At the beginning of each year, many people make a promise to themselves to improve in some way, also known as a New Years resolution. The goals range from losing weight to improving grades to traveling the world and just about everything in between.

However, is there really any purpose behind these promises? While the concept of improvement is great, it is a shame that people think they have to wait until the New Year to change themselves.

Plus, a study done in 2007 done by Richard Wiseman at the University of Bristol found that 88% of people who make New Years resolutions fail. Reasons include setting unrealistic expectations, forgetting about it, and not tracking one’s progress.

The term “new year, new me” has become a common statement around this time of year, but it holds very little meaning. People will be better for a short time, but oftentimes the resolutions fail for one reason or another.

Senior Kaitlyn Ellsworth said, “[New Years resolutions] are pointless. I said I was going to start running on the treadmill, but that hasn’t happened yet. Maybe after school today.”

But why do people believe they need a new year to start making changes? They can go to the gym any day of the year or start becoming more dedicated to their education at any time.

You can change yourself any day of the year. It doesn’t take a new year to make a change.