As the clock struck midnight on January 1st, 2017, we welcomed the new year surrounded by our friends and family. The entire month of January is often filled with optimism and self-reflection as to how we can better ourselves and make this year better than the one before.

In reality, out of the 42% of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions, only about 9.2% actually stick to them and feel successful in doing so throughout the year. Many feel as though New Year’s resolutions are unnecessary and trivial, like senior Shanaz Deen who tweeted on New Year’s Day, “ I hate New Year’s resolutions. If you want to change something in your life, why wait for Jan. 1?”

Although there is a slim chance of sticking to a New Year’s Resolution, many people in Bethpage made some for themselves. Whether they’re highly specific like Mr. Como, who vows to “be nicer to English teachers,” more open-ended like Mr. Rodriguez, who prefers to “take it day by day,” or self improving like Eagle’s Cry Editor-in-Chief Rani Patel, who says she wants to “speak my mind more,” they all share a positive outlook for the new year. Do you have a New Year’s Resolution? Why or why not? Share yours in the comments down below!