ARTICLES
Five Tips to Help Year 12 Students Set – Better Goals in the Final year of School (continued)
Make sure your goals aren’t too general Set goals outside of academic achievement too
Compared with overly generalised goals (such as “to try hard”),
specific goals (for example, “to set aside four hours each week
to try and achieve a 70% grade in maths by the end of term
three”) are more likely to be achieved. Specific goals provide
more mental cues to keep you on track and help monitor personal
progress towards a goal. For the final year of schooling, it’s important to set goals that aren’t
linked merely to your academic aspirations. Emotional well-being
doesn’t happen by accident. Having goals in other life domains,
such as leisure and recreation, health and relationships, will help
enhance your sense of well-being. These goals will help you
navigate year 12 and beyond.
Similarly, the more specific a person’s goal plans are, the better.
Goal plans should include smaller goals to help reach a particular
goal. So, for example, successful study plans might include “to
set aside two hours each night”, “to study in the library” and “to
reward weekly tasks with some Netflix time”. Research shows the pursuit of goals itself is good for you,
whether or not you achieve your goals. It helps you develop a
sense of identity, make positive adjustments in life and promotes
psychological well-being and resilience.
Resources for students
Flexibility is key
Sometimes life can also get in the way of our goals. If you’re
experiencing severe stress or anxiety, there are support contacts
and resources available. For example:
Inflexible goal-setting, or having no “give” within a set of
goals, can set up a path to failure, and is thought to maintain
psychological difficulties. Sensible goal-making ensures you set
realistic goals, which may mean adjusting your goals at times so
they’re achievable.
• talking with a student welfare or pastoral care co-ordinator,
school counsellor, a trusted adult or friend;
• phone support such as Lifeline (13 11 14);
A goal may serve to enhance the pursuit of other goals, such as
“to keep fit” and “to eat healthily”, but at other times a goal may
conflict with the pursuit of other goals; a goal “to spend more
quality time with friends” may conflict with a goal “to spend more
time studying”. People typically have a limited set of personal
resources, including time and energy, so it could be necessary
to prioritise particular goals so they are achievable.
• online support services such as Beyond Blue and Headspace.
This article was originally published by ‘The Conversation’ on
31st January, 2019, and according to its generous policy that
encourages republishing of its articles, ‘Science Education News’
is really pleased to include this helpful advice. SEN also thanks
the author, Joanne Dickson, for her work and implicit permission
to allow us to republish it for our members. – Editor
Alternatively, if a goal is unattainable, research indicates that
giving up is beneficial if it leads to the pursuit of a new, meaningful
goal. This can reduce psychological distress, and replacing it
with an increased sense of well-being.
Flexibility in goal-setting means even if you don’t meet a
particular goal, you can still work towards those more important,
overarching goals, such as developing a sense of self-worth and
self-esteem. It’s not all or nothing.
28
SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 68 NO 1