Increasing a students goal
A student may come into a school with one goal in mind but learning brings about new goals. Instructors should be able to help students move, or reset their goals at each step in the learning process.
Josh
Hi Daniel,
Great advice for your students! One goal at a time, no matter how large or small. This way they can see and measure progress toward that goal. I find with my students that the same problem exists. They don't see the big picture or have a vision of how they can get there.
Keep up the good work in helping them to see and create a future for themselves.
Gary
Ah yes, goals. Many of the students in the classes I teach do not have specific goals because they don’t have a good understanding of what is going to be taught in the upcoming classes. I try to motivate them to see the big picture by asking them when they want to retire and what they will need personally, professionally and financially.
The next step is to set a timeline for achieving realistic specific goals. One might be to get some sort of transportation within the next 6 months. The next may be to pay off their student loans, live in a condo in their favorite city, or own their own business in 5 years.
I ask them to put a picture of one item, the bike or car for example, on the mirror and when they achieve it replace it with their next goal.
I also ask them to remind themselves what it will take sacrifice to get what they want, but it’s worth it if they stay focused. It’s not my goal it’s yours, and I can help you get it.
This will give them a sense of accomplishment and a focus for their hard work in the classes.
Hi George,
I encounter this same situation with many of my students so I understand your concern for their success. Your strategy for trying to encourage and motivate the students is good in moving them toward their career goals. Keep up the encouragement and I know it will be rewarding for both your students as well as yourself.
Gary
Some students dont really have a goal or a goal thats really set high enough for them to strive towards. Most of the time these same students dont beleive in themselves which is a big part of it. By reinforcing the material and helping them to realize that they can do more and are capable of more you can challenge them to shoot higher. On the first day of class when students introduce themselves i have them tell everyone in class their goal after they graduate. If they dont have one i challenge them a little on the spot and then in private try to get them to come up with one so they can have a clear and present direction that they are working in as opposed to just being at school to be there.
Hi Margaret,
You captured the essence of many college students and their lack of understanding about goals and how to set them. Your College Success class sounds like it really helps to point them in the right direction for their upcoming educational experience.
Gary
I've found that many students have different expectations regarding their educational goals. Some students do not necessarily have the desire to learn, nor do they really want the information, they simply want the piece of paper (the degree) at the end of their time in college. Whereas, other students are overwhelmed by how much they want to do and acheive in school; it is almost as if they have too many goals.
On the first day of class, I have all my students introduce themselves. Some questions are fun and interesting facts, other questions have to do with their goals. I ask about their goals for this class specifically and their goals after class. It is interesting to note the students that remark on the information as one of their goals, as opposed to simply getting through this class. I note the difference in students, and often team the polar opposites together later on in the term; they learn a lot from each other.
Moreover, in my College Success class, I spend an entire class period on goal setting. They also have a goal setting assignmeng in which they have write and analyze their short, mid, and long-term goals. I find this helps them keep in mind the journey they have ahead, and assists them in focusing on the tangeable goal of success in the class and in college.
Absolutely Josh! I see that all the time. Many times I think I pick up on that by the questions they come in to class with. I beleive encourageing them to ask these questions can bring to light their goals. I ask why they are in my class and what they expect to get out of it.
