Foundational Digital Skills, Financial Literacy, Communication and Time management and Goal-Setting: Academic Goals Worksheet

Activity: Identify Your Academic Goals

Now that you’ve reflected on what academic success looks like for you—and thought about what it might take to get there—it’s time to get specific.

This activity is designed to help you identify and prioritize the goals that matter most to your academic journey. Whether you're focused on passing a class, transferring schools, graduating on time, or simply building better habits, this is your chance to map it out.

Objectives

By the end of this activity, you will:

Identify and prioritize 3–5 long-term academic goals.
Define related intermediate (this year/college-level) and short-term (this week/this month) goals.
Reflect on what you’re currently doing to support your progress—and what changes might help you move forward.
Apply the SMART goal framework

Directions

Review the worksheet on the next page and complete it to the best of your ability. Try to be as honest, thoughtful, and specific as possible—this is a tool for you.

Goal-Setting Tips

Here are some reminders as you write your goals:

Use positive language. Focus on what you will do, not what you’ll avoid.
Be specific. Include clear dates, outcomes, and milestones so you can track your progress.
Start with your long-term goals. Then break them down into intermediate and short-term steps.
Think big, but stay realistic. Choose goals that inspire you, but make sure they’re within reach.
Focus on what you can control. Avoid tying goals to things outside your power (like someone else’s approval).
Check for alignment. Ask yourself: Do these goals reflect what I truly want from my college experience?
Stretch yourself. A little challenge is a good thing!
Commit to your goals. Post them somewhere you’ll see regularly or revisit them weekly in a planner or journal.