Spring Semester 2019 series #2: The power of goal setting

Working hard is a lot easier if you know what you want to achieve.  One powerful but easy thing to do is to set goals – both long-term and short-term.   A workable goal needs to have three characteristics:

·       Be measurable

·       Have a time limit

·       Be attainable*

*Some people think you should set a goal that is extremely high, and then if you don’t quite make it you will still be successful.  I prefer to reach the goal and then immediately set another.

At the beginning of the semester it is a good idea to set a goal for the semester – for example a grade-point average you would like to achieve.  My advice was always to write it on an index card and post it somewhere in your room where you will see it every day. I recently read a great idea for this in Fail Until You Don’t by Bobby Bones.  He suggested typing the goal in your phone and then making that your screen saver so you see it multiple times a day.  Given how many times we look at our phones, that is a great idea!

Short-term goals can be for a week or a day.   Many students start the day with a to-do list.  It is a great motivator to cross off what you have done plus you feel more organized and directed throughout the day.

The next blog will look at time management and the importance of your class syllabi.   Time management in particular fits with goal setting because having specific goals helps you use your time more efficiently.  For now, think about, and then write down what you want to achieve this semester.  Make a to-do list for today and/or tomorrow to strategically plan how you will achieve your goal. 

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First Semester Success, 2nd edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available as an eBook and hardcopy from amazon.com and as a hard copy from wordassociation.com.   Click on the upper right link.

Spring Semester 2019 Blog #1 - Getting Started

This starts a semester-long series of 15 blogs running from the first day of classes to final exams.   The first entry is about what to consider during the first few days of the semester depending on whether this is your first semester, a semester following some problems such as academic probation, or simply continuing on with your success.

If you are a first-time student, look at big picture:

·       How are your classes arranged throughout the week?

·       When will you study?

·       What tutoring is available on campus?

·       How do you plan to exercise and eat properly? 

·       Be sure you are connected to the internet and are accessing your school email. 

·       Find out what on-line grade and communication system will each professor use.

·       Do you have all the academic materials you need such as textbooks and access to on-line supplements or classroom supplies?

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f you are a successful returning student:

·       How are your classes arranged this semester compared to the previous semester (more spread out, compressed, early, late in the day)?

·       What are the best times to study this semester?

·       What studying habits will you maintain?

·       What changes do you need to make that will further enhance your success?

If you were not successful in previous semesters:

·       Where can you make positive changes?

·       What went well that you will continue?

·       Which classes will require more effort? 

·       If you are retaking a class to erase a low grade, think about what you will do differently this semester – do not just repeat what you did before! 

·       Also read the things information for the first-time student and be sure those are covered.

Remember that the habits you start to develop this first week will guide your entire semester.  It is much easier to start the semester with positive habits rather than make corrections after the first few weeks!

The next blog will deal with setting goals, both short term and long term, and how to ensure you succeed

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First Semester Success: 2nd Edition, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available as an eBook and hardcopy from amazon.com and as a hardcopy from wordassociation.com.  Click on the upper right link.