Not so new me: New Year’s resolutions

Katie Zilcosky, Staff Writer

January 9, 2014

With the end of 2013 comes a new start with the year 2014. With every new year comes new resolutions.

New Year’s resolutions are a long-standing tradition when the calendar takes a turn for a new 365 days. Typically, these resolutions are self-improving or acts of kindness, such as weight loss or donating to a charity.

Making resolutions beginning on January 1st of the new year date back to Babylonian times. The Babylonians, however, did not resolve to lose weight or quit smoking. Instead, they promised to their gods to return borrowed goods and repay debts they had.

The Romans and Medieval era knights also made resolutions. The Romans, similar to the Babylonians, made promises to their gods. The knights took the peacock vow at the end of every year as a promise to chivalry.

While the success rate for the Babylonians, Romans, and knights is unknown, the success rate among 21st century Americans is known. According to University of Scranton Journal of Clinical Psychology, the average success rate of New Year’s resolutions is 8%.

That’s right. About 8% of Americans actually fulfill their New Year’s resolutions.

About 45% of Americans make resolutions every year. 8% of that 45% actually fulfill it.

The University of Scranton’s research breaks it down even further. It reports how age, gender, and type of resolution affect the chances of fulfilling the resolution.

For example, self improvement or education related resolutions are the most likely to be fulfilled with a 47% success rate. Meanwhile, relationship related resolutions have about 39% success rates.

About 75% of Americans make it through the first week with their resolution. After a month, it drops to 64%, and after six months, it drops to 45%.

However, New Year’s resolutions don’t have total gloomy outlooks. In fact, one to make a New Year’s resolution is ten times more likely to succeed in any goal they make.

These goals include the most common resolutions such as losing weight, getting organized, and saving money.

So before you see a resolution as a waste, remember you’re one step closer to reaching your goal.

About the Contributor

Katie Zilcosky, Staff Writer

Have you ever found yourself walking around the high school and wondering, "Who is that girl that looks like Scarlett Johansson?" Well look no further, her name is Katie Zilcosky. Aside from this extreme likeness, there is a lot more to Katie than meets the eye. To say she is involved in Bethel Park High School is a huge understatement. Katie is musically inclined. She plays violin in Concert Orchestra and french horn in Marching Band, in which she is a bus monitor. Katie also has a sporty side. She plays varsity lacrosse for the girls' team in the spring. Katie said, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Yeah I play lax." The majority of Katie's time is consumed with student-run activities. She is the Homecoming Chair of Dance and Decorations and the corresponding secretary of SGA on the Executive Board. "I basically do all of the attendance work. I'm like the mean guy, like giving demerits and stuff," Katie said. Katie maintains a part-time job cashier at Trax Farms, where she is a cashier. Katie's post BPHS plans include majoring in Journalism/International Relations at either Syracuse or American University. As for paying, Katie has a secret. She said, "My father works for Duquesne University, so I am able to enroll in tuition exchange, where I get my tuition covered as if I were going to Duquesne." She hopes to work in foreign services, such as an embassy, someday. She would also like to join the Peace Corp. Obviously, this girl has a lot on her agenda. And yet, Katie Zilcosky will find time to write current events, features, and opinion pieces for Hawk Eye. Wriiten by Zach Laufer, Staff Writer