Goal Setting for the School Year

As you continue through the new semester, it is important to prioritize the tasks ahead. Between classes, assignments and exams, there may be a lot on your mind. Don’t panic! Now is the time to breathe, focus and organize to ensure a successful year.

It will be very helpful if you set SMART goals. What does this mean? SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound. Be specific when setting your goals. Get clear on exactly what it is you are working toward. Also, make sure the goal is measurable. Is there a way to measure the success of your goal or its completion? Additionally, make sure your goal is attainable and relevant to you, whether in the area of your education, career or professional growth. And lastly, set deadlines but be realistic. Be sure you have enough time for big goals and don’t give yourself too much time to procrastinate on the smaller ones.

Track your progress. It is crucial to know if you are making any progress and to understand how close or far you are from your goal. It may also be beneficial to have an accountability buddy. Ask someone you know and trust to help you stay on track by checking in with you frequently to ensure you are staying focused and organized. Staying focused, positive and driven, can help you to reach each one of your 2023 goals.

Lastly, remember to try and stay positive because you’ve got this! One way to remain optimistic is to practice positive thinking. Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. Try to focus on the good, rather than expect the bad. This may not come naturally, but with practice, this will become second nature. So, through the long study hours, sacrifices and mountains of information, remember to breathe and stay focused and positive.

-Dina Barabash, Content Development & Web Specialist