As counselors, we are constantly trying to help students make progress academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. We know how necessary it is to use effective techniques to help students set goals, break them into manageable tasks, and track those goals. Here are a few tips and resources that may be helpful as we begin 2017.
I focus on making things visual and concrete. We create a goal board, either in their counseling notebook or on the wall. We write down the big goal and start brainstorming all the steps we need to get there and the help will need to achieve those. – Laura, Social Emotional Workshop
SMART Goals
When working with students on goal setting, I always follow SMART goal format but also have students set “mini deadlines” for smaller increments and identify supportive people who can help them stay on track and tackle roadblocks. – Counselor Keri
I like to help students celebrate the small steps they are taking to reach their goals. During my goal setting lessons, I help students break larger goals into smaller parts. We look for small steps that are easy to accomplish, which helps motivate students to keep moving toward their ultimate goal. – Kate from EduKate & Inspire (Also, check out Kate’s tips for welcoming students arriving mid-year)
It is important to show students how to properly use an agenda pad or daily calendar. Have them use that calendar to write down weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly goals based on their needs. So many students skip this important tool because they think they can “remember” everything. Show students your own planner and how you use it. I often tell my students that if I don’t write it down, it may or may not get done. It’s okay to need a reminder. We aren’t super human. Showing students how to plan properly is key to better organization and goal setting. – Brandy, The Counseling Teacher
Mindful Resolutions FREEBIE
Kids have no idea how to set a goal. We assume that they do because we do (sometimes). I like to work with kids to create a SMART goal. It takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you see the big aha! – Counselor Up
Self Discipline and Goal Setting
Guide your student to choose a goal that is important to them (not just to the adults in their life), and that is attainable. It is best to use the SMART goal formula- specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely- to help students create a goal they are most likely to have success with. Finally, baby steps- just one goal at a time! –Â Stephanie Lerner – Bilingual Learner
Get Your Goal On
My favorite thing to remember when working on goal setting with students is to make sure they select their goal. It can be so easy to tell students what WE or the teachers want them to focus on, but they are much more willing and able to make progress if they choose the goal! –Â CounselorChelsey
How do you approach goal setting with students? What are your favorite resources?
Keri is a mental health counselor turned school counselor and curriculum writer hoping to reach every single student and spark social, emotional, and academic growth!
Laura, a former school psychologist, is the founder of Social Emotional Workshop. She’s passionate about providing practical tools to help counselors build social, emotional, and behavioral skills in students. With her background in education, Laura creates resources that save time and make a real impact.
Laurie Mendoza, MA, CAGS has been a certified elementary school counselor in Massachusetts since 1999. Prior to that she was a children's outpatient clinician for 7 years.
Kate is an elementary school counselor from NW Ohio with over a decade of experience in education. She’s passionate about equipping kids with social-emotional tools and loves helping fellow counselors streamline their work with tech tips and classroom management hacks.
I work in central office supporting 140+ elementary school counselors in a large southern school district. I have been a counselor since 2003 and love working with parents, teachers, students, and other counselors. Counselor Up is my way to share some of the ideas, organizing tools, and planning with you!
With over 20 years of teaching and counseling experience, I am a school counseling administrator in Central Texas. When I’m not counseling, writing, or presenting, I enjoy ranch life with my husband and our menagerie of pets—all of whom practice healthy coping skills, of course!
Chelsey is a licensed social worker and curriculum developer passionate about creating no-prep, engaging resources that support social-emotional learning in classrooms. With her experience as a school counselor and mentor, she’s committed to helping educators save time while fostering students' lifelong skills.
I focus on making things visual and concrete. We create a goal board, either in their counseling notebook or on the wall. We write down the big goal and start brainstorming all the steps we need to get there and the help will need to achieve those. – Laura, Social Emotional Workshop
When working with students on goal setting, I always follow SMART goal format but also have students set “mini deadlines” for smaller increments and identify supportive people who can help them stay on track and tackle roadblocks. – Counselor Keri
I’ve used a “Reach for the Stars” activity I saw on Pinterest to create a bulletin board. –Â Laurie Mendoza/School Counseling Files
I like to help students celebrate the small steps they are taking to reach their goals. During my goal setting lessons, I help students break larger goals into smaller parts. We look for small steps that are easy to accomplish, which helps motivate students to keep moving toward their ultimate goal. – Kate from EduKate & Inspire (Also, check out Kate’s tips for welcoming students arriving mid-year)
It is important to show students how to properly use an agenda pad or daily calendar. Have them use that calendar to write down weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly goals based on their needs. So many students skip this important tool because they think they can “remember” everything. Show students your own planner and how you use it. I often tell my students that if I don’t write it down, it may or may not get done. It’s okay to need a reminder. We aren’t super human. Showing students how to plan properly is key to better organization and goal setting. – Brandy, The Counseling Teacher
Kids have no idea how to set a goal. We assume that they do because we do (sometimes). I like to work with kids to create a SMART goal. It takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you see the big aha! – Counselor Up
Guide your student to choose a goal that is important to them (not just to the adults in their life), and that is attainable. It is best to use the SMART goal formula- specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely- to help students create a goal they are most likely to have success with. Finally, baby steps- just one goal at a time! –Â Stephanie Lerner – Bilingual Learner
My favorite thing to remember when working on goal setting with students is to make sure they select their goal. It can be so easy to tell students what WE or the teachers want them to focus on, but they are much more willing and able to make progress if they choose the goal! –Â CounselorChelsey
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