Goal Setting Overview
Starting high school is a major milestone in your young adult life so naturally you may be wondering why I'm already talking to you about the future beyond high school. Freshman year is an important time to pick what academic path you want to explore. It is especially important for those who have big aspirations of attending an Ivy League or elite college. However, not everyone has these aspirations and that perfectly okay. You should be setting goals that are important to you. Perhaps instead your goal is to attend a four year university. In order to determine what academic path to explore, honestly answer some questions below in order to guide you in your goal setting:
Many of these questions are reflective ones and your reflection should not end here. Think about what you want to get out of high school. If you find that your goal is to graduate at the top of your class and attend a prestigious university, then your work starts now. Pay special attention to being involved in your community through extracurricular activities and taking the most rigorous academic schedule available. Build positive relationships with your teachers and learn as much as you can.
On the other hand, maybe attending a selective college may not be the best fit for you based on your work ethic. As I mentioned before, that is totally okay. You should only be aiming for goals that are realistic for you. Striving for Harvard, Bowdoin, and other prestigious colleges requires much more than just good intentions. It requires consistent hard work for four years by ensuring your have stellar grades, maintain excellent extracurricular activities, are involved through leadership activities throughout the community and are willing to learn and work endlessly.
It is thus important to plan out your goals and work for them. Goals will stay goals unless you are willing to put in the work to make them a reality. Keep this in mind as we embark on this college application guide.
- How were your grades in middle school?
- What is your work ethic like? Are you willing to work hard for good grades and put in hours for homework?
- How involved are you in the community?
- What are your career goals, if any?
- Do you find yourself naturally assuming leadership positions?
Many of these questions are reflective ones and your reflection should not end here. Think about what you want to get out of high school. If you find that your goal is to graduate at the top of your class and attend a prestigious university, then your work starts now. Pay special attention to being involved in your community through extracurricular activities and taking the most rigorous academic schedule available. Build positive relationships with your teachers and learn as much as you can.
On the other hand, maybe attending a selective college may not be the best fit for you based on your work ethic. As I mentioned before, that is totally okay. You should only be aiming for goals that are realistic for you. Striving for Harvard, Bowdoin, and other prestigious colleges requires much more than just good intentions. It requires consistent hard work for four years by ensuring your have stellar grades, maintain excellent extracurricular activities, are involved through leadership activities throughout the community and are willing to learn and work endlessly.
It is thus important to plan out your goals and work for them. Goals will stay goals unless you are willing to put in the work to make them a reality. Keep this in mind as we embark on this college application guide.