There are different types of goals; some are already decided while others you can affect.

All courses have examination goals--goals that should be achieved in the educational programme. These goals are categorised into three sections:

•     Knowledge and understanding
•     Skills and abilities
•     Evaluation ability and approach

You will find them in your programme syllabus!

The educational programme is divided into courses describing the learning objectives; what's important, what will you learn, what should the knowledge lead to? The learning objectives are also divided according to the above categories. You will find these in each syllabus of your educational programme's courses.

Now as to your own personal goals for the educational programme, having clear goals helps you to succeed with your studies.

It is an advantage to have different types of goals

•     Long-term goals--may be to complete your entire education, to create a sensible, realistic planning that is well-balanced between study time and leisure time.
•     Objectives in the short- term/interim goals--may be to successfully get good results on the next exam or to understand the meaning of a difficult concept.
•     Realistic goals--having realistic goals increases your ability to really accomplish what you want to do and reach the goal or goals, to feel personally involved. This helps to increase your motivation! Only you can make realistic goals for yourself.

It is a good idea to include rewards after achieving interim goals. The brain loves rewards! It helps you have the energy to take on the next course and the course after that... What is a good reward for you?

Some tips

•     Be curious! If you are interested and want to know more, then you can learn more easily.
•     Get yourself a role model! Imagine an athlete who works hard towards her goals. You can do the same! Or you might have another role model: a successful person in business, a politician, or perhaps a relative. All of these people are driven by their goals and have acquired their own motivation that leads them forward.

Think about this:

what is your strongest driving force? Try to involve it in your studies!