How to Set Academic Goals: 4 Steps for Early College Success

Future college student setting academic goals for the first year

March 10, 2025

Entering college is an exciting chapter filled with possibilities—but without a clear plan, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Setting academic goals can transform your experience from simply getting by to achieving extraordinary success.

This guide helps you master academic goals, stay focused, and unlock your full potential in your first year and beyond.

What are academic goals?

Academic goals are specific objectives that contribute to your educational success. They may concentrate on performance, skill development, knowledge acquisition, or building positive habits. Here are examples for each of these areas:

Performance-based: “Earn at least a B+ in Organic Chemistry.”

Skill development: “Improve my research and citation skills.”

Knowledge-based: “Master the fundamentals of macroeconomics.”

Habit-forming: “Establish a consistent study routine of two hours daily.”

The Importance of Goal Setting for College Success

Goal setting is an intentional process that serves a meaningful purpose. Joni O’Hagan, Executive Director of the Center for Student Success at St. John’s University, states, “Setting clear goals provides a focus, whether your goals are academic, personal, or social. When you have specific goals, you are more likely to stay motivated and disciplined in your studies and personal growth.”

Here are three ways that goal setting transforms your college journey:

1. Goals Hold You Accountable.

When you set specific academic goals, you create a personal contract with yourself. This accountability is not meant to pressure you, but rather help you acknowledge what you truly want to achieve during your college years. By putting your aspirations into words, you transform vague ambitions into concrete objectives that require deliberate action.

2. Goals Provide a Tangible Way to Measure Success.

One of the most powerful aspects of well-crafted goals is that they are measurable. By tracking your progress, you gain valuable insights into your academic journey. This process allows you to celebrate successes, analyze setbacks, and adjust your strategies when things aren’t going as planned, or your passions change.

3. Goals Keep You Focused and Motivated.

College life is filled with distractions—social events, extracurricular activities, and the newfound freedom of independent living. Goals provide a north star that helps you make decisions aligned with your larger purpose. When you understand why you’re pursuing certain academic achievements, it becomes easier to prioritize your time and energy accordingly.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Academic Goals

Step 1: Discover Your Academic Purpose.

Before setting goals, consider why you’re in college and what you hope to achieve throughout your journey—understanding your “why” will help you set goals that motivate you throughout your academic years.

Before setting specific goals, reflect on these fundamental questions:

What motivated you to pursue higher education?
Which subjects genuinely excite your curiosity?
What skills do you want to develop during your college years?
How does your education connect to your longer-term aspirations?

Step 2: Set Clear, SMART, and Achievable First-Year Goals.

When creating your academic goals, use the SMART framework. This method of goal setting provides a powerful structure filled with intention:

Specific: Define exactly what you want to accomplish.

Measurable: Include criteria to track your progress.

Achievable: Set challenging but realistic targets.

Relevant: Ensure goals align with your larger educational purpose.

Time-bound: Establish clear deadlines.

Step 3: Create a Simple Action Plan.

Break down each goal into manageable components:

Example Goal: “Earn an A- or better in Introduction to Psychology by developing effective study habits and connecting concepts to real-world applications.”

Weekly Actions:

Review lecture notes within 24 hours of each class.
Create concept maps connecting new material to previous topics.
Complete one practice quiz from the textbook resources.
Apply one psychological concept to observe in daily interactions.

Monthly Milestones:

Establish a relationship with the professor during office hours.
Form a study group that meets weekly.
Review and revise study strategies based on quiz results.
Create a comprehensive study guide for upcoming exams.

Step 4: Implement a Review and Adaptation System.

College introduces new challenges and opportunities that may shift your priorities. Schedule regular reflection points:

Weekly Check-in Questions:

Did I complete my planned academic actions?
Which strategies were most/least effective for my learning?
What adjustments would make next week more productive?

Monthly Review Questions:

Am I progressing toward my semester goals?
Have I discovered new interests or strengths to explore?
What obstacles are hindering my progress, and how can I address them?
Do any goals need modification based on new information or changing interests?

First-Year College Success at St. John’s University

If you are a future St. John’s University student, know you don’t have to pursue your academic goals alone. Our Center for Student Success is designed to help you achieve the academic excellence for which you you strive.

“The first year of college is like no other—and we are here to work together with you as you transition to college,” says Ms. O’Hagan. “The Center for Student Success is committed to supporting you throughout your St. John’s experience, watching with excitement as you discover your passions, push yourself to learn at the highest levels, and develop the intellectual foundation that will lead to success as only you can define it.”