alina Ochoa, has a very similar resolution to Taylor. Only 47% of people make self improvement or education related resolutions.

“I want to get good grades this year because last semester my grades weren’t too good,” Ochoa said. “I plan to work harder and focus more in my school work. This is my first time making a resolution. I didn’t really think about it so I never made one.”

Breanna Castro, ’17, has never made a resolution in the past. She has chosen not to drink any soda for the year as her New Year’s resolution.

“My resolution for this year is not to drink soda,” Castro said. “I feel that this won’t be difficult for me because I don?t drink soda often. I have not made any resolutions in the past because I didn’t feel the need to.”

A way to keep your resolution is to stay organized, plan it out, and keep reminders.

Follow The Feather via Twitter @thefeather and Instagram @thefeatheronline. This writer can be reached via Twitter: @_nataliatorres1.

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