As 2015 comes to an end and the new year is ushered in, many people around the world are setting new goals for themselves in the new year. For approximately the past 4,000 years, this tradition has taken place around the world since it began as a religious promise to the gods by the Babylonians in ancients times.

Although it began as a religious celebration, it has been adapted by millions around the world and it is now put into motion by many people regardless of race, religion, or gender at the beginning of every new year.

So, what is a New Year’s resolution? A New Year’s resolution is when someone sets one or more goals that they wish to accomplish in the following year. Some of the most common ones are wanting to lose a certain amount of weight, eat healthier, or travel more; some of the more outrageous and impractical ones that people like to make are, to win the lottery, become famous, or marry their celebrity crush.

Among the billions of people who make these resolutions every year, a few Normal West students have some interesting ones.

Senior Sydney Stoewer has made a resolution that is important to her as the end of her high school career approaches; “I made a goal to get a scholarship,” she said. “It’s the most important resolution I made because it’s important for my future.”

Another senior at Normal West has made a big resolution for the new year. Senior Devin Timmons said, “I need to save up money for a new car. My car is falling apart and I have to pay for a new one myself, so it’s really important that I save up a lot of money to buy it.”

Although resolutions are made by people of all ages, they seem to be the most commonly created among teenagers and young adults. New Year’s resolutions are a popular tradition among high school students. “I think they’re important to people our age because we’re young and still full of a lot ambition and we use these resolutions to push and motivate ourselves since we still have a lot of growing to do,” said junior Summer Crowner.

Whether they are upheld or not, making a New Year’s resolution is a popular tradition that is embraced by people all around the world. They are a way for people all over the world to bring in the new year with a positive attitude and uplifted spirits.