ALT-1 College and Career Path Setting Goals in High School
I can tell you from personal experience that without the goals I set for myself in high school, I probably would not be able to manage all the assignments, projects, studying, and regular homework that college throws at me, now. High school is supposed to be the best years of our lives, but if the proper goal setting techniques are not implemented, then high school might end up being just four really terrible years that 10 years down the road, we don't even recognize ourselves anymore.
When I was in grade 9, I was very ambitious and had it in mind to become a Certified General Accountant (CGA), and I had it all planned out what courses I would take throughout high school. Unfortunately, as I went through grades 9 and 10, my ambitious goal started to sink in, with the realization of the prerequiste requirements that would be necessary to get into the university programs that allow for entrance into the CGA program. By grade 11, my goal was to go to the University of Ottawa for the Bachelor of Commerce program, and then possibly go through with the CGA program, but this wasn't as much a priority anymore. Yet this time, I was organizing my schedule to make sure that I would have the need to get the prerequisites for my post-secondary education. However, by the time June can around, I was starting to second guess my ability to go from my small town high school to a university program, especially for a business related degree. Therefore, for September, I continued taking university preparation courses, just on the off chance that I will be going to university, but my goal then was to go to the local college first, and then maybe after that take the articulation that was set up, and go to third year of the Bachelor of Commerce program at the University of Ottawa. But as you can see, as I progressed through high school, my goals changed frequently. Changing your own goals frequently can be a good idea, because you may see something that you think you'd enjoy more.
Setting both long term and short term goals for ourselves are key to the success that becomes of us; since true success can only be had if we, ourselves, feel as though we've been successful. Some of your short term goals may include having an 80% average when you graduate, getting accepted into a prestige university, or even something as simple as passing a course that you really dislike. Your long-term goals may involve getting a degree in business, where you would probably have to make a few shorter term goals in order to obtain that goal. Either way, having some sort of end target in mind for yourself may help make your four years in high school somewhat more enjoyable.
However, the goals you set for yourself in high school don't always have to be about the marks. Your goals can be about pursuing a personal interest, such as taking a music class to learn an instrument, or joining the debate team to become a more outgoing individual. Better yet, if all the goal setting you do in high school results in a success, in your eyes, than chances are those goal setting techniques will continue into your post-secondary education, and beyond into the workforce. Therefore, to be successful in life, start by setting goals in high school.
