ALT-2 College and Career Path Setting Goals in High School
Setting goals is one of the most important lessons in life that unfortunately, many students are not being taught soon enough. Many students, particularly high school age, seem to not fully grasp the concept of setting goals. Goals are not just stupid sentences jotted on a piece of paper to get a grade for class-goals are your life.
When I was a senior in high school, I was still in denial about graduating and leaving my friends, so I had no goals and no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I did not care about high school, so I certainly did not care about going to college, regardless of how important it is in today's world. My mother finally forced me to go look at a college, and that one college I looked at was the one I chose, out of pressure to go. Now, I am grateful that my mother pressured me, as college is one of the best decisions I ever made, but that did not solve everything.
If I would have set goals upon entering high school, I would have studied harder and gotten better grades. As a result of this, I would have come to appreciate school and education, therefore having the willingness (not to mention the grades) to go to a better college, with a clear plan of what I wanted to do. Instead, I did not make goals...I went to college because I had to, took a bunch of classes, and chose to major in the area in which I completely the most coursework. Shortly after this, I learned to make goals for myself. I decided that I wanted to add a second major and came up with a list of potential job opportunities. If I only would have been urged to do this in high school, I wouldn't have wasted time and money on classes that are of no value to me now, and could be out in the real world doing a job I love.
It is important for educators to encourage students to make goals, not just for a grade, but for them. Many students do not realize how important is to have a plan, and that is something that needs to change.
At the beginning of high school, if not earlier, students should start compiling a list, even if it is in their own head, of things they like to do and can see themselves doing for an extended period of time. As the years go by, this list will change and they will get to know themselves better, therefore gaining a better idea of what it is they want to do. Students should start looking at colleges and programs as early as their sophomore year so they can grasp the big picture: what they want and what they need to do to get it. Goals should be updated several times per year so that changes can be made accordingly.
Goals set in high school are more than just a five minute assignment scribbled down right before class; they are what decides the rest of your life...so take them seriously.
