Jan 11, 2018 3 min read

Since the cold kept many schools closed, our Ask Mary Jo Peer Educator Advisory Board met online to offer their thoughts on New Year’s resolutions. Happy 2018!

Siarra Demichele: 1. Get into college; 2. Get scholarships so I don’t have to pay a bunch; 3. Get money. ALL 2018 BABY!

Zoe Johnson: I want to learn to see things from a more optimistic perspective. I want to love myself and do more things that I enjoy rather than following what most would say I should do.

Toni Maurer: I’m not really into resolutions because I suck at keeping them, but I guess you could consider me wanting to maintain good grades, graduate in June, and go off to college in the fall all successfully as a “resolution.”

Angela Pinkerton: Personally, I think that resolutions can be good and bad. It’s a good motivator for some folks. I think, though, that starting a new year shouldn’t be when you make a change. People should make changes throughout the year to better themselves. Also, resolutions are only effective when you keep them. Most people give up within the first month, which makes it pointless to even make a resolution for the year.

Effy Shaffer: I usually keep resolutions. I constantly write goals for myself, and resolutions are guides to smaller goals. Like “be healthier” could turn into “drink water instead of hot chocolate today.” I don’t think you can change your entire life each year, but it can be good to have overall goals.

Matthew Stroop: I think resolutions are stupid, to be honest. It’s just an excuse people use to finally get in shape or do whatever that they never end up sticking to anyway. I don’t think you should wait for a new year to start taking care of yourself, you should just start when you see the problem.

Maci Ward: I think resolutions are a great motivator starting into a new year! Many people forget, though, that every day is a new start, not just a new year! My resolutions for 2018 are to maintain high honors as I graduate this year and continue my hard work in college!

Lance Weakland: In the past, I’ve tried to make and keep resolutions, but after a month or so they usually fell through. Since then I’ve stopped making resolutions all together.

Maya Wells: My top five resolutions would be the following (listed in no specific order):

1.) Continually save money and only tap into those savings at appropriate times.

2.) Pray more.

3.) Work smarter, not harder (to avoid undue stress).

4.) Live life in a more fun and adventurous way.

5.) Build strength in my relationships with friends and most importantly family.

Hope Work: My New Year’s resolution is to better myself and lose weight.

Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email at podmj@healthyteens.com.