Make your goals realistic

in the beginning of the year.
Planning is essential but following up the plans is equally important.
Students ought to cultivate the habit of reviewing their resolutions, goals and even personal study time tables.
It is obvious at the beginning of the year or term we let our imaginations run away with us when we make plans.
We exaggerate our goals so much that they end up being impossible or extremely difficult to attain.
Although it is good to be enthusiastic, it is best to be realistic otherwise it defies the whole purpose of planning.
Kaylar Chinyanga, a 13-year-old Grade Seven student at St John Kennedy in Kadoma shared her first term goals that she has come to learn they need to be altered.
This now that she has failed to put fully meet up with them.
“The first few days of Grade Seven were scary for me because I realised that by the end of the year I will be sitting for my first ever life-changing exams.
“Because of that I made a strict study time table that was supposed to see me study every afternoon for three hours after school,” she said.
The teen’s programme was, however, interrupted when she had to attend sports after school. She found herself unable to study after that because she would come home tired.
“I have altered my schedule such that I have time to relax after school and then spend one and half hours studying. It is more effective that way,” she said.
One cannot tell until they attempt to execute their plans, or half way into executing that they learn they may not sustain them. That is when the importance of reviewing comes in.
It not only helps to keep you focused on precisely what you want to achieve but also motivates you to follow your goals through.
Take a moment to review what you have done so far and areas that need improvement. You may also make the necessary adjustments to suit activities that might have popped up during the course of the month and were not in your plans earlier when you made the goals.
The new month should be a new page for other mini goals of your overall yearly or school term’’s goals.
It might sound trivial but that is another way of dealing with life’s overall goals.
Simbarashe Chiwara (16) from Bindura shared on Facebook he has learnt not to be over the top when it comes to resolutions.
“Resolutions are meant to guide a person throughout the year.
“Yes, we dream big but from experience I have learnt that taking baby steps works better for me.
“I have weekly, monthly, term goals then yearly goals that are subject to revision. I want to do better in school and my resolution is to drop my bad habits because while they are small, their effects mount up with time.
“I have resolved to get up early this year. That way I am fully prepared for the school day and have adequate time to do corrections.
“I do not want to be on the edge all the time,” he said.
Always remember that even if you had not been consistent in following your mapped out schedule it is not too late to start again. You should not be ashamed because it happens to everyone.
The problem only comes when you decide to lie to yourself and do not rectify your mistakes.
It helps to make consultations with seniors, teachers and fellow students on how you can make constructive goals.
By the end of the term one is sure to produce good results.
Get in touch with us and tell us about your resolutions and how far you have gone with them.
Sharing your progress may help other students too!