New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year, is often a time for people wish for better things in the new year. This phenomenon is referred to as a New Year’s resolution.

According to http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/, the most popular resolutions to make include losing weight, quitting smoking, spending more time with family, falling in love, creating a healthier lifestyle and saving more money rather than spending.

Kelli Dittmann, a senior at AHS, says, “My New Year’s Resolution is become more organized in my life. Clean my room more often, wake up earlier for school, accomplish schoolwork earlier than the day it’s due, and maybe pick up more shifts at work… It’ll be nice to rid myself of some of the stress.”

Erin Hartnett, a senior at AHS, says, “I’d like to spend more time with my family and friends for my New Year’s Resolution. I feel like sometimes I get too wrapped up in homework, extracurriculars, sports and work. I need to spend more time with the people who matter and enjoy my time with them as often as I can manage. Life is short.”

It is much more likely for a younger person to make a resolution than it is for someone middle aged and older according to http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/. Thirty-nine percent of people in their twenties who make a resolution achieve it. However, only fourteen percent of people over fifty years of age who make a resolution will achieve it by the end of the year.

Dittmann says, “I make a resolution every year. My siblings make them too but neither of my parents or grandparents do. They’ll usually try to help me with mine though. I decided I wanted to work out more for last years resolution and my mom bought me a gym membership.”

Interestingly, the rate of achievement of resolutions goes down as the year and time goes on. Seventy-five percent of those who make a resolution will keep to it the first week of the new year, however, only forty-six percent will continue to work through their resolution six months into the new year according to Statistic Brain.

Hartnett says, “I’m usually good with keeping to my resolutions – I don’t set ones that I know I won’t achieve. It’s all about the mindset you go into the new year with. If you start the new year with a positive mindset and a determination to better yourself… you’re already halfway there.”