 "Photo: Natalie Cervantes")
When the ball dropped at midnight in Times Square, couples kissed, strangers hugged and toasts were made across the U.S. Although most of the students of Aggieland were still on winter break, visiting family and partying with high school buddies, the same traditions were pledged.
When the date changes to Jan. 1, 2009, everyone starts fresh. Whatever happened in 2008 is a lesson learned, a bad habit or an old memory. Jan. 1 means a new beginning with new goals and new successes. Cutting the smoking, breaking the eating habits and attending class seem to be on most Aggies' minds.
Junior marketing major Deanna Lynch has learned a lesson she will carry into 2009.
"I had a party at my house and a lot of people showed up that were not invited," she said. "There was glass on my back porch and people were there until 5 in the morning."
Though the party was a hit and will be honored in Facebook albums, the cleanup was enough to gain some lessons in party planning.
"The next party will be a lot smoother and more organized," Lynch said.
On a lighter note, Lynch has one goal that will be achieved by 2010.
"I really want to master the Rubik's cube because it drives me insane that I can't figure out how people do it," Lynch said with a laugh.
While learned lessons always make for good New Year resolutions, common ones still ring true. Junior geology major Charlie Compain plans on losing at least 20 pounds by the summer.
"I plan on running daily and eating healthier," Compain said. "Possibly an eight pack for the ladies."
The winter break brought more than presents, as usual, forcing Aggies to plan on taking more trips to the Student Recreation Center and less to Chick-fil-A this semester.
Another common resolution that most students agree should be taken seriously every year is grades. Freshmen plan on turning those C's into A's as they start their second semester.
Freshman general studies major Elizabeth Mitts plans on not skipping any of her classes this semester. With an 8 a.m. class three days a week last semester, Mitts said "it took some time to get used to waking up early enough to catch the bus and then walk way across campus."
Luckily for Mitts, the New Year brings new beginnings.
"This semester I have all afternoon classes so I have no excuse for not showing up," she said.
As juniors and seniors near graduation date, grade point ratios become crucial to future success. Junior industrial engineering major Patrick Mahaffey plans on bringing his up.
"Everyone thinks I'm stupid so I'm hoping on working for a 4.0 this semester," Mahaffey said. As his roommates laughed at his reason, the look of determination boiled in Mahaffey's eyes.
Senior agricultural business major Robert Meinke plans on getting organized before he walks the stage in May.
"When I'm unorganized, I'm not as productive," Meinke said.
Another goal is to find a job by the summer. Though Meinke plans on taking a year or two off to work and build his bank account, he will hopefully be returning to Aggieland in a couple of years for grad school.
The year did not end well for junior English major Monica Sales, who had to put her 7-month-old puppy to sleep. What began as an innocent trip to the dog park ended with a rowdy dogfight that left Sales with no option but to put her pup down. To top it all off, it was during finals week.
As 2009 began, it seemed appropriate to start again. Sales is a proud owner of a 3-month-old Havanese named Chloe.
"My goal is to potty train my new puppy," Sales said.
Like many Aggies, senior psychology major Anne Marie Cruze has had the same resolution the past couple of years without much luck.
"Instead of making my New Years resolution trying to get a certain grade point average, I am going to put more time into studying," Cruze said.
She plans on studying three to five hours a week at the West Campus library.
"My classes this semester are harder than my other semesters so I know this is a must," Cruze said.
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