Futuristic
"Wouldn't it be great if . . ." You are the kind of person who loves to peer over the horizon. The future fascinates you.
As if it were projected on the wall, you see in detail what the future might hold. This detailed picture keeps pulling
you forward, into tomorrow. While the exact content of the picture will depend on your other strengths and
interests--a better product, a better team, a better life, or a better world--it will always be inspirational to you. You
are a dreamer who sees visions of what could be and who cherishes these visions. When the present proves too
frustrating and the people around you too pragmatic, you conjure up your visions of the future and they energize
you. They can energize others, too. In fact, very often people will look to you to describe your visions of the future.
They want a picture that can raise their sights and thereby their spirits. You can paint it for them. Practice. Choose
your words carefully. Make it as vivid as possible. People will want to latch on to the hope you bring.
Student Strategies:
General
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Make a schedule, even as much as a month in advance.
Write a list of all the things you need to do to get to where you want to go.
Take time to relax. Select the one day a week that best lends itself to relaxation, and give yourself a break.
If you find yourself thinking too much or feeling stressed about the future, take a moment to make an
appointment with your counselor, and don't worry about it until then.
Get a lot of sleep, because you need it for the long haul.
Keep your short-term goals in mind as well as your overall goals; this will provide a sense of accomplishment
along the way.
Push yourself when you feel like quitting.
Devise a plan and identify the steps you need to take now in order to achieve your goals for the future.
Keep pictures, books, mental notes, or other reminders of what you are working toward.
Try to take the perspective that you are already in the future.
Keep a journal for motivation and focus.
Envision the future when times get challenging.
Attach time limits to your goals.
Visualize your future; think about what you can do now to make that future better.
Be cautious when making decisions, because they can strongly influence your future.
Remind yourself that if you keep trying and work hard enough, you will succeed.
Academic Life
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Know what is expected in your classes during the first week so you will be able to plan your quarter.
Visit your academic counselor regularly.
Take risks to learn new things, even if they are out of your comfort zone.
Never leave a test early; at the last minute you may realize that you need to make a change.
Set academic goals before entering the term.
Study Techniques
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While reading or in lecture you may think of a question you believe the professor will put on the exam; if this
occurs, write it down because you just may be correct.
Connect the specific information that you are learning to a future interest.
After you finish an assignment, reward yourself by taking a nap, watching TV, calling a friend, or doing
something else you enjoy.
Try making up jingles or funny stories to help yourself memorize class material.
Try to really understand what you're studying; don't just memorize.
Try to study a little bit every day; it will make your weekends less stressful.
Make yourself complete practice tests.
Always relate what you're studying to personal experiences.
Treat exams as steps toward your future so that you will take them more seriously and will prepare more
thoroughly.
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Create outlines for all papers and projects. This will allow you to express your vision of that particular
assignment and enable you to work efficiently to fulfill it.
Relationships
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Talk to as many people as possible about your future goals.
Don't let other people's negative comments about your future goals get you down.
Encourage younger kids to get into what you enjoy; it helps you remember why you want to do what you
want to do.
Identify a mentor who has a career you desire and formulate a relationship with him/her. Find out what
steps he/she took to get there.
Don't lose sight of your future goals and dreams; talk about them with your friends, family, and professors.
Surround yourself with people who will be instrumental to attaining your aspirations.
Form strong relationships that can last a long time.
Class Selection
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Select classes that you know will help lead to your future areas of study (i.e., getting into medical school, law
school, or any other type of profession in which you are interested).
Take challenging classes, not only the easy ones.
Choose classes that will apply to your future career goals.
Co-curricular Activities
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Try working at a job that you see as the type of work you want to get into; this will help keep you motivated
in your studies.
Participate in activities and join organizations that are directly related to your career goals.
Look for internships that will develop your skills in your desired career.
Career
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Participate in internships.
Choose jobs that will help you gain the connections you need for the job you want after graduation.
Choose a job that has to do with your desired future.
Choose a career in which you can progress and develop in order to help motivate you while working.
Choose a career in which you can help others plan their future and define their goals.
Choose a career in which you can work on projects with a specific end in mind.