We are so excited to have students back to start the new year! It’s very common for people to use this time to set new goals for the upcoming year. Goal setting is a great way to set up yourself, and your student, for success. Discuss setting SMART goals with your student:
- Specific– narrow goals are more efficient for planning and execution.
- Measurable– how will you know that you are making progress toward reaching your goal?
- Attainable– it’s important that goals are realistic and can actually be achieved.
- Relevant– be sure that your goals align with what you find important in the short and long-term.
- Time based– when setting an end date to assess whether you have met your goal, the date should be both motivating and achievable.
Setting, working toward, and achieving SMART goals is extremely beneficial to mental health. Everyone likes to feel capable and accomplished. This can help improve self esteem, as well as fostering an internal locus of control.
