High school students and the challenges of New Year’s resolutions
Garfield High School students at a lunchtime tabling event.
As we usher in a new year, it’s common for many of us to set resolutions—goals that we hope will lead to personal growth and improvement throughout the year. The L.A. Trust recently spoke with students at Garfield High School in East Los Angeles about their New Year’s resolutions and outlook on the year ahead.
These high school students are members of our Student Advisory Board which provides health-related peer-to-peer education and outreach on campus and in the community. Their responses were enlightening and inspirational knowing that our future leaders are striving to be better for themselves.
The students all agreed that New Year’s resolutions were important because, like goals, they outline what you’re aiming for in the new year. “New Year’s resolutions can represent a fresh start,” said senior Christina Aguila. “It’s like a promise to yourself to start new and work hard towards your goals with a clear mindset.”
Senior Stephanie Vasquez added that “resolutions are important to me because they help keep me on track through the year, and it becomes something I look forward to completing.”
However, the journey to achieving our resolutions can be tough. Many resolutions often involve adopting new habits and behaviors which require consistent effort and discipline. When we asked students if they think they will stick to their resolutions most answers were optimistic; Junior Jazzlyn Martinez stated, “I usually do because I like to stick to my goals,” and sophomore Kayla Martinez confidently affirmed, “yes, I will stick to them.”
Senior Jacqueline Rivas was pragmatic saying, “If I make them, I may struggle a bit to stick with them, but in the end, I think I am able to bring it into my daily routine.”
As members of our Student Advisory Board, it’s no surprise that the students’ resolutions mostly revolved around healthy living – physically and mentally.
Sophomore Daisy Aguilar said, “I have to eat healthier, exercise more, and learn not to talk bad about myself. I need to be nicer to myself, especially when I am by myself.”
Stephanie Vasquez aims to improve her relationships and take better care of herself saying, “I would like to be more confident and more adventurous.”
Jazzlyn Martinez said that she will work on not stressing about things she has no control over, and to be open to new ideas and experiences. “I plan on reaching my resolutions by cultivating an open mindset. I’ll try to remember that there is a reason for everything, and there is no point in stressing about it even if I don’t know the reason in that moment.”
The Garfield High students also expressed their desires to change their spending habits, save more, get more rest, improve their grades, and get their driver’s license.
Senior Fabiola Mejia, for example, is determined to get her driver’s license this year. “Yes, I need to make this happen,” she says.
Junior Jocelyn Cisneros plans to “try my best in school and finish with all A’s.”
Christina Aguila’s resolutions included improving her finances. “I need to just get a job and think about my purchase decisions a bit more before making them. I’ll be more careful when deciding whether this purchase is really necessary or worth it.”
New Year’s resolutions are a great way to state your goals and measure your progress throughout the year. As the saying goes, “a goal without a plan is just wishful thinking.” The L.A. Trust encourages our SAB members to aim high and pursue excellence in their resolutions. Mistakes may happen, and life’s circumstances may create obstacles, but the key is to persevere.
The students at Garfield High are optimistic heading into the new year and we at The L.A. Trust are inspired by their outlook and aspirations. We are excited to continue working with all our smart, energetic, and ambitious SAB members. Here’s to a happy 2024!