HOW TO SET AND ACHIEVE GOALS

3-minute read.

The beginning of a new year is always a good time to reflect on what we achieved the year before and to set new goals for the year ahead. But setting positive goals that truly help us move forward and work towards a brighter future is not always easy. At times we may set goals that are too strict and out of our reach, other times ones that are unclear, with no set plan forward.

In reality, goal setting takes time, deep thought, and intention. This is not some throwaway task, but a learned skill that must be continuously worked on and honed over time. For students especially, and when done properly, setting goals boosts self-confidence, boosts academic performance, increases motivation, and provides a path to success.

Middle and High School are especially pivotal times in a student’s life when it comes to setting goals. This is the time that they begin to become intentional about the choices they make, such as what food and drink they consume, what they spend their time doing, and who they hang out with.

For parents, now is an excellent time to start a discussion about what your student’s goals are. This could be concerning short-term items such as hobbies and extracurriculars, sports, and screen-time, or long-term items such as nutrition, academics, and family.

Remember: it is important to be realistic and not go overboard. Some prominent psychologists and educators believe that the magic number is three, meaning that you and your student should not set more than three goals for them to work towards at a time. Of course, each student is different and some may be able to handle more or less. The thing to be conscious of is that you do not want to overwhelm them, as this can lead to apathy and burnout.

A constructive way to help your student set goals is to think SMART. Set goals that are: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. By following this method, students will learn that goal-setting goes beyond writing lofty and vague intentions down in a notebook, but requires focused, clear objectives to have any real-life value.

Our staff at Tutoring Club of McLean works closely with our students from the get-go to set specific and attainable goals. From there, we carefully monitor each student’s progress to ensure they are making strides towards reaching those goals. If a student gets off track at any stage, our tutors work with them to make any necessary adjustments. If initial goals are reached, new ones are set!

Whether they need assistance with Reading, Writing, Math, specific subject material, general Study Skills, or Test Prep, we have the experience and know-how to meet your student’s unique needs. Reach out to our center today to learn more about how we can aid them in setting concrete, positive goals that they can work towards with the guidance of our dedicated staff.

Michelle Scott
Owner/Director
Tutoring Club of McLean
703.237.TUTOR (8886)
Email:McLeanVA@tutoringclub.com