What is your New Year’s resolution for 2026? Many people make New Year’s resolutions simply just because other people do it. Psychology today tells us about the reason behind following the crowd: “As Julia Coultas, a researcher at the University of Essex, puts it, ‘For an individual joining a group, copying the behaviour of the majority would then be a sensible, adaptive behaviour. A conformist tendency would facilitate acceptance into the group and would probably lead to survival if it involved the decision, for instance, to choose between a nutritious or poisonous food, based on copying the behavior of the majority’” (Huston).
This relates to our society where people are easily influenced by each other. They see someone they idolize, a friend, or even just a family member doing something, and then, they mimic the behavior. Seventh grader at Edison Intermediate School (EIS) Naomi Gali said, “Most of the time people are just doing it [making New Year’s resolutions] because others do it.”
Not only do people decide to make resolutions because of others, but they tend to make the same ones. The most common resolutions are exercising more, saving more money, eating healthier, spending more time with family and friends, and losing weight. At EIS, many students reported repeating goals year after year. Eighth grader Charlotte Katz claimed to find herself stuck in a cycle.“I do the same one every year because I can’t think of any new ones,” she said, explaining that having many activities caused her to fall behind.
While these goals may sound productive, the problem is that many of them are too vague. Without clear steps, people can struggle to measure progress, which can lead to frustration and procrastination. According to Verywell Mind, resolutions often fail because people think too big, don’t consider the reason behind their goal, or aren’t fully ready for change.
Statistics support this pattern. Research shows that on average, about 30-45% of people make New Year’s resolutions every year, but only 9% of those people actually keep them for the whole year. In addition, 62% of people who make resolutions say that they feel pressured to do so. This pressure can make goals feel forced rather than meaningful.
Seventh grader Declan Mutschler admitted that outside influence played a role in his resolution. “I tried not to eat any chocolate, but I didn’t complete it because chocolate is my favorite candy,” he said.
Distractions from daily life can also interfere with success. Eighth grader Valentina Mani said, “I wanted to learn how to cook, take ice baths, and be happy,” but explained she didn’t complete any of them because she “had a hard year all around.”
According to Drive Research, losing motivation and becoming distracted by other responsibilities is one of the main reasons many resolutions fail. However, some students have found success by setting realistic and specific goals. Eighth grader Franny Schwartz shared that her resolution to improve her grades worked. “I had trouble focusing in class and was scared to ask for help,” she said.
By addressing the root of her problem, she was able to succeed. Other students emphasized motivation. Seventh grader Olivia Rieke said, “People want to see a change.”
There are some easy ways to keep a resolution. Sixth grader Devin Weinberg stated, “In order to stick with your goal, you should do something each day to accomplish it, even if it’s a little task.”
Sixth grader Emily Belfi added that writing down what you achieved that day in a notebook would be a great way to keep accountability. In addition, Science teacher Mr. Christopher Wiley claimed, “If there is something in your life that you want to change, and you really want it to stick, you shouldn’t wait until New Year’s Eve, and instead, you should change it now.”
He highlighted the importance of starting changes when they feel necessary, rather than waiting for a symbolic date. This approach connects to research showing that habits are more likely to stick when they are built gradually and with intention.
Overall, New Year’s resolutions are often shaped by social influence, pressure, and tradition. Research from Psychology Today, Verywell Mind, and Drive Research supports what many EIS students experience firsthand. People frequently repeat vague goals, feel influenced by others, and lose motivation over time. However, students who focused on specific, realistic goals reported more success.
By understanding why resolutions fail and how habits actually form, students may be able to set goals that are more meaningful and attainable. Instead of focusing on making resolutions simply because it is the new year, students can benefit from setting goals, tracking progress, and making changes when they are ready; not just on January 1.
