This will be the only article in which I demand anything from you. Despite only being 21 days into the new year, I’ve noticed that I have yet to accomplish any of my resolutions. Through reflection, I’ve realized that the lack of execution of many resolutions is because I’ve kept many of these goals private. Therefore, I’ve chosen you to keep me accountable through this article. So feel free to tap me on the back to remind me or shout them at me whenever we cross paths.
I found the overarching theme of 2026 in the plethora of random articles I read on the internet: “Why wait to make a difference?” Aligning myself with this message, my first resolution is to stop waiting to make a difference in my life or the lives of others. I want to eliminate the stage of waiting to better myself. Though this is often described as overthinking, I want to plainly label it as a lack of discipline that needs work on my part. At the end of the day, it is my duty to change my status quo into one that I can appreciate. It’s less about the actions I take but the mindset I find in myself to really make the most out of my day. Every day, when I lie in bed to go to sleep, I want to not have any regrets about the day before.
Academically, I want this to be a year where I can find time for my passions. In my endeavor for scientific research, I want to hone in on my passion for public health and continue to grow my projects centering on youth health advocacy and policy changes. For Commentary, I want to continue writing articles that bring me joy and draw inspiration from everyday moments. Often, I find myself reveling in the beauty of the little things that happen to me — such as heavy snowfall when I’m walking, a funny joke in class, or an intellectual conversation with a teacher — and I want this paper to be a place where I can express my appreciation for these small moments. Andover often rips away opportunities to appreciate and look back, and sitting down, reflecting, and typing up an article that is a piece of myself every week allows me the rare opportunity to see the week and life here in a more positive scope.
In a social sense, I want to get rid of the anxious voices in my head when I’m with my friends, taking a test, or answering questions. 2025 has given me the opportunity to meet some brilliant people who quickly became a very important part of my life. However, in this tumultuous period of constant adjustment and creation of bonds, I found it easy to get lost in the complexity of it all. Friendships and human relations are, to borrow the words of François Rabelais, a journey to a “great perhaps.” Nothing is known, and nothing can ever be known, and I want to utilize the social aspect of my life as a haven where I can truly let go and be me. I pride myself in being an authentic person and being the same person no matter the circumstance, and I want to continue to show my authentic self and be honest to people and expect authenticity in return. And frankly, I don’t really know how I will do it, but I surely know that it won’t be because I didn’t try.
In terms of personal goals, I want this to be a year of self-fulfillment in different forms. I derive genuine joy when I accomplish the goals I set for myself, but oftentimes I fall short of my expectations and begin to blame myself. This year, in everything I do, whether it be scientific research, writing, or hanging out with my friends, I want to think of it not as a task but as an opportunity for personal development. This will be tough, and it will undoubtedly be difficult to put up with this mindset. But this year, to be a better person, I will brave these challenges.
In this school, it can often be difficult to continue to think about all the hardships as a journey of growth rather than an endless continuation of tasks. I hope that in my vulnerability, many can find ways to reframe their individual journeys as opportunities for discipline and growth. In that sense of purpose will blossom a sense of pride and motivation in every task. Then there will come a natural change towards betterment and discipline.
I want to change. So that on December 31, 2026, when I’m looking forward to another New Year, I can tell myself: “I didn’t wait to make a difference.”
