Happy 2010!

For most students, the beginning of the year is also the beginning of a new semester – and with that, comes the opportunity for a fresh set of personal and academic goals. For pre-teens and teenagers, focusing on specific, achievable goals that can happen over the next semester can be more motivating and realistic than making five- or ten-year goals.

Ask your child what academic and personal goals they have – and make it a family affair – perhaps start by having each person write down two academic and two personal goals for the semester, and then spend a few moments each coming up with the things that need to happen in order for those goals to be achieved.

For instance, perhaps your fifteen-and-a-half year old’s goal is to get his driver’s license. The things that need to happen in order to achieve the goal include taking driver’s ed, getting his permit, doing behind the wheel training, and scheduling the exam with the DMV. Breaking goals down into smaller steps make them seem less daunting and more achievable.

Each semester in our office, our students spend a a few moments writing down their goals – and are able to achieve amazing things, often exceeding their own wildest dreams. It begins with first admitting what their goals are, which enables them to set the path to achieve them.

Good luck and May your 2010 be the start of your most AMAZING decade yet!