The new semester is underway and while it seems to never go fast enough, the truth is that it will fly by. Without setting goals for academic and personal success, it will seem like you have accomplished nothing this semester. There’s one sure-fire way you can change that, despite your track record. That way is setting goals.
“No one ever stumbles into success without a goal,” says David J. Schwartz, Ph. D., motivational speaker and author of “The Magic of Thinking Big.” Don’t expect to succeed this semester without taking control now and setting goals.
For academic success, make sure you are attentive and know what you need to accomplish each week. Once you know that, set daily or twice-weekly goals, depending on your schedule. Goal deadlines come much faster than we think, so be sure not to procrastinate.
For personal success, know what you want. If you don’t know what you want, you can be sure that you will not find it. As soon as you determine what it is you want, whether short-term or long-term, set small, achievable goals that will put you in the way of what you desire.
Be sure not to overcomplicate your goals or set your sights on things you are not willing to work for. After you put the work in, you will start to see the results. They may be small at first, but that’s okay. If you get discouraged and choose to quit on the way to your goal, remember that if you do quit, you will delay what you want even more.
This applies whether this is your first semester of college or if you’re returning to school after many years. To make it your best and most successful experience yet, goals are the way to get there. You can do it!
MEGGAN LANAHAN
REPORTER