Summary

In summary, this unit outlined the importance of setting both long-term and short-term goals. Ways of ensuring that these goals and objectives are effective were explored. Short-term goals in turn can be broken down into more manageable tasks through the development of a ‘to do’ list. Finally, the issue of prioritising tasks and activities was addressed. The next step is to schedule these tasks and this will be addressed in the unit, Organising and managing your time. Setting goals and prioritising is an essential aspect to planning, itself an important skill for an independent, self-managed student.

End of Unit: Action

Gather as much information as you can in relation to your commitments for this academic year and create a Gantt Chart. Next, create a plan for the current semester by writing a set of clear goals. (Make sure these are SMART goals!). Break down these goals into clear, manageable, discrete tasks and create a to-do list for the coming week. Order your list by prioritising. It is important that you work through the next unit ‘Organising and managing your time’ as soon as possible.