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Goal Setting for College Students: A Proven Plan for Success

Writer's picture: Laura AmigoneLaura Amigone
A white notebook lies open against a grey MacBook on a yellow background. The planner is open and has the words "to do" written on it. Laying on the notebook are headphones and post its.

The start of a new semester is the perfect time for college students to set meaningful goals and create a clear plan to achieve them. Whether you're aiming for better grades, stronger habits, or a more balanced college life, goal setting for college studentsĀ is an essential skill that can make all the difference.


But here's the challenge: many students set ambitious goals without the right strategy to follow through, leading to frustration and unmet expectations.


In this blog post, we'll explore:

  • What goal setting is

  • The often-missed step that derails success

  • My proven 3-step semester plan to help you stay on track and reach your goals this semester


Why Goal Setting for College Students Is Critical

Goal setting for college students isn't just about academicsā€”it's about balancing studies, personal growth, and life skills to create a fulfilling college experience.


What is Goal Setting?

Goal setting is the process of defining a goal and working towards it within a given timeframe. This process involves identifying your goals and then creating an action plan to guide and motivate you to complete your goal.


Goal setting can be extremely effective. In fact, according to this 2007 study from Dominican University,Ā ā€œpeople who set time-bound goals and report their progress weekly are 40% more likely to succeed than those who donā€™t." (Matthews, 2007)


ā€œpeopleĀ who set time-bound goals and report their progress weekly are 40% more likely to succeed than those who donā€™t." (Matthews, 2007)

The Often-Missed Step in Goal Setting

I'm currently in phase 2 of my 2025 goal setting...evaluating the cost to achieve the goals I set for the year.


This is the part of goal setting that most people missā€”because it's not fun. Ā 


Take a moment to ask yourself:

  • Are you evaluating the full cost of your goals?

A 3-Step Plan for Goal Setting Success in College

Step 1: Set Your Goals

What do you want to achieve this semester? Write it down. Define it. Make it clear. It should feel a bit bigger than feels possible at the moment, but not so big that it feels like a non-starter.


I like to suggest to my college clients to come up with an academic goal, a personal goal, and a professional goal so they are thinking about what they want in multiple areas of their lives.


Step 2: Evaluate the Cost

When I take my college clients through my 3-step semester planning process in our sessions, we spend a good amount of time on step 2.


  • Ask yourself: What will this goal cost?

  • Get Specific: What does ā€œpaying the costā€ actually mean?Ā 

  • Be Honest:Ā Am I willing to pay the cost?


If yes, then get going! And when you have to start paying that emotional fee, remind yourself that you knew the cost, and planned for it, so you keep going!


If no, then time to adjust your goal! Decide ahead of time what you're willing to pay the price for, and then go from there. And if you don't want to pay any cost, then you don't really want the result badly enough.


Step 3: Plan for Success

Then we plan for itā€”which is step 3. Scheduling success is the key to achieving goals.Ā  What needs to happen each week to achieve this goal? If you're not sure, guess!! Put these action steps into your weekly calendar - your phone calendar if you use that, or if you use a whiteboard or a planner, put in the small actions each week you need to be taking.


Do not expect yourself to remember to do these action steps! They need to be written somewhere you will actually see them! Post-it note, phone wallpaper, piece of paper taped to the wall, or a digital post-it note on a laptop.

Ā 

Don't just start the semester with a vague goal to "do better". Goal setting can be an effective practice to sustain motivation during the semester and clarify the actions and routines that will create success. Give it a try!


Do you set goals for the semester? If so, how do you plan it out? And does it help you succeed? Comment below!

Ā 

What's Your Goal Setting Strategy?


Watch this video for the 3 Must-Do's for College Time Management. Click here to watchĀ (4min!). This is the Key to Step 3.

Ā 

Stay Connected for More Tips

Want to learn more strategies for helping you or your college student succeed? Subscribe to my newsletter belowĀ to receive tips and tools for college success!



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