Introduction

One of the keys to managing a busy life filled with multiple priorities is to set goals and plan your time. Why should you establish goals? When you get into your car to drive somewhere it makes no sense to leave without knowing your final destination. So why would you want to embark on a career and a life without having a destination? Goals are life “destinations,” so it makes a lot of sense to start on your life’s journey with a destination and a map. Setting goals helps you to determine where you want to go in life. Developing action plans and time lines provide the map to get there.

These materials will help you to understand the importance of identifying career and educational goals and creating an action plan and time line to help you to achieve those goals. Goals allow you to measure your success and evaluate your strategies for getting there. Action plans and time lines help you to establish how and when you will achieve your goals. Time management tools and techniques presented here will help you to maintain the proper balance of professional, educational and personal goals so that you can achieve success.

Setting Career, Personal and Educational Goals (.pdf version)

Developing an Action Plan and Timeline (.pdf version)

•Reading: Time Management

Steps to Academic Success (Part of a Study Skills Workshop PowerPoint presentation by Lillian Hayman and Lindsay Sinclair of NEIT's Academic Skills Center.)

Time Management Aids (.pdf version)

Skills Grid: Presents a wide variety of tutorials, articles, self-tests, tips, games, and exercises to help you improve your skills and manage your life.

Summary

• It is important to identify personal, educational and career goals.

• By planning your time carefully, you will be able to better manage your educational, work and personal commitments.

• Develop strategies to deal with distractions and procrastination before they interrupt your study time.

Additional Resources

Websites:
Please note that website addresses often change. If you are unable to reach the addresses below, use a search engine and search the source of the site or the title of the Web document to find the new site.

Skills Tutorials (for tutorials on specific skills, consult the Skills Grid)

• EducationAtlas.com: The Study Skills Guide for Students

• How-to-Study.com: A Study Skills Resource Site

• Howtostudy.org: Resources

• Mind Tools, Inc. Goal Setting

• Study Guides and Strategies Please Note: Tips are available in 30 languages.

• Study Skills Self Help Information (Cook Counseling Center, Virginia Tech Division of Student Affairs)

On-Campus Resources:

Academic Skills Center English Lab, Library, Upper Floor, (401) 739-5000, Ext. 3364.

•Activities

•Goal-setting: complete the Goal-Setting Worksheets (in .pdf format)

•Read Career Exploration (also in .pdf format) and generate five questions that you would like answered about your career.

Go back to the Supplemental Materials for EN101 Home Page.

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