College Goals for 2026: Setting Intentions That Actually Work

If college planning for 2026 already feels heavy, start with one small shift: not starting your sentences with “should.”

Why? Because “should” sounds like social pressure. And pressures often trigger avoidance, procrastination, or perfectionism. So instead of leading your self-talk with shame or guilt (which studies now show don’t actually work to motivate new behaviors, anyway), consider trying a new approach this year.

A better starting point? Values plus proof.

Values tell you why a goal matters. Proof shows admissions readers, teachers, and recommenders what you did and who you became along the way. To put it simply, remember your priorities more clearly and you’ll make choices aligned with them.

This article brings you a counselor-style framework you can repeat all year. If you’re ready to start setting intentions that actually work, keep reading. You don’t need 20 new goals, or to become a whole new person. You just need a few well-chosen goals and a kind tone. After all, college planning works best when the plan respects your real life, too!

Reframe goals: from “should” to “If I want X, then I can Y.” 

“Should” is a slippery word for teenagers, and it shows up even more around New Year’s Resolutions. Don’t believe me? Just listen.

• You hear it from your parents (“you should do the dishes,” “you should eat your veggies,” “you should go to bed earlier”). 
• You hear it from your friends and classmates (“he shouldn’t wear that,” “she shouldn’t be upset,” “they shouldn’t come”). 
• Everyone hears it from the media and advertisements (“you should buy this,” or “you shouldn’t buy that”). 
• Even more ubiquitous, you hear it from yourself (“I should do my homework,” “I should earn better grades,” “I should study more”). 

But no matter how well-intentioned, it still inspires a vague feeling of dread. Here’s a pro tip, from us to you. Want to really make a change and turn over a new leaf this new year?

Don’t “should” all over yourself!

Yep, you heard me. Flush it down the drain. “Should” is vague. Values and actions aren’t. 

Use this two-step template:

1. Name the value or outcome (X): what you truly want; depth in an activity, mastery in math, a narrative for your essay, or a calmer, more organized application season.
2. Pick the concrete behavior (Y) that proves it: daily practice, a leadership role, a research project. How can you put your idea into action?
3. Then write one sentence: “If I want to achieve X, then I can do Y.” Reframing your priorities this way reminds you of your values when you’re at a fork in the road and can choose one behavior over another. 

This structure mirrors a well-studied strategy called implementation intentions, also known as “if-then plans.” It’s the same model behavioral scientists use in habit design. Research reviews find that “if-then” planning improves follow-through because the plan links a specific cue with a specific action.

Here are two examples students often use:

• If I want to demonstrate sustained interest in biology (X), then I can volunteer weekly in the hospital lab and complete a summer research project (Y).
• If I want to improve my grades in AP Literature (X), then I can study 50 minutes every school night, meet my teacher biweekly, and track progress on a grade sheet (Y).

Why this works: values reduce decision fatigue; specific behaviors create measurable progress. When it comes down to it, that’s the difference between vague resolutions and goals that admissions officers can see.

And the bonus? 

This method exposes goals that are not truly yours. By highlighting when something isn’t worth it to you, you can save your energy.

For instance, if you think to yourself, “if I want to have a tidy room, then I can clean up my books and fold my laundry.” If having a tidy room isn’t important to you, then you know what to do (or not do). If the “Y” feels unbearable, the “X” might be coming from someone else!

Here’s a video that walks you through some of this process:

Define your values and test your seriousness. 

Of course, all that’s easier said than done. Your values sound abstract until a week of real behavior puts them on the scoreboard. Your plan needs honesty, not intensity.

For it to be effective, first, you have to think long and hard about your values. Do a few free-writing journal sessions. You don’t have to have all the answers, but take your time and think deeply about your goals in life; this is the most important part of the planning process. 

Not convinced? Here’s a short video that explains how (and why) journaling works so well:

A short exercise (15–20 minutes):

• Free-write: List 6–8 things that matter most (interests, subjects, causes, personal traits, environments when you feel most energized).
• Choose your top 3: For each, write one behavior that proves it in the real world (concrete, repeatable, observable).
• The “shadow test”: If someone shadowed you for a week, what would they observe? Would those behaviors match your stated values?

Pick one small proof-of-value per week for a month (e.g., complete a project, lead a meeting, publish a short piece). These actions become the bones of essays, recommendation requests, and activity descriptions. Admissions readers are ultimately looking for behavioral evidence. If your values don’t show up in how you spend your time, it won’t be a compelling part of your application file.

So, ditch the “should” and focus on what you can control.

What’s changed for the Class of 2026

Whether you read college news or not, it’s hard to avoid: there have been a lot of changes to the landscape of higher education lately. So, with everything going on, what do potential students really need to focus on? 

For applicants, two main trends matter for college goals 2026 planning right now. After test-optional years, many elite schools have reintroduced testing, or signaled a return to using scores. Simultaneously, admissions readers want authentic stories and consistent evidence of interest. That combination favors students who can both present measurable achievement and tell a coherent narrative.

Let’s break that down.

First, testing policies shifted again at several highly selective schools.

In addition to reintroducing score submission, we’re seeing more schools now superscore SAT or ACT results. If testing is back on your radar, review each college’s policy to build an informed prep and retake plan. For instance:

• Dartmouth announced a return to required SAT/ACT for applicants beginning with the Class of 2029 cycle.
• Brown announced a reinstated testing requirement beginning with the next cycle for the Class of 2029.
• Harvard announced a return to required standardized testing for fall 2025 admission applicants (Class of 2029 cycle).
• Yale announced a “test-flexible” policy where applicants submit SAT/ACT or other approved scores.

What does this mean for you? 

School-by-school policy checks matter. Your testing strategy should match your list, not your neighbor’s list. And when it comes to creating that standardized testing strategy, the earlier, the better, so you know what’s coming your way.

Second, holistic review still rules the day.

Holistic review looks at academic factors, nonacademic factors, and context together, not as separate boxes. This trend has never been more apparent than in recent years, when authenticity makes individuals stand out from a crowd of similar applicants (and AI-generated essays).

Colleges are also looking for behavioral evidence of character traits like grit, initiative, and curiosity. In the admissions process, your actions are your character, on paper.

For students, remember that depth and coherence win over a scattered list. Think like an admissions reader. Your goal system should build a story that feels consistent across transcript, activities, and writing.

2026 college goals for your best year yet

Ready for your academic glow-up this New Year? Ditch the vague “shoulds.” For college goals in 2026 that you’ll actually manifest, anchor decisions in values and pick measurable behaviors that prove them. Use the “If I want X, then I can Y” template to create a clear plan that actually works. Start small. Track actions. Keep the plan human.

And don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you want a second set of eyes on your college goals 2026 plan, ask a counselor to review your values list, your proof behaviors, and your timeline. A 20-minute check-in often saves weeks of stress. Book a free consultation with Empowerly to discuss our program and how our expert counselors could help your student thrive.