Out with the old and in with the new. The phrase may sound just as cliché as promises made at the beginning of each year.
January is the month marked for New Year’s resolutions. Vows to lose weight, to save money, or even to stop cursing are just several proclamations people may make each year hoping for a change.
The traditional question, “What is your New Year’s resolution” finds its way on the covers of magazines, in broadcast news segments and in household conversations.
Some Web sites are even dedicated to reminding people to stay on track throughout the year. Web sites like, www.mygoals.com charges a small fee to remind people of the promises they made to themselves earlier in the year.
“Everybody just does it because it is the thing to do, said Anthony Hughes, 24, a Tallahassee native who claimed he was not impressed by the beginning of the year hoopla.
When asked did he make any goals for the year Hughes said no. The senior business education student said he saw no need for it.
“I already know inside what I need to do. I don’t need to put it out there for everyone else to know,” he said.
Hughes said the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is overrated. But for some, the transition from one year to the other with a new set of rules is far from being considered overrated, it’s actually quite useful.
Isaac Shelton, 22, said he considers making New Year’s resolutions a way to start clean.
“I want to try to do good in school,” said the sophomore pre-physical therapy student. “My first year I just partied a lot.
Shelton’s goal to improve academically did not impress College of Arts and Sciences Professor Barbara Speisman. Speisman said that like most resolutions, students come in with a new attitude, but eventually return back to their old ways.
“They show up to class the first week seeming interested, but then they’re back to their old habits, like not attending class, or not turning in their assignments,” she said.
However, Sheldon said that he has to stay focused.
“The cost of college is expensive for me and I can’t afford to waste anymore time,” he said.
On a lighter note Erica Collins, 19, said her goal for the year is to exercise. The second-year pharmacy student from Miami said she feels the need to be more fit.
Two weeks have gone by since she made that promise to herself, and she said so far she’s been consistent..
“I have an exercise program that I go by. Since I’ve started working out I feel more energized by the end of the day.”
As for Hughes, he said he sets goals for himself everyday and advises people not to wait for January to roll around before deciding to make resolutions for themselves.
“Why can’t we just do it any other time? Why does it have to be in January? Why can’t you just do it in August?”
Contact Tiffany Pitts at Pittstiffany@hotmail.com.