Once the clock strikes midnight and New Years kisses are made, the next step for almost half of America is to make a New Years resolution.

Whether it’s saving money or taking a trip to Las Vegas to blow it all, 45 percent of Americans commit to making some type of change each New Year, according to the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Senior kinesiology major, Shanetra Harris aimed for self-improvement this year.

“I wanted to be more positive towards things, distance myself from negative people and focus on things that make me happy,” Harris said.

Cleaning out phonebooks and deleting Facebook “randoms” are common practices for people looking to symbolically start afresh for the year.

“I had to end my love/hate relationship with procrastination for good,” said Rokyea Penny, a junior dental hygiene major.

Most people spend the end of the year celebrating the holidays and pigging out with friends and family- so it is no surprise that “getting fit” is a popular resolution.

Resolutions give people the motivation they need to set goals they might otherwise not set for themselves.

Truth is: Easier said than done.

Only eight percent of people actually complete the goals according to the JCP.

One reason so many resolutions are not met is because they are not specific enough.

Instead of planning to lose weight, plan to lose five pounds in 30 days.

Instead of planning to eat healthier, plan to eat more green vegetables.

Incentives are always an effective way to help push people to meet their goals. Businesses and companies are happy to oblige.

This year Dick’s Sporting Goods is presenting the “New Year’s Pledge,” offering someone a chance to win a prize for meeting their resolution.

The Nutrisystem weight loss program is also offering a “New Year NEW YOU” sweepstakes where you could be entered in a chance to win prize money.

While some people are busy trying to reach their newfound goals, others are wondering why one waits until the first of the year to make a change when they had an entire year before to make one.

“I believe you should be striving to better yourself every day, not just for the New Year,” said Abbie Williams, a junior history major.