| College life is completely new for students as | | | | college in four years'. |
| compared to the protected one they are used to in | | | | It has been seen that people who have set goals, |
| school. It involves freedom, and a chance to see the | | | | committed to in writing, and being worked upon, are |
| world from close quarters. But the students are no | | | | much more likely to achieve, than those who only have |
| longer shielded by a protective covering of school and | | | | a notion about it. This is the power of goal setting- it |
| parents, and the freedom brings a lot of responsibility | | | | makes us achieve what we want to, and thus makes |
| with it. Students learn, often in a harsh way, that things | | | | us endeavor for it till it is finally achieved. This is |
| do not necessarily go as they might have planed. | | | | because while the human brain is very good at |
| According to a study by W. Haley (cited in Upcraft and | | | | processing huge amount of information, it needs |
| Kramer, 1995), students decide on their majors even | | | | direction so as to give importance and priorities to the |
| before their classes begin and 12% expect to change | | | | various choices that are available to a person. This is |
| it at some point of time. But 65%-85% actually change | | | | what keeps a person from straying to do |
| their plans for majoring. While 8% of undergrads | | | | unnecessary things. However, still people find that they |
| expect to spend more than 4 years to complete their | | | | do many things that are not required, at least at the |
| degrees, 60% end up taking more time. Further, while | | | | moment, or which can wait. To keep the mind focused |
| 2% expect to fail a course, 16% actually do; and while | | | | on a particular achievement that is desired, it is |
| only 1% of students expect to drop out, 40% actually | | | | important to have goals that will always ensure that |
| do drop out! | | | | the brain gives first priority to the actions resulting |
| This trend clearly shows the lack of goal setting by | | | | towards the fulfillment of those goals. |
| college students. If you want to succeed in your | | | | It is desirable to break down the goal into smaller |
| college life and also after that, the direction your life | | | | sub-goals, which can be achieved one at a time. This |
| takes, and the way you go about it should be clearly | | | | will keep a person from being overwhelmed, especially |
| defined by your goals. While all of us have notions, of | | | | by large goals that takes a longer period of time to |
| what we want to do, and where we want to be in life, | | | | achieve. This also keeps a person from straying away |
| these are clearly different from goals. Notions are only | | | | from the goal due to the goal seeming unattainable. A |
| a rough idea about the way we feel. Goals are more | | | | series of short-term goals ensure that the person |
| specific and concise than notions. They clearly define | | | | remains on the track of achieving the long-term goal. |
| what we want, in an accurate manner, so that we | | | | Small, but continuous success with a series of |
| have a perfect vision and a direction. Thus, while every | | | | short-term goals also acts as a motivation factor, |
| student has a notion that he/she wont drop out of | | | | which keeps a person going. |
| college, a goal would be more like, 'I will complete | | | | |