Setting Goals

Have you ever decided on a goal and, just days later, completely forgotten about it or given up on it? If so, you're not alone. This is a frustratingly common experience, and it often stems from how we structure (or don't structure) our goal-setting process. The good news is that by incorporating a few key strategies, you can transform your goals from fleeting wishes into achievable realities. Here's a quick guide to setting goals you'll achieve and celebrate.

Make your goal-specific
Instead of setting the goal of “getting good grades this semester,” plan for a 4.0 GPA, attend every one of your classes or visit each professor instructing your courses during office hours. The more specific you are, the easier it is to plan.

Make your goal measurable
If your goal is tangible and trackable, you’ll better understand how much progress you’ve made along the way. If your goal is vague or ambiguous, you won’t know how close you are to achieving it.

Make your goal attainable
To complete a goal, you need the capacity to attain it. If you’re a full-time student, setting the goal of writing a novel may not be ideal. However, if your goals are related to your day-to-day experience, you’re more likely to stick to them.

Make your goal realistic
Similar to being attainable, make sure your goal is realistic. In other words, plan for goals that align with who you are.

Make your goal time-bound
Goals that don’t have a timeline are hard to achieve. Set yourself a deadline and plan accordingly.

Make your goal exciting
While setting your goal, think about how it’ll make you feel. If you’re not compelled by your goal and excited to start working on it, you won’t stick to it. Obligatory goals tend to fall apart quickly.

Examples of Powerful Goals

Spend 15 minutes each night planning out your following day
Learn how to utilize a budget sheet – and revisit it daily
Find an internship for the summer
Visit all of your professors at least once during office hours
Dedicate one hour a week to planning your professional lifeSetting goals can be a lot of fun and hugely productive. If you make sure your goals are detailed, time-bound, and exciting, you’re likely to complete them and will feel proud of yourself when you do.

Check out this year’s Student Success Planner and follow us on Instagram for more information about goal-setting. We’d love to hear from you as well!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started with setting academic goals?

How do I get started with setting career goals?

How do I set personal wellbeing goals?

"To set a goal, we need to first plan what we want to achieve. If we want to achieve [some]thing, we can make micro goals so that we can achieve [our goal] by step by step method." -T.L. Allen, UMass Amherst Student