New Year's Resolutions: Who actually follows them? - Aarna Jha, Newstead Wood School

Billions of people across the world erupt into cheers to mark the start of a new year, coupled with enthralling displays of fireworks and fun-filled parties.

A new year gives people the opportunity to start afresh with a new-found sense of determination-which is what brought about the culture of making new year’s resolutions.

The ancient Babylonians were the first people to make new year’s resolutions 4000 years ago; they made promises to their Gods at the start of each year to return any borrowed items and pay off their debts. Since then, people have adopted this concept and have begun to make their own resolutions too.

However, according to a form questioning 29 year 10 students from Newstead Wood about their past new year’s resolutions, 93% of students admitted to not actually fulfilling them.

Majority of the people who make resolutions are teenagers and young adults, but they are the ones who are most quick to lose interest and not complete them.

There is also a clear similarity between the different reasons people do not commit to their resolutions.

Some of the most popular responses to the question, “Why do you usually not follow through with your new year's resolutions?” were: “I forget about them.”, “I lose motivation.” or “I just fall back into my old habits/give in to temptation.”

These reasons, as I’m sure, are very relatable for many of us, which is why most people usually just don’t make new year’s resolutions anymore as they know they won't be able to accomplish them. Whether it's because of their lack of motivation, or-to put it bluntly-they just can’t be bothered.

The resolutions people create for themselves are largely similar too. Many of them were based around either exercise or academics, such as: “exercise more often.” or “work harder and improve my grades.”

These are such common resolutions for people to make, however are also the ones which are not 100% committed to, as they need the most effort and dedication. Clearly, that is what we’re all lacking.

So, in the future, stick to your new year’s resolutions. Perhaps do it with someone else, providing you with the much-needed determination while also ensuring you’re still having fun!

You can do it!