Resolutions worth keeping in 2009
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 1/12/09 Section: Opinion
If the first 11 days of the new year are any indication, 2009 looks to be an incredibly eventful 52 weeks.
Some aspects of the next 354 days certainly will be positive (like President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington D.C., where a record crowd is expected), but many will prove to be as miserable as some the country already has seen this year (a 16-year high unemployment rate and certain Illinois governor's abuse of power come to mind).
Despite these highs and lows and the ones that surely are to come, however, most University of Arkansas students probably didn't ring in the new year with those issues in mind, vowing to de-corrupt Illinois politics or take the unemployment rate down a percentage point or two.
Instead of taking on the country's and world's long list of issues, they probably decided to get fit, study more, stop stressing or save cash.
They're
the usual,
simple resolutions - the ones made at the crack of midnight and often broken in a 72-hour period - and though they're admirable, they sometimes seem frivolous, especially in light of much more significant happenings around the country.
But don't give up on those four seemingly inconsequential resolutions just yet. Because this year, they carry a little extra weight.
In a country where all but one state claim more than 20 percent of residents as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eating more healthful foods and heading to the HPER more than once a semester aren't to be reduced in importance.
In a state where the U.S. Census Bureau reported just 19 percent of residents have a college degree, a little extra studying and hard work in a field of study undoubtedly will have a major impact on a student's life later on.
In a country where the National Mental Health Association found college students are becoming more anxious and depressed, keeping life in perspective and stress at bay is crucial to leading a healthful lifestyle.
And in a country that's experiencing a recession and a 7.2 percent unemployment rate, a full savings account could provide a little reassurance, especially after graduation day.
So students shouldn't discount the importance of improving themselves - and their finances - this year. There's always room to grow.
And, speaking of growing, The Arkansas Traveler also plans to improve this 2009. While students are resolving to better themselves, the Traveler will be determined, as always, to reach out to them more effectively, providing all the timely UA news to keep students interested, informed and involved on campus.
So cheers to New Year's resolutions to actually keep and a year that surely will bring just as much change and excitement to the country, state and UA campus as 2008 did.
Happy New Year!
Some aspects of the next 354 days certainly will be positive (like President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington D.C., where a record crowd is expected), but many will prove to be as miserable as some the country already has seen this year (a 16-year high unemployment rate and certain Illinois governor's abuse of power come to mind).
Despite these highs and lows and the ones that surely are to come, however, most University of Arkansas students probably didn't ring in the new year with those issues in mind, vowing to de-corrupt Illinois politics or take the unemployment rate down a percentage point or two.
Instead of taking on the country's and world's long list of issues, they probably decided to get fit, study more, stop stressing or save cash.
They're
the usual,
simple resolutions - the ones made at the crack of midnight and often broken in a 72-hour period - and though they're admirable, they sometimes seem frivolous, especially in light of much more significant happenings around the country.
But don't give up on those four seemingly inconsequential resolutions just yet. Because this year, they carry a little extra weight.
In a country where all but one state claim more than 20 percent of residents as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eating more healthful foods and heading to the HPER more than once a semester aren't to be reduced in importance.
In a state where the U.S. Census Bureau reported just 19 percent of residents have a college degree, a little extra studying and hard work in a field of study undoubtedly will have a major impact on a student's life later on.
In a country where the National Mental Health Association found college students are becoming more anxious and depressed, keeping life in perspective and stress at bay is crucial to leading a healthful lifestyle.
And in a country that's experiencing a recession and a 7.2 percent unemployment rate, a full savings account could provide a little reassurance, especially after graduation day.
So students shouldn't discount the importance of improving themselves - and their finances - this year. There's always room to grow.
And, speaking of growing, The Arkansas Traveler also plans to improve this 2009. While students are resolving to better themselves, the Traveler will be determined, as always, to reach out to them more effectively, providing all the timely UA news to keep students interested, informed and involved on campus.
So cheers to New Year's resolutions to actually keep and a year that surely will bring just as much change and excitement to the country, state and UA campus as 2008 did.
Happy New Year!
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