Working Toward Your College Goals

Don't Pit Your Goals Against One Another, Put Them Into Action!

Have you ever wondered what having a family has to do with your future major or career choice? If not, do: Questions like these help you determine whether or not your goals conflict. Planning to have a family has everything to do with choosing your major - from the time commitment to the salary you can potentially earn. Too often, students who haven't clearly defined their goals run into conflicts further down the road. The decisions that are made to achieve each goal often have lasting economic impacts that put other goals out of reach, so be selective.

Getting Past the Glitches

A lot of folks make goals in the same way that they make their resolutions — and most of us know how well those work (usually, as well as turning on the air conditioning and leaving the windows open). Most people are discouraged by a glitch during the early stages of executing their goal. Didn't get into the school you wanted or receive the scholarship you thought you had locked down? Choose another school or scholarship award and keep moving on. Persist. The most critical part to achieving your goal is continuing on the path that has been designated to get you there.

Staying on Track

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines a goal as "the end toward which effort is directed." When the goals of an individual are clearly defined, they are powerful motivators that aid in shaping their life course. Small but difficult decisions, like choosing your major, suddenly become much easier. Your goal comes equipped with a blueprint; there are obvious choices that you can make to ensure that you are headed on the right path. If, for example, your goal is to be a chemical engineer, choose the major that supports that goal — a B.A. in English won't cut it.

The Best Advice

Align your goals so that they compliment one another. When your goals come into conflict, at least one of them is placed out of reach so aligning your personal goals in an efficient way is vital. The sooner you start - say, as soon as you begin preparing for college - the easier it is.