What is Goal Setting?

When a student first starts college, their main objective is to receive a degree but there are more things to be accomplished during their time in school.  Goal setting is the key factor to success and something every person should do to get the most out of their life.  It is human nature to set goals even if a person is not aware they are doing it.  Setting goals before a student begins their college adventure gives them a proper incentive, a vision, and moving force that drives them to success.

Types of Goals

Goal setting is thinking and putting aside certain objectives you would like to accomplish.  Some types of goals are short term goals, long term, academic, professional, and personal.  Being a student in college doesn’t mean all goals should revolve around academic success.   It is important to be triumphant in the academic realm of college, but it should be balanced with personal accomplishments as well.

SMART Goals

A great tactic to use when beginning your collection of goals is the SMART goal guideline.  This guide is provided by Goal Setting Guide, and is a great way to effectively set goals and aspirations that are attainable.

• S- Specific.  Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do.
• M- Measureable.  If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. In the broadest sense, the whole goal statement is a measure for the project; if the goal is accomplished, there is a success.
• A- Attainable.  When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop that attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. Your begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.
• R- Realistic.  Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren’t very capable. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!
• T- Timely. Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by fifth grade. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.

Here are some examples of goals that abide by the SMART guideline, and flourish in rewards: Make the Dean’s List (an academic achievement recognition), attend at least 10 campus events, join a student organization, be part of a focus group, write an article and have it published, give a public speech, talk to someone new every day, try new types of food every chance you get, ace all midterms and finals, see all the tourist attractions in your university’s city, etc.

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

When a student realizes their aspirations and what they want to accomplish, the most important thing to do is write it down!  Well not exactly write it down, let us keep up with today’s internet-driven world and use a website instead.  An easy and free way to keep track of your goals is through mylifelist.org.  This website is built to make goal setting a breeze.  You have six different categories to list your goals; Travel & Leisure, Relationships, Personal Development & Community, Career & Finance, Lifestyle & Culture, and lastly Sports & Adventure.

The Challenge

The hardest part about goal setting? Staying on track.  Students are motivated and determined when they begin school, but it is normal to lose that momentum later in the semester. They begin to have many more distractions and priorities sometime change.  It is a typical challenge for students to stay on track throughout the entire school year. That is why it is helpful to document the list of goals and read through them at different periods of time.  This will allow the student to evaluate themselves and it serves as a reminder of what they should still be working towards.

Allizon Munoz is a junior at Ohio Dominican University studying Public Relations and minoring in Marketing. She serves as the 2010-2011 Ohio Dominican PRSSA President and Vice President of Professional Activities for Delta Sigma Pi Omicron Tau.  Connect with her here: http://card.ly/allizonmunoz

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