Goal Statement- The Five Step Approach

Goal Setting

by Madam Hamidah Abdul Rahman, Madam Rosenani Sidek & Madam Wan Rozita

( Modul 2 )

What Are Goals ?

• Goals are the ends toward which we direct our effort.
• In other words, goals are things we want to achieve, things we aim for as we pursue a certain course of action.
• We can improve our academic performance in college by learning to set goals that motivate us to do well and that increase chances for success.

1. Goals should be self-chosen

• Goals that are set by our parents, teachers or friends may not always work for us. We must set our own goals because we know our ability and what we are more skillful.
• We need to determine or choose our own goals.
• We need to decide what we want to accomplish. If we set our own goals, we will be more motivated to achieve them.

2. Goals should be moderately challenging

• One way to set moderately challenging goals is to consider what we have done in the past.
• Goals can always be revised if we discover what we can achieve more than the originally we set out to accomplish.

3. Goals should be realistic 

• Think about whether our goals are attainable :

eg: It would be unrealistic to expect to get a B or better in Calculus if your math background is very weak and your high school grades in math were never higher than a C.

• To set realistic goals, we must carefully evaluate our chances of achieving each goals.

4. Goals should be measurable 

• A goal is measurable if we can determine whether we reached it.
• It would be difficult to determine whether we achieved our goal if we just wanted to " do well on a course ".
• It would be much easier to measure our success if we had aimed for an A or a B

5. Goals should be specific

• The more specific our goals are, the more motivated we will be to achieve them.
• eg : Getting a B in college Algebra is a specific goal; while getting a " good grade " in College Algebra is not

6. Goals should be finite/limits/bounds

• Goals need to have a limited time frame.
• eg : If a paper is due by Friday, you need to have it done by Friday. However, you might decide to have the paper done by Wednesday so that you can get prepare for your big Biology examination on Friday.
• It's important to set deadlines for all of your goals

7.  Goals should be positive 

• Negative goal statements tend to make we feel that we can't really be successful; they aren't motivating.
• eg : " I don't want to get any lower than a C in any of my classes," " I won't go to to dinner until I get this calculus work done."
• From that, you will always do better if you are working toward something- when you have a positive attitude.
• Avoid using words like try, think and should when we describe our goals.

LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM GOALS

•  Long-term goals are the objectives we set for ourselves for the end of the year, for four or five years from now or even for a lifetime
• Short-term goals can beset for an hour from now, for the end of the day, week, month or term ( or semester ) eg : Short-term goals include things like completing a reading assignment, writing an essay, getting a B in a course, getting off probation or making the " Dean's List "

• Think of your short-term goals as steps towards achieving the long-term goals you've set for yourself.

ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL GOALS

1. Academic goals relate to our course work. They include things like going to class, completing assignments and preparing for exams.
2. Personal goals, like making new friends, participating in clubs or supporting events, exercising or even doing our laundry.

10 tips to get off to the right start this semester

• Be selective in choosing classes - so you don't regret make a wrong decision
• Go to all classes and take notes - to easy yourself to prepare for any test 
• Keep up with your reading assignments - not easily forget
• Learn to say no - for the things that don't have any benefit to ourselves
• Create a good study environment - comfortable and can focus to study
• Set realistic grade goals
• Study for exams by writing and reciting out loud
• Learn to predict exam questions 
• When taking exams, relax and be sure to read the directions
• Go to your college learning center when you need help - ask for their opinion 

Five-Step Approach to setting goals

• STEP 1 : Tentative Goal Statement

eg : I want at least a B in Biology.

• STEP 2 : List of Obstacles 

eg : I have trouble following the lecture and I struggle to take notes.

• STEP 3 : List of Resources

eg : I will read the chapter before the lecture, I will rewrite my notes afterward.

• STEP 4 : Revised Goal Statement

eg : I will try to earn a B in Biology

• STEP 5 : Polished Goal Statement

eg : I will achieve a B in Biology this semester