By Jennifer Scuteri
NFL Player Engagement
As you gear up to go back to school, it’s important to put yourself in the right mindset in order to succeed. At this point, you’ve probably established a routine of little things that work for you in the classroom, in social settings, and on the field. But in between practice and homework, it’s easy to lose track of your personal development. Here are some tips to make the most of this academic year and continue your growth in all facets of your character.
Set SMART Goals.
Whether you know it or not, you’ve probably set goals for yourself entering each school year. Perhaps you’ve said to yourself, “I want to start 4 games this season” or “I am aiming to have a B+ average at the end of this semester.” Many times these goals may race through your head and go unrecorded. But by writing down your aspirations and tracking your progress, you are better able to take little steps towards achieving your goals.
While all goals you set should be smart, they should also be SMART. Let’s use the following goal as a strong SMART example: Achieve an 85% average in math this school year to remain academically eligible this season and become an Academic All American.
Specific – is this goal detailed and unique to you? The goal “I would like to do well in math this year” could mean something different to each one of your classmates.
Measurable – how will you know when the result has been achieved? Most of the time, numeric criteria will give you a good indication of your progress. If at the end of the first semester your math average is 80%, you know that you will need to maintain a 90% the next semester in order to achieve your goal.
Aligned – is this goal aligned with your personal priorities? Good grades align very well with the majority of personal priorities – in this instance, your success on the field. You should establish a strong understanding of your priorities as you continue to set goals.
Results Oriented – what are the expected outcomes of this goal? You’ve identified that you are aiming to be named an Academic All American. While the goal itself spawns a positive result, always take into account the bigger outcomes that can be achieved.
Time Based – when would you like this goal to be achieved? With every goal should come a reasonable and attainable timeline. Here, you’ve given yourself the entire year to focus on your performance in math class.
Step outside your academic comfort zone.
You may have been advised not to do things that make you uncomfortable, but the classroom is safe space to explore your academic interests. You never know what you will uncover in a class you were not expecting to take. By challenging yourself in the classroom, you demonstrate to your teachers, friends, family, and coaches and you are willing to take calculated risks in order to expand your personal knowledge, understanding, and opportunities for growth.
Achieve a sustainable balance.
Juggling your performance in the classroom, your success on the field, your friendships, and your family is no easy feat. Understanding that at different points in the year, your priorities will shift, you should strive to give the necessary attention to all of the things that are important to you. Try not to sacrifice your success in one area by focusing too intently on another. In fact, maintaining multiple areas of interest can be beneficial –when your athletic endeavors become taxing or difficult, rely on the strong bonds you have with your family and friends to overcome the challenge. Use one of your passions as an outlet to fuel the other.
Engage with your community.
Regardless of how busy you may be, it’s important to give back. Many of the things you do may be personally fulfilling, but there is something to be said about personal fulfillment that also helps others. By opening your eyes to something new and different, you will bring a new perspective to your other interests and commitments. Your school or academic institution provides opportunities for community service, so be sure to reach out to the appropriate people to see how you can become involved.
Don’t lose sight of the big picture.
It’s easy to lose yourself in the details. Never forget that your personal development is extremely important and that it starts with you. Once you’ve identified the things you hope to achieve, seek the assistance of your family, friends, coaches, and teachers, to get you there. But along the way, it’s important that you do everything in your power to become a better student, better athlete, better friend, better family member, and most importantly, a better person this school year.