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From the Chalkboard: New Year’s resolutions for parents and students
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments It’s resolution time again! In the next week or so, many Americans will once again travel down a well-worn path paved with bold and hastily conceived resolutions for the new year. It is a well-intentioned exercise with lots of initial enthusiasm and promise.
Making a resolution is a simple task. Staying committed is quite another story. To be successful with your resolution, Alan Marlatt, director of Addictive Behaviors Research Center at Washington University, suggests the following:
• Have a strong initial commitment to make a change.
• Have coping strategies to deal with problems that may come up.
• Keep track of your progress.
Further keys to successfully improve your chances are, first of all, to be realistic. Establish one or two reasonable goals. Write down your goals and action plan. Determine what you will have to sacrifice. Be determined and minimize excuses. Be consistent — no cheating. If you fall, get up and start again.
Here are some suggestions for parents and students. Pick out two or three that you feel would be most useful to you.
1. Whenever possible, get an extra hour of sleep each night.
2. Spend 10 minutes cleaning up your room every evening.
3. Read at least one book per semester just for fun.
4. Spend one hour less watching TV or engaging in computer-related activities.
5. Work in walking or other types of exercise 20 minutes each day.
6. Be kind to your friends and acquaintances.
7. Create a daily schedule and stick to it.
8. Eat breakfast every day.
9. Refuse to get involved in relationships that are not good for you.
10. Take a class that pushes your comfort zone.
11. Drink milk, water or fruit juice instead of soda pop.
12. Show appreciation for your teachers at school.
This list is certainly not exhaustive, but there are plenty of things to choose from. The temptation is to create a list that is too lengthy. Don’t do it!  You will have much better luck fulfilling two or three goals. Others can be added later. Even sticking to one resolution could make a big difference in your life. Pick the one that’s right for you and stick with it!

E-mail Dick at: dferris@bakersfieldfirst.com

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