A Guide to Setting Goals For Success This School Year

Making a plan and reaching a goal requires prioritising, problem solving, organisational skills, self-discipline and determination. For students, this not only means they’re more likely to achieve academic success, but that they’ll learn to fully function as an adult.

Goal-setting is a key component of developing a positive self-concept. It is essential for students to feel good about themselves, in order to promote effective learning. It fosters a sense of achievement and pride in students, increasing confidence and motivation. Goal-setting helps to build self-discipline and self-management skills, which students will use in everyday life and in their careers.

Below is everything you need to know about how to set goals this academic year:

Write Down Your Goals

First and foremost, it’s important to write down you goals. These goals can be related to academics and classwork, but they can also relate to your future plans, like saving for a house or a car.

Prompting students to write down their goals is a great way for them to think about what they would like to accomplish and can be a useful tool for parents to encourage their children to plan their future and the steps it will take to get there.

Break Down Your Goals

Once students have established the big picture, it can be intimidating to set big goals, and even harder to work towards them. But if you break down the goals into smaller, more manageable chunks, you will see the progress taking shape, giving a sense of achievement as you reach and pass each step.

For example, if you want to take a foreign language class next year, break it down into foreign language class, take the class, score well in the class, and take a higher-level class.

Set Realistic Deadlines

Setting a realistic deadline will help you stay motivated. You can’t wait until the last minute to study for a test, so start working on your goals early. If you’re planning a party for you and your friends, start planning it two months in advance.

Limiting your timetable can also help you set realistic goals. you may need to study for a test each night for two weeks, instead of setting a deadline of three days.

Stay Consistent

You won’t accomplish your goal if you’re not consistent in pursuing it. Some days, you might feel like giving up and that’s okay. But on the days you want to give up, find a way to keep going. Tenacity is a great characteristic to have and is also one that employers look for in job candidates.

Prepare to Adjust and Adapt

If you didn’t reach your goal, that’s okay. Don’t let it bring you down. Instead, ask yourself why you didn’t reach your goal and how you can adapt. Maybe it’s something you can’t control, like illness or the weather. Simply adjust and adapt.

The Bottom Line

When you’re thinking about setting goals for this school year, it’s important to make sure that you are realistic and that you are taking the appropriate steps towards reaching your goals. Setting goals is a great way to apply your skills and can help you far beyond the classroom.

For further guidance, be sure to check out our Goal Mapping workshop.