Chapter 2: Activities & Resources

Key takeaways for review

1. Describe the characteristics of well-written goals.

2. Explain the relationship between your values and your goals.

3. Define success, including the role grades play in shaping success.

4. Define motivation and locus of control. Then reflect on your intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.

Reflecting on a Poor choice

In a few paragraphs, tell the story of a time you made a poor choice in life. Why did you make it (what were the circumstances and how did you feel about them and yourself)? What were the consequences of your choice? Based on what you have learned in this chapter, what would you now do differently, and why?

reflecting on a good choice

In a few paragraphs, tell the story of a time you made a good life choice. Why did you make it (what were the circumstances and how did you feel about them and yourself)? What were the consequences of your choice? Based on what you have learned in this chapter, is there anything you would now do differently, and why?

Goal Setting Project

Step 1: Research Who You Are – Think about the experiences that make you who you are. Write about what you believe in and value. Feel free to include some of the results of the assessments. Explain how this information relates to your goals. 20 points

My story, my values: Think about the experiences that make you who you are. Write about what you believe in and value. Include some of the results of the assessments. Explain how who you are and what you value will help you create relevant goals.

Step 2: Research the Internet – Look for tips on setting and achieving goals. Then, compile the top five ideas along with where you found that information. 20 points

My top five tips on goal setting from the Internet: Research the Internet – Look for tips on setting and achieving goals. Then, compile the top five ideas along with where you found that information. (Title & author if given) 20 points

Step 3: Take Action – Set at least six effective academic goals. Include long-term, mid-term, and short-term goals. 20 points

My goal setting action plan: Take Action – Set at least six effective academic goals. Include 1 long-term, 2 mid-term, and 3 short-term goals. Follow the guidelines for “SMART” Goals from the reading. Note:  Don’t just say “Study hard” or “Do all of my homework.”  BE SPECIFIC! What first step can you take to help you to study better?

Goal 1:  Long-term Goal: What would I like to accomplish by the end of college or after college?

Goal 2: Mid-term Goal:  What would I like to accomplish by the end of the semester?

Goal 3: Mid-term Goal:  What would I like to accomplish by the end of the semester?

Goal 4: Short-term Goal: What can I accomplish THIS WEEK or THIS MONTH to help achieve Goals 1, 2, or 3?

Goal 5: Short-term Goal: What can I accomplish THIS WEEK or THIS MONTH to help achieve Goals 1, 2, or 3? 

Goal 6: Short-term Goal: What can I accomplish THIS WEEK or THIS MONTH to help achieve Goals 1, 2, or 3? 

Step 4: Prepare for Obstacles – List at least 3 distractions you will avoid in order to complete your goals. Explain your plan for eliminating the distraction. List at least 3 supports you will utilize to help you achieve your goals. Explain how your support helps you. 20 points

Distractions and Support: Prepare for Obstacles – List at least 3 distractions you will avoid in order to complete your goals. Explain your plan for dealing with the distraction. List at least 3 supports you will utilize to help you achieve your goals. Explain how your support helps you.

Step 5: Reflect – What you have learned as a result of completing this project? What did you learn about yourself? What did you learn from researching the Internet? What is your action plan? How have you prepared for obstacles? 20 points

Reflection: What you have learned as a result of completing this project?   (Your response should be at least 2 paragraphs – minimum 150 words.) 20 points

  • What did you learn about yourself?
  • What did you learn from researching the Internet?
  • What is your action plan?
  • How have you prepared for obstacles?

focus on success

One success I’ve had so far in college is:

Here are several things I’ll do to remain positive and motivated:

One personal value I have that will help me achieve my goals is:

As I transition to college, here’s what I’ll do to stay focused in my first year:

I will immediately start taking these steps to ensure I succeed in my classes:

I have set the following realistic, specific, and time-oriented goals:

REsources FOR GoAl Setting

Successful Students accept personal responsibility

Each student achieves success in a different way. Below is a list of some important characteristics that impact student success. By answering the questions on a scale of “I usually do” to “I seldom do,” you’ll gain insight into the characteristics you’ve got going for you already and where you might need to build some new habits. Remember, these characteristics aren’t things you’re born with. Rather, they have to developed and practiced, and it is our personal responsibility to develop and practice the attitudes and behaviors that will lead to our personal success.

DO I . . . USUALLY SOMETIMES SELDOM
Plan my course load realistically based on my non-college responsibilities?
Know how to get in touch with my Academic Counselor?
Schedule my classes at times when I learn best?
Calculate the amount of study time needed per course and schedule it?
Ensure that any computer hardware and software I need for classes is updated and working smoothly?
Know all my passwords for email, courses, financial aid, etc.?
Review my class locations before the first day of class by printing and marking them on a map?
Know how to find the library, testing center, computing center, and writing center before classes begin?
Understand my learning styles and plan to work with them, not against them?
Read and understand the academic honesty policy of the college and any consequences for plagiarism?
Enlist friends and family to support my academic goals and plans to help keep me on track?
Show up to class?
Participate in class?
Take notes in class?
Review my notes after class, organize them, and add details after I reflect on what I learned?
Stay caught up on class work, and not get behind?
Read the required material before the class?
Start assignments a couple days before they’re due?
Complete assignments?
Complete assignments fully, and answer all parts of the questions?
Turn assignments in on time?
Understand the main ideas, and not just memorize the details?
Get phone numbers from a few students in the class, so I can contact them with questions?
Ask other students for clarification?
Ask other students who have taken the course from my instructor about their teaching style and expectations?
See my instructor during office hours, when needed?
Ask my instructor about the materials taught and assignments when I have questions?
Start reviewing materials and studying for exams, well before the exam date?
Review my old exams, problem sets, and quizzes before the final?
Show my work on homework and exam problems?
Find a study group to work through difficult assignments and study for tests?
Keep all my exams, and review the materials and types of questions?
Get involved in a campus organization?
Find the balance between academics and life outside of class?
Make my education a priority?
Eat nutritious meals?
Get adequate sleep?
Exercise?
Make certain that I’m physically and mentally healthy?
Make certain leisure activities don’t interfere with studying and class?