STRUGGLING WITH YOUR STUDIES? SMART GOALS CAN HELP

Posted on 16 June 2017 by Rachel Gurnett

Last week, we looked at creating a development plan and the benefits it can have for keeping on track with your studies and achieving your long-term goals. However, long-term goals can seem overwhelming. How will I get there and how do I track my progress? SMART goals are an effective way of breaking down your long-term goals into manageable chunks and can help you take the right steps toward achieving them.

There is a wealth of information available about setting SMART goals; you may have come across them before. They are widely used in the workplace, for studies and personal goals alike. You will find there are many variations around so we have brought together what we think is the best combination for studying. The examples given under each heading may give you a clearer idea of the kind of approach that may be more helpful.

SPECIFIC

Know exactly what you’re aiming for. Make a clear and defined goal and you will find yourself much more focused on achieving it. Ask yourself who is involved, what do you need to accomplish, where will it happen and why?
SMART: I want to take a GCSE English course and exam.
NOT SMART: I will improve my English.

MEASURABLE

How are you going to check if you are making progress or if you ultimately achieved your goal? Give yourself an outcome related to your task. How much, how many or how far?
SMART: I will achieve at least a grade C in my exam.
NOT SMART:  I will pass my exams.

ACTION ORIENTATED

What will you do to take steps toward achieving your goal? This could involve practice, study hours, seeking advice or the like. Practical steps can keep you on track and help you move forward. There could be more than one action in this section.
SMART: I will spend at least 1 hour studying 3 times a week after work. I will do all the assignments/coursework. I will attempt at least two past exam papers and have them marked by my tutor. I will get my friend to check my answers.
NOT SMART: I will study.

REALISTIC

Consider your own abilities at this stage and the resources you have available. By all means, set yourself a challenge! This can keep you engaged and help you to grow in your abilities and experience. However, if the goal is out of your reach then you will set yourself up for failure before you even begin.
SMART: I will achieve at least a grade C.
NOT SMART: I will get 100% in my exam.

TIMELY

Set a final time or date to check whether you have achieved your goal. Give yourself enough time to complete the tasks you want to, but have a specific end date. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing focus and interest. We have found from experience that a deadline can help give you the motivation to keep going and stick to your plan.
SMART: I will enter myself for the exams in the Summer.
NOT SMART: I will take an exam.

You may find that you are already doing a lot of these things, but SMART goals are a great way of bringing it all together in one place. Try to stick to these guidelines and you will find that those big goals will look much more achievable and help you to take those vital first steps.