Students with clear goals are more likely to use their time well and feel satisfaction as they move through each semester. Goals can include improving your writing skills, speaking up in public, meeting new people, and contributing to your community. You might also set goals like declaring a major, improving your grades, learning a foreign language, or completing an internship. Reflecting on your goals regularly will help you stay on track.
Your personal goals will overlap with academic and career goals. They’ll change as you learn more about what you are good at and what matters to you. Take time to write down your goals, and set a reminder to review them once each month to reflect on how you’re doing and how your goals might change.
Questions
How do I set academic goals that help me graduate?
Exploring academic options and expectations is fundamental to making good academic choices. Many students enter college not yet certain of their major, but each course you enroll in brings you one step closer to understanding those choices and toward degree completion.
For most students, a key goal is to graduate from college in four years. Completing an average of 15 credits each semester and keeping your grades up will help you meet that goal. Students need a 2.0 cumulative GPA to graduate. You’ll also need to know your academic requirements and stay on track with course registration.
Academic advisors are available for majors, minors, and certificates, and academic programs offer many ways to learn about their courses, options, and requirements. Get started with Academic Advising.
How do I set career goals?
Exploring career fields can be the first step to setting goals. Career Services and the career centers in each college can help you learn about how to achieve career goals, or what you can do with a particular major. Start planning your career.
I’ve been told I need to build professional skills outside of class, but how do I do that?
Beyond the knowledge you gain in courses, there are many ways successful college students grow into successful professionals. Experiences in jobs, clubs, through service or leadership all contribute to your developing portfolio of professional skills. Getting involved on campus will help you define what matters to you and how you want to build a wide range of abilities. Get involved.