Ask Choices: Your Burning Questions, Answered

How Can I Keep My Resolutions?

Dear Choices,

Every year, I make a list of goals for the year, but I never achieve them. How can I make resolutions for 2024 that I’ll actually keep?

Signed, Frustrated in Florida

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Dear Frustrated, 

We feel you. Most people struggle to keep New Year’s resolutions. The key is to pick goals that are meaningful, specific, and that you can imagine yourself keeping. To make sure you follow through on your plans for the new year, try these tips.

Love, Choices

Underscored

verb:

emphasized

pursue college

Question: In what other ways could the college search and application process be more difficult if you’re the first in your family to go to college?

football coach

Question: Why can it be important to ask for help when trying to reach your goals?

love of learning

Question: What are some actions you could take to make sure you don’t lose sight of future goals?

never considered

FYI: In the 2011-2012 academic year, 34% of undergrads were the first in their families to go to college. 

technical college

FYI: Students who go to technical schools—also called vocational schools—take classes and complete training that prepares them for a specific job, such as to be an automotive mechanic, chef, or cosmetologist. 

tirelessly

adverb:

seemingly incapable of tiring

perseverance

noun:

continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition

veer

verb:

to change direction or course

fiercely

adverb:

to a high degree

financial aid paperwork

FYI: First-generation college students take out student loans in higher amounts than students who have parents that went to college. They also take out student loans more often.  

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