From Dreams to Strategies: ULM Assists Students of SMPN 2 Banjarmasin in Developing Future Plans Through “Goal Setting Camp”
BANJARMASIN – A team of Guidance and Counseling (BK) lecturers from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP) at Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) held “Goal Setting Camp: Building Future Plans for Generation Z in Riverbank Schools” at SMP Negeri 2 Banjarmasin from June to September 2025. This program is part of ULM’s Compulsory Lecturer Service Program (PDWA), which aims to equip adolescents with the skills to plan for their future in a focused manner.
The head of the implementing team, Dr. Sulistiyana, S.Pd., M.Pd., explained that many junior high school students are enthusiastic about achieving their dreams but are unsure about how to take the first step.
“Through the Goal Setting Camp, we introduce the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) principle. This way, students not only dare to dream, but also learn to develop concrete strategies to achieve them,” she said at the closing ceremony on Saturday (September 13, 2025).
This program is interactive, featuring group discussions, educational games, self-reflection, and practical life planning. The training takes place not only in the classroom but also on the school grounds to create a more enjoyable atmosphere. Each student is asked to write down their dream, the reasons behind it, and the concrete steps they need to take.
The involvement of guidance counselors at SMPN 2 Banjarmasin is crucial to the program’s sustainability.
“We want teachers to be able to support students after the program ends, so the skills they learn don’t stop there,” added Sulistiyana.
In addition to himself, the ULM PDWA team also includes Muhammad Arsyad, M.Psi., and Noor Ainah, S.Th.I., M.Pd. They provide personal mentoring for students who need more detailed guidance. This support was welcomed by the school.
The principal of SMPN 2 Banjarmasin said, “Our students are highly motivated, but they need guidance. The presence of ULM lecturers provides positive energy and inspiration for them to dare to pursue their dreams.”
The activity left a lasting impression on the students. One participant admitted that before the training, she only had dreams without a clear direction. “Now I know better what to do to achieve my dreams,” she said enthusiastically.
More than just training, the Goal Setting Camp is designed to strengthen self-confidence, resilience, and decision-making skills from an early age. These values ​​are essential for facing the challenges of the modern, competitive era.
In the spirit of collaboration between universities and schools, ULM hopes that the activities at SMPN 2 Banjarmasin can become a model program replicated in other schools, especially those in riverbank areas. This program emphasizes ULM’s role in equipping the younger generation with sustainable life skills.
