By Molly Walsh - The Oxford Dictionary defines "resolution" as a firm decision to do or not do something. As I reflect on how I want to live my life in the coming year and the resolutions I want to make, I keep returning to the idea of a "firm decision." But what happens if your circumstances change or if you stretch yourself too thin by making too many resolutions? Are you simply setting yourself up for failure?
There’s a certain pressure that comes with making New Year’s resolutions. We often frame them as all-or-nothing promises to ourselves. But in reality, life doesn’t always follow a neat path, nor should our resolutions.
I have made standard resolutions in past years, such as healthier eating habits, getting out of bed earlier in the morning, taking the dog for longer walks, and reading more. I usually get to week two and fail. Last year, I gave up trying altogether. I figured there wasn’t any point in making a promise only to let myself down. What was the point?
I came across an article in The New York Times about a woman who writes down five resolutions on a piece of paper and tucks it away for the rest of the year. Her approach is all about setting realistic goals. For example, instead of committing to working out for an hour daily, she set a more achievable goal of exercising three times a week. One of her resolutions was particularly meaningful—she vowed to support friends who were grieving the loss of a loved one, even if she hadn’t known the person who passed away. Being present for others in trying times really struck me.
I have always thought of New Year’s Resolutions in a way that benefits me, but The New York Times writer’s viewpoint got me thinking about this year, so I decided to try again. I decided to be better at sending cards. No matter the situation, it’s always nice to get mail. It shouldn’t be difficult to take five minutes out of my day to write a nice note to a friend or family member. I’ll keep you posted on my success!
Sometimes, working toward a goal teaches us to adjust. That’s a normal part of life. Perhaps your resolution to study every day for an hour doesn’t stick, but instead, you discover that learning in shorter, more frequent bursts works better for you. Or maybe your resolution to lose weight isn’t happening as fast as you wanted, but you’ve found other ways to improve your health, like getting more sleep or practicing mindfulness.
The important thing is not that you follow through perfectly on every resolution but that you’re learning about yourself along the way. Like life itself, the college search is a journey of discovery — you may change your mind about your priorities, goals, or expectations. The key is not to give up entirely but to reassess, adjust, and keep moving forward.
So, as you set your resolutions for the year ahead, whether academic, personal, or somewhere in between, remember that the path to success is rarely a straight line. Embrace the adventure, stay flexible, and permit yourself to change course when necessary. After all, life — and the journey to college — is all about discovering new possibilities and finding joy in the process, not just the destination.
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