Strategies to Meet Your Goals

Prepared by Paul Hottinger, Associate Librarian, Research & Instruction Services, University Library

Introduction

Whether you are trying to figure out what to accomplish in life, trying to write your final essay, or just trying to complete a simple task, this module will help students learn how to set, strategize, and achieve their goals. Materials in this module will provide you with resources in the form of readings, videos, and an assignment. This module is designed to include a one-hour class time lesson where the instructor goes over the module, has the class watch a video about the S.M.A.R.T. method, and discusses the method as a group. The module assignment has students completing a form establishing their academic, financial, career, and personal goals.

Learning Objectives

Students will explore techniques and strategies to create realistic short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
Students will develop a strategic plan to achieve specific goals during the semester.

The above objectives will satisfy the FYE Student Learning Objectives SLO 2: Students will engage in reflective and collaborative practices to explore their identities and roles within the CPP community.

Teaching Strategies

This module is designed to include two (1-hour) class time lessons. This module should be assigned at the beginning of the semester.

During class (Lecture and Content for Session 1)

Start with a short discussion asking students how they formulate their goals.
1. Suggested ideas/topics discuss
  1. Decide what you really want to achieve
  2. Don’t be concerned about what others want for you.
  3. How do they prioritize goals?
  4. What do they consider to be long/mid/short-term goals?
    1. Short-term goals can be achieved now, or soon. Ex: I will buy a money box at Target.
    2. Mid-term goals are one that takes a bit longer; 2 weeks, a month, six months. Ex: I will save $600 in 6 months.
    3. Long-term goals take quite a bit longer; 6 months+. Ex: I will put a down payment on a new car in 2 years.
  5. What limitations/obstacles may influence the completion of their goals?
  6. How do they overcome limitations/obstacles?
Present the following video in class: How to set SMART goals (4:08)
Class Activity after watching video
1. Separate the class into small groups and have them discuss what their initial thoughts/what they learned and what their goals are. Below are some prompts that could be used to start a discussion:
  1. What stood out to them?
  2. How could they implement setting SMART goals?
  3. Are there any obstacles to consider?
  4. What short/mid/long term goals might you have?

After Class

Assign students the following readings/videos to complete on their own time as an assignment/homework.

Readings/Videos

7 Tips to achieve your goals (3:36)
5 steps to a more fulfilling life (4:12)
How to set goals and Achieve Them
Self-management of expectations: Why do you need goals?
Essential study skills: Setting goals (Algonquin College)
- Read tabs: SMART, Long-Term, Short-Term, Motivation, and Reframing
The impact of commitment, accountability, and written goals on goal achievement

Assessments

Once students complete the videos/readings, assign the following:

Establishing and achieving your goals: Activity

During class (Lecture and Content for Session 2)

Provide a class discussion on student reactions to completing their assessment. This could be full class discussion/group/pairs, etc.
1. Suggested topics to discuss
  1. Overall thoughts on the process.
  2. What stood out to the students?
  3. Were they able to implement any of the ideas/suggestions from the videos or readings?
  4. Do they foresee any obstacles they should consider?
  5. Ask some students to provide some examples from their assessment.

One-Unit FYE Courses

For one-unit FYE courses, this module can be completed in one class session with the following:

Before Class

Assign the following videos to students to view before your class session.

How to set SMART goals (4:08)
7 Tips to achieve your goals (3:36)
5 steps to a more fulfilling life (4:12)

During Class

Separate the class into small groups and have them discuss what their thoughts/what they learned and what their goals are. Below are some prompts that could be used to start a discussion:

What stood out to them?
How could they implement setting SMART goals?
Are there any obstacles to consider?
What short/mid/long term goals might you have?

In-class Assignment

After their group discussion. Have students write down a short/mid/long term goal and share with the class.

How to Complete this Module (Instructions for students)

During class (Session 1)

Class discussion on how you currently formulate your goals.
Watch the following video in class: How to set SMART goals (4:08)
Small group discussion. Discuss the content of the video and what goals they may have.

After Class

Watch/Read the following:

One-step-at-a-time (2:30)
5 steps to a more fulfilling life (4:12)
How to set goals and Achieve Them
Self-management of expectations: Why do you need goals?
Essential study skills: Setting goals (Algonquin College)
- Read tabs: SMART, Long-Term, Short-Term, Motivation, and Reframing
The impact of commitment, accountability, and written goals on goal achievement

Assignment

Establishing and achieving your goals activity

During class (Session 2)

Class discussion on your assessment activity.

References used for this module

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology. (2022, August 2). Setting goals: Essential Study Skills. Student Support Services. https://algonquincollege.libguides.com/studyskills/setting-goals Axelrod, S. (2022, October 13).

How to set goals and achieve them. wikiHow. https://www.wikihow.com/Set-Goals-and-Achieve-Them Matthews, G. (2007).

The impact of commitment, accountability, and written goals on goal achievement. Psychology / Faculty Presentations, 3. https://scholar.dominican.edu/psychology-faculty-conference-presentations/3/ Teesside University. (2022, July 29).

Goal setting: Self-management of expectations. Student & Library Services Learning Hub. https://libguides.tees.ac.uk/Selfmanagement/goalsetting