hilltopics images people features 6A friday january 19 2001 for comments, contact kristi elliott at 864-4924 or e-mail features@kansan.com
friday, january 19, 2001
Chris Vetter, Shawnee senior, resolved to get good grades so he could graduate. Vetter, along with Katie Stilley, Bonner Springs senior, got off to a solid start by buying books Wednesday in the Kansas Union. Photo by Ryan Dolan/KANSAN
Shanda Wyatt, Garden City junior, uses the leg press at Robinson gymnasium. Working out was part of her New Year's resolution, which she was keeping Tuesday night at the gym. Photo by Micah Kimball/KANSAN
Pratt sophomore Angie Riffey helps Wichita freshman Patrick Bloedel with his resolution to earn money for a trip to Europe. Riffey told Bloedel about employment opportunities at the Kansas University Endowment Association during Wednesday's job fair in the Kansas Union. Photo by Ryan Dolan/KANSAN
resolutions
KU students set goals to help improve their lives
By Warisa Chulindra associate readers' representative
A common resolution for students is to try to quit smoking. Leavwood junior Meredith Thompson began cutting back in November by bumming cigarettes off friends instead of buying her own pack. Now, she smokes one cigarette a day instead of four or five. Photo illustration by Matt Dougherty/KANSAN
or some people, a new year is symbolic; it's a chance for a fresh start.
Some begin the new year with good intentions, and resolutions run the gamut, from getting in shape to kicking bad habits to volunteering. Some resolutions last for a few months, and others are kept longer.
Sean Blevything, Hutchinson senior, was inspired when he brought in the new year in Durango, Colo., where he did a climbing and hiking. This lead to his New Year's resolution: "To make Kansas more cool."
"There's probably things outdoors that you can do that you never think about doing," Bleything said. "But if you look for them, you can find them."
Keeping his resolution would be a challenge, he said, because Kansas does not have a lot of public land. It forces Blethking to be more creative, especially during the winter. He relies on word-of-mouth information to learn about fun outdoor activities. Last week he went hiking along the Tuttle Creek Reservoir by Manhattan, and plans to go biking along the Kansas River soon.
Blethy usually does not make New Year's resolutions, and the ones he did make were usually common, such as getting in shape. But he is certain he'll keep this resolution as long as he lives in Kansas.
"I'm going to the Grand Canyon for spring break, so
"be in the way I'm going to get in shape," he said.
New Year's motivated Jason Schmanek, Wichita freshman, to resolve to pick a major this semester, preferably before enrollment for next semester. He has considered pre-medicine history, philosophy, anthropology and psychology
Melvern senior Amanda Tyson's resolutions included making at least one person smile each day and doing something nice for herself every day, such as listening to soothing music in the car or eating a Twix. Photo illustration by Matt Daugherty/KANSAN
go through stages.
Schankane said.
"Every couple of weeks I'll pick a major, then decide to do something else.
thinking about doing history and pre-med. I'm pretty sure that's what I'm going to be doing right now."
Amanda Tyson, Malvern senior, made some unique New Year's resolutions. She resolved to make at least one person smile each day, do something nice for herself every day and volunteer twice a month. So far she's kept all her resolutions.
Being kind to others comes easily, but sometimes being kind to yourself is difficult. Tyson said.
She calls little things like taking the time to eat a good breakfast when she's in a hurry, listening to soothing music in the car or eating a peanut butter Twix a reality check
"It's a reminder that good things do happen," she said. "Sometimes you have to make them happen."
For tips on how to lose weight, see the story from yesterday's Jayplay at www.kansan.org/arch/2001spring/01_18_01/jayplay/resolution01-18.html
For tips on how to improve study habits, pick up the Kansan on Monday and read the Hilttops page.
More Information
Some students, such as Meredith Thompson, focus their resolutions on health. The Leawood junior is among those who resolved to quit smoking. She started cutting back in November. Instead of buying her own cigarettes, she'd burn one off a friend. She used to smoke four or five cigarettes a day, but now she's down to one.
Some people enlist the support of friends and family, or put money in a jar any time they fail to fulfill their resolutions. Thompson said she relied on her own willpower, rather than perks or negative reinforcement.
"if I want to do something, I do it," Thompson said. "I don't normally keep resolutions, but it's not really a resolution, just something I wanted to do. If someone wants to do something, they need to decide to do it regardless of whether it's the new year or Easter or whatever."
Michael Rosseler, Webster Groves, Mo., graduate student,
agrees that goals can be set anytime. A runner, he resolved
to run two miles a day last year, but fell short of his goal. Because of back problems, he missed six days. But aside from running quotas, Roessler avoids making resolutions.
"A few years ago I made a resolution not to make New Year's resolutions," he said. "It seems like too many people make New Year's resolutions."
Molly Hand, Lake Forest, Ill., senior, usually avoids resolutions as well. But this year she decided to drink more water, exercise and eat right. Her resolution stemmed from being tired and dehydrated.
After studying abroad in Ireland last semester, Hand is getting settled in a new apartment. She is optimistic she will keep her resolution because she will be buying and preparing her own meals instead of eating at her sorority house. She also plans to carry a water bottle.
she has plans to make resolutions," Hand said. "And most people — like me — don't fulfill their resolutions. But I think this year will be a monumental year for me."
**Warisa Chulindra** is the associate readers' representative for the Kansan. Her New Year's resolution was to snail mail one person a week to keep in touch. So far, she has been unsuccessful. Chulindra can be contacted by e-mailing readersrep@kansan.com or calling 864-4810.
— Edited by Jacob Roddy
Following through on your New Year's resolution:
If your resolution is to quit smoking:
Fill out a "stop smoking contract" and have a family member or friend sign it. Throw away all your cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays.
Change your schedule to avoid circumstances in which you usually smoke. Walk around the block or chew gum when you would normally be smoking.
Put up "no smoking" signs in your house, work area and car.
Prepare yourself to feel the urge to start smoking again.
- Carry around candy, gum, straws and carrot sticks to help keep your mouth busy.
Reward yourself for quitting; take the money you might have spent on cigarettes, and buy yourself something nice.
If your resolution is to pick a major:
Get a list of courses to see what interests you. Ask students majoring in these subjects if they are satisfied with their programs and professors.
Consider the requirements for any potential majors. Find out whether they can be completed in four years or if they require graduate studies, and consider whether you would be willing to spend the necessary time and money.
Try to find a major that will offer flexibility when you are looking for a job.
Think about the growth of the field that interests you. Is it expanding? Are graduates with your major being hired right out of college or do they need additional training?
Contemplate the earning potential of jobs that are related to certain majors. Think of the lifestyle you would like to maintain and how certain salaries may affect it.
Figure out what it is you love to do. Are there fields of study that spark your interest, or have you taken courses that you particularly enjoyed?
Try a double major or minor if you are having trouble narrowing down
your fields of interest.
Source: ehow.com. Smoking cessation tips are based on recommendations from the American Cancer Society
1
---