Goal Setting - Week 3
Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.
–Fitzhugh Dodson, clinical psychologist and author
As a student, you are asked to juggle a number of classes, assignments, and activities in addition to other responsibilities you may have as a parent or employee. Because you are pulled in so many directions, staying in touch with your reasons for being in school and how each class is helping you to reach your goals is very important. For that reason, it’s a good idea to sit down at the beginning of each semester to think about your academic goals and their connection to your life plan.
Here are some tips for setting effective goals:
1. State your goals in positive terms. Tell what you do want, not what you don’t want. Instead of saying, “I won’t cram for tests,” say, “I will follow an organized study schedule.”
2. Choose realistic goals. For example, choose “I will be a leader in student government” over “I will be a reality TV star.”
3. Aim for achievable goals. Instead of saying, "I will earn a million dollars in my first year out of college", set a goal of making a major purchase like a car or a house by a certain date.
4. Realize that achieving goals takes work. Becoming an astronaut or a doctor takes years of training. Are you willing to sacrifice other things in order to reach for such a profession? If not, you may need to readjust your goal.
5. Include a time frame for your goals. When you enter college, it’s a good idea to have your graduation date in mind. See a counselor to help you complete an Education Plan that will get you to your goals.