Getting Started and Finding Success

"Whatever the Muslim endeavors to do,

he/she seeks to perfect it."

(saying of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh))

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit." (Aristotle)

Set your Goals and make them S.M.A.R.T.

S = Specific (say exactly what you want to do or achieve.) Example: instead of how I want to do better in my classes, a more specific goal would say I plan to write my assignments in my planner before I leave each class, sit at the front of the class, raise my hand when I don't understand, and listen insted of talking)

M = Measurable. A measurable goal is one that you can use a time or an amount to determine if you were successful at completing the goal. Example: instead of saying I will study every day. A measurable goal would say 'I will study 2-3 hours every evening whether I have homework or not.'

A = Attainable. Attainable goals are things are within your reach --something you know you have the tools, resources, and ability to do. It is something you are able to reach for and grasp. That means you will set goals that push you to be committed to achieve them so you won't want to quit in the middle of doing it or before you even get started.

R = Realistic, Reachable, and Reasonable. Be for real. Are you really going to do it? Are you being fair to yourself by setting this goal? Have you stretched yourself too much or too little. If you set a goal that is unrealistic, you are going to do it. You may not be able to do it. This is almost like a repeat of attainable, but now you are thinking seriously about whether or not you are making yourself reach.

T = Time Sensitive. Your goals must be something on which you can set a specific time on. Use language like each day for a week, for the next quarter, five times a day, 30 minutes a day, etc. This is "time sensitive" language.

President Obama has a message for students who want to be successful.

"I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn." (President Barack Obama, Sept. 9, 2009)

Hear the president's entire National Address to Students http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iqsxCWjCvI