Educational Smart Goals – How Can Students Make Their Goals Smart?

Annabel and Erika are college freshmen taking up a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. Whereas both of the girls have exemplary records in their respective high schools (both of them graduated on top of their class), anyone who has read the girls’ assignment on their respective goal in college could easily predict that Erika will do better. Compared to Annabel’s “I’m gonna do well in class” goal, Erika bravely has her eyes set on the goal of “Managing my time well to be able to get a 3.4 grade-point average in all my subjects”.

Obviously, Erika knows about educational smart goals. Just an FYI, SMART goal is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals. Here are a few examples of educational smart goals:

• Educational smart goals are specific—there is no room for vague goals which are overwhelming and unachievable. Your goals need to be detailed, concise and clear. Instead of saying “I’m going to study better”, an educational smart goal says “I will devote 2 hours every night to do my schoolwork”. The educational smart goal version of “I’m going to finish my term paper” is “I will begin doing my term paper a month before the deadline.”

• Educational smart goals are measurable. Time frames, dates, amounts – anything that could measure your success – are essential as they provide the means to help you determine whether you have attained your goal. Rather than aiming for “better grades”, target a particular grade-point average by the end of the semester.

• Educational smart goals are attainable. Take action not a reaction—in short, be realistic in your goals. Graduating on top of the class may be unlikely if your consistently on probation or if your average is just 2.2. Try aiming for a 3.0 instead—with a lot of effort that is more realistic.

• Educational smart goals are relevant. Goals need be set up with a clear purpose. If your goal is to ace your mid-term exam in biology that is four days away, don’t get distracted by starting on your home reading report that is not due for another week.

• Educational smart goals are time-bound. Goals need to have a starting point, a time frame and an ending point. Working on a detailed thesis paper is praiseworthy, but not if you only have one week to finish it.

If you want quality and consistent improvement in your life, goal setting is a process you must master. And students are not exempted from this fact. Knowing how to set goals is an indispensable capability for students. But what is even more essential is that students make their goals smart. Indeed, goal setting is an important skill students must have—and it is a most daunting thing to master. But taking time to make your educational goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound might make all the difference. Here we have more smart goals examples to give you a better idea of how you can apply this to your daily routine.

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How Do You Set Your Goals?

Jenn has never really liked making plans. Being a spontaneous person, she hates the idea of setting objectives for the future. To her, everything should be done and taken in the here and now. Then Jenn hit a bump in the map of her life. She lost her job due to her company’s downsizing and found herself back in the pool of unemployed. For the second time in her life (the first being her college days), she had to set her goals straight in order to get back on track.

If you are like Jenn, then you also need to set your goals in order for you to move ahead in life. But how do you set your goals and achieve them? The following bulleted points could help you.

• Setting goals does not immediately mean that you will get results. They can disappear like long forgotten memories – particularly if you don’t do anything with them.

• Keep that fire burning! You have to keep your goals in mind and put them to heart. You don’t have to think of them 24/7 but you have to be constantly reminded of them so that you don’t lose track of what you are supposed to do.

• You can have your own vision board or board of dreams or whatever it is that you would like to call your shrine of the things that you want to achieve. Why settle for a mediocre writing list that could be so boring and so uninspiring? You should release your creative energies! Perhaps you like photo mosaic, if so then why not collect photos of your dreams and turn them into your portrait? Images are usually a great source of inspiration.

• You should focus on your goals. Set your goals sharp, definite and detailed. That way, you have an inkling regarding your next step.

• Set a time frame for your goals. In this manner, you do not become lax or forgetful. As a bonus, the elation that you will experience once you achieve something within your designated time frame will provide you with more motivation for pursuing your other goals.

• Have measurable goals. Your goals must be attainable. Don’t make them too small that they end up restricting your potential or too big that they end up making you feel that you are not progressing.

• Measure your progress. When you set your goals, you have to realize that it is essential for you to be able to measure your progress as this would keep you going in the right direction.

• Include inspirational messages / statements / thinking and positive words when you set your goals.

• Prioritize. It is natural for you to have many objectives, many dreams and many desires. However, try to avoid being overwhelmed by them and prioritize those that you deem as more important. Remember, it takes one step at a time to get to the finish line.

• Carry with you a written reminder of your goals so as to crystallize them. This could be a simple note stored in your blackberry or in your cellular phone. However way you want to write them down, carry your list with you so that they appear as real as they could.

• Set your goals realistically. This means you should be able to achieve your goals through your skills and capabilities. Dream about things that are plausible. You can’t dream of becoming the next Angelina Jolie if you don’t know the first thing about acting.

• Finally, if you fail in meeting your goals, don’t lose heart! Just learn from that experience! The key to success is learning from failure.

The above is basically a summary of the many ideas that one could use when setting goals and achieving them. If you are in need of the aforementioned suggestions then, just remember that to set your goals is equal to making that important choice in your life. Keep in mind that when you set your goals, you set your life.

SMART Goals Examples – How Do You Make Goals Smart?

Mr. Stewart gave each of us a piece of paper with an instruction to write one of our life’s goals. After ten minutes, he collected the papers. You know what? Every piece of paper was crumpled except for Annie’s –“By September 2nd of 2009, I will position myself for a minimum raise of 9% of my salary by reducing the department’s budget by 9% but increasing its sales by at least 9%”. Then, with a smile, Mr. Stewart said: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an example of a smart goal version of saying I want a raise!”

Smart goals? Yes, you heard it right. Here are some 101’s on these goals and some examples of smart goals:

• Specific. You know what you want to accomplish. Vague goals equate to vague results. Goals must be fully furnished with detailed description of the what, when and how.

Vague goal – I will graduate;
SMART Goal – I will graduate Magna Cum Laude in four years time. I will commit myself to studying to get a minimum 3.679 grade-point average in all my subjects.

• Measurable. You can assess your progress. Goals which can not be measured can not be managed. Your goal is measurable if anyone can tell you at the end of the deadline, whether or not you have completed your goal.

Vague goal – I want to be successful;
SMART goal – I want to have a savings account with at least $500,000 within 5 years from this date.

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