Creating and setting goals gives you a plan for achieving academic success.

Setting Goals

1. Goals are deciding what we want to achieve.
   • I want to have a 3.5 GPA at the end of this semester.
   • I want to join an on-campus group to meet new people.
2. Goals involve a plan to get what we want.
   • I will write out a study schedule to follow for each week of the semester.
   • I will talk to other students to see what interest groups are on campus.
3. Goals should be reachable but challenging.
   • I will take one difficult course this semester and commit extra study time to that class.
   • If I have the time I will join two campus groups.
4. Goals should be positive and measurable.
   • I will spend an extra hour each day reviewing American History so that I can get an A or B on the exam next week.
   • I will join a study group to share notes and review before the test.

http://www.siue.edu/SPIN/activity.html

Make a Study Schedule

1. Efficient use of your 168 hours may make a difference in the success of your college experience.
   • There are empty spaces of time in everyone's week. Effective use of these non-scheduled times may turn a "C" student into a "B" or "A" student.
   • Learning to say "NO" is a must with effective time management.
2. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses as a student will help you make better use of your time. Are you more alert and efficient in the morning, afternoon or evening?
   • "Next semester I will try to schedule classes for late morning instead of 8:00 a.m."
3. Write out a weekly study schedule and post it where you will see it every day or carry a day planner with you to keep track of your weekly plan. If you need to make changes, write down the new activity and cross out what you did not do. At the end of each day review your plan. If you made changes in today's schedule, revise the rest of your week accordingly.
   • "Because I spent an hour with my advisor this afternoon, I missed doing my research at the library. I will revise my schedule for tomorrow and will go to the library after lunch and before Sociology."

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