As the new year begins, students make New Year’s resolutions to improve themselves.  Their goals often focus on working harder in school, staying organized, and having more efficient routines. For many students the new year feels like a new start and a chance to do better. 

Along with school goals, many students create resolutions related to sports and extracurricular activities. With busy schedules that often include practices, games, and clubs, students want to stay focused and push themselves to improve.  

Even though students begin the year feeling motivated, sticking to resolutions can be hard.  It’s easy to plan something, but it gets complicated when life gets in the way.  Sometimes students just don’t have the time and energy.  Other times, they are stalled out by minor setbacks and disappointments.  So some students choose to focus on one or two goals instead of many.

When I asked some of my fellow seniors about their New Year’s resolutions, they said: “improve grades,” “improve study habits,” “get more involved in school activities,” “focus on physical health,” “be more positive,” and “spend less time on social media.”  These are attainable goals, and, with patience and persistence, they can be achieved – one day at a time.

New Year’s resolutions are not about being perfect, they are about trying to improve a little each day.  By setting goals, students can make 2026 a great year.