Teenage Goal Setting

Unless parents have worked with their children throughout their school years to teach them goal setting, this concept does not come easy with most teens. Because the high school years are so different from middle school, ninth grade students easily become overwhelmed with pressure. Some simple goal setting before your teen enters high school may help to alleviate the stress.

For most students one of the most difficult concepts to understand is the need for organization. In elementary school and middle school, teacher work with their students to help them stay organized, but in high school the onus is on the student. He has to keep track of his assignments, his grades, any missed work, homework assignments, and a variety of class rules. This can be overwhelming to many young teens. Some very simple teenage goal setting can help to alleviate this stress. Besides organization is one of the best ways to achieve academic success.

There are many ways to help your teen become organized. When talking to your teen about teenage goal setting, this is a great place to start. Begin by asking questions as to what is the best organizer for your teen. A simple assignment book may be sufficient. If your teen loves technology, a held hand organizer might work best. Whatever you choose, make sure that your teen begins high school with the goal to be organized. Because it takes at least six weeks for a plan to become habit, you may have to help for at least a few months. Don’t nag; that is the easiest way to make your teen rebel. Bribing isn’t the answer, but some type of reward might help. After a while this organizational goal with become ingrained in your teen.

Another goal might be to become active in school clubs or organizations. Before your teen starts school, you might check out the school’s website to see what activities are offered for the high school students. Then you can have a talk to see what interested your teen most. Since too much or too little involvement can be a problem, discuss what seem to be the best choices.

Another type of goal is a character goal. If your teen had behavioral problems in middle school, you want to emphasize the fresh new start. Help him to understand the need for changing certain behavioral patterns. Set goals such as being on time for class, taking books to class, getting plenty of sleep each night, and not talking back to teachers. Promise a reward if your teen completes his freshman year in high school without any infractions. After he notices how much better school is without getting into trouble, he may see the error of his ways. Don’t use these goals as a sledge hammer, simply help him to come up with these goals by himself. You are the guide not the prison guard.

Goal setting teens have a much better high school experience as long as their goals are realistic and attainable. Obviously, the goal of being class valedictorian is a wonderful one, but for the average student, this goal is a plan for disaster. Help your child to change this goal to one more conducive to success. For instance, make the goal of never making a grade lower than a B. That should be attainable.

Copyright 2007 Janice D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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