Some would say that New Year’s resolutions are like rules — meant to be broken. Twelve days into the year, however, a number of Tech students are challenging that by sticking to their goals and becoming better.
The most common New Year’s resolutions are those involving losing weight, enjoying life to the fullest, spending less or saving more, spending more time with family and friends and getting organized. While Tech students have many of the same priorities, a few have some unique goals for the coming year.
Whether they be becoming more fit, posting more on Instagram, studying more or getting more involved, several students are making the most of this opportunity to break old habits and set new goals. And while resolutions are certainly difficult to keep, sometimes the most difficult part can simply be coming up with one to work toward.
“I’m pretty much perfect, so I had to dig really deep to come up with a way to improve myself,” said Jack Fenton, second-year ME. “I decided that I needed more sleep, so I’ve been shooting to get around 8.4 hours a night. I already feel more attentive and energetic.”
However, if you are like most people, then you are not perfect, and opportunities for improvement abound. When choosing what to work on, possibly one of the most important things to consider is whether or not the goals are actually attainable.
Harrison Hornung, second-year ME, can attest.
“There is a good bit I can work on, but I wanted to pick something that I knew was achievable,” Hornung explained. “I decided that meditating more often was something that I could easily carve out time for and which would help me in other areas of my life.”
Resolutions are not only great ways to focus on bettering specific aspects of life, but often times can help improve life in other ways.
Increasing fitness, or getting in shape, is a staple in New Year’s resolutions and can be seen by increased CRC attendance.
In addition to weight loss and muscle gain, working out can help an individual to better their sleeping habits, eat healthier, conduct more productive studying and have better mental health.
Ryne Knecht, fourth-year AE, is one such student who is hoping to get in better shape this year. He credits having competition and a specific end goal as having helped him keep his resolution thus far.
“There is a physical competition that a friend and I are training for,” Knecht said. “Whoever wins gets bragging rights so I’ve decided that I’m going to put in the work this semester so that I can win. Having something to look forward to, and knowing that someone else is training to beat me has helped me stay on track.”
Others, however, are hoping to help others achieve their goals. Graduate student in CHE and coach for the club running team Stephanie Reynolds hopes to see increased attendance at morning workouts this semester.
“I hope to have everyone from the GroupMe come to a workout this semester! Gotta have those S.M.A.R.T. goals,” Reynolds said.
S.M.A.R.T. goals are ones that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based. The acronym aims to help people create goals that will be achieved as opposed to goals that get forgotten about or discarded before they are completed. The S.M.A.R.T. criteria is often used for performance management and personal development.
Being more adventurous and open-minded is another common resolution, and what better way to do so than by studying abroad.
R.J. Tayal, second-year CS, is taking advantage of his time at Tech and is accomplishing his resolution to travel more through a study abroad program.
“I’m studying abroad in Spain this semester,” Tayal said. “I can’t wait to experience the new culture and live in an entirely new place full of exciting things.”
Even if you are not studying abroad, spring break can be an opportunity to travel. Alternative Service Breaks offer a way to engage in service and leadership while not on Tech’s campus.
Amidst the normal resolutions, some have chosen to break away from the crowd and choose new ways to make the new year better.
“I am trying to eat more cured meats,” said James Forsmo, second-year BME. “I really enjoy the taste and want to work them into my diet.”
While many resolutions are to do something new, some are about ending something old. Breaking an old habit can be just as beneficial as starting one. However, stopping old habits has the added benefit of clearing space for adding new resolutions in the future.
Quang Pham, second-year NRE, has decided to reduce distractions while also creating more time in his schedule by spending less time watching television.
“Television is a great way to relax, but it distracted me from focusing on other things I needed to do,” Pham said. “By watching less, I’ll have more time to focus on more important things.”
It is no secret that Tech students are go-getters, and just 12 days into the new year it is evident that New Year’s resolutions are no exception to the rule.
Hopefully, most Tech students are using the new year along with the start of this new semester as a reason to accomplish goals both large and small.