It’s the start of a new year and new semester. I want to make sure you start the year of right with a plan to help you achieve all your goals: academic and extracurricular. I find the chances of you meeting your goals and finding huge successes go way up with planning. It’s also a great time to evaluate and document everything you achieved the past year.

I went through Chris Guillebeau’s Annual Review this year to reflect on 2014 and plan for 2015. I would encourage you to do the same. It’s a great tool to help you document your previous year and plan your goals for the current year. So let’s talk about the goals that make the most sense for you.

Coursework Goals

If you are still planning your coursework for the semester, use this time to decide which courses align best with your goals. Go for the most difficult course load you can take while still getting B+’s at the very least. But shoot for the A’s and make a plan to achieve them! Plan out your coursework now. Create your calendar with the important class work and tests.

Standardized Testing Goals

Are you planning on taking any SAT, ACT, or AP tests this year? Add that to your goal planning. Figure out what scores you need to get and what you need to do to get there. Don’t be afraid to put lofty goals. Just plan what you need to do to get those goals. How many hours do you need to study? Do you need to take a class or get a tutor? Figure it out now so four-six months from now you aren’t scrambling.

Extracurricular Goals

Do you want to start a club or plan a volunteer event? Start prepping for it now. What do you need to do to be team captain or club president. Write down all your goals and the next steps to achieving them. Remember people often underestimate what they can accomplish in a year.

Action Steps

1. Check out the 2014 Annual Review and start doing your own.
2. Email me or leave a comment about your most important goal.

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