New Year’s resolutions: the trademark promise of self-improvement and an annual opportunity to recommit to personal goals. As January approaches, everyone begins to reflect on how they can become a better version of themselves through impactful goals. Upon entering high school, students face increasingly brutal workloads, longer lists of competing priorities, and mounting pressures. Class V students, however, stand at the threshold before the full weight of high school demands takes hold. So, what are the New Year’s resolutions of the fifthies?
Many Class V students seek improvement within the academic sphere, an admirable goal for those looking to set themselves up for a successful high school career. Zeke Small (Class V) said, “My New Year’s resolution is to be more organized in school. I think that would help me do better academically.” Small’s focus on organization reflects a mature understanding of the value of strategic planning in academic success. This sentiment of academic planning is echoed by Samantha Miranda (Class V). “My New Year’s resolution is to be locked in on school, stay focused, and really start planning out my weeks to be prepared for assignments, tests, and quizzes,” she said. Miranda also tackles this goal with a plan in mind. “I’m going to check in with the Learning Center to help me plan,” she said.
Other students placed a greater emphasis on social relationships and becoming kinder and more welcoming. Kyelle Magloire (Class V) said, “My New Year’s resolution is to be more patient with myself and other people, because I’m not the most patient person, and I need to work on this to be a better person and friend.” Magloire’s focus on self-improvement so that she can be a better friend is commendable and demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of how personal growth impacts those around us. Maya Carlson (Class V) also seeks betterment in the social realm. She said, “My New Year’s resolution is to branch out of my friend group, meet new people, and build new friendships…I really like my tight friend group, but I definitely want to get to know other people to help me have more connections throughout the school.”
Other students focused more on health and sports. Gigi Boney (Class V) said, “My New Year’s resolution is to drink more water…I normally don’t drink water at all during the day.” Small also has a goal within the sphere of athletics, although his is derived more so from a desire to step outside of his comfort zone than from health goals. “Next year as a freshman, I want to try out for more varsity sports, not to just do it, but for the learning experience,” Small said.
When asked whether they would follow through on their resolutions, students responded with enthusiasm and confidence. Each replied with a yes, whether exuberant or hesitant, and this optimism is bolstered by past success. Small noted that he accomplished his resolutions from last year. “[Last year, my goals were] to have better time management in school and to try something new,” he said. Magloire, too, achieved her goal to be a kinder person. She credited her younger siblings with helping her develop this quality.
Ultimately, these resolutions demonstrate that fifthies are well on their way to thriving in the upper school and inspiring the broader community through their commitment to meaningful goals.
