Personal Academic Goals free essay sample

The National Center for Education Statistics did a study on pay comparison between graduate and non-graduate workers. The study indicates that college graduates get paid an average of 38% more compare to those non-graduates. Therefore, finishing college is as important and should be a goal for most individuals if not everyone. My three personal academic goals that hope to achieve as a student here at the university are to earn a degree in management, learn how it affects productivity in the workplace and also to improve written and oral communication skills. Understanding that going to college and graduate from it is no simple task. It involves numerous moving parts and those parts need to work together in harmony to achieve personal academic goals. Some of those moving parts that need enhancing are personnel responsibility, time management, written, and oral communications. In my 24 years of military service, I did not take advantage of acquiring a formal education even though the military provides the opportunities and environment to take college courses and get a degree. We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Academic Goals or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When I was in the military, my priorities were more focus on getting the job done making sure that military personnel get their personal records corrected and updated, get paid correctly and on time, provide briefs, submit reports, and conduct different types of trainings. After retiring from the military, my priority changes and academic success is in the front of it. By using my military educational benefits (GI bill) entitlement to jump start my desire to pursue higher learning and hoping to acquire a degree in management here at the university. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) researchers at the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (Eric Dey, 2008) that in categories they surveyed; students and professionals strongly agree that personal responsibility should be a major focus of a college education. The same study also demonstrates that 40% of college students acquire or develop personal responsibility while in college pursuing a degree. To me, personal responsibility is to admit and accept that no one is perfect, will make mistakes, take ownership of my actions, seek assistance when needed, learn from it, and correct it. Time management is also important to students’ academic goals, personal life, and career success. Setting short-term and long-term goals are an integral part of time management. In the book â€Å"Becoming a Master Student† (Dave Ellis, 2011, p. 61), emphasizes that students have enough time for the things they want to accomplish. It takes thinking about possibilities and making conscious choices (p. 61). Students know that there are 24 hours in a day and 168 hours in a week, â€Å"no more no less. † By making conscious effort to write down activities using â€Å"TIME MONITOR/TIME PLAN† for the week and follow it diligently should help meet deadline and task. As a student, I need to recognize that procrastination is the enemy of time management; fight it, destroy it, and stop it now! Managing and following time management diligently with no hesitation is a model for success for students to follow. Another key element to personal academic success is the importance of improving one’s written and oral communication skills are vital in the workplace. The utilization of computers has been the greatest force for change in the environment and activities of an organization (Uhlig, 1977). Electronic devices, such as computers have been increasingly used as a medium in written and oral communications in the world of business today. To succeed, I have to learn the foundations of basic writing, grammar, and speaking in front of people. I must also understand that communications skills are a necessity and important in the business world not only in today’s environment but also in the future, In conclusion, there are no shortcuts to academic success and that graduating from college are extremely difficult and time consuming. By improving, mastering, and applying acquired skills in personal responsibility, time management, oral, and written communications can prepare me to succeed in academic settings. Investing time, attention, patience, and perseverance must be the focal point of emphasis in achieving my academic goals. It is time to learn, conquer fear, fight procrastination, and enjoy every moment of it.