Goal Setting directs students’ attention and actions to what they want to do or learn.

Through structured goal setting, students are more likely to make decisions that support their long-term goals and overcome obstacles to attaining their goals. Once they attribute results to factors they can control and achieve goal success, their self-confidence increases as does their belief that they have the skills to face new challenging tasks. Students benefit when curriculum and learning activities incorporate a systematic process that supports goal accomplishment.

Lesson Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Define the college and career competency of goal setting.
  • Articulate the main components of effective goal setting.
  • Write a specific, measurable goal.
  • Outline steps in a goal action plan.
  • Explain the use of feedback.
  • Anticipate motivational setbacks and plan accordingly.

Reflective Questions

Thinking about your classroom:

  • What is an example of an academic or personal goal one of your students might write?
  • Is the goal based on what the student wants to do or learn?
  • Is the goal focused on personal improvement rather than doing better than another student?