New Year Resolutions: Setting Goals for Success (90-Minute Lesson Plan + Worksheet)

Help your high school students start the year strong with this New Year Resolutions: Setting Goals for Success lesson plan! This engaging 90-minute activity teaches teens how to set meaningful, achievable goals using the SMART framework, build motivation, and create a personal action plan for success. Perfect for back-to-school, January lessons, or advisory periods focused on personal growth.

What’s Included

Complete 90-Minute Lesson Plan
Printable Student Worksheet (6 sections + reflection page)
Teacher Answer Key
Discussion prompts and mini-lecture notes
Formative assessment ideas and differentiation strategies

How It Works in the Classroom

• Ideal for a New Year kickoff, SEL period, or goal-setting advisory lesson
• Use as a stand-alone activity or as part of a personal development unit
• Works for whole-class discussions, small groups, or independent reflection
• Includes brainstorming, SMART goals, and personal action plan creation

Standards & Learning Goals

Students will:
• Understand the psychology behind New Year resolutions
• Learn to identify effective vs. ineffective goals
• Apply the SMART goal framework to their own lives
• Develop strategies for staying motivated and overcoming obstacles
• Create a personalized action plan to reach their 2025 goals

Why Teachers Love It

• Minimal prep — just print and teach!
• Perfect mix of reflection and real-world application
• Encourages student ownership and growth mindset
• Supports social-emotional learning and executive functioning
• Can be reused at the start of any term or goal-setting season

Help your students turn their resolutions into real results this year!
Download New Year Resolutions: Setting Goals for Success and make goal-setting meaningful, structured, and fun.