The new year is about more than popping bottles of sparkling apple cider. Getting together with friends and family to reminisce about the good times of the year as it comes to a close is all good and fun, but the new year also signifies a clean slate. Students and staff at APU have piled up their slates with a variety of resolutions to pursue throughout 2015.
Freshman Cole Bryant, business management major, came up with a resolution that will be hard to stick with for as long as he is on the dining plan here at APU. He has made it his goal to kick off 2015 in a healthy way by abstaining from soda.
Cole Bryant, Freshman, Business Management Major Photo credit: Kianna Mourer
The next resolution is one to which most students can relate. Cade Cresse, a freshman philosophy major, described the struggle of procrastination. “I believe a lack of time management killed me and my grades,” Cresse said.
Moya Beyersdorf, Junior, Psychology Major Photo credit: Kianna Mourer
Cresse and junior psychology major Moya Beyersdorf have made it their mission to spend more time studying and less in socializing.
Others, like senior communication studies major Matt Ross are spicing up the new year with fun resolutions, including, “Watch one scary movie a night.”
Senior Communication studies major Matt Ross shares his resolution. Photo credit: Kianna Mourer
Staff and students are setting goals that center around a happier, more fulfilling lifestyle, from simply being more positive in everyday situations to finding the inner beauty in people. There are many Cougars who are committed to their reflection-filled resolutions to make this year their best yet.
This academic year has a common theme of “unplugging” on posters around campus, in chapel lectures, and even extra-credit assignments. “Unplugging” is a spiritual practice that encourages APU’s members to keep from using social media as much as they normally would in order to be more present in everyday situations and spend more time with God.
Scott Kolmer, the residence director of Smith Hall, said that he has made it his resolution to “unplug” more.
“I want to step away from the phone in order to be more focused on day-to-day relationships,” Kolmer said.