High School Study Skills

Motivation
Get Motivated
Stay Motivated

Monitoring Input
Listening
Note Taking
Reading
Class Participation

Managing Process
Self Management
Time Management
Concentration
Managing Your Learning
Managing Your Memory
Class Participation
Test Preparation

Mastering Output
Test Taking
Dealing with Test Anxiety
Learning from Tests
Preparing Written Reports
Preparing Oral Reports
Class Participation

Self Management

Setting Goals

Although you may not have realized it, you have been setting goals since you were very young.  Did you ever climb up on the kitchen counter to get a cookie from the cabinet?  Your goal was to get that cookie, and you worked out a plan to get it even though it seemed out of reach.  You need to take the same approach to getting your high school diploma.

Goals are important because they help motivate you to do your work, attend school regularly, and study for tests.  Even though you already may have set some goals for your classes, chances are you gave little thought to how realistic those goals were.  

You can increase your chance for success by learning to set goals that are both realistic and motivational.

Read more about SMART goals

The 5 Step Approach to Writing Effective Goals

Writing effective goals is not as easy as it sounds.  You need to consider what you want to accomplish, any obstacles that could prevent you from achieving your goal, and the resources available to you.

1. Write down what you want to accomplish.  This should be thought of as your tentative goal statement.  The easiest way to begin your goal statement is with the words "I want to."

2. Write down any obstacles.  Think about whether there are any course requirements, assignments, tests, or other factors that could jeopardize your success.  Make a list of the difficulties you may encounter.  

3. First consider your general resources.  What subjects are easier for you?  Are you better with language or math?  Is science a breeze?  Who do you depend on for help when circumstances get tough?  Your parents, friends, teachers, guidance counselors, school librarians, and other significant adults are all resources.  Next, consider each of the obstacles you listed.  Think about how you might use your resources to overcome each obstacle.  Write down specific resources you could use to achieve each goal.

4. Review and revise your tentative goal statement.  Now that you have considered all possible difficulties and your resources, you are ready to write your final goal statement.  In some cases, you may find that your tentative goal statement is fine the way it is.

5. Polish your goal statement.  Check to be sure that your final statement is well written and takes into consideration the characteristics of SMART goals.

Use the Five Step Approach to begin writing your goals.

Motivation and Goal Setting Worksheet

Learn more about planning and achieving personal ambitions

Goal Setting Model for Academic Success from Southern Illinois University