Setting goals is important to realize something sensible in life, each in real time and within the long run. If you would like to measure a substantive life when outside the university, you need to see on the far side your present circumstance. So, it’s imperative to begin considering the simplest long-term goals for university students. Along with your goals in mind, you'll differ from different students who are just following the motions while in college. Instead, like Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, you must live every day more precisely, knowing you will end up somewhere specific at the end.
whether or not you've got unclear goals or are but to start off following some thing precise, you’ll recognize this manual helpful. We’ll also teach you the SMART technique and provide you with many examples to guide your goal-setting process.
What Is a SPECIFIC Goal?
Stephen R. Covey, the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said, “before you begin climbing up the ladder of success, ensure it’s leaning against the right wall.” Many people set generic goals, and they end up not achieving anything.
Below are examples of generic goals set by college students:
- I want to graduate with flying colors.
- I want to work for a multibillion-dollar company after getting my degree.
- I will receive many awards by the end of my study in this school.
- I will be the best economist in the world after completing my college education.
The goals above aren’t specific, and the students that set them will lack the motivation to pursue them. Consider the more specific counterparts of the same goals below:
- I will graduate with a 3.75CGPA on a 4.00CGPA scale.
- After getting my degree, I will work as an accountant at Amazon.
- I will be awarded the best graduating student in my college year by the end of my study.
- I will work very hard in college and after school to be recognized as a sound economist wherever I find the opportunity.
These goals are more specific, and the students that set them will tend to be naturally motivated to pursue them. It’s not rocket science—that's how the brain works.
How Can I Make My Goal MEASURABLE?
You can track a measurable goal. That is, it will be easy to know how close you are to accomplishing your goals. For instance, if you plan to graduate with a 3.75CGPA, you can track your progress by your performance in each semester.
If you had straight A's in all your courses in a semester, you'd know you are on track. On the contrary, if you had low grades, you'd know you have to make some adjustments to your goals or the execution.
How Do I Know if My Goal Is ACHIEVABLE?
An achievable goal is realistic. Here’s a funny example of a ridiculous goal set by a college student who is in their penultimate year and has a 2.21CGPA:
"I will graduate from college with a 4.00CGPA."
Just tell them to stop dreaming, so they don't get disappointed at the end of the day.
Are My Goals RELEVANT?
Younger people have a character of wanting to explore everything, which may not be wrong. However, it's essential to focus and set goals that matter to your college study and future. For example, you may not have a business setting goals to invent an electricity generator as a medicine student.
Why Should My Goals BE TIME-BOUND?
It's important to set deadlines for your goals. For instance, don’t say, “I’ll secure a job at Amazon after graduation.” Instead, say, “I will secure a job at Amazon a year after my graduation.”
In addition to giving a specific deadline to accomplish your goal, set deadlines for things you will do to achieve the ultimate goal. They help to motivate you into the next steps in pursuit of your dream.
In the example we cited, you can set a deadline for completing an HR course, a job interview skills course, or any other thing that will make you a better candidate for the position you desire at Amazon.
What Are Long-Term Goals Examples for College Students?
We will share these few examples with you, hoping that they will inspire your own most desired goals as a college student.
- Graduate with a 3.5 CGPA
- Get accepted for a graduate program
- Publish an academic paper with a professor in your department
- Learn the language of the country you want to do your graduate program
- Get an internship opportunity in a specific company.
There are many other goals you can have as a college student. Hopefully, these will help you find what works for you.
Final Note on Setting Goals
A significant challenge many students have even after setting SMART goals is time management. We don’t want that to stop you, so we recommend using a time tracking tool to efficiently manage your time. With such an app, you can set any SMART goal and accomplish them within the time you estimated.
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