By: Brian Fedorchuk

Have you ever wondered why we participate in New Year’s Resolutions? The history might just surprise you.

According to mentalfloss.com, the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions began around four-thousand years ago, during Babylon years, when they celebrated New Year’s in late March. The tradition changed when the Romans made their New Year’s on January 1. They celebrated by offering sacrifices to Janus (The Roman God of Beginnings), according to an article on history.com .

Today we make resolutions to better ourselves and the people around us. According to statisticbrain.com, 21.4% of people who make New Year’s resolutions pledge to lose weight or eat healthier, while only 4.1% try to find a better job. That made us at the Squire wonder what resolutions students at Eisenhower plan to make. We asked two students and a teacher what their 2018 resolutions are. Here is what they had to say:

 

The Squire: What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2018?

Dakota Chase: Hit the gym more often, eat better, and get stronger.

TS: Have you ever completed a New Year’s resolution?

DC: No, not fully.

Just like Dakota, a large percentage of Americans that make resolutions never complete them. According to Forbes magazine, only 8% complete their New Year’s resolutions.

We next asked Alexi Milburn, a journalism classmate, about her plans for New Year’s resolutions.

TS: What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2018?

Alexi Milburn: My resolution for this year is to become a movie star.

TS: Have you ever completed a New Year’s resolution?

AM: No.

TS: Do you have any advice for people who want to complete one?

AM: Good luck.  Try setting a daily goal to work towards your resolution.  Doing so will enhance your chances of accomplishing your resolution!

The final person we asked was,  journalism teacher, Miss Howe.

TS: What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2018?

Miss Howe: My New Year’s resolution is to improve my time management.

TS: Have you ever completed a New Year’s resolution?

MH: I usually start out working towards it pretty well, but I eventually don’t finish it.

TS: Do you have any advice for people that want to complete one?

MH: I would say to make a realistic goal so that you have a stronger chance of completing the resolution.

The New Year is right around the corner, so we want to remind you that making New Year’s resolutions are a great idea if you wish to improve yourself. Just making a goal to improve yourself is a start to a better you and a fantastic New Year.