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January has come and gone, but that doesn't mean your New Year's resolutions have to as well.

While we may already be a month into 2008 (does time ever fly), it is never too late to dig out a pad of paper and a pen and begin listing the qualities of ourselves and areas of our lives that could use some improvement.

But being the individuals we are, we all have different aspirations and expectations to fulfill. But even with that said, I bet you a hundred bucks that the majority of New Year's resolutions adolescents would want to consider could not be found in one or more of those displayed below:

Procrastination:

Since the dawn of time, where there has been work, there has been procrastination. Many well-meaning people have succumbed to the ever-attractive illusion of free time brought on by self-induced belatedness, but this year is as good as any to inject a sense of urgency into the activities we keep putting off.

We procrastinate if we perceive a task to be too daunting or simply impossible, but if it's one that's been assigned to us, it's bound to be within our limitations - especially in the context of completing schoolwork.

Planning (breaking down a task into small, manageable parts and finishing them methodically) and enthusiasm are a must, but even when both are sparse, incentives can be found everywhere.

Besides, isn't it so much better to have a bothersome task out of the way so you can finally breathe a sigh of relief and devote the remainder of your time to some well-deserved, worry-free relaxation?

Dependence on technology:

Many adolescents have received, at one point in their lives or another, a most riveting lecture on the soul-sucking, mind-shriveling, time-consuming abyss that has manifested itself in the quality devices of entertainment many of us could not survive without.

OK, while the "cannot survive without" bit is an exaggeration, it nevertheless reflects the profound affinity we have for technology.

But unless one has been stranded on a remote island where food and shelter are scarce, and where a cellphone or GPS system is not at one's immediate disposal (meriting an occasion of joyous dancing and several exclamations of "Hallelujah!"), the overall necessity for diving to the television set or video console system at any given chance is practically non-existent.

This year, why not resolve to cut down on the things we can live without and instead renew the ties we have with that which we cannot - such as quality time with family, friends and nature?

Sleeping habits:

Ah, tranquil, blissful sleep, the elusive interlude that soothes the mind and revitalizes the body, and which - especially where busy teenagers are concerned - can often be compromised. I'm not sure about you, but something tells me that either procrastination or console games could be the culprit here.

Struggling to meet those assignment deadlines? Instead of leaving things to the last minute, why not do a portion each day so you'll have a much less bloodcurdling night before the due date? As any nitpicking nanny will tell you, "prioritize, prioritize, prioritize."

There you have it: just some things to think about as we progress through the rest of 2008.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go tackle that obscene mountain of schoolwork that's been long forsaken due to constant denial and excessive YouTubing.

What?

No one is perfect.

 

Millie Ho is a high school student in North York.