Sandra deepened her testimony by setting goals and studying her scriptures
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Through PathwayConnect’s Life Skills course, four students learned to broaden their academic and career paths. This is their story.
“The Pathway
Sandra Goodwin, of Walla Walla, Washington, felt discouraged when it came to learning — she struggled with school growing up and often wondered if she was capable of higher education. Sandra’s discouragement in school also impacted her confidence in learning spiritually. Longing for a new way to learn, Sandra fervently prayed for a better way to study the scriptures and grow closer to her Heavenly Father.
From her prayers, Sandra received a prompting to join
Spiritual Development Through Setting Goals
PathwayConnect’s Life Skills class taught Sandra how to set goals and develop good habits. Having the desire to improve her scripture study, Sandra made some commitments. Every morning, Sandra woke up a half hour earlier than usual so she could read and ponder the scriptures. This new habit taught Sandra how to improve her study of the scriptures and prepared her to teach others the gospel.
“Seven months after setting my goal, I am still getting up early and now going to bed sooner so I can wake up to read,” Sandra said. “When I was called to teach in Relief Society, I felt like I had the confidence and skills to do it.”
As Sandra
“I love sharing my PathwayConnect experiences because it is the best thing I’ve done in a long time,” Sandra said. “Through my daily scripture study, I have grown closer to my Savior and become a better example to those around me.”
Tips for Setting Spiritual Goals
Sandra found that goal setting helped her on the path of discipleship. It can be a tool that helps others, too. Here are some ways to set spiritual goals and deepen one’s discipleship to Christ:
- Start with a small goal and slowly make it a little more challenging
- Read scriptures or general conference talks about your goal to get motivated
- Create small reminders, such as notes placed somewhere noticeable or utilizing a smartphone app
- Set aside a certain time each day, week, or month to work on the goal
- Have a time frame to accomplish the goal and plan a reward for reaching it on time
Learning to Learn
Enrolling in PathwayConnect has not only fulfilled Sandra’s spiritual desires, but gave her
“PathwayConnect has helped me to realize that I can do things I didn’t think I could do — both spiritually and temporally. I will be forever grateful for this program and the blessings it has brought into my life,” said Sandra.
This is the last article in a four-part series highlighting the different ways PathwayConnect’s Life Skills course can impact students’ lives. Part one shows how Lyza brought lifelong learning into her home. Part two is about how John applied time management at work. Part three shows how Vitali, a BYU-Idaho student, learned to learn with the Holy Ghost.
Learn more about the PathwayConnect courses at