In support of the first stage of the metacognition process, planning, this section will look at setting goals. Clear goals are essential for encouraging self-direction, particularly in the context of your studies (Sides and Cuevas, 2020). As a student, you are often responsible for managing your time, coursework, and activities without supervision. By setting specific goals, no matter how big or small, you can take control of your academic journey. This sense of direction allows you to act autonomously, ensuring that you remain focused on what matters most, rather than being distracted by less important tasks. Plus, you will feel a sense of accomplishment as you achieve your goals. You are more likely to proactively seek out resources, manage your time, and monitor your progress. This autonomy is key to developing self-discipline, as you set priorities based on your goals and commit to following through on your responsibilities. You are also developing your self-efficacy as you begin to understand how your actions directly impact your success, which fosters a sense of accountability and boosts your confidence in your ability to manage your academic journey. Self-efficacy is important to academic success as it is linked to your belief in your abilities to complete tasks or achieve specific goals (Bandura, 1997)
References
Bandura, A. (1997) Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control. New York: Freeman
Sides, J. D. and Cuevas, J. A. (2020) ‘Effect of goal-setting for motivation, self-efficacy, and performance in elementary mathematics’, International Journal of Instruction, 13(4), pp. 1-16.