New Year’s resolutions have a habit of not being fulfilled as sophomore English major Wanakee Trask can attest to.

Her resolution was to learn how to cook big meals for holidays and other large events. But even though it is already mid-February, Trask has yet to buy a cookbook.

“I did say I was going to pick up a cookbook this weekend,” Trask said.

Her friend, Jasmine Chester, sophomore pre-nursing major, has been equally unsuccessful. She vowed to stop drinking Pepsi, and then she smiled embarrassingly as she held an empty Pepsi bottle.

While she said she has consumed less soda, Chester has never stopped drinking Pepsi.

“It’s an addiction,” Chester said.

Some other students are cynical about the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Chris Prokop, graduate student in physics, scoffed at the idea of making resolutions.

“I think I did in high school or junior high,” Prokop said. “I think I was spurned by it by my parents, but then I just ignored them like I always do.”

Junior marketing major Christy Sagun said many people do not follow their resolutions and end up making false promises to themselves. Waiting for the new year to change is also stupid, she said.

“If I’m going to change myself, I’m not going to wait until the new year,” Sagun said. “You can’t wait for change.”

But despite the cynicism, some students do use the occasion to change themselves for the better. Erin Finucane, freshman pre-athletic major, said her resolution was to get in better shape because she was afraid of the “freshman 15”.

“I signed up for this Climb Chicago event at the Presidential Towers. I’m getting ready for that,” Finucane said. The event she is referring to is the 2009 Climb Chicago at the Presidential Towers on March 8.