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Setting Goals

Power of Penning Your Goals

Navigating high school can be a whirlwind. With classes, assignments, co-curricular activities and social engagements, it's easy for students to feel overwhelmed and lose sight of their long-term aspirations. However, there is a simple yet incredibly powerful tool that can help them navigate through the chaos and set themselves up for success: writing down their goals.

 

The Science Behind Goal Setting

Research[1] consistently shows that individuals who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them compared to those who don't. Why does this happen? Putting goals on paper triggers a series of psychological processes that significantly increase the chances of success for children.

When they write down their goals, they are crystallising their thoughts and giving them tangible form. This act of externalising their aspirations helps to clarify their objectives and commit them to memory. Moreover, it serves as a constant reminder of what they're striving for, keeping them focused and motivated even when faced with challenges.

 

The Role of School Diaries

A student diary is more than a place to jot down homework assignments and exam dates — it is a powerful tool for goal-setting and personal development. By guiding students to utilise their school diary effectively, they can harness its potential to transform their academic and personal life.

 

Here's how parents can add leverage to school diaries for goal setting:

  1. Daily Reflection: Encourage your child to take a few minutes each day to reflect on their goals and jot down any progress or setbacks they've experienced. Their diary can serve as a space for self-reflection and growth.
  2.  Weekly Planning: Guide your child to use the weekly planner section of their diary to outline specific tasks and objectives for the week ahead. Help them break down their larger goals into manageable action steps and schedule them into their routine
  3. Monthly Check-Ins: At the beginning of each month, encourage your child to review their progress and adjust their goals as needed. Celebrating achievements and identifying areas for improvement will help them stay on track towards success. Why not discuss these check-ins with them and perhaps share some of your own goals?
     
  4. Long-Term Vision: Encourage your child to dedicate a section of their diary to their long-term goals and aspirations. Guide them to visualise where they see themselves in the future and outline the steps they need to take to get there. Students in Years 9 and 10 are doing this in their Pathways classes, but encouraging your child to write their long-term goals in their diary is a great way to hold them accountable by asking them to see what their dreams and aspirations are.
  5. Sign your child’s diary weekly to take an interest in their goals and targets and to have conversations about their school life – this can often be a first step in chatting deeply about their school journey. 

[1] Matthews, Gail, "The Impact of Commitment, Accountability, and Written Goals on Goal Achievement" (2007). Psychology | Faculty Presentations. 3. https://scholar.dominican.edu/psychology-faculty-conference-presentations/3

 

Mrs Sharan Tagore

APEx, Careers and Curriculum Coordinator