Students: Live Your Life by Design, Not By Default

STUDENTS: LIVE YOUR LIFE BY DESIGN, NOT BY DEFAULT!

Develop S.M.A.R.T. Goals to propel you to success this semester.

What are "S.M.A.R.T." Goals? They are:

• S - Specific 

• M - Measurable

• A - Achievable

• R - Resourced

• T – Time-Limited

Possessing S.M.A.R.T. Goals at the beginning of each semester is your first step toward propelling yourself toward a new level of achievement, as well as success in all aspects of your life.

Here’s a suggested course of action to follow:

1.              COPY goals you select from below into a document your create. Most of these goals should appear on your personalized list of goals.

2.              COMPLETE your goals by adding other, personal-to-you specific academic, socialization, self-control and career development goals – which can be achieved over the course of the next semester.

3.              MAKE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT to achieve the goals you have established for yourself.

4.              PRINT AND POST your goals sheet for the semester by your study location.

5.              SELECT SPECIFIC GOALS AND SCHEDULE TIME during each upcoming week for the completion of select goals (concentrate on just a few major goals, each week, and a few minor goals; no more than five at any one time, to start ... if you are successful with accomplishing all of the activities for five goals during a week, you can consider adding another goal for activity during the following week)

6.              TRACK YOUR GOALS – once each week. Record on the goals sheet (or in your personal journal): (a) what goals you were to work on and whether you accomplished, or did not accomplish, those goals during the past week; and (b) why you did or did not accomplish all that you intended; and (c) how you feel about that. Then repeat Step 5 for the next week.

“I WILL LIVE MY LIFE BY DESIGN, NOT BY DEFAULT.” 

MY GOALS FOR THIS TERM

MY NAME: _____________________________________

MY S.M.A.R.T. ACADEMIC GOALS

I will achieve an average G.P.A. of _________ in all of my classes this term.

I will attend 90% or more of my classes this term (even accounting for times I might get sick).

I will be an active participant in class discussions.

I will go to the Student Learning Center, as needed, for the following:

·      to receive help in the Math Lab and Writing Center

·      to request a tutor or another form of assistance for a specific class or classes, if and when my average in the class falls below the average G.P.A. goal I set for myself

·      to meet with an academic support specialist for assistance with time management or study strategies

I will complete the MAPWorks survey this term and I will print out and review the results.

I will meet with my academic advisor this term to discuss: (a) any obstacles to my ability to excel academically this term; (b) review the results of my MAPWorks survey; (d) develop my course schedule for next term; (d) ideas relating to networking and finding a position within my chosen career; and (f) review a draft of my résumé.

MY S.M.A.R.T. SELF-CONTROL GOALS

I accept personal responsibility for my own success this term.

“9 hours 15 minutes” - I will consistently seek to attain sufficient sleep each night this term, as I require.

·      I will set an alarm on my phone to remind me to start preparing to go to bed

·      I will record my progress as to this goal, and record how I physically feel, through reflection in my journal, once each week.

I will plan out my week, using an hour-by-hour calendar, in order to attain 2-3 hours of study time, on average, for each hour I spend in the classroom.

If I have difficulty starting a project or activity, I will say out loud to myself: “Just do it! Do it, do it, do it! Do it NOW!”

I will spend less than 10 hours each week watching television and/or playing video or computer games.

MY S.M.A.R.T SOCIALIZATION GOALS (TO “EXPAND MY COMFORT ZONE”)

I will smile at all times, every day, when walking between classes and when entering a room

I will greet others (including those I don’t yet know) on campus with a “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” “Good evening,” “Hi,” or “How you doing?”

I will introduce myself _____ times each week to a student or other person I don’t know, and get to know them better (i.e., I will practice this essential skill)

I will join and participate in the following NCAA sports, intramural sports, clubs and/or organizations this term (at least one of which will require some form of civic engagement):

1. 

2. 

Additional (optional; I won’t overextend myself):

I will attend the following events and/or participate in seven additional activities on-campus this term:

1.

2.

3.

4. 

5.

6.

7.

Additional (optional; I won’t overextend myself):

MY S.M.A.R.T. NETWORKING, CAREER PLANNING AND OTHER PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS

I will develop and maintain a list of potential contacts whom may be in a position to land me a good position within my chosen career area.

I will write in my Journal twice a week to record people and events and other things for which I am grateful.

I will write and mail/deliver thank-you notes three times a week to new and existing contacts, family members, friends, and those who have done a service for me.

I will perform 3 random acts of kindness each week; and I will record them in my Journal.

If I choose to go to parties or other places where alcohol may be served, I will go with a group, and at least one of my friends will be the “Designated Friend” (who will not drink and who will assume responsibility for watching over me, should I inadvertently drink to excess and possess impaired judgment).

I will revise my résumé this term to reflect all of my activities to date, and I will look for “gaps” in the résumé that need filling.

Remember ... you control your own destiny, to a large degree. You have the ability to design your own life, and to construct the foundations for a lifetime of success. So ... just do it!