LibGuides: College Success Strategies: Goal Setting

Setting Goals

Watch this video on the importance of setting goals for college students.

The Academic Success Center at Oregon State University. (2015, June 26). Goal setting (segment of the procrastination, motivation, and goal setting video) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcphRK2iZrY

Napoleon Hill once said, "A goal is a dream with a deadline." Here are some tips on setting goals and reaching them:

Creating SMART Goals
Discusses SMART goals, and provides ideas for attainable goals for each year of college.
Setting and Reaching Academic Goals
Handout from Carnegie-Mellon that offers advice on how to set goals.
SMART goals: A How-To Guide
Twelve-page booklet on writing SMART goals, from University of CA.
The WOOP Goal-Setting Method
An alternative to the SMART goals: Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan. Includes worksheet.

Whether you use an app or a notebook, it's important to write your goals down and review your progress regularly! Here are some tools you can use to track your progress:

Coach.me
Free Android and Apple app that allows you to track your goals and get support from a community. Private coaches are available for a fee.
Habitica
Android and Apple app that gamifies your habits--you set goals or tasks and then have to accomplish them in order to help your character defeat the in-game monsters
Lifetick
Desktop application that lets you journal, create SMART goals, and mroe
Strides
Free Apple app that allows you to track your goals and habits
Way of Life
Apple and Android app that lets you track negative and positive habits and keep notes.
Oregon State-Goal Setting (PDF)
Encourages you to write down your goals and break down the tasks and habits needed to accomplish this
SMART goal worksheet (PDF)
Verify your goal is SMART, identify potential roadblocks. and put your action steps in writing.