Kelly Thorelll ‘21, Opinion Editor
We all remember New Year’s Eve to be the day that we could stay up past our bedtime. It was the day where our parents would spend all day cleaning the house for the party that we would be hosting, or rather it would be spent the day getting ready for the party that we would be attending. Though as time has gone on, New Year’s has meant more to us than just an excuse to stay up late. New Year’s has meant the marking of a new, long-awaited year to set high goals and break old habits.
If there is anything through 2020 and our time in quarantine this year has shown us, it is just how many bad habits we do have. With months to stay home by ourselves and be set free from our typical responsibilities—attending school, working, and running errands—we had ample time to better ourselves and learn new things.
Unfortunately, many of us spent the time to complete marathons. Now, the type of marathons I mean were those spent on the couch watching all twelve seasons of Criminal Minds, not wearing down our new Nikes. A lot of us realized how much self-discipline we actually really lack. For once in our academic lives, we had the choice to learn and attend class, since it was not mandatory from March to June. We also lacked the self-discipline to get a full-night’s rest, so our bedtimes ended up being at sunset or when the rooster crowed.
This year’s New Year’s resolutions do not have to be an abrupt transition from quarantine to high achievement. With this, the goals that we set for 2021 don’t have to be so generic as “spend more time in the gym” or “get better grades,” instead, they can be as simple or spontaneous as you would like. …
- A New Year’s resolution can even include the goal to better a simple activity, such as developing cooking skills to make new foods or improve existing receipts and technique. Sophomore Katie Wesner said, “In 2021, I want to learn how to make good boba tea.” These small, but important, skills will provide the year of 2021 with delicious food and tasty drinks.
- Though some of us may want to make 2021 a year of physical activity in order to improve our physical health. Senior Nicola Sellis said that her New Year’s resolution is that she is “going to try and workout everyday because for most of 2020, I just sat on my bed.” Physical activity can be as simple as nature walks. Senior Mallory Simpson said, “I want to try to go on more nature walks so I can get outside more, since I’m stuck inside everyday for school.”
- Many South Lyon students are runners too: freshmen Olivia Wilson said, “In 2021, my goals are to break 22 minutes for a 5k and to get more involved within my community and helping others.” A fellow runner, freshmen Monica Vaughn, agreed about upping her training too and said, “This year, I would like to go on runs more often.”
- New Year’s Resolutions may include social goals as well, such as how sophmore Jacob Cox said, “I’m looking to make new friends, and our current [online learning] situation just makes an extra challenge.” While of course in-person gatherings may not be feasible this year, Google Meet classes for school, gaming chat rooms, and social media may be all the more important for friendship-making.
- Academically, grade improvement has been a popular desired resolution among SLHS students: senior Ryan Szewcyk said, “In 2021 I want to improve on my grades and workout more.” Junior Carson Martin continued, “I want to work on my grade point average and make the best out of every situation.”Students aspiring to reach these goals can firstly improve upon their organization skills, time management, or take advantage of the free tutoring that South Lyon Honor Society provides.
- As we know, our mental health has taken a hit during 2020, so next year can be a year to improve our mental and emotional well-being. Senior Kylie Tarlton said, “I want to learn how to be at peace with myself. I want to take up journaling, read more, enjoy nature, and just disconnect more from technology and others.” Similarly, senior Kelsey Chalmers said, “I want to speak more positively about myself and work on myself.” Some students may find journaling, meditation, and picking up a hobby such as painting or reading may help achieve peace-of-mind.
Though, as we hope 2021 brings a year of joy, unlike 2020, just like life itself, much about the year to come is still unsure. Though independent of the world events, we can rely on our personal growth that we achieve. Whether it be as minor as trying to spend 30 minutes less on our phones or it is to work on developing our growth mindset, we can persist.
Lyon Life 