The new year is quickly approaching. This year we have all encountered different obstacles that we have had to deal with.

Some people are excited to be leaving 2016 in the past and moving on to another year.

Senior Alexis Gregory is excited to see what the new year will bring her.

“2016 was a tough year for me,” Gregory said. “I am hoping that 2017 will be better. I am graduating soon, so I am excited to see what it is like after high school.”

Others feel a little nervous as the new year approaches.

Sophomore Charlee McDaniels is worried about how 2017 will turn out.

“I am a little nervous for the new year because it is the new year,” McDaniels said. “I was excited for 2016, and that didn’t turn out how I wanted it too.”

Regardless, the new year is starting soon so here are a few things to remember throughout the year.

Everyone makes mistakes

Sometimes we get into a situation before we realize how bad it is.

Instead of making up excuses for yourself, own up to the issue. Learn from the mistake, because if you don’t, it is easy to make a mistake a habit.

Senior Wiliam Spielmaker recommends to simply learn from the mistake.

“Nobody is perfect,” Spielmaker said. “It is better to live and learn, than to completely ignore the mistake.”

Nothing is impossible 

With the new year, comes New Year’s resolutions. They are not a requirement, but some people use them to hold themselves accountable in order to meet a personal goal.

It might be to read more, to eat healthier, to broaden a vocabulary, but no matter what it is, encouragement is the best way to accomplish your goals, or break your bad habits.

Junior Sarah Walker has multiple goals she wishes to achieve. But sometimes her goals don’t end up the way she wishes.

“I definitely use New Year’s as a way to break habits, but I don’t always follow through,” Walker said. “Whether it’s to push even harder in the dance season at the start of the year and strive for perfection, or if it’s not drinking pop. I follow through with the dance goals, but more often than not, I don’t follow through with the others because they are not as much of a priority.”

Make the most of the year

No matter how long you end up living, life is short. Live life to the fullest, and enjoy the time you have with your friends and family.

This is not an excuse to break the law. You can have fun and enjoy your life, without doing something illegal.

Senior BreeAnna Rosenbum finds it easy to enjoy life with her cosmetology class members.

“I spend a lot of time with them,” Rosenbum said. “I  enjoy their presence and as a whole, they are like a second family.”

You are only as good as your word

Be honest with everyone. Most people would rather spend their time dealing with hurtful honesty then determining what is the truth from someone who had lied to them before.

Senior Shelby Wiley enjoys being around honest people.

“It’s much easier to deal with honest people,” Wiley said. “If I trust someone, there is no reason for me to doubt what they tell me.”

Confidence is key

When it comes down to self-evaluation, comparing yourself to others, and what others say about you, confidence is what matters.

Gregory thinks confidence makes her life easier.

“Once I learned to be confident, I realized that it doesn’t matter what others say,” Gregory said. “I doubt myself less, and I feel proud of the things I accomplish.”

When life brings you bad situations, give yourself a pep talk. All it takes is a change of mind to change your mood. Thinking positively will make it easier to enjoy the new year.

Wiley is excited to see what the new year will bring.

“I am nervous, but I am more excited for the new experiences I will have,” Wiley said.