The best way to make improvements is to set short-term goals. For example, if you are a C student, it might be difficult to jump to making straight 100s. If you missed 40 days last semester, expecting perfect attendance might not be realistic. Those are examples of long-term goals. At first, however, set short-term goals for small improvements. Below are some examples of realistic, short-term goals aimed at small improvements. These are only examples: set your own goals and what you expect out of yourself. Use the Student Reflection Form each week to track the progress of your goals. Once you reach your goals, set a slightly higher goal and keep working to improve yourself!
Attendance: (Being Late)
Be on time for every class this week.
I will shorten conversations with friends in the hallway.
I will walk straight to class at the first bell, so I am there when the tardy bell sounds.
I will use the restroom before class, during lunch, and between classes.
Attendance: (Being Absent)
I will set the alarm on my phone to wake up with plenty of time to make it to the bus and/or school.
I will come every day, unless it is a TRUE emergency.
I will go to bed at a decent time so I can wake up on time in the morning.
If I am a rider, I will get on a bus route anyway, in case something happens to my ride.
I will not miss more than 1 day this week.
I will not check out early this week.
I will not miss any days this week.
Class Preparation: (Supplies)
I will charge my laptop the night before, and bring it to class every day this week.
I will bring the supplies my teacher recommended every day this week.
If I do not have the supplies, I will talk to my teachers, counselors, and administrators for help getting those supplies.
If my supplies get lost at home, I will see Mr. Maynard about getting a locker to keep my supplies.
Attitude:
I will be positive and smile this week, even when people get on my nerves.
I will stay away from people and situations that bring me down or make me angry or frustrated this week.
I will talk to my Connections teacher about situations that are bothering me this week.
This week, when a teacher asks me to do something, I will not snap back.
When I begin to feel irritated, I will close my eyes and take 5 slow, deep breaths and try to calm down.
Classroom Interaction: (peer)
I will let my peers finish talking and not interrupt them this week.
I will only talk about class-related topics with peers in class this week.
I will ignore peers that are bad influences on me this week.
If I'm having a hard time with a peer, I will talk to the classroom or Connections teacher for advice.
I will be a role model this week, and show my peers how it looks to value my education.
Classroom Interaction: (teacher)/Followed Rules
I will follow instructions this week.
I will not interrupt my teacher this week.
I will try to help my teacher this week with every day tasks.
I will not raise my voice in class this week.
I will not use profanity or insults in class this week.
Each day, my teachers will not have to correct my behavior more than once.
Academic Work Completed and Turned In:
I will stay on task during class this week so that I can finish my work and turn it in.
I will try, even on work I do not understand.
When I do not understand, I will ask the classroom teacher, Connections teacher, or a classmate for help.
If I fall behind, I will stay after school one day this week to finish work.
I will not be more than one day late on any assignment this week.
Academic Skills: (note-taking, study skills, etc)
When my teacher is presenting information, I will write down what I can this week.
I will ask my teacher how to know what I should take notes on: how to tell what to write down.
At the appropriate time, I will ask a classmate for their notes to compare to mine and get what I missed.
I will ask the teacher to look at my notes and give feedback.
I will go over (study) my notes or class materials for 15 minutes each night.
I will stay after school one day this week to study and get tutoring.
Self-Advocacy (speaking up for yourself)
I will talk to my Connections teacher and classmates this week about my issue/problem.
I will talk to my classroom teacher about my issue/problem this week.
I will see my counselor or an administrator about my issue/problem this week.
I will send an email to my teacher, counselor, classmate if I am having trouble talking about something.
I will write down details about my issue/problem, so that when I need to talk about it, I don't forget anything.
Reviewed Academic Progress:
This week, I will check my grades on Powerschool.
This week, I will ask my teacher about my questions about grades or assignments.
This week, I will check with my teacher about making up work or Re-testing on a quiz or assessment.
I will make a short-term goal about improving my academics this week.
I will ask my Connections teacher and classmates for advice on how to improve my academics this week.
My personal life:
This week, I will separate my personal life problems and school.
This week, I will share my problems with my Connections teacher and classmates.
This week, I will talk to my family, friends, about my problems/issues.
This week, I will email my counselor to schedule a time to talk about my problems.
I will not let my personal life damage my education and my future this week.
Be on time for every class this week.
I will shorten conversations with friends in the hallway.
I will walk straight to class at the first bell, so I am there when the tardy bell sounds.
I will use the restroom before class, during lunch, and between classes.
Attendance: (Being Absent)
I will set the alarm on my phone to wake up with plenty of time to make it to the bus and/or school.
I will come every day, unless it is a TRUE emergency.
I will go to bed at a decent time so I can wake up on time in the morning.
If I am a rider, I will get on a bus route anyway, in case something happens to my ride.
I will not miss more than 1 day this week.
I will not check out early this week.
I will not miss any days this week.
Class Preparation: (Supplies)
I will charge my laptop the night before, and bring it to class every day this week.
I will bring the supplies my teacher recommended every day this week.
If I do not have the supplies, I will talk to my teachers, counselors, and administrators for help getting those supplies.
If my supplies get lost at home, I will see Mr. Maynard about getting a locker to keep my supplies.
Attitude:
I will be positive and smile this week, even when people get on my nerves.
I will stay away from people and situations that bring me down or make me angry or frustrated this week.
I will talk to my Connections teacher about situations that are bothering me this week.
This week, when a teacher asks me to do something, I will not snap back.
When I begin to feel irritated, I will close my eyes and take 5 slow, deep breaths and try to calm down.
Classroom Interaction: (peer)
I will let my peers finish talking and not interrupt them this week.
I will only talk about class-related topics with peers in class this week.
I will ignore peers that are bad influences on me this week.
If I'm having a hard time with a peer, I will talk to the classroom or Connections teacher for advice.
I will be a role model this week, and show my peers how it looks to value my education.
Classroom Interaction: (teacher)/Followed Rules
I will follow instructions this week.
I will not interrupt my teacher this week.
I will try to help my teacher this week with every day tasks.
I will not raise my voice in class this week.
I will not use profanity or insults in class this week.
Each day, my teachers will not have to correct my behavior more than once.
Academic Work Completed and Turned In:
I will stay on task during class this week so that I can finish my work and turn it in.
I will try, even on work I do not understand.
When I do not understand, I will ask the classroom teacher, Connections teacher, or a classmate for help.
If I fall behind, I will stay after school one day this week to finish work.
I will not be more than one day late on any assignment this week.
Academic Skills: (note-taking, study skills, etc)
When my teacher is presenting information, I will write down what I can this week.
I will ask my teacher how to know what I should take notes on: how to tell what to write down.
At the appropriate time, I will ask a classmate for their notes to compare to mine and get what I missed.
I will ask the teacher to look at my notes and give feedback.
I will go over (study) my notes or class materials for 15 minutes each night.
I will stay after school one day this week to study and get tutoring.
Self-Advocacy (speaking up for yourself)
I will talk to my Connections teacher and classmates this week about my issue/problem.
I will talk to my classroom teacher about my issue/problem this week.
I will see my counselor or an administrator about my issue/problem this week.
I will send an email to my teacher, counselor, classmate if I am having trouble talking about something.
I will write down details about my issue/problem, so that when I need to talk about it, I don't forget anything.
Reviewed Academic Progress:
This week, I will check my grades on Powerschool.
This week, I will ask my teacher about my questions about grades or assignments.
This week, I will check with my teacher about making up work or Re-testing on a quiz or assessment.
I will make a short-term goal about improving my academics this week.
I will ask my Connections teacher and classmates for advice on how to improve my academics this week.
My personal life:
This week, I will separate my personal life problems and school.
This week, I will share my problems with my Connections teacher and classmates.
This week, I will talk to my family, friends, about my problems/issues.
This week, I will email my counselor to schedule a time to talk about my problems.
I will not let my personal life damage my education and my future this week.
Remember: these are only examples. Create your own achievable goals. Work on reaching them each week by tracking them on the Student Reflection Form. Once you've reached them, set another goal and keep working to improve!