New Year, New Me Coming into this decade, many people had high expectations for themselves, and some goals fell through due to the circumstances of this year. Many students and teachers alike have changed their approach to New Year’s resolutions for 2021, setting different goals and accomplishments to provide control during this traumatic time. For Morgan Wong, a junior at Carlmont, perspective is extremely important. “Quarantine has been mentally draining for myself, and I’m sure for some other people too, and my overall goal is to be happier in 2021. I have grown a lot and I think making a year better depends on your attitude,” Wong said. Carlmont history teacher David Gomez reflected on the things he lost
during 2020 and how much he plans to value their return. “I appreciate things that we have lost this year, and try to show my appreciation when things return to ‘normal’ someday, such as daily time in a regular class, interacting, having conversations, and just getting to know my students,” Gomez said. According to Oak Ridge Associated Universities, denial and avoidance are common reactions to drastic negative change and trauma. To maintain a healthy mindset, it’s important to keep acceptance and management in mind. “My recommendations to teens and adults about how to make 2021 a better year is to be kind. Always be kind. We don’t really know the problems that other people are
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facing,” said Denise Steward, an English teacher at Carlmont. Being a teacher, Gomez knows the significance of learning, and how to use it to our advantage to make this year, and next year, better. “We must learn from what we’ve been through,” Gomez said. “Otherwise, it will just be back to the way things were before. We can do better.”
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solutions e R ’s Eat healthier 18%
Save money 10%
Learn something new 27%
Lose weight 45%
ART BY PHOEBE GULSEN
From a survey done by the New York Times
DECEMBER 2020 HIGHLANDER 9
