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Identify
Recognize what needs to be changed in your life:
What do you want to change?
How do you want your life to be?
Where are you with a particular concern at this time?
How do I get there from here?
Example: I'm tired of having a low GPR.
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Specific
Group the major areas of change into smaller, more manageable, goals:
Example: I need to procrastinate less and study more frequently.
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Achievable
1. Make a brief list of obstacles that would prevent you from achieving your goal.
My study area has too many distractions.
I don't have a schedule or plan for when the best time for me to study each day is.
2. Make a brief list of resources that would help you achieve the goal.
Examples:
I have a calendar that would help me plan daily study times.
I know other students in my class study daily, maybe they could help me.
I have the afternoons off from class, would this make good study time?
My academic advisor would have good study skills suggestions.
3. Make a brief list of benefits the goal will achieve.
Examples:
Better test scores.
Higher GPR.
More efficient study time means less last minute cram sessions.
A better year-long balance between academic, social, and personal time.
Based on your 3 lists, develop an action plan for achieving your goal.
Example:
In my slow time from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, I will study 2 subjects per day for 1 hour each.
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Time-Limited
Set a time frame to accomplish your action plan in stages.
Remember to start slow and build up to the desired plan gradually.
Example:
1st week: Study 1 hour a day on Monday through Friday.
2nd week: Study 1 hour a day on Tuesday & Thursday, and 2 hours a day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
3rd week: Study 2 hours a day Monday through Friday.
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Measurable
Identify people who will help you monitor or accomplish the goal.
Examples:
Find a study partner.
Announce to your friends that 3 pm - 5 pm is your study time at the library.
Reassess your goal on a weekly basis.
If you are having trouble accomplishing any goals by the specified time frames, are the time frames too strict or is the goal not at a small and manageable level?
Acknowledge that you will have successes and failures in achieving any worthwhile goal.
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Realistic
You will have a higher chance of achieving any goal if you can answer yes to all five of
these questions:
1. Am I doing this for myself? (Is this really my goal?)
2. Is this a fair and realistic goal for me to accomplish?
3. Does this single goal directly help me accomplish long range life goals?
4. Am I capable of supporting this goal emotionally and physically?
5. Can I close my eyes and mentally visualize myself reaching this goal?
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