GOAL SETTINGS

WHAT ARE GOALS?

·         Goals are the ends toward which we direct our effort.

·         In other words,goals are things we want to achieve,things we aim for as we pursue a certain course of action.

·         You can improve your academic performance in college by learning to set goals that motivate you to do well and that increase your chance for success.

1.Goals should be self-chosen.

·         Goals that are set by your parents,teachers,or friends may not always wwork for you.

·         You need to decide what you want to accomplish.if you set your own goals,you will be more motivated to achieve them

2.Goals should be moderately challenging

·         One way to set moderately challenging goals is to consider what you have done in the past.

·         Goals can always be revised,if you discover you can achieve more than you originally set out to accomplish.

3.Goals should be realistic.

·         Think about whether your goals are attainable.Ex:it would be unrealistic to expect to get a B or better in calculus if your math background is very weak and high school grades in math were never higher than a C.

·         To set realistic goals,you must carefully evaluate your chances of achieving each goal.

4.Goals should be measurable.

·         A goal is measurable if you can determine whether you reached it.

·         It would be difficult to determine whether you achieved your goal if you just wanted to “do well in a course.”

·         It would be much easier to measure your success if you had aimed for an A or a B

5.Goals should be specific

·         The more specific your goals are,the more motivated you’ll be to achieve them.

·         Ex: getting aB in college Algebra is a specifi C goal;while,getting a ‘good grade’ in college algebra is not

6.Goals should be finite/limits/bounds

·         Goals need to have a limited time frame.

·         Ex:if a paper is due by Friday,you need to have it done by Friday. However, you might decide to have the paper done by Wednesday so that you can prepare for your big  Biology  exam in Friday.

·         It’s important to set deadlines for all of your goals

7.Goals should be positive

·         Negative goal statements tend to make you fell that you can’t really be successful:they aren’t motivating.

·         Ex :’I don’t want to get any lowerthan a C in any of my classes,” ‘I won’t go to dinner until I get this calculus work done,”

·         You’ll always do better if you are working toward something – when you have a positive attitude.

·         Avoid using words like try,think,hope when you describe your goals.

 LONG-AND SHORT-TERM GOALS

·         Long-term goals are the objectives you set for yourself for the end of the year,for four or five years from now,or even for a lifetime.

·         Short-term goals can be set for an hour from now,for the end of the day,week,month,or term(or semester).

·         Think of your shortterm goals as steps toward achieving the long-term goals you’ve set in yourself

ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL GOALS

·         Academic goals relate to your course work.They include things like going to class,completing assignments,and preparing for exams

·         Personal goals,like making new friends,participating in clubs or sporting events exercising,or even doing your learning

10 TIPS TO GET OFF TO THE RIGHT START THIS SEMESTER

·         Be selective in choosing classes

·         Go to all classes and take notes

·         Keep up with your reading assignments

·         Learn to say no

·         Create a good study environment

·         Set realistic grade goals

·         Study for exams by writing and reciting out lourl

·         Learn to predict exam questions

·         When taking exams,relax and be sure to read the directions

·         Go to your college learning center when you need help

FIVE-STEP APPROACH TO SETTING GOALS.

·         STEP 1:TENTATIVE GOAL STATEMENT

Ex:I want at least a Bin Biology

·         STEP 2:LIST OF OBSTACLES

Ex:I have trouble following the lecture,and I struggle to take notes.

·         STEP 3:LIST OF RESOURCES

Ex:I’ii read the chapter before the lecture. I ‘II rewrite my notes afterward

·         STEP 4:REVISED GOAL STATEMENT

Ex:I’II try to earn a B in Biology

·         STEPS 5:POLISHED GOAL STATEMENT

Ex:I will achieve a B in Biology this semester