How to Set Goals for the New School Year
Going back to school can be exciting. Students get the chance to see their friends, take new classes, meet new teachers and staff. They also get the chance to set new goals for the new academic school year. Helping kids set goals for the new school year gives them motivation to learn and keep going until they accomplish what they set out to achieve. Setting goals can be a great way for a child to learn new skills and make plans for what they want in the new year.
Setting goals helps your child learn how to be independent and think outside of their comfort zones. Moreover, it can help them improve their critical thinking skills and help them be more responsible when it comes to tackling tasks. Setting goals can also help them inspire others to do the same. If you’re struggling to get your child to think about the new school year, here are a few tips on how to help them set goals:
Brainstorm
Barnstorming is a key factor to setting goals. Your child can create a list of different ideas of accomplishments they would like to tackle and create a plan on how to do so. This creates a great chance for them to ask themselves questions that they never thought of asking. Here are some examples of questions your child should ask themselves:
“How do I want this year to be different, and how can I make it happen?”
“How can I improve my stamina for my academic performance?”
“How do I build bonds and relationships with my friends, teachers and school staff?”
Develop a plan little by little
Your child may have big plans for the upcoming school year, like joining a new club, or trying out for the school play or music recital, and that is a great start. However, it’s important to take a step back and develop baby steps on how to achieve those goals. Teaching kids to set smaller, more manageable goals can help them understand that there are a lot of steps to reach their dreams.
To talk through this with your child, ask them for their biggest goal and work backwards. For example, if they want to play football, ask them what they need before tryouts happen. By laying out all the details, your child can also take ownership of those goals.
Celebrate your accomplishments
No matter what, always be proud of your accomplishments. Remind your child that no matter how small the achievement may be, they always need to feel proud of themselves. It is always a good idea to start with more small manageable goals, so they know the steps to reach their dreams and achieve bigger goals is something that cannot happen overnight or in only one semester.
Make the goal visible
It is always a great idea to have goals posted throughout your house or in your child’s backpack or locker at school. Goals can be posted in a refrigerator, the back of your child’s room door, on a calendar, etc. Having goals posted somewhere can help your child remember what they want to accomplish and how to do it. Also, they can get motivated to keep going and trying even if it is hard to accomplish the goal at first. What is important is to keep going and never give up until they reach their goal.
Creating goals for the academic school year gives your child a chance to discover more about what they desire and gain a sense of independence. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville private school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential while also serving them spiritually. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.