Lent is the period of fasting leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness. Catholic Lent begins Ash Wednesday and ends right before the evening Masses of Holy Thursday, although Lenten penance continues through Holy Saturday. In 2011, Lent began March 9.

Name: Halie Mohr

Junior in communication and advertising

Gave up chocolate and saying the f-word.

“I gave [chocolate] up because it’s something I enjoy”

“It’s everything chocolate — chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream etc.”

Name: Cassie Barrett

Sophomore in sociology and psychology at Cornell College

Gave up meat and sweets.

“My suite-mate is vegetarian and she always makes really good food. So I decided to try something new.”

Name: Erica Even

Sophomore in communication studies

Gave up coffee.

“I gave up coffee because I knew it would be a hard thing to go without because I am so dependent on it every morning.”

Name: Kari Gower

Graduate in journalism & mass communication

Gave up swearing and complaining.

“This Lent my roommate and I gave up swearing and complaining which is a lot harder than it sounds.”