How Can You Set Better Goals and Stick to Them?
Writer:
Goal setting is a skill that will help you in college and beyond. Working toward something specific helps you focus, stay motivated, and make strategic choices. Here’s how to get started.
Set SMART Goals
SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
For instance, "I want to do well in physics" is too vague of a goal. "I want to improve my grade in physics from a C to a B by December" is specific, measurable, doable, and incorporates a deadline.
Don’t set too many goals at once. It’s more attainable and realistic — and less overwhelming — to focus on one or a few at a time.
Write down your goals
This will force you to clarify what you want, and more likely to motivate you to take action.
When you actually write things down — and don’t just think about doing them — you’ll be more likely to carry them out.
You can also tell them to a friend who can collaborate with you, hold you accountable, and help you succeed in accomplishing those goals.
Break up your goal into smaller steps. What will it take to get there?
Ward off procrastination
Be aware of when you give in to procrastination and other impediments.
Keeping track of your actions will help you identify your triggers, so you will be more aware of the emotions attached to the behavior.
Emotions, more often than not, are at the root of procrastination.
You need to know why you do what you do if you want to change the behavior.
No goal can be met without motivation
Take time to define why you want to improve your GPA, get more sleep, mend a relationship, or be more proactive and independent.
Picture the outcome and what it will feel like to reach your goal.
Write down your reasons for changing a habit or behavior, and then create recurring reminders in the form of notes on your desk, mirror, phone reminders, etc.
Block out time for each goal
“I don’t have enough time” is a common excuse for us all.
In order to realistically set yourself up for success, you have to determine how much time you need to devote to attaining your goal.
You actually DO have the time in college, it’s just a matter of planning and commitment. You don’t want to double-book something with lower priority over your goals.
Use a planner
Google calendar lets you block off time, color code, and even make repeating appointments. You can put all your classes on your Google calendar and then build your other time around them.
Some people prefer paper planners.
You can find schedule templates for Excel or Google Sheets online.
You can also set recurring alarms in the clock app on your phone. Label them so that every Tuesday at 4:45, you get an alert that says “get to the gym by 5:30” or “tutoring session in 15 minutes.”
Know your weaknesses
What tempts you or throws you off course? Take a good look at your behavior and identify what causes you to slip up.
Make the slip-up behaviors harder to fall into.
Studying in the library makes it harder to give in to social pressures.
Turning off your phone makes it harder to access texts and social media.
Setting multiple alarms or asking a friend to call you at a certain time makes it harder to sleep in or ignore a plan.
Reward yourself
Celebrate your successes with something rewarding.
Make sure it motivates you and is something you can look forward to.
Surround yourself with like-minded people
Try to spend more time with those who share the similar goals.
Study with people taking the same class, work out with people who are motivated to do so, etc.
We can’t give you blanket rules about who to seek out and who to avoid, but here are some questions to guide you:
What is this person hoping to get out of college? Do they have the same priorities as you?
Does this person encourage you to do things that are important to you — or important to them?
Does this person seem to make more choices based on short-term wants and impulses, or long-term needs and values?
September 19, 2025
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