New Year’s resolutions give people from all walks of life a reason to reassess their priorities, reconnect with themselves and others, and add novel dynamism to their lives. 

While conversing with students one-on-one, five recurring resolutions stood out among others: financial management, creating healthier eating habits, time management to balance a new semester's workload, emotional health through self-affirmation and friendships, and new soft habits to implement into their daily lives.

Connecting with improving time management and emotional health, Jacob Bryant, a graduating senior mechanical engineering major from Los Angeles, California, shared his thoughts on finding a new balance between staying informed about turbulent world events in the wake of Trump’s second presidential administration and prioritizing his mental health.

By using social media to connect with friends and as a form of escapism, Jacob resolved to challenge his social media usage by implementing limits and supplementing screen time with workout routines. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of holding himself accountable and contacting friends and family to create accountability partnerships.

His resolutions for the New Year stemmed from a desire to become a better version of himself. When asked about his motivations for these resolutions, particularly strengthening his spirituality and becoming more emotionally aware, he responded truthfully, “It's just something for the sake of improving, it wasn’t just one thing or one entity, it always has been something I’ve been looking forward to,” Bryant said.

Jacob’s honesty and convictions stood out—his ability to identify his values and let them guide his actions personally and professionally was admirable. After graduation, he will be joining Ford as a vehicle operations manufacturing engineer and plans to implement his resolutions in this next chapter of his life, treasuring his growth and memories at Howard University.

Earlier that week, LaShee Armstrong, a junior Business Management major from Sacramento, California, shared her resolutions and goals for the New Year. As a transfer student, she reflected on her experiences meeting new students on campus and forming new friendships. She and the interviewer shared a mutual drive to meet new people and create lasting memories, which served as a foundation for their connection. Practicing gratitude actively in friendships—through active listening and remembering to show appreciation—was a key aspect of LaShee’s resolutions. She also expressed excitement about opening her heart to forming relationships with people she might not have otherwise expected to connect with. Recollecting her memories of meeting new students with a beaming smile, she acknowledged the overwhelming nature of having numerous plans, but in the best way possible.

Engaging with students around campus about their New Year’s resolutions provided an intimate view into the lives of individuals who are often just passing faces in a crowd. These resolutions hold significance as they manifest the conversations students have with themselves and the world around them.

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