This class helps learners build executive functioning skills related to goal setting including planning, task initiation, task completion, and time management. The primary focus is helping learners plan and achieve short-term and long-term goals.

A handout is provided each week along with at least one lecture. Students should watch the lecture(s) and complete the assigned homework. Then, students will share their homework in the Outschool classroom via text, photo, or video. This is a self-paced class, and students may complete the homework as quickly or as slowly as they feel is best for them.

I check-in with students in self-paced classes twice each week, typically on Mondays and Thursdays, for the first five weeks of this class. After that, I am happy to stay in contact if arrangements are made in advance, such as students who need extra time due to extenuating circumstances.

A detailed syllabus is provided in this course description. However, this is a brief summary of lectures and homework:

Week 1: Types of Goals, Priorities, and Setting Long-Term Goals
-Lecture: During this week, I’ll introduce goals and how we make them achievable.
-Homework: Learners will identify their top three long-term goals, focusing on different aspects of their lives (e.g. academic, athletic, and vocational).

Week 2: Setting Short-Term Goals and Goals for Specific Tasks
-Lecture: Students will learn about setting goals for different durations: daily, weekly, and monthly. Additionally, we'll look at setting goals for specific tasks.
-Homework: Students will list goals that they often repeat (e.g. finishing all homework) and goals that they feel would help them be more productive or provide them with more direction.

Week 3: SMART Goals and Objectives
-Lecture: This week will look at SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable/Attainable, Relevant/Realistic) goals and objectives. Students will learn how to set goals that are most likely to be accomplished.
-Homework: Learners will create at least three SMART goals: one long term (e.g. be admitted to college), one medium-term (e.g. finish the semester with a 3.8), and one short-term (e.g. earn a 90% on the upcoming test). The goals should have manageable objectives. One goal should be achievable or able to undergo significant progress by the end of the class.

Week 4: SMART Goals and Objectives for Common Tasks
-Lecture: This week, we’ll look at SMART goals for common academic tasks including earning high grades on exams, completing projects and essays, and studying consistently. A template will be provided for some of these tasks, and students should use it in the future for tasks after leaving this class.
-Homework: Students will create a SMART goal for at least one upcoming event (e.g. exam, paper, or project) or a habit they would like to create (e.g. a study routine or saving money).

Week 5: Review and Return to Long-Term Goals
-Lecture: We will review the information learned in this class, and students will return to their original long-term goals. Learners will consider how they can make those long-term goals more attainable through making them SMART.
-Homework: Students will revise their three original long-term goals or create three new goals if needed.