With the new year just around the corner, people are starting to think of their New Year’s resolutions. Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson said “Let our New Year’s resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.”

According to a 2007 study conducted by the University of Bristol involving 3,000 people, 88% of those who set New Year resolutions fail, despite the fact that 52% of the study’s participants were confident of success at the beginning. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they engaged in goal setting, (a system where small measurable goals are being set; such as, a pound a week, instead of saying “lose weight”), while women succeeded 10% more when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

Even though success rates are rather low, that doesn’t stop people from trying. Popular new years resolutions include things like lose weight, volunteer to help others, quit smoking, get a better education, get a better job, save money, eat healthy, and be more green. Senior Hayden Taylor said, “My resolution would be to finish off the rest of the school year strong.” What are your New Year’s resolutions? Let us know by tweeting to @DavisHighNews.