As human beings, we naturally strive to improve ourselves, and one of the most impactful ways we can grow as students is through leadership. In honor of Self-Improvement Month (September), we’re focused on student leadership—a goal that many students are pursuing as they work to make a difference in their academic and personal lives.
Whether leading in the classroom, strengthening relationships, or discovering your purpose, refining student leadership skills is at the core of personal growth. September is the perfect time to reflect on how you can develop and use your leadership skills to influence the world around you positively.
WorldStrides is the savvy student’s partner to help them achieve their goals from career exploration experiential learning to leadership (and lots in between), and we’ve compiled six goals that students focused on self-improvement in the form of leadership can take on. If you’re working on becoming a better leader, friend, or student, these goals might sound familiar to you. Here’s how you can take steps toward achieving them—and growing your own student leadership skills along the way.
6 Self-Improvement Steps To Help With Student Leadership Goals
#1 – Get Fit and Healthy
As a student, you may want to improve your fitness to feel more energized, confident, or focused. This goal contributes to your overall health but also elevates you as you reach for student leadership goals. Exercising more, eating better, and creating healthier habits support a holistic approach to self-improvement. It’s a great place to start if you want to build discipline and perseverance—qualities essential for a leader.
How to Achieve It:
- Eat more fruits and veggies. These are easy swaps for unhealthy snacks.
- Take the stairs whenever possible, or get outside for a walk or jog.
- Exercise with friends—join a sports team or start a workout group with your classmates.
- Start small: wake up five minutes earlier for quick exercises like push-ups or sit-ups.
#2 – Discover Your Purpose
As a student leader, understanding your passion is key to finding your purpose. Whether discovering a future career or identifying what motivates you, finding your “why” can set the foundation for everything you do. It’s not always easy, but it’s a rewarding journey!
How to Achieve It:
- Listen to your gut: What excites or inspires you?
- Write down your strengths and successes to see where you shine.
- Pay attention to what you enjoy in school, and look for careers that align with your interests.
- Be curious: Attend workshops, join clubs, or volunteer in different areas to see what excites you.
- Explore experiential learning programs. Get real-world experience in your areas of interest through programs like the ones offered at WorldStrides.
#3 – Develop More Skills
To succeed as a leader, you must continuously learn and develop new skills. Whether you want to sharpen your public speaking, improve your study habits, or master a new technology, skill development is a lifelong pursuit. And the more skills you gain, the better equipped you’ll be to lead others.
How to Achieve It:
- Take a class in something that interests you, even if it’s outside your comfort zone.
- Ask for help from teachers or peers if there’s something you want to improve on.
- Practice, practice, practice—every skill gets better the more you work on it.
- Participate in leadership programs like those offered by Envision, where you can develop real-life skills and experiences that will set you apart.
#4 – Improve Relationships
Being a leader isn’t just about achieving personal goals—it’s also about how you interact with others. Building strong friendships, improving communication, and learning how to collaborate are all part of growing your leadership abilities. Whether you want to strengthen existing relationships or make new ones, this is an essential aspect of self-improvement.
How to Achieve It:
- Start with a smile: It’s an easy way to make new connections.
- Be a good listener: Make eye contact, ask questions, and really focus on the other person.
- Give compliments and encouragement: Great leaders lift others up.
- Make time for important people in your life—and don’t let distractions get in the way.
#5 – Challenge Yourself
True leaders don’t settle for staying in their comfort zones. They set high goals, challenge themselves to take risks, and push themselves to grow. If you’ve been feeling stuck or hesitant to try something new, this goal might be for you.
How to Achieve It:
- Set big goals that stretch your abilities.
- Surround yourself with high achievers who inspire you to do more.
- Say yes to new opportunities, even if they scare you.
- Never stop learning: Attend seminars, watch tutorials, or read books on topics that challenge you.
- Step outside your comfort zone—whether it’s public speaking, tackling a tough project, or joining a new club.
#6 – Build Self-Esteem and Positivity
Confidence is key for any student leader, but it’s not always easy to feel positive about yourself, especially when things get tough. Building self-esteem is about recognizing your strengths and focusing on what you can control. When you believe in yourself, others will, too.
How to Achieve It:
- Don’t compare yourself to others—everyone’s journey is different.
- Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
- Stay positive by focusing on the things you’re good at.
- Help others—doing nice things for others can make you feel great about yourself.
- Exercise regularly—it’s a natural confidence booster. (See Tip #1.)
Steps to Achieve Any Goal
No matter which of these goals resonate with you, it’s important to remember that nobody’s perfect. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind as you work toward improving yourself and becoming a stronger leader:
- Focus on what you can change—don’t worry about things that are out of your control.
- Let go of past mistakes—you can’t change the past, but you can shape your future.
- Take small steps—big goals are achieved one step at a time.
- Stay realistic—it’s okay if you don’t accomplish everything right away. Just keep moving forward.
By focusing on these student leadership goals, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the best version of yourself. And remember, being a leader isn’t about perfection—it’s about growth, perseverance, and having a positive impact on the people around you.
Envision by WorldStrides is passionate about guiding students each step of the way as they rise to their highest potential through transformative experiences. Our programs offer hands-on experiences that allow high schoolers to test the waters of possible career tracks in:
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