The first quarter of the year is nearly gone, yet people are still holding on to their resolutions. These lists range from losing weight, stopping procrastination, or even more difficult changes like quitting smoking and drinking.

These three resolutions are very common amongst many resolutioners, though many still fail to keep them. Here is a compilation of tips that can help you achieve the three most common resolutions.

Lose Weight- Many people plan to lose weight but fall short of their goals. This is the main reason why: 1) unrealistic expectations. For example, if you went to the New Year without going to the gym at all, an unreasonable resolution might be to go everyday in the New Year. Instead of starting the New Year with the bar high, you should start off slow. If your resolution is to lose weight you, start by going to the gym maybe once every 3 days and then gradually go more often. This way helps you to prevent disappointment and helps develop a routine you can stick with.

Stop Procrastinating- Have you ever had a big assignment due but waited till the last day to do it? In that last day you are probably stressed out, thinking how you are going to finish it. A few tips to end procrastination is to put all your distractions away, make a to-do list, and pick an environment that works best for you.

If your phone is a distraction for you to work, then keep it somewhere you won’t touch it. For example, if you are a very lazy person, then put your phone downstairs or as far as possible from you.

When you wake up, the first thing you should to is make a to-do list. This way you can keep track of what you have done and what you need to do throughout the day. Make sure to complete your list by the end of the day. If you cannot work at your house because there are distractions, you can go to a nearby library or cafe.

Quit Your Bad Habits- Bad habits can be simple as biting your nails or as hardcore as smoking or drinking. If your bad habit is to quit smoking, one way is to stop, one cigarette at a time. If you smoke 5 times a day, then lower it down to 4 times a day. When you think 4 times a day is enough, then smoke 3 times a day. Repeat this process until you stop smoking. Another tip to stop smoking is to tell someone you see on a daily basis. Having an accountability partner helps!

Keeping your New Year’s resolution is harder than you think. But if you follow these tips then you can overcome your resolutions in no time! I hope you can achieve the goal and be proud of the change you have made by the end of the year. Happy New Year!

<Willie Ro/ Torrance High School 9th grade>