A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more people, a project, or the reforming of a habit.

A key element to a New Year’s resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year. This idea of a new beginning from a chronological standpoint is why many people believe that they will be able to keep their promises to themselves.

This lifestyle change is usually interpreted as advantageous and approximately 40% of American adults form New Year’s resolutions according to a study by Stephen J. Kraus.

The tradition of keeping a New Year’s resolution has a long history. For example, the ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the medieval era, the knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry, or the code of honor that they held. At watch-night services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions.

Indeed, there are also many religious parallels to the secular tradition of making a New Year’s resolution. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays, and culminating in Yom Kippur, one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility. In fact, the practice of New Year’s resolutions partially came from the Lenten sacrifices. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

Sophomore Christian Maxwell said, “I don’t think [resolutions] normally work because people probably forget what they said the very next day. But if it helps them to think that a New Year will give them new hope for making themselves better, then I guess more power to them.”

Some popular examples of resolutions are for the improvement of others or the improvement of the self: to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible. Obviously not all New Year’s resolutions are successful in being kept, and according to a study from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, 88% of those who set New Year’s resolutions fail despite the fact that 52% were confident of success on New Year’s Eve.

It seems that setting small goals that work towards the bigger resolution helped to keep people on track with their resolution.

Many Seminoles have also set some of their own New Year’s Resolutions. Freshman Jessica Montrel said, “My New Year’s resolution was to become healthier by dieting and losing weight. I basically try to go to the gym whenever I can and ask my mom to do things like make chicken without skin and cut down on fats and oils in general.”

Some students want to improve themselves mentally too, like junior Bill Dillworth who said, “Well, I guess my New Year’s resolution was to get better grades this school year for college. I’m trying to study more each night for my various classes and try to get tutoring from my teachers.”

All of these commitments to a better future may not occur, but those that do will certainly create a better life for those who make their resolution.