As the calendar turns to 2026, many individuals face uncertainty with what the new year might bring. This also builds pressure in starting fresh, leaving past mistakes. For many, the new year represents a fresh start. It grants individuals hope that they can turn their life around, build good habits, and ultimately become the best version of themselves. However, while the idea of change sounds inspiring, staying consistent with goals is often much harder than simply setting them.
For some students, the start of the year does not feel too exciting. It may feel like it’s filled with uncertainty or stress. Senior Belen Estrada, shared that new beginnings can bring anxiety rather than motivation.
“I usually feel anxious, not knowing what the new year will bring,” Estrada said.
Although many people make resolutions at the beginning of January, not everyone believes that they are effective. Some individuals believe that resolutions are unrealistic because they often forget them or give in too easily. Estrada explains why she avoids setting traditional New Year’s resolutions.
“I usually don’t set a New Year’s resolution because I know that by the second month, I would likely forget about them,” Estrada said.
Instead of focusing on resolutions, many students focus on setting meaningful goals that they are likely to accomplish while connecting them to their future. For Estrada, the new year represents a time to focus on something that would impact her life long term.
“One academic goal I set for myself in January was to complete all of my college applications,” Estrada said.
As students enter their final year of high school, many are thinking about what comes next. Senior Rodrigo Espinoza shares that the new year feels calm for him, and he views it as an opportunity to start over.
“I feel pretty calm about it, just trying to start new,” Espinoza said.
Unlike others, Espinoza believes that goals and resolutions are basically the same thing. For him, setting goals is more about staying organized and aware of his progress throughout the year.
“The most I do is set new goals because resolutions to me are the same as goals,” Espinoza said.
With graduation approaching, Espinoza shares that his goals are focused on both academics and personal connections. As he prepares for college, he wants to finish high school on a positive, firm foundation.
“My academic goal has been finishing high school strong, and my personal goal is to have as many friends as before college,” Espinoza said.
While some students take the new year seriously, others feel that nothing truly changes when the chapter closes and a new one unfolds. Senior Jaime Gutierrez, shared that he does not view the new year as something significant.
“Nothing really changes, honestly,“ Gutierrez said.
Instead of always coming up with brand new resolutions, Gutierrez shares he prefers sticking to goals he has already had. This is because he feels like most goals fade quickly or are easier to leave behind, especially when people don’t fully commit.
“I normally keep the same goals I’ve had,” Gutierrez said.
Jaime explains that this year he was to prioritize something different. After focusing heavily on academic goals, he wants to create long-lasting memories and spend more time enjoying life with friends.
“The main goal I have this year is honestly just having as much fun as possible,” Gutierrez said.
Even though many individuals desire to change, temptation often becomes a major obstacle. Gutierrez shared that distractions and giving in to bad habits are what stop people from staying consistent.
“Temptation,” Gutierrez said. “Is what prevents many from achieving their goals.”
Other students feel that a new year is about opportunity rather than immediate change. Senior Carlos Alducin shared that the beginning of 2026 feels similar to any other year, but still offers the opportunity to grow.
“Usually the same, it’s a new year for new opportunities,” Alducin said.
Rather than setting strict resolutions, Alducin prefers waiting to see what the year brings before deciding what he wants to focus on. He believes that goals should come naturally as events unfold.
“I don’t (set strict resolutions) because you don’t really know what the year has in store for you,” Alducin said.
For Alducin, the new year is about self-improvement. He shared that he wants to become a better person by listening to feedback from the people around him.
“A personal goal is to better myself in any aspect I can by hearing feedback from family and friends,” Alducin said.
When it comes to achieving goals, students all have different opinions on whether motivation or discipline matters more. While motivation can help someone start, discipline is what helps people stay committed. Many came to the conclusion that change starts from discipline. Alducin explained why he believes discipline matters most.
“Discipline comes from a routine. It means doing something no matter what, even when you don’t want to,” Alducin said.
Gutierrez mentions something similar, “…But giving into temptation can ruin the motivation entirely but dedication builds more character and strength in going for a longer period of time.”
Although students may enter the new year with different emotions, anxiety, calmness, or even indifference, their goals reflect a shared desire to move forward. Whether it is college preparation, strengthening friendships or focusing on personal growth, 2026 represents a new chapter. However, their experiences also prove that real change is not just about having a goal, but about having the dedication to follow through.
