Goal Setting
After completing the self-assessment, you may want to write down your goals for achieving a balanced life. Initially, you may choose to set just one or two short-term goals to help you achieve your long-term ones. Don't be too concerned if you're not able to accomplish more than that at first. It takes time to change or develop more positive lifestyle behaviours, and doing so requires persistence and reflection.
Setting SMART goals
Sometimes, it may be hard to achieve a goal when it is too vague. For example, a goal such as "to exercise more" will be a difficult target to reach without any further guidance. To help you achieve your goals, clearly set out what you'd like to do by a certain time. Make sure that your goals are:
- specific
- measurable
- action-oriented
- realistic
- time-bound
A revision of the original goal of exercising more would be: "By November 2010, I will increase my level of physical activity to 60 minutes, three times a week by enrolling in an instructional class at UBC REC."
Reflection
After writing down your goals, reflect on your progress. Are you happy with your progress? Were there any surprises? How do you feel about the choices you made? Did you make different decisions than in the past? Did these decisions serve you better or worse than in the past? If worse, what could you do differently next time? Could you use some help?
Resources
Get to know the services available on campus. These resources can help you achieve balance as a student.
Re-assessment
Improving your wellness is a lifelong journey, so be patient and allow yourself time for changes. Sometimes one dimension will receive more attention than others. For example, the academic/intellectual dimension may require more time and effort while you're a student. Repeat the self-assessment in three to six months, or every few years for maximum benefit.
