Each new year in school brings fresh opportunities for students to grow and achieve success, not only in academics, but in life as well. Having certain goals can help in boosting a sense of focus and direction, as well as contribute to having a fun, fulfilling experience as a student.  This blog highlights 4 goals we feel are among the most beneficial for students.

#1 Become involved in a sport or club

Studies have shown that students who participate in sports on a regular basis have better focus, attention span and performance in academics.  Have you ever tried reading while on a stationary bike or a treadmill, for example?  You might have noticed that it’s easier to read through more material with better comprehension than when being stationary.  An active body typically means an active brain!

In addition to the health benefits of playing sports or being part of a club, the social aspects are also noteworthy.  Working together with others in a team setting increases confidence and communication abilities that will surely help throughout life.

#2 Be an active participant in class

Often, children are hesitant to answer teachers’ questions even when they know the answer.  Actively participating is beneficial in many ways, including staying awake and being engaged in class.  Even when an answer is incorrect, it’s still quite beneficial – it’s one of the best ways for a student to remember and learn the material.

While in class, look for opportunities to answer the teacher’s question or to ask a question when something isn’t understood.  By speaking often in the classroom, a student can get past their fears, understand the material better and build confidence.

#3 Participate in a school competition

School competitions offer many opportunities to discover one’s potential and hidden talent, which can lay the foundation of achieving bigger things in life. Winning is not important, just giving it a try is what matters.

Whether it’s a competition in math, sports or art, try setting a goal to participate in one a year. For instance, by participating in a math competition, students can learn their strengths and weaknesses and possibly discover that they are capable of more than they realized.  Preparing with a math tutor is a great way to be ready for this type of challenge.

#4 Explore one’s favorite subjects

Some students know from an early age which school subjects they love, while others benefit from receiving outside help and encouragement in this exploration process.  Once a student knows what they enjoy and excel in, taking it to the next level of discovery can boost confidence and create many enjoyable opportunities.

For example, for a student that knows English class is their favorite, choose a new book to read each week with the goal of discovering one’s favorite authors or stories they can share with others.  For students that are unsure about which subject is their favorite, this presents a unique opportunity to explore, and possibly excel in, several subjects.  Their interests are developing, and they are open to figuring out what is most enjoyable for them.   A great idea for this would be to order a fun science experiments workbook, ideally with a bit of math included to explore both of these areas.

Bottom Line

Exploring personal and academic goals from an early age can bring significant improvement to one’s life both while a student and long afterwards.  Writing down goals in a journal or on a whiteboard, along with rewards once accomplished, can be a great way to get started!