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. The most critical part to achieving your goal
is continuing on the path that has been designated to get you there. Didn't get
into the school you wanted? Choose another school and keep moving on. Persist.
Staying on track
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 for example, 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. Aligning your personal
goals in an efficient way that helps you to achieve them is not easy, but it is
possible. The sooner you start the easier it is.