1. Prioritizing and Goal Setting for Academic Success

2. Why set goals?  Goals give us purpose and an objective to strive for. They give us a reason to get out of bed each morning.  People who set goals, commit their goals to writing, and refer back regularly are many times more likely to be successful in life.

3. Goals Give You Direction Without direction, we would wander around aimlessly. When we get in our car, we would just drive until the road ends. What is it that keeps us from ending up at random locations all the time? The answer is that we start out with a clear direction in mind, an idea of where we want to go.

4. Life is the same way. If you have objectives and goals that you wish to achieve, you’re much more likely to be successful. If you don't, you probably won't. Goals, by themselves, are not enough. A goal, without a plan for how you intend to reach the goal, is little more than wishful thinking. The absolute best way to make any goal work is to sit down and make a plan.

5. College is one of the most exciting times of a person’s life. It is filled with endless opportunities and possibilities that most people find to be somewhat rare once out of school. It is important to figure out early on what you want to get out of it and not waste your opportunity. Even if you don't know exactly what you want from college (or after college), you probably have some idea of what things are important to you, or what you might hope to get from the time spent at school.

6. In order for something to be a goal:  It has to be important to you personally  It has to be within your power to make it happen through your own actions.  It has to be something you have a reasonable chance of achieving.  It must be clearly defined and have a specific plan of action.

7. Types of Goals Short-term goals Short-term goals are compact, specific goals that can be achieved on a daily basis or within a year. Examples of Short Term Goals Getting an A on my English paper Studying two hours tonight Short term goals are often stepping stones to a bigger or more long range goal

8. Types of Goals (Con’t) Long term goals Long term goals will take a year or more to achieve. These goals form the basis for our ambition and motivation. Examples of long-term goals may include: earning your college degree getting into grad. school buying your first home or car

9. Active Goal Setting You are more likely to achieve your goals if you use active goal setting This is a method for accomplishing your objectives by thinking through, analyzing, then writing down your goals. It helps you achieve clarity and control over your life. It keeps you focused on what you wish to achieve.

10. Steps for Active Goal Setting Identify the Goal Is it a goal of necessity (paying your tuition, passing your math test) or a goal of enrichment (traveling, learning to play the guitar)? Remember to choose goals that are attainable and within your reach. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Choose measurable goals (I am going to study for my test two hours every night this week) Be flexible, but firm with your goals

11. Steps for Active Goal Making (cont.) Write Your Goals on Paper You are more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down Write down why you want to achieve your goal as well as how and when you hope to achieve it Review your goals and your progress on a regular basis

12. Steps for Active Goal Making (cont.) Make a Plan Break your goals down into smaller steps Give yourself a deadline to achieve each step List the obstacles that may stand in the way List how you plan to deal with these obstacles

13. Steps for Active Goal Making (cont.) Review your goals regularly Give yourself feedback Reward yourself for achieving your goals Take advantage of resources that will help you

14. Prioritizing Prioritizing is the ability to see what tasks are more important at each moment and to give those tasks more of your attention, energy, and time. You focus on what is important at the expense of lower value activities.

15. Prioritizing We all have many things to do, and often do not have the time and energy to do them all. We don't have time and resources to do them equally well either. Sometimes things may be left undone, no matter how hard we try. Prioritizing is a way to solve that frustrating problem.

16. Prioritizing Prioritizing is about making choices of what to do and what not to do. To prioritize effectively you need to be able to recognize what is important, as well as to see the difference between urgent and important. The important, or high priority, tasks are the tasks that help us achieve our long-term goals

17. Prioritizing At first glance, many of the tasks we face during a day seem equally urgent and important. Yet, if you take a closer look, you will see that many of the urgent activities we are involved in are not really important in the long run. With good prioritizing skills, you first complete the most important or urgent tasks, the ones that would get you into a crisis or trouble otherwise. Then, you focus your attention on tasks that are less urgent but often more meaningful.

18. Tips to Help You Prioritize Spend five minutes a day making a list of things that need to be done Prioritize the list Have a “must do list” of crucial tasks that must be completed today (ex. Study for test that is tomorrow, buy groceries, pay rent) Have a “should do list” of things that are important but not critical to complete today (do laundry, re-write my Biology notes, call home)

19. Tips to Help You Prioritze (cont.) Have a “nice to do” list of least urgent priorities (example: go to a movie with girlfriend / boyfriend, take dog for a walk) Remember, your priorities shift from day to day so it’s important to set aside time each day to set goals and prioritize.