How To Set Study Goals

Goal setting is a really important skill to learn, but it isn’t always an easy thing to do.

Goals are rather like maps. They show you where you are and can show you where you want to go, so you can work out the best path to get there.

1. First decide what your long term goal is. A long term goal says what you would like to be or do in the future. Maybe you want to be a hairdresser, or a doctor, or a builder or an engineer;
2. Write it down;
3. Now, break down your goal  into actions (things you can DO)  to get you to your final destination. Any long term goal can be broken down in this way and these goals are the road map to success. Maybe you need to pass a certain exam, or carry out a particular project or get some special work experience;
4. Make sure to pick goals you truly want (not someone else);
5. Now decide what study you need to do, to be able to carry out the actions. Maybe you need to learn lists of words for a language, practice a particular equation in maths, create a portfolio of work, or find a list of contacts for getting your preferred work experience. These are tasks;
6. Allocate time to doing these tasks. that is, set yourself some time for learning those lists of words, developing your portfolio, practising your maths or looking up those contacts.

Tasks done, will get your actions completed.

Actions completed will carry you towards your goals.

There are several tools you can use for helping you study, such as mind maps, lists, visualisation, buddy-study, collaborative learning.

Goal Setting (Photo credit: angietorres)