Goals are imperative for individuals to succeed. They can be used in all aspects of life, including university study. There are various reasons why setting realistic goals are important. Firstly, they provide you with the ability to monitor short and long term progress against a desired outcome. Short term goals or milestones are important to maintain an individual's motivation and help them visualise the successful outcome. In addition, goals help to develop time management skills, whilst providing direction and allowing the individual to feel in control. As a mother of two, my most important goal during university study is to develop a personalised academic writing style and acquire the skills required to teach and motivate others.
Motivation is a psychological state that allows an individual to reach a particular goal. The mind requires visual milestones for encouragement and to therefore overcome challenges. In particular, university study works toward the achievement of a goal or career and is certainly challenging. Whatever the reason for study, to be able to achieve the desired outcome requires determination. Without creating small steps along the way, it is easy to become disengaged and lose motivation. As Sir Winston Churchill once said, “He who fails to plan is planning to fail”, therefore motivation and planning are key factors to a successful outcome. To plan is to develop a scheme of arrangement, similar to a map, to assist in finding direction for a specific purpose.
Planning and time management skills are two crucial factors that must work together as a tool for direction and control. How someone uses his or her time is vital when planning to reach a goal. By learning different techniques to manage the time available, they will learn to become more efficient