How to Set Smart Goals for a New Semester
I LOVE setting new goals at the beginning of every new academic year and semester. I’ve previously talked about it in THIS blog post, so have a read if you’re currently preparing to go back to school!
I first heard about SMART goals senior year in my Emotion and Motivation lecture, when we discussed the topic of goals and goal setting. Our professor initiated a goal workshop, where we had to complete worksheets of setting 3 SMART goals and create a plan on how we will achieve them. So what are SMART goals?
Setting SMART goals means that you can clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively, and increase your chances of achieving what you want in life.
SMART is an acronym for goal setting, meaning that each goal needs to be:
Specific (simple, sensible, significant)
Measurable (meaningful, motivating)
Achievable (agreed, attainable)
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based)
Time bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive)
1. Specific - the goal should be clear and specific, what you would like to achieve. Answer questions, such as:
What do I want to accomplish?
Why is this goal important?
Which resources or limits are involved?
2. Measurable - in order to track progress, stay motivated to achieve the goal. A measurable goal should address questions such as:
How will I know when it is accomplished?
3. Achievable - the goal should be realistic and attainable, in order to be successful. An achievable goal will usually answer questions such as:
How can I accomplish this goal?
How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors?
4. Relevant - that the goal matters to you and aligns with other relevant goals. A relevant goal can answer “yes” to these questions:
Does this seem worthwhile?
Does this match our other efforts/needs?
Am I the right person to reach this goal?
Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?
5. Time bound - has a target date, focus on the deadline. A time-bound goal will usually answer these questions:
What can I do six months from now?
What can I do six weeks from now?
Set a SMART goal for grades for each class, taking into account the subject, the level of the class, how essential it is to your degree and other courses during that term. Then set a goal for achieving a realistic grade you think you could earn and work hard towards achieving it.
Other examples can be found HERE and HERE
I hope you attempt this method of goal setting for the upcoming semester! This was definitely one of the most useful things I learned in college! Best of luck!
If you’re interested in reading more from me, check out my other blog posts HERE, as well as my studygram account HERE.
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