BY Mrs. Angelica Ouya
From a young age, we often envision becoming doctors, lawyers, artists, or any profession that captures our imagination. Some stick to these aspirations as we mature while others pivot towards new directions. Eventually, these early dreams continue to influence the decisions we make in our education, shaping our trajectory from middle school to college. Throughout our educational journey, we are taught that life is all about overcoming obstacles and dealing with setbacks that stand in the way of achieving goals.
In today’s dynamic educational landscape, learners encounter many challenges and opportunities. As they pursue knowledge and personal growth, the skill of goal setting emerges as an indispensable tool. Goal setting is not a mere exercise of jotting down aspirations; instead, it’s a strategic process that involves identifying specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives, creating a roadmap for academic achievement, and fostering the discipline to pursue them. Since it is a skill that fuels motivation and provides a compass throughout life, introducing it to learners at an early stage aids in mastery of one’s life.
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According to a Harvard Business School (HBS) survey, intentional goal-setting is a hallmark of success. Learners who meticulously set their goals tend to achieve more in their careers than those who approach goal setting casually. The impact is significant, with those who commit their goals to writing being academically accomplished and earning up to ten times more later in their careers.
Practical goal setting should resonate with a learner’s aspirations, values, and passions. This empowers learners to take charge of their educational paths. Yet, for goal setting to be truly effective, it must engage, be quantifiable, and involve collaboration between teachers, learners, and parents. By infusing creativity and collaboration into the process, educators can ensure that goal setting is motivating and enjoyable. This approach nurtures a lifelong commitment to growth and achievement.
Educators can encourage learners to visualize their aspirations by creating vision boards or digital collages to infuse fun into goal setting. Combining images, quotes, and personal artwork, this innovative approach transforms abstract goals into tangible and exciting realities.
Keeping goal tracker journals further empowers learners to document their progress, challenges, and reflections. Involving parents in reviewing and updating these journals reinforces commitment and highlights the steps taken towards achieving objectives.
The SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) criteria for goals should be maintained throughout the process. Crafting plans that adhere to these principles ensures they are well-defined, achievable, and time-sensitive.
Abel hitting on me was a surprise. I was just a village girl! – Judy Nyawira
Engaging parents in the process is crucial. Encouraging parent-teacher conferences that discuss learners’ goals and progress fosters open dialogue and facilitates additional support at home. Collaborative projects involving parents and learners can also deepen connections and shared experiences.
At Makini Schools, we’ve introduced Student-Led Conferences, a transformative version of parent-teacher meetings where parents, teachers, and learners collaborate. Learners update their performance in alignment with their academic goals, benefiting from the collective wisdom of parents and teachers. These conferences encourage commitment, resource sharing, and regular check-ins to monitor, discuss, and adapt goals.
The impact of practical goal setting is not hypothetical; it’s backed by research. At Makini Schools, learners’ remarkable academic achievements are a testament to this approach. Practical goal setting aids in balancing studies and extracurricular activities, avoiding procrastination, and mitigating unnecessary stress. Notably, the collaborative efforts of teachers and parents offer optimal guidance in this journey.
Approaching goal setting with creativity and collaboration enhances the educational experience, making goals both measurable and enjoyable. As dreams become the foundation for purposeful learning, students are inspired to take ownership of their growth. This approach lays the groundwork for a life rich in achievements and continuous self-improvement.
Mrs. Angelica Ouya- Director of Academics Makini Schools.