Goal Setting

Goal setting is just as important for students as it is for educators.  Counselors may be asked to create SMART goals for themselves and/or their departments, but teaching students a process for goals setting and goal achievement is also important. 

BRIEF SUMMARY

Goal setting is just as important for students as it is for educators.  Counselors may be asked to create SMART goals for themselves and/or their departments, but teaching students a process for goals setting and goal achievement is also important.  Goal setting can be a crucial skill in the successful student and school counselor  toolkit.  As counselors, we are constantly trying to help students make progress academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. We know how necessary it is to use effective techniques to help students set goals, break them into manageable tasks, and track those goals.  There are many techniques and practices for helping students and ourselves to set goals, SMART goal setting is a popular one with school counselors and other educators.

KEY POINTS

  • Knowing how to reach a desired goal is an important life skill and can help students succeed, whether or not they are struggling.
  • Goal setting can be undergone for any topic area: Academic, Career/Post-secondary, Social/Emotional or Personal goals.
  • It is important to remember when working on goal setting with students to make sure the student actually selects their own goal. They will be more willing and able to make progress if they choose the goal themselves.
  • Even when using a goal setting practice, such as SMART goals, help students set “mini deadlines” for smaller increments.
  • Help students to identify supportive people who can help them stay on track and tackle roadblocks.
  • Goal setting workshops, individual and group counselling are all great avenues to explore in helping students set goals.
  • Many school counselors are tasked with creating SMART goals each school year. The SMART goal process is as follows:
    • Specific: They precisely spell out what you want to accomplish and usually answer the 5 Ws (Who? What? Where? When? Why?)
    • Measurable: They provide a specific indicator of success.
    • Attainable: They are realistic.
    • Relevant: They are important and practical.
    • Time-bound: They specify a deadline for when the goal will be met.
  • SMART goals are incredible tools that can help you measure student progress and structure plans for counseling sessions.
  • In many districts, school counselors and educators create a district-aligned SMART goal and an individual SMART goal each year.
  • School counseling program goals and measurement are often part of a comprehensive school counseling program.
  • Solution focused school counseling is focused on goal setting and strength-based interventions.

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CONTENT FEEDBACK

If you have suggestions, feedback, or resources, please email counselor1stop@inspiresuccess.org and let us know.