Now is the perfect time to set up goals and make a serious effort to achieve them. Whether you’re looking to land an internship, save money on rent in Athens Ohio, find inner peace, or become an A student, New Year’s resolutions can help keep these goals top of mind.
Here are seven tips that can help college students stay focused and follow through on their student goals:
1. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself with Too Many Goals
Choose student goals that are realistic and achievable. It’s important to remain focused on the most important goals first, rather than constantly switching gears and trying to accomplish too much at once. That’s why you should choose goals that are most important to you and avoid creating a long list of goals you may never have time to complete.
Plus, failing to complete the long list of goals you set for yourself can leave you feeling discouraged and unmotivated. Instead, take the time to reflect on last year and set goals that matter most.
2. Make a Plan Using S.M.A.R.T Goals to Break It Down
A goal without a plan is just a wish. Break down student goals into smaller, achievable targets using the S.M.A.R.T goal framework:
- Specific: Your student goals should be specific and clear, so you know exactly what needs to be done.
- Measurable: Establish your goals in measurable terms so you can track your progress.
- Achievable: Set goals that are challenging but realistic, otherwise it may feel impossible to achieve them.
- Relevant: Determine goals that are most important to you and relevant to your interests.
- Time-Bound: Create goals with a deadline so you stay on track and motivated.
This framework will help you create a plan that outlines the steps needed to accomplish each goal and make progress easier to track. As you progress, you’ll have something tangible that can help keep you motivated.
3. Look for Resources That Can Help You Reach Your Goals
In addition to setting goals, college students should also look for resources that can help them reach their goals. For example, if your student goal is to save money on rent in Athens Ohio, you can contact local Athens Ohio rental companies or search online for student discounts and deals.
Similarly, connecting with other student organizations or alumni could be beneficial for goals related to career development and networking. Researching for resources can be a great way to get ahead with your goals.
3. Share Your Goals with Others to Keep Yourself Accountable
There’s nothing like being held accountable to stay on track and make progress with student goals. Sharing goals with family, friends, mentors, or peers can also provide extra motivation as you strive for success.
You could even create a student goal group and meet up regularly to discuss your progress and celebrate successes. And if you need extra help to stay motivated, don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for support.
4. Track Your Progress to See How Far You’ve Come
Whether it’s making a small chart or using student goal-tracking apps, it can be beneficial to track goals over time. Taking some time each day or week to check in with yourself and review student goal progress allows you to celebrate successes, remind yourself of how far you’ve come, and stay focused on what’s still left to do.
Plus, student goal tracking can be a great way to stay organized and motivated as you work toward goals throughout the year. This can help reduce stress levels and give you an overall sense of accomplishment.
5. Take Time to Celebrate Your Progress and Reward Yourself
While working towards a goal, it’s easy to lose focus on your progress. Take time and celebrate goals as you progress. Whether that means rewarding yourself with a day off after completing a student goal or buying yourself an ice cream cone, taking the time to appreciate your hard work can be beneficial for student mental health.
Celebrating your goals will also give you the motivation to continue striving for success and can help you stay focused on your goals even during difficult times.
7. It’s Okay If You Fall Short
If you don’t reach student goals, don’t get discouraged. Even if you fall short of your goals, the experience will help you build skills and resilience for future endeavors. Keep going and keep learning from each new experience!
Make Your College Experience Easier This Year
With a little bit of planning and consistency, you can use New Year’s resolutions as the perfect way to achieve student success.
If one of your New Year’s student goals is to find great housing in Athens, Ohio, Wharton Rentals can help. We offer a wide range of student housing options to make your college experience easier and more affordable.
Use our student housing search tool to find student apartments and houses near the Ohio University campus that meet your student needs.
