Setting Goals for 2025

The New Year is a time for reflection. It’s great to look back and celebrate all that you have achieved in 2024, but don’t forget to also look ahead at your goals for this year.

Setting goals helps you to stay on track throughout your university journey, so remember to be specific, realistic, and adaptable when it comes to setting your goals. Think about the things you want to achieve, the practical steps you can take to get there, and any obstacles you might face along the way.  

Your goals for 2025 will be personal to you. But if you are unsure on where to start, we’ve put together some tips to help you begin planning:

1. Reflect on your year

We know that looking backwards can make you feel like you’re moving in the wrong direction, but feedback is integral to your growth as a student, and as a person.

Before you begin to set new goals, it is important to look back on the last year and see what worked well and what you could improve on. This process will help you to celebrate your achievements and identify your strengths, whilst also highlighting some areas for improvement.  

If you set goals that you were not able to achieve, ask yourself why:

Was the goal too broad?  

Did you have a clear plan to achieve your goal?  

What obstacles kept you from your goal?  

Thinking about these things might help you adjust your existing goal so you can achieve it or encourage you to create an entirely new goal that is a better fit for you.

2. Take small steps towards your future  

Thinking about the future can be  scary , but it doesn’t have to be. Everyone will be asking themselves questions at the start of a new year, so you’re not alone in wondering what your life after university might look like moving forward

You can get started with your Future me plan. The first step will help you to map your short-term and long-term goals, discover new opportunities and keep track of your experiences. By committing to your goals, you will get to try new experiences that will help you towards achieving them.

Use your Future me plan to make the most out of Future me week starting on Monday 20 January 2025. It’s a week-long event where you will get to hear from an amazing line-up of inspirational speakers And you’ll also have the opportunity to work on real-world challenges. It is the perfect chance to learn new skills and expand your network.

There’s no pressure to have all the answers when it comes to life after university, but taking small steps can help you to feel more prepared. Be open to exploring your options and find the things that you enjoy and want to do more of!

3. Think about your study goals  

Processing your assignment feedback from the last semester is one of the best ways to improve as you move forward on your course.  

If you have an idea of the topics you want to improve on, why not start by looking at academic journals and articles? Try to go beyond your reading list and look at different perspectives. Your tutor will be able to give you tips on where to look.

But when it comes to achieving your study goals, getting yourself into the right head space and finding your best ways of working are essential. If you’re looking for some extra support, whether it’s on referencing and academic writing or just how to prepare for an exam, our Study Skills workshops and online resources will give you the tools you need to ace your studies.

4. Allow your goals to change  

Part of goal setting is being realistic, so it’s worth being kind to yourself and readjusting your goals from time to time to keep them achievable. For example, you might have an end goal of achieving a top grade or a great work placement. Whilst it’s great to have long-term goals, don’t get caught up in sticking to a fixed plan.

As our lives and plans are constantly changing, so should our goals. This means seeing a potential setback as an opportunity! If your goals don’t fit with anymore then it’s time to adapt or create an entirely new one. Remember, changing your mind isn’t giving in, and being flexible is a positive skill.  
 
To get you started off on the right foot, why not break down your larger goals into smaller ones? It’ll make them more realistic, and they’ll feel easier to achieve.