In spite of swept-up confetti and thrown-out plastic champagne glasses, many students are trying to preserve the promise of the New Year by making resolutions to improve their behavior or abandon destructive habits.
For LSA first-year student Andi Rameau, Jan. 1 marked the beginning of her separation from cigarettes. After one final ceremonious puff New Year's morning, Rameau has remained smoke- free for the past five days.
Even though Rameau has been able to stick to her resolution she admits it hasn't been easy.
"Of course there's temptation, but I haven't given in," Rameau said.
Not all students can make such a claim.
 |
| ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Engineering senior Bruce McCully, left, and LSA senior Matt Lederman, right, start the new year by working out at the Central Campus Recreation Building yesterday. |
"Everyone was mad at me because I hadn't even waited a day," Patel said.
Although Patel has not lit up since, she said that quitting her use of cigarettes has been difficult to endure not only for her but her friends as well.
"My roommate is not so happy with me, either," Patel added.
Patel said that another of her resolutions, to increase workouts, has been successful because she has diverted her temptation to smoke by exercising.
While many would consider Patel's lapse to indicate failure, psychology Prof. Christopher Peterson said going astray does not merit a reason to disband the resolution completely.
"Just because you break a resolution doesn't mean you should let it go," Peterson said.
"You should try again and not wait for the next Jan. 1," he said.
"If you spend all fall semester going to class only 10 percent of the time and resolve to go in winter 100 percent of the time but end up going 20 percent, it's still an improvement."
Peterson also said resolutions can be more effective if they are done with a buddy.
"With a friend, you can give each other support back and forth."
Peterson also encourages students to tell friends about their hopes to stop buying Cliff's Notes or reduce their partying "like it's 1999."
"If it's secret there's nothing lost if you break it," Peterson said. "By telling other people you put yourself on the line."
While many students will battle their temptations, others have decided to avoid the process.
LSA first-year student Chris Dutcher did not make any resolutions for1999, but has made some in the past.
"In high school I would (make resolutions) to study harder so I could get into" the University, Dutcher said.
Dutcher said his hesitance to make more resolutions for this year is due to a lack of ideas for more improvements that he needs to make.
"Everyone says they'll stop smoking or lose weight, but I'm skinny and I don't smoke," Dutcher joked.
Other students decided not to set goals because of past failed attempts.
"I always break them," LSA sophomore Andrenise Merritt said.
"I usually promise to work out more, study harder, eat healthier and be nicer to people. I'll start out the first week going good but by the second week it's over," Merritt added
01-06-99
| Previous Article | Next Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |