The slow drop of the Times Square crystal ball brings with it a new lease on life and the common desire to shape up and start over. The pounding headache that usually accompanies the dawn of a new year makes it easier to keep those virtue-filled vows for a little while, a feat that can become increasingly difficult, even in the best of times.
2008 was an interesting year to say the least. Between Obama, Tina Fey, the Dow, Blago, the iPhone 3G, M-ARod-onna, Tom Brady's knee, Chalmers' three and the Dark Knight, we were in constant flux. Undoubtedly, 2009 will bring all the usual suspects when it comes to resolutions, as co-eds and adults across the country vow to hit the gym, sleep eight hours and achieve professional or educational success.
Yet, it seems to me the most unconventional of New Year's promises are actually the most valuable additions to a routine. What's more, whatever the inherent value of these fun and funky resolutions, they certainly seem easier to keep than their familiar counterparts.
Joining Jim Carrey's character in "Yes Man," Ian Murphy '09 resolves to inject a bit of the unexpected into the day-to-day by welcoming spontaneity.
"My New Year's resolution is to say 'yes' more," he said. "I think that while it is important to maintain a focused, organized lifestyle, it is really healthy to take risks, try new things and experiment in many situations."
Murphy, whose past resolutions have included spending more time with his siblings when home and the customary choices of going to the gym a little more and imbibing a little less, said his choice for this year developed over Fall term.
He noted that impending graduation makes it more important to stop sweating the small stuff, and make having fun with friends a priority.
"[My impending Graduation] made me realize that the time we have with the people around us is limited and should be utilized to the maximum," Murphy said. "We only get one chance at a lot of things in life, so it's best to make the most of them by trying as many things as possible."
He also noted that 2009 should be an exciting year, offering both a fresh start for all and a new opportunity to incorporate enthusiasm in all aspects of life.
When asked what he personally is looking forward to in this new year, Murphy said, "A new administration in the White House, figuring out life after graduation and making the most of the remainder of my Dartmouth career by spending a lot of quality time with close friends."
Taylor Holt '09 echoed Murphy's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of embracing the day-to-day, despite the cold weather and the gloomy job market.
He noted that with graduation drawing near, it is more important than ever for the senior class to benefit from each other's company and experiences, using both to make the most of these first few months of 2009.
"Now most of us '09s have to figure out a future away from Collis, Webster Ave., and the Green. It is very unsettling," Holt said. "This, compounded with the drastic downturn of the economy, has produced the hardest real-world transition for a graduating class in decades. At this point, it seems like there is little we can do about it. Our GPAs are pretty much locked in and there are few things left to shove into our resumes. We can work hard to prepare good applications and interviews, but until then, why not just enjoy what little time left we have at school together?"
He also noted that the famed "Dartmouth Bubble" allows most students to remain slightly isolated from the turmoil we read about in the news. Yet, with graduation imminent, it seems that more students are prioritizing the importance of building bridges now, aiding in what will be a tough transition into an investment bank-less, thankless world.
Holt's personal resolution is right in step with this concept.
"Mine is just to exercise more, not lose weight, but just to get out and explore life," he said.
Proving that seniors are not the only ones who can develop the occasionally unconventional, albeit a bit overly poignant, resolution, Amrita Sankar '12 noted that the overall outlook among the freshman class is a bit more grounded in the new year.
Sankar said that without the craziness of the infamous "Freshman Fall," freshmen are now looking to settle down and hone their interests.
"You don't have the same initial anxieties," she said. "Coming into Fall term you didn't know what classes were like and you didn't know who your friends were. Now, without those initial anxieties, people can focus on the real meat of the college experience."
While this so-called 'meat' may be a little tough for seniors to chew after three Winter terms in Hanover, it seems that free from the fear of the dreaded "Freshman 15," that first game of pong, or Chem 5, the freshmen are eager to attack 2009 with gusto.
Sankar, who herself is involved in a cappella, Milan and Mock Trial, said now that Dartmouth is really home for the '12s, it is exciting to become invested in more activities.
"The overall sense I'm really getting is that people are a lot more academically-grounded," she said. "First term was an opportunity to really experience college life and now everyone's talking about applying for internships and taking on a lot more. People are a lot more focused, especially with the new year. People are trying to make the most of the new year from an academic standpoint."
Academics aside, another '09, Trey Roy, has a resolution that is a variation upon the similar themes of both Murphy and Holt.
"I wouldn't say that any of my New Year's resolutions are zany or unconventional, but one of mine is to take advantage of some of the things on campus that I've never used before," Roy said. "I've never been to the climbing gym, the woodshop or the jewelry studio the three years I've been here, so I'm going to try and start using those. I also want to do more outdoors-y things here. I'm signed up to do ice fishing and I'm also going to learn to ski."
On another note, and revealing once again that no two resolutions are the alike, one last anonymous '09 had a resolution that certainly puts the "un-" in unconventional.
"My resolution is to become the top world champion at World of StarCraft: Brood War, though it may take me months of high-level training," she said.
Well, that's not one you see every day.
Whether it's spontaneity, friends, fun, focus, or dare I say, Brood War, New Year's resolutions at the College certainly run the gamut. At least until next year.
