Setting Goals
Workshop
An online workshop facilitated by:
Academic Success Center
UL Lafayette Junior Division
Hard Facts
While on academic probation,
students must make a semester
GPA of 2.0 or higher. If a student
does not meet this semester GPA
requirement, the student will be
suspended from the university.
**To learn more about academic probation and available campus
resources, click on the following link: Academic
Safety Net
How is academic
success and goal setting
related?
Goal Setting
• Decreases the difficulty of passing classes
• Increases skills of goal setting for after college
• Positively affects other areas of life, not just
academics
• Decreases stress and anxiety
• Increases concentration, self-confidence,
performance, and overall enjoyment of college life
• Leads to a quicker graduation date
• College costs too much money and time to risk
failure!
What is a S.M.A.R.T.
goal?
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic.
Timeline
How do I set goals?
Starting Line
• Goal Setting takes:
1. time
2. energy
3. thought
4. preparation
• A goal should have:
1. an action statement
2. an action plan
3. a target date (deadline)
How do I start?
• State the goal as an action statement:
– Ex: “I will understand my assigned chapters by…”
• Specify how the action statement will be
accomplished by using an action objective:
– Ex: “I will understand my assigned chapters by
reading and writing outlines…”
• Measure the outcome in numbers
– Ex: “I will understand my assigned chapters by
reading 10 pages and writing 1 outline each
night.”
How can goal setting help
me again?
Goal setting can help you
improve . . .
• Memory
• Stress levels
• Note taking
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Listening and communication
• Test preparation and test taking
• Self-motivation and determination
But, I do not know where to
start!
Start by considering these
examples to more effectively
study.
Examples of Effective
Study Skills
• Improve reading skills
• Study regularly (2 hours of
study for every hour in
class per week)
• Find a study place
• Learn to balance
obligations
• Be consistent and keep
commitments
• Plan assignments in
advance
• Improve time management
• Ask questions in class
• Reduce alcohol and/or drug
use, including caffeine
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Take advantage of tutoring
• Form study groups with
people in class
• Ask for help
• Participate actively in class
• Be familiar with your class
syllabus
What if I fail?
You can start by considering
some reasons why goals fail:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Not written
Not specific
Not believable
Not realistic
Lack of commitment
Lack of support
Lack of rewards
Lack of motivation
Changes with the weather
Motivation
How can I keep myself
motivated?
• Lack of motivation = fear of failure or fear of change
• MOTIVATION
– all those factors that make people work towards a goal
– different types of motivation: achievement, recognition, growth,
enjoyment, etc.
• KEEP YOURSELF MOTIVATED BY:
–
–
–
–
–
Treating yourself well
Giving yourself rewards
Keeping track of your accomplishments
Setting goals and sticking to them
Planning ahead
Great job!
• You have completed the Setting Goals
Workshop.
• Now it is time to put your knowledge
into action . . .
• Below is a link to your Academic Action
Plan worksheet. Complete and see an
academic counselor today:
• Academic Action Plan