As a child, it seemed as though the summer lasted forever and it took an eternity for a new year to arrive. Now that I’m older, it seems the months just fall off the calendar, eliminating the lengthiness of summer and bringing a new year earlier and earlier.

Every year – normally in December – many students create new year’s resolutions to improve themselves academically, personally and physically. However, it seems we have forgotten exactly what a resolution is: “The process or act of resolving a problem or a firm decision to do something,” according to the Encarta World English Dictionary.

This year, I created a more strategic plan to help improve myself for the New Year. Instead of making a list of all the flaws and ridiculous reoccurring circumstances I need to eliminate, I created a plan that would ultimately resolve the factors that cause a strain in my academic and personal life.

For my 2008 new year’s resolution, I’m going to be more appreciative toward the blessings I receive, I’m going to be more responsible for myself and not so much for others around me, I plan to work to the best of my ability – not just enough to produce the minimum of what’s expected of me – I’m going to set all my clocks 10 minutes fast so I’ll always be 10 minutes early, and lastly, I plan to stop wasting time and energy being frustrated with antagonizing people.

Throughout my resolution, I use the phrases “I’m going” and “I plan.” This strategy creates an optimistic outlook on my resolutions in the case that I’m unable to fulfill one of my more challenging resolutions. I did not make a list of everything I’m going to do, because I’m aware that I may not be able to accomplish every goal I set for the New Year.

A resolution should focus on the change that is going to be made as well as following through with it.

It’s important that we keep the definition of a resolution in mind this December as we prepare plans for self-improvement in 2008. Don’t let the idea of what you want and don’t want get in the way of creating purposeful resolutions. Reflect on what challenges you faced in 2007 and how you either overcame those challenges or were defeated by them, then create resolutions to eliminate the occurrences of those obstacles and circumstances.

Talecia Bell can be reached at [email protected]