In a student’s life, everything is chaotic, and things are never perfect as they want them to be. There is always someone else who is scoring more marks, getting into the college of dreams or making a mark in extra-curricular activities. Parents and teachers constantly pressure pupils to excel in their academic life. This, in turn, encourages students to rebel against standards and choose a variety of ways to follow their passion.
But there is no need for students to sacrifice their personal goals and dreams; things are achievable with short term goals. What are short-term goals? These are time induced deadlines that students can create for themselves to stay creative and productive. Without compromising their freedom, they can achieve every single dream with concise planning. Short term goals are nothing but measurable and attainable outcomes done in a relatively less amount of time. They are parts of a long-term goal that will take shape as one completes small tasks in a little time frame.
Short term goals are where one currently stands to where one desires to be in the future. With students, these could become tricky since they have plenty of lower plans that sometimes deflect the individual off-course from the main purpose. The short-term objectives below will help students build confidence and plan their journey without drastically affecting their personal lives.
1. Follow Inspirational People
It is very easy to get distracted in today’s world; there can also be stress and burnout that leads to low productivity. To keep the creative juices flowing, it is important to have motivated people in your life. Gain encouragement by following inspiring people on social media, establishing offline connections with entrepreneurs and leaders, and attending seminars and workshops that provide mentorship. There are books that give exceptional tips on how to become successful, blogs that can be read during free time and vlogs by motivational creators who have carved a niche for themselves.
Instead of spending leisure time partying, doing frivolous activities and just watching movies one can make quality time by aiming to become a positive role model in society.
2. Self-assesment
Constructive criticism from anyone can be hurtful, but if you practice analyzing your own position between achieving your objectives, that becomes acceptable. Self-assessment is an important tool for measuring the benchmarks to be created while progressing on a life aim. This does not mean comparing ourselves with the gradual growth of others or becoming jealous of someone else’s success. Social media can be a dangerous space where everyone is constantly publishing about his or her success. Instead of letting insecurities creep in, students can assess themselves and post about their own journey.
In this way, not only will it improve our commitment to achieve a certain goal, but it will also become a source of inspiration for others on the same path.
3. Get Additional Certification
Short-term diplomas and certificates may add a benefit to the curriculum vitae. As a pupil, be ready to develop skills in a timely manner. Adopt a new language, learn a new computer skill, create an innovative mobile application, or simply take a new course to improve your knowledge. Multinational enterprises are always on the lookout for dynamic candidates, always be ahead of the competitors with an extra certification. A certified individual is considered an asset for any business; he/she displays the urge to improve and also to take the organization to higher heights.
So, to successfully complete an interview or improve career progression by taking a new certified course is an ideal choice. One can easily start his/her own company or join a mammoth existing business corporation to perform exceptionally in the career.
4. Keeping Track of the Finances
It is imperative that students learn to manage their daily expenditures and plan their monthly budget in order to assess their financial situation. Student debt is the largest financial industry that places a burden on many academics. In general, university students are still broke and need financial assistance to survive. This can be eliminated by taking up college courses offered via decent scholarships, keeping a monthly financial tab on all the expenses, not getting carried away by mindless distractions, taking up part-time jobs with educational firms and also investing in the market. There are many blogs related to money and vlogs to follow, which teach great money management skills.
Students need to control their impulsive urges to spend money on trash items and go for durable goods. Learning young to save money will develop into a helpful habit later on in life.
5. Plan an Early Retirement
It is not that difficult to embark on multiple streams of income while still in college. Students can make use of their hobbies to generate a source of income that can become handy to pay off their debts. Taking private tuitions, mentoring other kids in the neighbourhood, volunteering at a local enterprise to learn the tricks of the trade, taking up a job that can pay for daily expenses and starting one’s own blog/vlog to document any skill will always be a lucrative option on making money.
Partnership businesses with fellow students is also an excellent way to plan an early retirement from the economic rat race. These side hustles will become the founding stones of learning to operate any business first-hand and become successful young entrepreneurs.
6. Install Goal Tracking Apps
Procrastination is the biggest hurdle in a student’s life; keeping track of completing the assignments on time will allow timely goal achievement. Goal tracking apps clarify tasks assigned prior to the deadline; with visual dashboards and precise information on the remaining schedule, apps increase productivity. They also provide input on how to focus on the task at hand. Working on team projects involves managing data and concentrating the same efforts to listen to team members. With a goal tracking application, it is possible to have all members in a consolidated group. Track their progress and also monitor their personal responsibilities.
As a result, thanks to modern applications, students can improve their time management skills. With a personalized touch, these applications can help sustain a healthy social and personal life.
7. A Family Ritual
It is often difficult for students to stay in touch with their family members due to hectic schedules and educational activities. Most students leave their homes in pursuit of career goals in a different country or city, leaving their families behind for years. To fill this communication gap, it is necessary to inculcate a family ritual that can be appreciated as a recreational activity—making a video conference call during the weekends, writing emails, sending little picture postcards to parents and also tagging family members on social media posts to keep virtual updates on student life progress. Inviting them to virtual events may also keep them connected remotely. Enjoying a night of play on Sundays or cooking together while visiting during the holidays is a beautiful gesture to keep family ties alive.
Instead of isolating oneself from the stress and worries of a student’s life, encouraging a strong connection with the family is vital.
8. Journaling
It is not necessary to have a personal journal on writing personal thoughts and feelings but to have a self-guided book to read if in doubt. This journal must be the manifestation of a blueprint to all the life plans. Record the daily goals to be achieved, with inspiring ideas about an earlier ambition that was skillfully accomplished. This will set a benchmark to attain anything in the future. Keeping oneself updated about having a sincere aim can also be done through this journaling activity.
Meditate about the words that are written on a daily basis; after all, small habits create big actions in the future.
9. A Repetitive Morning Routine
The perfect morning routine followed by millionaires and the best minds of successful businesses is to work on yourself first. It is important to create a positive atmosphere during the morning hours, keep a strict timetable for that part of the day. Wake up and get started with light morning exercise/yoga/meditation, then take a shower, later plan out the day by journaling or fixing meeting schedules on an online app, read the latest news to stay in touch with the outside world, have a healthy breakfast and then sit down to complete any given assignment without outside disturbance for at least an hour.
This inculcated ritual will provide the student with a competitive edge. A good start to the morning means the rest of the day is sorted.
10. Being there Early
For an appointment, interview, study work or a class arriving fifteen minutes in advance at the scheduled place gives a certain edge and maintains punctuality. Starting early from home or dorm will allow one to navigate the rush hour effectively; coming early to the class has its own advantages, and it also helps focus on the lectures lined up for the day. Athletes who come for sports practices before other players are mentally and physically well prepared to take on the competition; it is the same for students who are aiming for success in the sports arena. Keeping the study desk organized, taking down extra notes about the immediate lecture, preparing oneself to ask relevant questions and getting the best place to be seated in the class are a few perks of being punctual.
Everyone appreciates a prompt individual; arriving early will set a positive impression on the teaching faculty and also become a positive personality trait.
Conclusion:
Juggling extra classes, tuition, sports, peer pressure, and other student responsibilities is not an easy task. Setting short-term goals can allow students to focus on the present rather than worry about their educational achievement. Short term goals are the new age miracle to stay in the lane of success without getting overwhelmed by the process.
