New Year, New Me

Staffers reflect on the school year

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Lexie Chapman

With an old year behind us and a new year in front of us, people usually decide that now is the best time to make “resolutions” to change themselves for the better.

I have always been that girl that never made New Year’s resolutions. When I did, I never kept them. This year, I plan to change something about myself. Not just for a month into the year, but for a whole 52 weeks. My new year’s resolution is to save money. I have never been very good at keeping my money in my wallet. Actually, I have always loved to spend money right when I get it. In this past year, my paycheck would be gone with in two days of receiving it. So far, I haven’t saved any… but I plan to change that! My goal is to save at least fifty dollars every paycheck I get.

Another thing I noticed last year was that I was a good procrastinator, which is a bad thing. I would wait until the last minute to finish my homework or a project. I would keep my grades up, but it got very stressful trying to get my piles of work done the night before they were all due. This year, I want to change that aspect in my life and be more on top of everything. I am going to put procrastination behind me and become more organized.

Even though 2015 was an amazing year with new people and places, I can’t wait to see what this year has in store! I have many expectations for what I hope this year has in store for me.

 

Rachael Ussery

2015 was one of the best years of my life, hands down. I finally got to see my little brother after a year; I grew closer to some of the most amazing people I know, and it was overall a good year.

But, I predict 2016 will be better. This is the year I get to graduate and begin a new chapter of my life as an adult. I plan to either join the military, attend college in California or go to the University of North Texas. They’re all great options, so I know I have nothing to worry about.

This year I want to write more stories, take more pictures and learn about new places and people. It’s my passion. How cool would it be to travel the world, capturing all of its beauty? I might not get the chance to do so this year, but planning is a start.

I also plan to gain weight this year: not fat, but muscle. I’m tired of being a weakling and struggling to open doors, carry heavy objects, and sometimes getting the milk out of the fridge. It’s embarrassing, I know. Most people’s New Year’s resolutions are to lose weight and be skinny, but I want to get bigger. Not only will I be stronger, but I’ll also have more energy to do things.

I’m already off to a good start with this one, but another resolution is to stop procrastinating and getting my work done. It’s been a huge problem ever since my sophomore year, mainly because I’ll get distracted by my phone. I want to continue to bring my grades up for the next five months and manage my time wisely.

For my final resolution, I’m going to stop being so judgmental of people, as well as stop caring what other people think about me. I’m not going to turn into Miley Cyrus, but I just want to be happy and confident with myself and not listen to people who try to put me down. I have my whole life ahead of me, and there’s no point in listening to negative people, or people who want to make my decisions. 2016 is my year. So, here it goes.

 

Mickey Drewry

The truth is that I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. Not to say I don’t believe in New Years being a time to celebrate and rejoice in 365 days of possibilities ahead. I just think why use one day of the year to start being a better person? Just start now.

I’ve often been disturbed by the common misconception of holidays like Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Why spend one day thanking God for everything you have? Why put every effort into saying, “I love you” just for 24 hours? Yet, the chocolate and flower sales triple every February 14th and in November you can’t scroll through any social media site without seeing “thankful” so many times you start to question its spelling. My philosophy on New Years is similar in that why wait for the last day of the year to start over? I guess it’s my “big picture” mentality; looking at the year in perspective, one day is not enough for the important expressions in life: showing love, expressing gratitude, and resolving to improve.

However, I do believe in new beginnings and striving to better yourself. I have a lot riding on how I begin this rollercoaster year. What does one do to prepare for a huge ending and scary beginning? I believe first impressions are important, but I’m afraid 2016 will need much more than just a firm handshake and eye contact. It needs to know that I’m prepared for this new adventure called college even though deep down my fear meter stays at 100. It needs to know I’ve had some fun memories at DHS, but am ready to take on the real world. It must know that while I’m the most organized and involved teenager out there, sometimes I fall short and I hope I can improve in juggling all my responsibilities.

My apologies to 2016 in advance, for I’m not very good at first impressions as you can see, but I try my best.

So, for now, I guess I’ll just hold on tight as I dive into another year of jaw-dropping plot twists and lucky escapes. I’m seventeen; rolling with the punches is what I’m good at.

 

Maclaine Lowery

2015 was interesting for me; filled with extreme highs and extreme lows. From the happy tears to sad sobs, the past 365, mountain-to-valley days have matured me. It showed me how to deal with adversity, how to really appreciate people and moments, and ultimately made me stronger in all aspects. I think God shaped 2015 that way for me to prepare me for 2016 and the later years to come.

This year, I hope to become more optimistic and spend less of my brainpower focusing on the things that worry and scare me. I want to go out and explore different ideas, beliefs, cultures and people. God put me here and I’m going to take advantage of this big, blue, beautiful world, and not let this world take advantage of me.

Once my senior year starts next fall, I hope to get accepted into the University of Texas or Pepperdine University, enjoy my last year of high school volleyball, and transition into senior year smoothly. As cliché as it sounds, I plan to make the best of it all. I’m going to cheer and yell at every pep rally, support my team at every sporting event, and soak up as many experiences as I can with my friends and family.

Ultimately, I’m not going to let anything hurt me or hold me down this year. I’m flicking the devil off my shoulder and diving head first into a newfound positivity. I’m ready for this year, and this year better be ready for me, because I’m not stopping for anything.

 

Allan Allsbrooks

Since last year, I really got into the habit of wanting more money. So, this year, I have been investing my money in some stocks and savings.

I found that the more I spend on items that are more expensive, the more it will make me feel good about those purchases.

My bank account will suffer if I don’t pay attention to it. Money is such a big thing in my life now. I have also been making multiple lists on how and when I can spend my money.

I created a new system called the game plan. The plan is set up so I get a month by month view any major goals I have in mind. It’s all based on my monthly income and when and how much I spend. With big goals in the future, there are some obstacles that will get in the way. Whether it’s getting a ticket or a spike in monthly dues, I have to prepare for that in advance.

A few months ago, I asked my dad about money and what I can do to make more. He mentioned that I can go into stocks and invest my money to make more. I was scared at first, but I’m making some now.

Last year, my main priority was to spend my money on items like clothing and accessories. This year, I’m using my money to save for big purchases; things that make me feel great. Making, Investing, and gaining more money is the biggest goal I have now. With what I do on a daily basis, I can manage my money on what’s more important and how much money I have left.

Jake Warren

Looking back on 2015, it was sort of an empty year. There was nothing to look forward to in 2015, other than the end of it. We were through the bulk of high school, but graduation still seemed so far away. Senior year still didn’t feel real. Some people had had their eighteenth birthday, but most, like me, were yet to reach that mark. College was just a distant idea. But suddenly, the clock struck twelve and everything seems so much closer. In a split second, 2015 has ended, and we can never go back. Time accelerated as I realized that we graduate THIS YEAR. This is the year we choose our next President! College acceptances start coming in, and I have to start making decisions. Big ones. We have reached the top of the first hill, and the roller coaster suddenly picks up speed. I begin to notice how few people have remained close to me the last four years, and realize that many of those will fall off the map as soon as we start college. It’s hectic, thrilling, and just the slightest bit terrifying. But it’s the next chapter of life, and it has to start sometime. Somehow, the last twelve and a half years of my life has culminated in these final months. I resolve to spend them stress free, with the people who mean the most, as I know that THIS will be what I remember about high school.