Name: Celeste Miller

PRIORITIES AND GOAL -SETTING: WINTER 2017

Instructions: Using your completed “Semester-at-a-Glance” calendar as a reference, answer the

question sheet “Priorities and Goal-Setting.”

1. Identify 3 priorities or short-term goals that you can reasonably implement or achieve in the
next few weeks that will allow you to meet your term deadlines and obligations. (Please write
in full, grammatically correct sentences and be specific—use the SMART goal-setting
framework discussed in class.)

i. One goal I have is to improve my time management. I want to ensure that I am using
all of the time I have available to complete assignments and readings for my upcoming
classes.

ii. I also want to organize my notes and assignments. It’s very important for me to stay
organized to succeed in my courses. I haven't been in school in a very long time so I
don't want to fall behind. With the busy life that I have, with a toddler, I need to stay
on top of things.

iii. Lastly, I want to successfully complete Test 1 in My Biology, Chemistry, Math and
Communications classes. As I mentioned before I haven't been in school for about 7
years now so I have a bit of anxiety about taking tests

2. List 3 rewards that you will give yourself after successful completion of those goals. (Please
write in full, grammatically correct sentences.)

i. The first reward I would give myself is a day at the Spa. I need a day to relax and unwind.
Especially after a stressful semester and being successful with my time management I
would have to reward myself with a spa day. Everyone deserves time to relax.

ii. The second reward is my CPR certificate. With better time management I will be able to
find the right time to attend the class. I have always wanted to get my CPR. I want to get
 into nursing and I’m sure it will be a part of the course but it doesn’t hurt to get a head
start.

iii. Lastly to reward myself I will take a weekend just for me and family to do weekend
away in Niagara .Attend amusement parks, beaches indoor play places and shop.
Everyone needs to spend time with the ones they love. I personally need to so I want to
make sure I take the time out to spend quality time with not only my daughter but my
significant other and mother. I want to show them that I appreciate all the help they have
given me over the few months.

3. Looking at the semester as a whole (or the “big picture”), identify 1-2 potential roadblocks or
obstacles that may affect your ability to make certain deadlines and meet obligations. (Please
write in full, grammatically correct sentences.)

The obstacles I face in my life are my family and work. I have a 2 year old, well actually
almost 3 year old daughter named Passion. She’s everything you could ever ask for in a
toddler, energy wise. I also have a full time job. I need to be able to support my family so not
working at this point is not an option. Although I would love to quit my job and just
concentrate on school and my daughter I can't do that right now. I want a better life for us so
unfortunately I will have to sacrifice allot of time with my family.

i. How might you proactively avoid those potential roadblocks or obstacles so that you
make your deadlines and meet your obligations? (Please write in full, grammatically
correct sentences.)

Ultimately better time management will help me to overcome my obstacles. Now more than
ever I have to make sure that I am able to balance and prioritize. I don’t want my daughter to
feel like I don’t want to spend time with her so I have to make sure that she gets enough
attention while I still get the school work I need completed. I have an agenda and I use it. I
say that because anyone can have an agenda but if you don’t use it, it’s useless. I plan out my
days with my agenda and I have found this tool be a huge life saver. Once I write something
into my agenda it always gets accomplished. I use lists to make sure that I am completing all
tasks as well.

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4. Identify at least 2 Durham College resources that may prove useful in ensuring that you make
your deadlines and meet your obligations. Explain why those resources are appropriate in
supporting your deadlines, responsibilities, and goals. (Please write in full, grammatically
correct sentences.)

One of the resources that I find the most helpful to me as a student is SALs. There are various
tools available to help me be a successful student. Like peer tutoring, I am looking at getting
peer tutoring for Biology and Communications because I feel like I need a little help within
those two classes. As well I was told that there are Time Management workshops that I have
looked into to although I haven’t found one I can attend yet due to my schedule I plan to in
the future. During one of the open houses I had spoken to a rep from the SALs booth and she
advised me that there are individuals there that can help me with preparing a schedule for the
week. I a little more help me to plan out my days so that I can keep on top of things and stay
organized. Although not all teachers use this tool but the calendar on DC Connect is very
useful, I tend to sign into my DC Connect daily so I glance at the calendar to see what I have
upcoming to prepare for.

5. Thinking about your objectives at Durham College beyond this semester, identify a specific,
measurable, and attainable long-term goal. (Note that your goal should be specific—i.e. who,
what, where, when, why, etc.—measurable—i.e. quantifiable—and attainable—i.e. be honest
and realistic. Please write in full, grammatically correct sentences.)

Within the next few years I want to be in my career. I have been working in finance for several
years and I decided it was time I get into a career I actually enjoy doing and I can feel fulfilled
by, that’s why I choose to get into Nursing. I'm hoping that within the next 5 years I can have my
BASN and be working in my field perfecting my craft.

6. What will happen if you fall short of that longer term goal? Identify an alternative path to
academic success (i.e. a Plan B). (Please be specific, explain yourself thoroughly, and write in
full, grammatically correct sentences. Aim for one full paragraph.)

If I happen to fall short of my long term goal of becoming a Nurse then I will start again. I
want to become a nurse so even if there are roadblocks and obstacles that come in the way

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that may seem like I am unable to complete I will keep pushing. I have my family to support
and motivate me. I ultimately want to be in health services as my career so I know I enjoy
helping people in need. I understand that with at least a year completed in the BASN course
that I can become a PSW. It’s not exactly where I am heading but I know that I can at least
fall back on this certificate if I am unable to complete the course. I also have 8 plus working
years in finance so if all fails I can continue my career within finance as well. Although
staying in finance is like taking a step back, I have an established career there so it wouldn’t
be as hard to get another job in that field. It just the last thing I want to be doing for the rest
of my life.

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