GOAL STATEMENTS: THE FIVE-STEP APPROACH

 Everyone has a goal in their life. You increase the probability that you will actually accomplish them when you put them in writing. However how you formulate your goal statements will be another factor that affects your success to accomplish them.

Believe it or not, goal setting is really important in order for you to achieve your dreams. To ensure we are on track to achieve our goals or dreams, usually people will write down the first thing that comes to their mind, or you can spend some time and explore each of your goals by using The Five-Step Approach to goal setting. Developing and implementing an action plan for each of your goals can also help you achieve them.

STEP 1-Write Down What You Want to Accomplish

This can be thought of as a tentative goal statement. The easiest way to start your tentative goal statement is with the words "I want to". For example "I want to get 4.00 in every semester." Think about what you want to accomplish.

STEP 2 -Write Down Any Obstacles

Think about whether there are any course requirements, assignments, tests or other factors that could threaten your success. You can make a list of the difficulties you may encounter. For example, some students panic when they find out that their exams are going to essay exams or there is a subject that you are weak during school days. You might consider this an obstacle. Others may be concerned about attendance policies or oral presentations especially when you are not so confident to speak in English.

STEP 3- Write Down Any Resources Available to You

First you have to consider your general resources. You have successfully completed your secondary school, so you have acquired some of the skills that can help you become a successful student. You have also acquired a background in quite a few subject areas. In addition, you probably earned some As and Bs, so you know that you can be successful in your academic pursuits. How about the returning adult student? You also have developed skills in meeting deadlines, setting priorities, and managing multiple tasks - all necessary skills for collage success. All of these things are general resources that will help you achieve your goals. Next, consider each of the obstacles you listed individually. You might use your resources to overcome each obstacle that you listed during step 2. Write down specific resources you could use to achieve each goal. You can include your friends and family, the faculty and staff members at your college, and yourself too. For instance, if you have difficulty with essay exams, you could go to your or to your college learning center to get some help before the exam. For oral presentation, maybe you can practice speaking in English with your friends in daily life.

STEP 4-  Review and Revise Your Tentative Goal Statement

When you have thought about any possible difficulties and have figured out whether they can be resolved or not, you're ready to write your final goal statement. In some cases you may find that you don't change your tentative goal statement at all but in other cases you may do a lot of revising before accomplishing it.

STEP 5- Polis Your Goal Statement

You have to check to be sure that your final statement is well written and you must take into consideration the seven characteristics of effective goals.