PNW students are focused on improving their health, fitness and financial stability in the new year, reflecting trends among New Year’s resolutions nationwide.

“Two of my New Year resolutions … are learning how to manage my money better and to invest in my health,” said Jae’La Bean, a junior Psychology major. “In terms of money management, I want to be wiser in knowing how to spend it, save it and possibly invest it.

“I also wanted to invest in my health because my body has started to show signs that I could potentially be a diabetic if I do not start making changes now, and this health issue is something that runs in my family,” she said.

Research shows about 37% of Americans make resolutions. PNW students’ resolutions are consistent with what American adults resolved.  

A Forbes Health/One Poll survey conducted last fall found the most common resolutions involve improving fitness, which was chosen by 48% of respondents; improving finances (38%), improving mental health (36%), losing weight (34%) and improving diet (32%).

Fitness is the priority for Nathan Splant, a sophomore Marketing major.

“I want to be fit and get a six-pack,” he said. “I know that’s everyone’s resolution, you could say, but I have been pretty consistent in the gym and I want to take it up a notch.”

Armando Salinas, a senior Construction Management major, is taking a more holistic approach to fitness.

“My biggest goals were to get in shape, exercise and eat healthier,” he said. “The first one I have kept. I’ve worked out five days a week since the year started. The second one I haven’t really kept. I’ve eaten a lot of junk food already.”

Salinas is in good company. The Forbes Health/One Poll Survey reports that the average resolution lasts less than four months.

Freshman Izat Hamad knows that keeping resolutions can be hard.

“I tend to not follow through with them. Life just happens,” he said. 

Still, he is committed to trying this year.

“I plan to get fit and eat healthier,” he said. “I’ve already started on my workouts. I just need to actually stick to my diet and eat right.”

Rose Fuentes, a junior Marketing major, is focused on a different kind of fitness.

“The New Year’s resolution I made for myself … is catering to self-care. I want to spend more time with myself and start saying no to things more,” she said. “I set an hour before bed … and do whatever I feel would make me feel relaxed. I try to continue to not overwork myself with unnecessary tasks.”

She said she understands that it won’t be easy.

“I am bad at remembering New Year’s resolutions that do not apply to my daily life,” Fuentes said. “I tried to find resolutions that would benefit me daily, so I could implement them without forgetting.”

Sophomore Nursing major Hannah Ingraham struggles with the same problem.

“I do not typically keep my resolutions,” she said. “I usually fall into old habits and create resolutions that are difficult to maintain.”

But she said she hopes this year is different.

“I am working on my mental health this year and asserting boundaries,” Ingraham said. “I feel it’ll better me as a person if I do.”

While the most common resolutions involve weight loss, exercise and health, Laila Nason, a freshman Nursing major, has different goals.

“I plan on … saving money this year. I have had way too many financial struggles recently so that is a major issue I need to deal with,” she said. “However, another goal of mine is to gain some weight.”

Does she usually stick with her resolutions?

“As much as I want to say yes, the answer is unfortunately no,” she said. “I start off strong for about a month and then life usually gets in the way.”