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Goals are closely linked to motivation. Long- and short-term goals help to keep you moving through your study instead of engaging in other activities which might be more enjoyable.
Goals give you the direction for your study and motivation gives you the energy to keep going and achieve your goals.
Setting goals
Using a goal-oriented approach to your work helps you decide which steps are likely to take the most time and when you will be able to fit them in.
Decide on your long-term goals
For example:
- earn better money
- have a good working environment
- get a degree like my sister
- be able to work overseas.
Set short-term goals that can be accomplished in 2 or 3 weeks
For example:
- have a regular routine of monitoring your progress
- cross off short-term goals that have been achieved
- decide what the next step is for those on-going but unfinished tasks
- set new goals.
Write your goals in a conspicuous place so that you will keep them in mind
Decide what is important
Define your priorities by deciding what your goals are for that week or that day
Decide which goals are likely to take the most time and when you can fit them in
This process helps create a sense of completion and satisfaction because you can see gradual progress in accomplishing your assignments.
SMART goals
Goals are easier to achieve when they are SMART goals:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-related
Source: Creating an effective learning environment (Massey library login required)
The Swiss cheese method
Make 'holes' in large tasks by doing them a bit at a time. When doing academic work like writing an assignment, break it up into a sequence of tasks or mini-goals. This way each goal is more likely to be achievable and you'll feel you are succeeding and coping with your workload.
An essay writing example of Swiss cheese method goals:
- Analyse topic and write key search words
- Go to library and search for suitable sources of information
- Read relevant sections of sources noting useful information
- Do an additional search using the internet and download the two best references
- Do a broader plan for the essay based on the ideas from your reading and lectures
- Draft a thesis statement to guide your response to the topic question
- Start writing
- Write more
- Review and revise
- Make the reference list.
Using this goal-oriented approach to your work helps you plan your time, decide which steps are likely to take the most time and when you will be able to fit them in.
Time is not unlimited and you often have other responsibilities – apply time management principles to make sure your academic work gets enough attention without taking over.
Motivating yourself to study
Motivation is the drive or energy that you bring to an activity. It important to know what motivates you and how to use these motivations to achieve your study goals.
- Set your own deadlines – they provide motivation for completing tasks.
- Share your goals – this increases your motivation because you are making a public commitment and you do not want to let yourself down.
- Join a study group – you may find it easier to study and stick to a schedule if you are with others.
If you need help to find ways to motivate yourself, try an exercise:
- Think of a time when you know you were very motivated
- What was that occasion?
- What were the motivators – money, satisfaction, high marks, wanting to please someone, wanting to win, interest?
- Write down how you could use those motivators to help you with your study.
Do it now (the D.I.N. rule)
One of the most difficult stages of academic tasks is getting started, especially if your task or assignment is something you've never done before.
To overcome this barrier and get you started, establish the Do It Now rule for yourself. It doesn't matter if you don't have all the resources yet. Once a task is started you are likely to finish it.
The D.I.N. rule helps you:
- find out if you have enough resources and what resources you need to complete your assignment
- avoid procrastination and other time wasting habits
- deal with those unexpected small assignments.
Reward yourself when you have done a good day or week's work
Because you are now in charge of your own learning, you also have to reward yourself. Keep yourself working with the knowledge that when the reference list is finished you will:
- check your emails
- text your friend
- have a snack
- go for a run.
Arrange a bigger reward for yourself when a major assignment is completed.
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