"I want good grades."
"I am going to apply for an internship."
"I am going to get a job on campus."
"I am going to build a connection with my advisor or professor."
"I am going to..."
Anyone can say they are going to do something over a semester, but it takes a special type of person to be able to set a goal and follow through. For most of you, the school year has already begun. If you're like me, you are impatiently awaiting the third of September to rip open that saran wrap on your textbooks and obsessively use your beautiful Lilly planner. Since that is me, I figure it is time to make my goals. Those four statements up above may "look" like goals, but they are really not. I am very particular when it comes to goal setting. You need three parts: a statement of improvement, a process, then an end result. Throughout this blog I am going to show you an example of my process, show you my semester goals, then provide some tips on how to stick with them throughout the semester.
There are two ways to come up with goals; you can either look into your past or your future. So looking into your past means to look at past semesters and see where improvement could have been made. So maybe you didn't study as much as your should have or perhaps you got a D- (god forbid) and need to retake that class. Looking into the future entails thinking about what you want your end result to be. This could be having a good relationship with the professor or passing with an A. For the example, I am going to look into the future. I will start with a very broad, can apply to anyone, type of example. My statement of improvement is that I want to study more. Your statement should be broad, and realistic to complete in one semester (unless you are making academic year goals.) A few examples of statements can clearly be seen at the top of this post.
Step two would be figuring out the process. This can be as detailed as you want it to be. So back to our example. I want to study more. This is when you brainstorm. I have already brainstormed for you. You're welcome. In order to complete this goal I will plan studying time, keep track of how many hours I study a week, have one night (3 hours) that I spend in the library a week, and attend a study group at least once a week. So now that I have my process it doesn't mean that it is set in stone. Say that there isn't a study group in any of the classes and you are not in the position to make one, in that case you can cross that off your list and put more focus on the other process ideas. Do not be afraid to edit! I am serious. Don't.
Step three, the end result. This could be super similar to your statement. This is basically a less broad version. So you want to study more? A great end result would be something like "study thirty hours a week." See how we started with a very broad statement then narrowed it down to what we want to see by the end of the semester? This is how every goal should be. Now that you understand the way to make goals, I can share my personal goals with you.
Goal 1
Statement: Study more.
Process: Schedule study time. Keep track of study hours. Spend at least, but not limited to, three hours in a night at the library once a week. Join any study groups.
End result: Study 30 hours per week by the end of the semester.
Goal 2
Statement: Start a solid GPA foundation.
Process: Go to professor office hours. Keep school work organized. Keep up with goal one. Take advantage of any resources you can.
End result: Have a GPA of 3.8 or higher.
Goal 3
Statement: Get involved on and off campus.
Process: Go through sorority recruitment. Take advantage of any honors opportunities.
End result: Be part of a chapter and end the semester with at least 15 volunteer hours.
So you've made your goals. How do you stick with them? First, print them off and put them in a place that you see every day. Another great way to keep up with your goals is to do a half way check up. I will actually post another blog about a goal check up sometime in October. As long as you keep your goals in sight, you shouldn't forget them.
Happy goal making!
