The student news site of Oakton High School

Oakton Outlook

The student news site of Oakton High School

Oakton Outlook

The student news site of Oakton High School

Oakton Outlook

Easy New Year’s resolutions

Easy+New+Years+resolutions
Carol M. Highsmith
  1. Be nicer to others

Instead of getting in fights with your parents over grades, or your sibling over who rides shotgun, tell your parents you will try harder in school or tell your sibling that they can ride shotgun. Being nicer to others will make you feel better as a person. Tell your loved ones you love them as well, because you never know when the last “I love you” will be.

  1. Read more books

We all know reading a book we actually enjoy can become difficult in these busy days of high school. However, picking up a book to read for 10 minutes every day before you go to bed has proven to help fall asleep. Plus, books are a way to take your mind off of stress that school causes. Bring it to school as well. You can get ahead in reading when you finish a test early, so instead of scrolling through your phone, you can read.

  1. Treat yourself to new things

Buy those new shoes you have been wanting. Buy that shirt you have been glancing at through the store window. Buy whatever makes you happy. But of course, do it in consideration. When you have gotten a good grade on a hard test, or had a hard week, treat yourself to something nice. Focusing on yourself sometimes will make you feel worthy and less stressed.

  1. Eat breakfast, and every other meal of the day

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but we all skip it for some reason. If it is because of a time constraint, wake up five minutes earlier to make a bagel and eat it. It will make you feel more energized for the school day, which is something we all need. Do not skip any other meals of the day either. Keeping your mind on schoolwork instead of how hungry you are will make you do better in school. Bring multiple snacks with you to school to keep your stomach full until lunchtime.

  1. Put your phone down when you are with family

Spending time with family can become rare when everyone becomes so busy. Therefore, put your phone down when you are with your family. Leave it in your room so you do not feel tempted to reach for it. Instead of texting your friends about how weird your family is, laugh with your family about how weird they are. Spending time with your family should become something you look forward to, not a chore.

  1. Go green. Recycle, use less water, and waste less food

With everyone worrying about global warming, maybe you should do something to make everyone less worried. Recycle plastics and paper. Use less water when you brush your teeth, shower, and clean the dishes. Eat everything on your plate, or if you can’t, take less servings. All these things will make you leave a smaller carbon footprint on our only home.

  1. Give to charity

When you go to the grocery store and see boy scouts asking to buy a list of imperishable foods for charities, buy as many things on that list that you can. Buying cans of soup for the less fortunate won’t make a hole in your wallet, but it will fill your heart instead. Do whatever you can for charities when the opportunity comes. Giving to charity can help so many people for just a couple of dollars.

  1. Do something outside of your comfort zone

Go zip lining or skydiving with your adventurous friend, or go watch that scary movie that may give you nightmares for days, it will be worth the experience in the end. Going outside of your comfort zone may sound scary at first, but you will look back at it and be glad you did it. Getting over your fears can be relaxing, believe it or not.

  1. Meet new people

Go up to that person you have been wanting to talk to since you were a freshman, but never did. Meeting new people will allow you to become a better person. You will get new outlooks on a topic, and just learning about new people will make you less selfish. Of course, do not let go of your old friends, but making your circle of friends a little bigger can be good for you and others.

  1. And lastly, have a great 2016

No matter what, have a blast in 2016. A new year holds many things in store. Some things will be bad, and make you feel down for a while, but know that there is always good at the end of the tunnel. Checking off these easy new year’s resolutions as the year goes by will make 2016 a good year for you.

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