2013 was a momentous year, not just for the United States, but for the world. Influential leaders such as Nelson Mandela graced the world with their presence for the last time, the United States government shut down for weeks, and the long wait for the birth of the royal baby came to an end.

But as 2014 welcomes the world with hopeful possibilities and dreams, the world says goodbye to 2013 and begins its journey for the new year. Like millions of others in the world, teens look forward to improving who they are this new year.

“I don’t normally make spoken resolutions, but this year I plan on eating healthier and exercising more,” junior Kara Schwendeman said.

Some students chose to not only become fitter, but also make changes in their lives that can affect not only themselves, but everyone in their lives.

“One of my biggest resolutions would be to not make anymore promises,” junior Geoffrey Parisien said.

While some teens want to improve themselves so that they can become exceptional students or have a better year than the last, others want to change who they are for the sake of advancing other people’s lives.

“I just want to be a nicer person and do more to help other people. I feel like I didn’t do enough in 2013, and that 2014 is going to be my better year,” junior Minorie Vaidya said.

Though most students look forward to the new year and the resolutions that come with it, some students decide that they aren’t going to try and make things happen in 2014, but simply let them happen.

“I’m just going to see how 2014 goes and let life take me where it wants. I can’t control everything, so I learned to just to let it go,” freshman Jennifer McIntire said.