As the year 2026 heads off to a start, Falcons once again prepare to begin their labors anew. New Year’s resolutions are commonly made with varying degrees of commitment, but to some Falcons, they serve as a significant starting point for a brand new year.
“I plan to go to the gym more,” said Hari Pandya ’28, “I realized how important it is to stay healthy and fit, especially since sophomore year comes with more responsibilities. I was originally thinking of spending more time studying and then socializing with my friends, but I think getting a good exercise routine could be as important. It could also help me do better in cross country next fall.”
By making healthier choices, Pandya looks forward to improved mental health, more efficient study sessions, and better performance in athletics. However, Pandya also incorporates other routines in his New Year’s resolutions. “I feel like, as much as I want to go to the gym more often, I would also have to eat more healthily. I think I’m not having healthy foods as much as I used to, and I’m sure eating habits will also make a difference,” said Pandya. “This would probably help me with money too, since if I cut down constant trips to Pie Girl and Little Key, I could also save a lot of money each week.”
Likewise, many students, especially those who now face the increased pressures and schedules of winter term, take this opportunity to rethink their health. For Tina Tan ’28, her goals are pretty similar, with a stronger focus on inner care. “I want to eat more good food because it always makes me happy, and I realized the importance of treating myself well as much as working hard. Of course, I would want to get more exercise in and stay healthy, too, so that everything is balanced out,” Tan said. “But I think the most important thing is drinking more water. It started to get really cold and dry, and I always have to remind myself to carry a bottle around and refill it frequently.”
However, for other students, their New Year’s resolution could be refusing to abide by a New Year’s resolution. “I’m not going to make New Year’s resolutions this year,” said Audrey Liu ’28. “I always make them and either fail to abide by them or simply end up forgetting them each year. I don’t see a point in creating a grandiose plan just to never act on it. For me, I think it’s more important to live every day freely, but to the fullest. Sometimes, not having expectations at all, except for making the most out of what is in front of me, helps me be more productive.”