smart goals for students essay

13 SMART Goals Examples for College Students

As college students, we often find ourselves juggling multiple responsibilities, from academic pursuits to extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.

With so much on our plates, setting goals is key to success. Whether it’s acing that difficult course or landing an internship at a top company, having SMART goals can provide the roadmap to reaching our ambitions.

In this article, we will explore 13 compelling examples of SMART goals tailored to college students. These practical examples will inspire you to create your own tailored goals for a successful college experience.

So grab a pen and paper as we dive into the world of SMART goal setting.

Table of Contents

What is a SMART Goal?

The SMART goal-setting method is valuable for college students aiming to excel academically.

SMART ( specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based ) provides a structured framework for goal setting in an academic context.

Let’s explore each component to understand its importance.

Specificity is crucial. Clearly defined goals increase the likelihood of success. For instance, if you aim to improve your academic performance, avoid vague goals.

Instead, specify actions such as dedicating focused study sessions to particular subjects or seeking additional help. Specificity ensures a clear path to achieving your academic aspirations.

Transforming general objectives into quantifiable ones enhances tracking and evaluation. For example, setting a measurable goal could involve achieving a certain GPA by the end of the semester.

Having a target allows you to monitor your academic progress effectively, clearly indicating your achievements.

Realism is key when developing goals. Ambitious objectives, such as achieving academic excellence, require careful consideration of your time and resources.

It’s important to set attainable goals that align with your capabilities. Being practical in your approach ensures a balanced and sustainable effort toward academic success.

Understanding the relevance of your academic goals is crucial for sustained motivation. Ask yourself why achieving a specific academic milestone matters to you.

Perhaps it’s a step toward securing a desired internship or pursuing a particular career path. Ensuring your goals are relevant not only clarifies your purpose but also fuels your motivation during challenging times.

Setting a specific timeline is essential for academic goal achievement. A defined endpoint creates a sense of urgency, propelling you forward in your student journey.

Without a clear deadline, the risk of losing focus and missing academic milestones increases. Ensure your goals are time-bound, allowing you to stay committed and driven toward academic excellence.

1. Excel in Academics

“I’ll achieve academic excellence by maintaining a GPA of 3.8 or higher throughout the next academic year. That involves dedicating focused study sessions daily and seeking additional help when needed.”

Specific: The SMART goal is clear, focusing on maintaining a specific GPA.

Measurable: Progress will be measured by the GPA achieved each semester.

Attainable: A GPA of 3.8 is challenging but realistic with consistent effort.

Relevant: College students should be focused on achieving academic excellence.

Time-based: The goal is set for accomplishment for the academic year.

2. Manage Time Effectively

“I’ll manage my time by creating a weekly schedule that allocates dedicated time to each academic subject, extracurricular activities, and personal commitments. I aim to follow this schedule consistently over three months.”

Specific: The goal specifies creating a weekly schedule for effective time management.

Measurable: Success is determined by consistent adherence to the weekly schedule.

Attainable: It requires a level of persistence to reach this SMART statement.

Relevant: Time management is vital to academic success and happiness.

Time-based: You have a three-month end date for goal completion.

3. Prioritize Fitness and Well-Being

“For the 6 months ahead, I’ll prioritize my fitness and well-being by engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week and incorporating mindfulness practices daily.”

Specific: The goal outlines specific activities for prioritizing fitness and well-being.

Measurable: Adherence to 150 minutes of exercise and daily mindfulness practices can be quantified.

Attainable: This is attainable with dedication to a consistent exercise routine.

Relevant: College student must stay fit and healthy to focus properly on their studies.

Time-based: Attainment of this statement is expected after 6 months.

4. Secure a Summer Internship

“I’ll secure a summer internship by submitting applications to at least 10 companies within two months. I’ll also actively network with professionals in my field to boost my chances of obtaining a valuable internship opportunity.”

Specific: Apply to 10 companies to find an internship during the summer.

Measurable: You could count the number of applications submitted and networking activities.

Attainable: Applying to 10 companies is reasonable within a two-month deadline.

Relevant: Securing a summer internship aligns with the career aspirations of a college student.

Time-based: Two months are required to accomplish success.

5. Build Professional Networks

“In four months, I want to expand my professional connections and gain valuable insights into my chosen career path. I’ll attend two networking events per month and connect with professionals on LinkedIn.”

Specific: The goal outlines actions, including attending events and using LinkedIn for networking.

Measurable: Count the number of networking events attended and LinkedIn connections made.

Attainable: Attending two events per month and connecting on LinkedIn is absolutely doable.

Relevant: Building professional networks is key to career development.

Time-based: You have four whole months to reach goal achievement.

6. Demonstrate Leadership Skills

“I’m committed to showcasing leadership skills during my college tenure by actively engaging in group projects, leading student organizations, and mentoring fellow students. By the end of my academic program, I aim to be recognized as a reliable leader.”

Specific: The goal outlines explicit actions (group projects and leading organizations) to show leadership skills.

Measurable: Assess recognition as a reliable and effective leader by the end of the academic program.

Attainable: Engaging in group projects and leading organizations is realistic within the college setting.

Relevant: Demonstrating leadership skills is pertinent for personal and professional development.

Time-based: Success is expected by the end of the academic program.

7. Manage Finances Responsibly

“To cultivate responsible financial habits throughout college, I will create and adhere to a monthly budget, limit discretionary spending, and save a specific percentage of my income from part-time work. I’ll establish a solid financial foundation by the end of sophomore year.”

Specific: You plan to budget and save to manage finances responsibly.

Measurable: Following the monthly budget and achieving the set savings percentage are quantifiable indicators.

Attainable: Creating a budget and saving a percentage of income is feasible for a college student.

Relevant: Responsible financial management is crucial for long-term financial health.

Time-based: You have until the end of your second year to meet the goal.

8. Enhance Language Proficiency

“I’ll dedicate 30 minutes daily to language learning apps, participate in language exchange programs, and read one book in the target language each month. I aim to achieve an advanced level of proficiency in two years.”

Specific: You know the overall objective and timeline to boost language proficiency.

Measurable: Progress is measurable through participation in language exchange programs and reaching an advanced proficiency level.

Attainable: Dedicating 30 minutes daily and participating in programs are reasonable steps.

Relevant: Language proficiency enhances communication skills and cultural understanding.

Time-based: You have two years to accomplish long-term excellence.

9. Complete Research Project

“I hope to submit the final project by the end of my junior year. I’ll complete a comprehensive research project by conducting literature reviews and collecting data.”

Specific: Complete a research project by the end of your junior year using literature reviews and data collection.

Measurable: Evaluate the completion and submission of the final research project regularly.

Attainable: Conducting literature reviews and data collection is achievable within the time frame.

Relevant: Completing a research project contributes to your skill development.

Time-based: The SMART goal is set for submission within the junior year.

10. Contribute to the Community

“To actively contribute to my college community, I want to engage in volunteer activities, join community service clubs, and organize at least one community outreach event for 7 months.”

Specific: You have precise actions available—volunteering and organizing events—to contribute to the community.

Measurable: Recognition as a dedicated contributor can be assessed through testimonies from others.

Attainable: Engaging in volunteer activities and organizing events is realistic during college.

Relevant: Contributing to the community fosters a sense of responsibility and community engagement.

Time-based: The statement is set for completion over 7 months.

11. Focus on Personal Development

“I will attend personal growth workshops, engage in reflective journaling, and set and achieve specific personal goals. I hope to enhance my overall well-being and self-awareness over three years.”

Specific: You have activities, like workshops and goal setting, for personal development.

Measurable: Ensure you follow the listed action items to succeed.

Attainable: Attending workshops and setting personal goals is achievable over three years.

Relevant: Personal development contributes to overall happiness and life satisfaction.

Time-based: The goal is set for enhancement over the next three years.

12. Adopt Healthier Habits

“In three months, I’ll adopt healthier habits by incorporating 30 minutes of physical activity into my daily routine, choosing nutritious meals, and getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night.”

Specific: You will create healthier habits, including physical activity, nutritious meals, and sufficient sleep.

Measurable: Progress is measurable through daily adherence to the outlined habits and improvements in wellness.

Attainable: Incorporating 30 minutes of physical activity and prioritizing sleep is achievable within the specified deadline.

Relevant: Adopting healthier habits contributes to long-term health for college students.

Time-based: You should expect goal completion after three months.

13. Strengthen Technology Skills

“I will enroll in online courses, participate in coding challenges, and complete at least two technology-related projects. I aim to demonstrate advanced technology skills within 6 months.”

Specific: Enroll in courses and complete projects to improve your technology skills.

Measurable: Check the completion of online courses, participation in coding challenges, and successful project completion.

Attainable: Proactively follow the action items for skill enhancement.

Relevant: Strengthening technology abilities aligns with career development in a tech-driven world.

Time-based: You have a 6-month window for goal attainment.

Final Thoughts

Setting SMART goals can significantly benefit students by providing a well-defined roadmap for their academic and personal development.

The examples provided in this article demonstrate the effectiveness of the SMART framework in improving study habits, time management, and overall excellence.

By incorporating these examples into their goal-setting process , college students can enhance their motivation and focus while achieving meaningful outcomes.

Students must remember that establishing SMART goals is just the first step; consistent effort and adaptability are key to realizing these objectives.

As they embark on this journey of self-improvement, college students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available to them and seek support from peers or mentors along the way.

Disclosure: MyeLearningWorld is reader-supported. We may receive a commission if you purchase through our links.

10 SMART Goals Examples for Students to Inspire You

Last Updated: 10/17/2023

By Scott Winstead

• Share on Facebook
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Reddit
• Share on Pinterest

Did you know that in 90% of studies , people who have specific and challenging goals performed better than those who had easy goals, “do your best” goals, or no goals at all? Not only that, but according to another recent study published by Forbes, people who describe or picture their goals in great detail are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than those who don’t.

As a student, having goals is important, but what really matters is making sure your goals are SMART. That’s an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Just blindly setting goals won’t necessarily set you up for success. If you’re not setting the right kinds of goals, you won’t be motivated or able to achieve them. Using the SMART goals framework can help you set better goals for your school and personal life. It’s a model I follow myself in my work in the eLearning industry as well as in my personal life.

If you’re new to the concept, don’t worry because I’m going to outline some great educational SMART goals examples for students in the guide below to help you get inspired.

What is a SMART Goal?

A SMART goal is a specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goal.

Let’s break down each word in the acronym to get a better understanding of what each part of a SMART goal entails.

S: Specific

What exactly is it that you want to achieve? Don’t be vague. You must have a clearly defined objective. The more specific you are with your goals, the easier it will be to measure progress, stay focused, and determine whether or not you’re on track.

Wrong: Be a good student

Right: Get a 4.0 GPA for the spring semester

M: Measurable

Your goal should be something that you can track and measure progress on. This way, you’ll know if you’re making headway toward achieving your goal. Without a way to track progress, it will be very difficult to tell if you’re getting closer to your goal or not.

Wrong: Study better

Right: Spend two hours every day studying outside of class

A: Achievable/Attainable

Your goal should be challenging but also achievable. If your goal is too easy, you’re not pushing yourself enough. On the other hand, if your goal is too difficult, it can be discouraging and set you up for failure.

It’s important to find a balance and set a realistic goal that is ambitious but also achievable.

Wrong: Get a perfect score on the SAT

Right: Improve my SAT score by 100 points

R: Relevant

In addition to being achievable, your goal should also be relevant to what you’re trying to accomplish. Ask yourself if your goal is actually going to help you achieve the larger objective.

If not, it might be a good idea to reconsider and try to set a more relevant goal.

Wrong: Become popular

Right: Join an extracurricular activity to make new friends and improve my resume/college applications

T: Time-bound

Your goal should have a deadline attached to it. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you’re making progress. Without a timeline, it’s easy to procrastinate and put off working toward your goal. Goal setting must be tied to a specific timeline.

Wrong: Get good grades

Right: Get all A’s on my report card for the spring semester

SMART Goals Examples for Students

So, what are some examples of educational SMART goals for students? Take a look at these examples to get inspiration to set your own SMART goals.

1. Get a 4.0 GPA this semester.

• Specific- The goal is to get a 4.0 GPA for the semester.
• Measurable- The student can track their GPA progress on a report card or online portal provided by the school.
• Achievable-The student got a 3.8 GPA last semester, so a 4.0 is definitely achievable if they work hard enough.
• Relevant- The GPA is important for the student’s future success and getting into college.
• Time-bound- This goal is for the semester, so they have a time frame of around four months to achieve it.

2. Study for 2 hours per week for the entire semester.

• Specific- The goal is to study for 2 hours per week.
• Measurable- The student can keep track of how many hours they’ve studied in a planner or on their phone.
• Achievable- 2 hours per week is definitely achievable, especially if the student is diligent about sticking to their schedule.
• Relevant- The student wants to improve their grades, and studying is a great way to do that.

3. Join an extracurricular activity before the end of fall.

• Specific- The goal is to join an extracurricular activity.
• Measurable- The student can track their progress by looking at the list of extracurricular activities they’ve joined.
• Achievable- There are a lot of different extracurricular activities available, so this goal should be achievable for most students.
• Relevant- The student wants to make new friends and improve their college applications.
• Time-bound- The student wants to join an extracurricular activity before the end of fall, so they have a few months to accomplish this goal.

4. Read one new book each month

• Specific- The goal is to read one new book each month.
• Measurable- The student can track their progress by keeping a list of the books they’ve read.
• Achievable- Most people can easily read one book in a month, especially if it’s a shorter book.
• Relevant- The student wants to improve their reading skills.
• Time-bound- The student wants to read one book per month, so they have a time frame of 12 months to accomplish this goal.

5. Apply to 5 colleges by the end of the month

• Specific- The goal is to apply to 5 colleges.
• Measurable- The student can track their progress by keeping a list of the colleges they’ve applied to.
• Achievable- This goal is achievable if the student is organized and starts the application process early.
• Relevant- The student wants to get into college.
• Time-bound-The student wants to apply to 5 colleges by the end of the month, so they have a few weeks to accomplish this goal.

6. Get a part-time job by the end of the summer

• Specific- The goal is to get a part-time job.
• Measurable-The student can track their progress by keeping a list of the places they’ve applied to.
• Achievable- This goal is achievable if the student is willing to put in the time to fill out applications and go on interviews.
• Relevant- The student wants to earn some extra money.
• Time-bound- The student wants to get a part-time job by the end of the summer, so they have a set timeline to accomplish this goal.

7. Volunteer for 10 hours this semester

• Specific- The goal is to volunteer for 10 hours this semester.
• Measurable- The student can track their progress by keeping a list of the places they’ve volunteered.
• Achievable- This goal is achievable if the student is willing to give up some of their free time to help others.
• Relevant- The student wants to improve their community and help others.
• Time-bound- The student wants to volunteer for 10 hours this semester, so they have a few months to accomplish this goal.

8. Go to the gym 3 times a week for the entire semester

• Specific- The goal is to go to the gym 3 times a week.
• Measurable- The student can track their progress by keeping a list of the days they’ve gone to the gym.
• Achievable- This goal is achievable if the student is willing to make time for their health.
• Relevant- The student wants to improve their physical health.
• Time-bound-The student wants to go to the gym 3 times a week for the entire semester, so they have a set timeline to accomplish this goal.

9. Show up on time to class every day this month

• Specific- The goal is to show up on time to class every day.
• Measurable- The student can track their progress by keeping a list of the time they arrived at class each day.
• Achievable- This goal is achievable if the student is willing to plan their schedule and allow for extra time in case there is traffic or other delays.
• Relevant- The student wants to improve their attendance record.
• Time-bound-The student wants to show up on time to class every day this month, so they have a set timeline of 30 days to accomplish this goal.

10. Turn in all assignments on time for the entire semester

• Specific- The goal is to turn in all assignments on time.
• Measurable- The student can track their progress by keeping a list of the assignments they’ve turned in on time.
• Achievable- This goal is achievable if the student is willing to plan their schedule and start their assignments early.
• Relevant- The student wants to improve their grades.
• Time-bound-The student wants to turn in all assignments on time for the entire semester, so they have a set timeline of 16 weeks to accomplish this goal.

A Simple Tool for Tracking Your Goals

With ClickUp's project management tool, you can easily set goals and stay on track to hit them with clear timelines, measurable targets, and automatic progress tracking.

Now that you know how to set SMART goals, it’s a good idea to have an easy way to measure your progress on the journey to achieving them.

Instead of juggling multiple spreadsheets, sticky notes, and endless email threads just to keep track of your goals and projects, look no further than ClickUp project management software .

If you’re someone who loves setting goals and wants to see real progress, ClickUp could be your new best friend.

Imagine a platform that streamlines all your tasks, milestones, and objectives in one easy-to-navigate space. With ClickUp’s goal-tracking feature, you can define your targets, break them down into manageable tasks, and watch as you inch closer to success. It’s like having a personal assistant that keeps you on track without the coffee runs!

What sets ClickUp apart for me is its versatility. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a team leader, a teacher, or even a student managing your assignments, ClickUp adapts to your needs.

Set SMART goals, visualize your progress through intuitive charts, and celebrate those small wins that lead to big victories. The real-time collaboration tools also mean you’re never in the dark – everyone stays in the loop and can contribute their expertise. This has been super invaluable in my instructional design work, but the applications are endless.

It’s not just about numbers and charts. ClickUp understands that achieving goals isn’t just about ticking off boxes; it’s a journey. That’s why their software injects a dose of fun and motivation into your tasks. Customizable workflows, reminders, and integrations with your favorite apps make reaching your goals a breeze.

Click here to learn more about ClickUp.

A Final Word on SMART Goals for Students

Every student should have goals to strive for, and these goals should be SMART goals.

With SMART goals, students can create a plan to achieve their goals and track their progress along the way.

Approaching goal setting in a “SMART” way will make you more productive at school , more driven, more successful, and more satisfied.

Did you find these SMART goals examples for students to be helpful in setting your own goals for life and academic success? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

10 Best Agile and Scrum Project Management Tools (2023 Update)

7 reasons to use codecademy to learn coding, leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

SMART Goals in Education: Importance, Benefits, Limitations

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

The SMART Goals framework is an acronym-based framework used in education to help students set clear and structured goals related to their learning.

The framework stands for:

• Specific – The goal is clear and has a closed-ended statement of exactly what will be achieved.
• Measurable – The goal can be measured either quantitatively (e.g. earning 80% in an exam) or qualitatively (e.g. receiving positive feedback from a teacher).
• Achievable – The goal is not too hard and can reasonably be met with some effort and within the set timeframe.
• Relevant – The goal is relevant to the student’s learning and development.
• Time-Based – A clear timeframe is set to keep you on task.

(If you’re a teacher, you might prefer to read my article on goals for teachers ).

The SMART Goals Framework in Education

The framework has had multiple variations over time. However, the most common framework is in the format: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

1. Specific

Your goal needs to be specific. This means that you need to note a clear target to aspire toward rather than something that is vague.

For students, this is important to clarify exactly what it is you’re aiming for.

Some strategies for making sure your goal is specific include:

• State what, when, where, why, and how your goals will be achieved
• State what the goal will look like when it is achieved
• Focus on the “vital few” [1] things that you want to see done to have your goal achieved

Sometimes, this may also be stated as “strategic” rather than “specific”.

See our in-depth article on examples of specific goals for students to get more ideas!

2. Measurable

Your goal needs to be measurable. This ensures that you can identify improvements from the baseline as well as know when the goal has been met.

Your objectives can be formative, summative, or a mix of both.

A formative assessment is an assessment that takes place part-way through the project. It assesses where you’re at and how much more you need to do. Formative assessments allow you to pivot and make small adjustments to your action to make sure you meet the final goal.

A summative assessment is an assessment at the end of the project to see if you met your goal. This is the final measure of success or failure.

A measurable goal may also be qualitative or quantitative.

A quantitative goal will have a grade or numerative evaluation, such as 80% on a test.

A qualitative goal will be based on a subjective evaluation, such as getting a positive report card from a mentor, or, attaining the confidence to do a public speech.

See our in-depth article on examples of measurable goals for students to get more ideas!

3. Attainable

Your goal needs to be attainable. This means that it can’t be something that’s impossible to achieve. You need to know you’ll be able to reach your goals in order to sustain motivation.

This could be compared to the goldilocks principle . Goldilocks didn’t like porridge that was too cold or too hot. It had to be just right.

In education, we use the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) to explain how to promote student development and motivation. The ZPD refers to learnable content that is not too easy and not too hard.

In this zone, students can do tasks with the support of teachers and have the motivation to work because they know the content is attainable with some effort.

4. Relevant

Often also written as ‘realistic’, a relevant goal is one that makes sense to your situation. If you are setting goals in your class, your teacher would expect that the goal was about your education and not something irrelevant to class.

Your goal should also be one that is consistent with your life plan and will help you get to where you need to be. This will help you to sustain motivation and ensure the goal makes sense in the long term.

While having personal goals unrelated to your coursework is great, it’s not relevant to the lesson that you’re doing within the class on the day, so remember to set your goal so it’s related to your learning.

5. Time-Based

Setting a time by which you want to meet your goals helps to keep you on track and accountable to yourself. Without time-based end goals, you may delay your goals and lose momentum.

You can also set intermittent milestones to help keep yourself on track. This can ensure you don’t let other shorter-term and more pressing tasks get in the way and get you off track.

SMARTER Goals Add-On

Some scholars have provided additional steps to the framework. One common one is to add ‘ER’ [2] :

6. Exciting

You are more likely to achieve a goal if you make it exciting. This will motivate you to carry out your plan.

An example of excitement added to a goal would be to create some self-rewards if it is completed, like “If I complete the goal I will take myself out for dinner.”

The ‘E’ is also often added when the goals are for teachers or leaders who are setting goals for their students or staff. By making the goal exciting, they’ll be able to get buy-in from students and staff.

7. Recorded

The ‘R’ often stands for ‘Recorded’ and asks you to show how you are going to record progress.

This one is somewhat similar to ‘Measurable’ but expands on it by asking not only how you’re going to measure success, but how are you going to record progress. Keeping a journal, for example, can help you record progress and reflect on the process of chasing your coals.

The Importance of SMART Goals in Education

Goal setting helps students and teachers to develop a vision for self-improvement . Without clear goals, there is no clear and agreed-upon direction for learning.

For this reason, goals have been used extensively in education. Examples include:

• Curriculum outcomes
• Developmental milestones
• Standardized testing
• Summative and formative assessments

The SMART framework, however, tends to be a student-led way of setting goals. It enables students to reflect on what they want to achieve and plan how to achieve these goals.

As a result, the framework doesn’t just help students articulate what they want out of their education. It also provides a range of soft skills for students such as:

• Motivation for growth
• Reflective practice
• Self Evaluation
• Structured analytical thinking

Read Also: Examples of SMART Goals for Students

SMART Goals Advantages and Disadvantages

Benefits of smart goals.

The SMART framework is widely used because it helps students to clarify their goals and how they are going to go about achieving them. Often, students start with a vague statement of intention, but by the end of the session, they have fleshed out their goals using the SMART template.

Some benefits of the template include:

Limitations of SMART Goals

While the framework is easy to use and implement, it does face a few limitations. One major downside is that it doesn’t account for the importance of incrementalism in self-improvement. Students need to break down their goals into a series of milestones.

Some limitations of the template include:

SMART Goals Template

Get the Google Docs Template Here

SMART goals help students to reflect on what they want from their education and how to achieve it. They provide a template and framework for students to go into more depth about their goals so they are not simply vague statements, but rather actionable statements of intent.

A lesson where you get your students to set out their goals will often have students leaving the class with a much deeper understanding of what they want out of their education and how they might go about getting it.

Read Also: A List of Long-Term Goals for Students and A List of Short-Term Goals for Students

[1] O’Neil, J. and Conzemius, A. (2006). The Power of SMART Goals: Using Goals to Improve Student Learning . London: Solution Tree Press.

[2]  Yemm, G. (2013). Essential Guide to Leading Your Team: How to Set Goals, Measure Performance and Reward Talent . Melbourne: Pearson Education. pp. 37–39.

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 101 Hidden Talents Examples

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Filter by Keywords

10 SMART Goals for College Students (Goal-Setting Tips and Examples)

Content Partnership Specialist

December 18, 2023

Start using ClickUp today

• Manage all your work in one place
• Collaborate with your team
• Use ClickUp for FREE—forever

College is an exciting time and amazing opportunity, and there are many aspects of college life to look forward to! From extracurricular activities, social events, and campus culture to internships, volunteer opportunities, and research projects—the world is your oyster. 😌👌

But all of those things can also become a little overwhelming: your class schedule, academic goals, campus life, and of course, your future career to think about. That’s why it’s important to set goals–not just any goals, but SMART goals . 

Studies have shown that many college students fail to accomplish their goals due to a lack of planning . Don’t let that happen to you. Start planning your goals the SMART way.

In this post, we’ll give you a crash course on SMART goals and how to use them to make the most of your college education, groom you for graduation day, and help you prepare for your dream job!

What Are SMART Goals for College Students?

Why is setting collegiate goals important.

• 1. Goal-setting app and templates
• 2. Organized class schedule and attendace
• 3. Effective note-taking
• 4. Start time blocking

5. Maintain accountability and a strong GPA

6. collaborate with classmates and professors, 7. practice soft and hard skills, 8. improve budget management skills , 9. start planning career goals , 10. sign up for volunteer work or internships, the smart way to set and achieve your academic goals.

It’s clear why we set goals—to get us to our desired outcome. However, it’s not always clear how to start or how to get there. 

This is where SMART goals come in. 

Using the SMART goal framework gives your college goals a timeline and specific targets to help you create a realistic game plan and a roadmap to success . It’s also effective because it forces you to set measurable goals to help you track your progress.

So what does the acronym SMART stand for? Here you go:

Get in the habit of making specific college goals and note what exactly you’re aiming for, who’s responsible for it, what action items are needed, etc. The more granular you are with your goal, the easier it will be for you to work on it. 

Set quantifiable goals to help you keep track of your progress and give you an idea of what to adjust in your strategy or pace to get you on track to hit your goal. 

Understand where you currently stand regarding your overall goal, and create one that’s attainable but challenging nevertheless because, without a good challenge, there’s no growth. 

Set academic goals that are relevant to your career or education, and make sure your goal is connected to your overarching goals. This way, each step you take will lead you toward your goal and help you progress in the right direction.

Every goal should have a deadline. Assigning a due date for each goal can create a sense of urgency and help you prioritize effectively .

It’s never too early or too late to use the SMART goal-setting method. Start practicing it now to break your goals down into manageable steps and achieve them with less stress. 

As a college student, you’re most likely juggling different parts of your life all at the same time.  Everything from prerequisites to writing papers to getting ready to enter the workforce—it’s definitely a lot to manage. This is exactly why setting college goals is necessary. And learning how to reach them is even more important.

Setting collegiate goals is an effective way to create an overarching vision, and specific action plans to make it all happen.

Additionally, your goals will help you stay focused on what you want and what matters and avoid committing to other things that don’t serve you and your goals. 

So, to help you start on the right foot, you can use a project management tool with a goal-setting and tracking feature to manage your schoolwork, projects, and more and keep track of your goals—all in one place. 

So whether you’re a high school student trying to get into college, a current college student looking for an effective way to manage your goals, or a graduate student working on your capstone project, use these tips and examples to help you create your own SMART goals!

How to Reach your Academic Goals (Tips and Examples)

1. use a goal-setting app and templates to keep track of your smart goals.

It’s time to dive into what your SMART goals should look like. 

Let’s say your professor assigned you a 12-page academic paper on a given topic with multiple sections to cover, and it’s due at the end of the second semester of school, which is usually 15 weeks for most colleges. 

And because it takes a lot of time and effort to write a well-written report, you’ll need to break it down into smaller chunks to help you focus one section at a time (and avoid feeling overwhelmed and…procrastinating). 👀

SMART goal example

Here’s an example of an effective SMART goal to reach your goal of writing a well-researched paper and completing it on time: I will complete one section each week for 12 weeks , then dedicate week 13 and 14 to editing my paper to complete my paper by week 15 (or insert due date).

Now that you have a SMART game plan, you’ll also need a progress-tracking system.

To help you with that, ClickUp offers a free SMART Goals Template to help you create an organized list of your weekly goals, add important details to each task, such as due dates, and more. 

And because ClickUp is completely customizable, you can configure the platform to fit your needs and support your unique goals. 

Create your own Custom Status to give every stage a designated name and make it easier for you to track your progress, add Custom Fields to personalize your view, and so much more. 

2. Create an organized class schedule and show up to class  

Managing both personal and school schedules can feel like a test itself for most college students. You’re in charge of showing up, doing the work, and keeping up with life’s demands all at once. This could lead to burning out if you don’t have an organized plan and schedule! Stay on top of your calendar and ace your way through school by creating a monthly schedule that clearly shows all the tasks, projects, class sessions, and whatever else is on your plate for the month. 

Every 4th week of the month, I will create a monthly calendar that outlines my classes, deadlines, and important activities for the upcoming month.

Pro tip 

Use this free Monthly Schedule Template by ClickUp to help you create an organized monthly schedule and foresee upcoming classes or important activities to prevent accidentally forgetting about them or showing up to class unprepared for a pop quiz. 👀

3. Don’t just take any notes—take effective notes in class

It’s always a good idea to take notes during class lectures, especially when learning something new or complex. College students must learn how to create functional and organized notes to enhance their learning and help them retain information.

Write key words, ideas, and new terms during lectures. And look out for when your professor says something slowly and cleary—they’re trying to hint that it’s important. 😉 Now, as for retaining the information, remember that frequency makes a difference. You should review notes at least 5-7 times to get a higher recall.

I will take notes in each class and review them at the end of each school day to help me retain the information.

Improve your note-taking skills by learning effective strategies that work best with your learning style and using note-taking apps .

Quickly jot down notes on a Notepad or use the ClickUp Docs feature to create detailed and beautifully outlined notes. These features are great for note-taking because of their rich-formatting features, which let you change fonts, add colorful banners to highlight important notes, add nested pages to keep your notes organized, and so much more. 

You can also use the free Ultimate Guide to Using ClickUp Docs to give you a step-by-step guide on using the styling options to create well-organized and formatted notes. 

Best of all, ClickUp is available on the mobile app—take your notes wherever you go, and jot down new notes directly on your smartphone or device. (Just let your professors know you’re taking notes— not playing around with your phone in class. 😉)

4. Block out time for studying each day

As a college student, chances are you’re always busy trying to juggle schoolwork and life outside of school. This makes a great time to learn how to improve your time management skills—an important soft skill you’ll need to master in life!

Bonus: Life planning templates !

I will dedicate and block out three hours a day to studying and schoolwork. 

Get better at managing your hectic schedule by time blocking and tracking time spent on tasks . 

Start blocking time dedicated to studying or working on completing your schoolwork to allocate uninterrupted time to get your work done. Allocating time will help you prioritize your time more effectively and create healthy work habits that’ll stay with you beyond your years in school. 

You can also use this Class Schedule and Time Study Template by ClickUp to give you a framework to start with. It’s free to download and comes with a Start Here Doc to guide you as you create your class schedule and study time calendar. 

A strong GPA indicates that you’re getting good grades and excelling in your classes. 

College and high school students need to maintain a high GPA to show competency in school and to help earn academic honors and scholarships. Moreover, it makes you more competitive in the job market and increases your chances of getting into graduate school.

I will increase my grade point average from 3.0 to 3.5 by the end of the semester.

Score high and keep your grades up by staying organized with your schoolwork. One way to do this is by setting up a task management system to help you easily see what’s on your to-list and when they’re due so you never miss a deadline that could impact your grades!

You can also use this Class Assignment Template by ClickUp to help you keep your current and future assignments front and center and all your notes together in one place.

As you may already know, school isn’t just all about doing individual work. You have to learn how to collaborate with others as well—another soft skill that you need to work on to prepare yourself for future jobs. 

College students must explore collaboration opportunities, join student organizations, and work with their colleagues and professors to expand their knowledge and learn from others. 

I will get involved on campus and join a student group during my first semester.

And to make collaboration as seamless as possible, use project management tools with collaboration features such as Whiteboards and Docs. ClickUp Whiteboards allow you to work with your classmates and professors in the same place simultaneously, making it easier to get group projects done, especially when collaborating remotely.  

Give it a go and use the free Introduction to Whiteboards Template by ClickUp to help you get started!

Soft skills refer to interpersonal qualities such as communication , problem-solving, leadership, teamwork, and flexibility. 

Hard skills, on the other hand, are highly specific abilities related to a particular job or industry, such as computer programming or accounting. 

So why is it important to work on these skills?

It’s important to work on both soft and hard skills because they are both essential to having a successful career. Soft skills are necessary for interacting with others and forming relationships, while hard skills give you knowledge and proficiency in a specific area. 

Together, they can be powerful tools to help you reach your short and long-term goals .

I will sign up for a 12-week online creative writing workshop on Coursera by February 14th to improve my writing abilities.

Document your goal, make sure to check the deadline for registration, and use a Personal Development Plan Template by ClickUp to keep track of your personal growth plans, course activities, due dates, and so much more. 

As a young adult, it’s important to learn how to manage your finances effectively to gain control over your financial future. 

Knowing how to budget, save money and plan for the future can help you achieve financial independence. Several tools are available to help you do this, such as creating a budget, setting up savings accounts, and tracking expenses. 

I will categorize my expenses by type and create a budget plan for each month. 

Visualize your spending and plan out your weekly or monthly budget with the Personal Budget Template by ClickUp

This customizable budget template Comes complete with step-by-step instructions on how to optimize your budget with easy-to-use Formula Fields to help you stay on top of your finances. 

Regardless of your chosen industry, creating a career plan will help you see your desired future and any potential blockers and determine what steps you need to take. You can start by identifying what field you’re interested in to get a general idea of what your potential career path could look like. 

Once you figure out which industry or field interests you, do some research to determine the skills and qualifications necessary for success. This could include reading current trends, obtaining certifications, or taking specialized classes. 

I will research a career in computer science by this Friday and create a career pathway by next Sunday to help me visualize my five-year plan.

You can use the Career Path Template by ClickUp to create career plans and pathways that seamlessly integrate your personal career aspirations with organizational objectives—all while demonstrating opportunities for employee growth and learning. 

Volunteer work and internships are great ways to gain valuable professional experience, network with industry professionals, and explore potential career paths.

Not only will this help you become more competitive in the job market, but it can also provide a great chance to gain insight into the work culture in different industries. 

By leveraging the knowledge and experience you gain through volunteer work and internships, you can take the next steps in your career journey with confidence.

Your college career center is likely holding several events, workshops, and career and internship fairs to connect employers to college students like you.  Meeting and engaging with recruiters is a great way to get noticed ahead of submitting an application.  Check with your school’s center for upcoming events and opportunities to engage!

I will choose my top three internship programs and then schedule an informal interview with each of them by the end of the first semester to learn more about their requirements. 

Jumpstart your career and keep track of your internship and job applications by using the Job Search Template by ClickUp . Manage your applications, add notes and due dates to ensure you don’t miss the deadline, and so much more. 

Bonus Template: ClickUp Yearly Goals Template

College is an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities. 

And to help you make the most of your educational experience, you should start setting academic goals the SMART way. You don’t need to wait until the new year to make new goals, you can create them anytime!

Setting SMART goals and using an intuitive goal-tracking tool like ClickUp can help you break down your college, career, and personal goals into smaller and achievable steps—allowing you to focus on one thing at a time while working on the bigger picture. 

You can also take advantage of the free resources like its goal-setting templates to help you jumpstart your academic goals faster and become a more productive student overall.

So remember to take it one day at a time, enjoy the ride, and cherish every moment. Have fun, get involved, network, stay organized and make the most out of your college career!  

You got this! 🎓🎉

Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.

Receive the latest WriteClick Newsletter updates.

Thanks for subscribing to our blog!

Please enter a valid email

• Free training & 24-hour support
• Serious about security & privacy
• 99.99% uptime the last 12 months

• Military & Veterans
• Transfer Students
• Education Partnerships
• COVID-19 Info
• 844-PURDUE-G
• Student Login
• Request Info
• Bachelor of Science
• Master of Science
• Associate of Applied Science
• Graduate Certificate
• Master of Business Administration
• ExcelTrack Master of Business Administration
• ExcelTrack Bachelor of Science
• Postbaccalaureate Certificate
• Certificate
• Associate of Applied Science (For Military Students)
• Programs and Courses
• Master of Public Administration
• Doctor of Education
• Postgraduate Certificate
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Master of Health Care Administration
• Master of Health Informatics
• Doctor of Health Science
• Associate of Applied of Science (For Military Students)
• Associate of Science (For Military Students)
• Master of Public Health
• Executive Juris Doctor
• Juris Doctor
• Dual Master's Degrees
• ExcelTrack Master of Science
• Master of Science (DNP Path)
• Bachelor of Science (RN-to-BSN)
• ExcelTrack Bachelor of Science (RN-to-BSN)
• Associate of Science
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Master of Professional Studies

The average Purdue Global military student is awarded 54% of the credits needed for an associate's and 45% of the credits needed for a bachelor's.

• General Education Mobile (GEM) Program
• AAS in Health Science
• AS in Health Science
• BS in Organizational Management
• BS in Professional Studies
• AAS in Criminal Justice
• AAS in Small Group Management
• AAS Small Group Management
• Master's Degrees
• Bachelor's Degrees
• Associate's Degrees
• Certificate Programs
• Continuous Learning Courses
• Tuition and Financial Aid Overview
• Financial Aid Process
• Financial Aid Awards
• Financial Aid Resources
• Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
• Financial Aid Information Guide
• Tuition and Savings
• Aviation Degree Tuition and Fees
• Professional Studies Tuition and Fees
• Single Courses and Micro-Credentials
• Time and Tuition Calculator
• Net Price Calculator
• Military Benefits and Tuition Assistance
• Military Educational Resources
• Military Tuition Reductions
• Military Spouses
• Student Loans
• Student Grants
• Outside Scholarships
• Loan Management
• Financial Literacy Tools
• Academic Calendar
• General Requirements
• Technology Requirements
• Returning Students
• Work and Life Experience Credit
• DREAMers Education Initiative
• Student Identity
• Student Experience
• Online Experience
• Student Life
• Alumni Engagement
• International Students
• Academic Support
• Career Services
• COVID-19 FAQs
• Faculty Highlights
• Student Accessibility Services
• Student Resources
• Transcript Request
• About Purdue Global
• Accreditation
• Approach to Learning
• Career Opportunities
• Diversity Initiatives
• Purdue Global Commitment
• Cybersecurity Center
• Chancellor's Corner
• Purdue Global Moves
• Leadership and Board
• Facts and Statistics
• Researcher Request Intake Form

Most Commonly Searched:

• All Degree Programs
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Fire Science
• Health Sciences
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Legal Studies
• Professional Studies
• Psychology and ABA
• Public Policy
• Military and Veterans
• Tuition and Fee Finder
• Financial Aid FAQs
• Military Benefits and Aid
• Admissions Overview
• Student Experience Overview
• Academic Support Overview
• SMART Goals for Students

The Student's Guide to SMART Goals

Goal setting is an important aspect of preparing to be successful, both academically and professionally. College students may use goals to help meet deadlines. In the workplace, you will often be asked to set formal goals as part of your performance review.

In this guide, we’ll explain what SMART goals are and provide tips and examples for college students looking to develop their own SMART goals.

What Are SMART Goals?

The SMART acronym is a commonly used guideline for goal setting. SMART stands for s pecific, m easurable, a chievable, r elevant, and t ime-bound. These criteria can be used as a guide when writing down your goals.

• S pecific: Adding specificity to your goal makes it easier to achieve. Detail what you want to accomplish, when you would like to accomplish it, and what actions you will need to take to meet the goal.
• M easurable: Your goal should be something that can be tracked. If your goal is too vague, it can be difficult to assess how close you are to achieving it.
• A ttainable: College students have a lot on their plate. Make sure your goal is something you can realistically accomplish within the given time frame.
• R elevant: SMART goals for students should relate back to academic or professional growth. When creating a new goal, ask yourself how this accomplishment could benefit your academic performance or set you up for success in your desired career.
• T ime-bound: It’s easier to stick with a goal when it has a specific deadline associated with it. Determine when you would like to meet your goal, and consider setting target dates for each step involved in meeting the goal.

>> Read: 4 Goal Setting Strategies and Resources to Get You Motivated for the New Year

Examples of SMART Goals for College Students

Students can use SMART goals to keep themselves motivated while pursuing their degree. Goals may relate to specific coursework, career planning, or even health and wellness . Below are a few examples of SMART goals for college students. Each of them includes specific deadlines and actionable next steps.

Earn my degree by the end of the year by completing required courses over the summer and during the fall semester.

By the end of the month, I'll create a list of at least five internship opportunities in my field, and meet with a career advisor to discuss next steps for applying to these internships.

Complete this semester with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

By the end of the month, I'll join a student club or organization. After joining an organization, I will attend at least one meeting every month.

Improve my time management skills by dedicating 1 hour each weekday to uninterrupted studying. At the end of the month, I will reflect on my focus levels and adjust this study routine as needed.

For the duration of the semester, I'll maintain an up-to-date digital planner that lists assignment due dates for each of my classes.

I’ll meet with each of my professors at least once during the course of the semester.

Over the course of the next month, I will spend at least 1 hour each week reading a nonfiction book related to my major or catching up on industry news. Books that are assigned as part of a course will not count toward this goal.

By the end of the week, I will update my LinkedIn profile with completed coursework relevant to my desired career path.

>> Read: Time Management Tips for Busy College Students

How to Measure Your Progress Toward SMART Goals

According to the American Psychological Association , monitoring your progress can increase your chances of meeting your goals. Here are some of our top tips for college students looking to track their SMART goals.

1. Share Your Goal With Others

Many people find that they are more motivated to achieve their goals when they have a support system in place. After setting your goal, find a trusted person who can hold you accountable. This may be a friend, family member, classmate, or coworker. In return for providing support, you can offer to help them track progress for any of their own goals.

2. Set Check-In Reminders

Frequently checking in with your progress ensures that your goal remains top of mind. Consider adding check-in reminders to your calendar for the duration of your goal, keeping in mind that the time frame of your goal will affect how often you want to check in. For example, progress on a semester-long goal may only need to be measured once a month, but if your goal is something you want to achieve more quickly, you may want to check in weekly or even multiple times per week.

3. Put It Into Writing

Monitoring your goal is particularly effective when you physically record your progress. Each time you check in with your goal, write down the progress you’ve made and outline the next steps you need to take. You can send these updates to a trusted friend or even share your progress on social media. Either way, putting your progress into writing can help make sure you follow through on your goal.

4. Adjust Deadlines as Needed

As you make progress toward your goal, you may find that you need more time than you originally thought. If the original date you set no longer seems achievable, don’t be afraid to adjust your goal as needed. You may also consider breaking up the goal into smaller, more manageable steps, each with their own deadline. Pushing your completion date out by a few weeks or months is better than getting overwhelmed and giving up on the goal altogether.

Achieve Your Goals With Purdue Global

Since SMART goals are so commonly used by employers, it’s a good idea for college students to become comfortable with setting and tracking these types of goals. Whether you’re looking to improve your grades or explore potential career paths, SMART goals can help you get there.

For help meeting your academic goals, be sure to take advantage of any support that may be offered by your school. For example, Purdue Global offers online Academic Success Centers focused on writing, math, technology, and more. In addition, our Center for Career Advancement  can assist with creating measurable and attainable career goals. 

We offer more than 175 online programs for students looking to enter a new field or advance within their current career. Request more information today to learn more.

About the Author

Purdue Global

Earn a degree you're proud of and employers respect at Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. Accredited and online, Purdue Global gives you the flexibility and support you need to come back and move your career forward. Choose from 175+ programs, all backed by the power of Purdue.

• Alumni & Student Stories
• General Education
• Legal Studies & Public Policy
• Online Learning

Your Path to Success Begins Here

Learn more about online programs at Purdue Global and download our program guide.

Connect with an Advisor to explore program requirements, curriculum, credit for prior learning process, and financial aid options.

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience and opportunities for employment.

Passion doesn’t always come easily. Discover your inner drive and find your true purpose in life.

From learning how to be your best self to navigating life’s everyday challenges.

Discover peace within today’s chaos. Take a moment to notice what’s happening now.

Gain inspiration from the lives of celebrities. Explore their stories for motivation and insight into achieving your dreams.

Where ordinary people become extraordinary, inspiring us all to make a difference.

Take a break with the most inspirational movies, TV shows, and books we have come across.

From being a better partner to interacting with a coworker, learn how to deepen your connections.

Take a look at the latest diet and exercise trends coming out. So while you're working hard, you're also working smart.

Sleep may be the most powerful tool in our well-being arsenal. So why is it so difficult?

Challenges can stem from distractions, lack of focus, or unclear goals. These strategies can help overcome daily obstacles.

Unlocking your creativity can help every aspect of your life, from innovation to problem-solving to personal growth.

How do you view wealth? Learn new insights, tools and strategies for a better relationship with your money.

SMART Goals for Students That You Can Actually Achieve

Set yourself up for true success..

Creating goals helps set you up for future success, especially if you start setting professional and personal benchmarks for yourself at a young age. But the way you think about your goals can affect whether or not you actually achieve them.

As a student, you want to make goals that you can meet so that you will stay inspired to keep going. An achievable goal will help you avoid burning out and feeling deflated as a result. The easiest way to set yourself up for failure, whether you’re trying to make more money or lose weight, is to set goals you can’t actually meet. 

Luckily, there’s a trick to help you create goals you can stick to for the long term!

That’s where SMART goals come in. Using the SMART goal system, you’ll be able to create goals that truly work for where you’re at, providing yourself a specific, measurable and, most of all, achievable framework. 

Let’s get started. 

What is a SMART Goal?

SMART is an acronym that stands for: 

Instead of creating vague goals that you may or may not actually meet, come up with SMART goals to help you devise a solid framework around what you want to accomplish. 

The aim of SMART goals is to provide you with a concrete road map of where you want to go, with ways to mark your progress and keep you in check. (We’ll soon get into some SMART goals examples to show you how it all works.) 

When you want to set a relevant goal for yourself, a measurable goal, you should make sure it meets all of the SMART criteria. Double check that your goals check all the SMART boxes by asking yourself these questions: 

Is your goal specific?

There’s a big difference between setting a goal to get good grades and setting a goal to maintain a specific grade point average. “Getting good grades during the school year” isn’t specific or concrete, since each person’s definition of good grades is different. 

Saying that you want to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or above, making a commitment to make the Dean’s list, or pushing yourself to get all A’s is more specific and concrete. 

Is your goal measurable?

Determine how you will measure your success. Saying you will save money is vague. Committing to saving 25 percent of your paycheck or $100 per month is measurable and solid. Having a specific, tangible goal makes it easier for you to track your progress and keep yourself accountable. 

Is your goal achievable? 

You’ve probably been taught to dream big. But you don’t want to set yourself up for failure and sap your self confidence by creating goals for yourself that you just won’t be able to achieve. Trying to get a bachelor’s degree in one year, for instance, is likely not feasible—for nearly everyone. 

Keep yourself in check by being honest about your time constraints, financial constraints, your abilities and your talents. 

Is your goal relevant?

Keep a healthy perspective about your goals. Setting SMART goals means understanding if a specific aim is actually worthwhile and if it’s the right time, right now, to try to achieve it. For instance, trying to train for a triathlon while starring in the school play are at odds with each other—there simply won’t be enough time (or energy) to really excel at both. 

Is your goal time-bound? 

Deadlines and time frames can be great motivators. Saying you’ll commit to 15 minutes of exercise each day is more meaningful than just saying that you’ll workout regularly. Setting a goal to get to sleep by midnight is more impactful than saying you want to get more shut eye each night. 

While these time-based constraints can change over time with your needs, they work well for getting you started on your goals. If you end up needing extra time or less time, you can tweak things. (And if you’re not sure how much time certain tasks should take, you can just use your best judgement anc change course as needed.)

Goal setting: The importance for students to set SMART goals 

Goal setting (and execution) is a life skill that you’ll need to learn in order to be successful. Setting goals using the SMART acronym helps you develop autonomy and self motivation, allowing you to stand on your own and truly flourish in your own life. While college students aren’t yet completely in the so-called “real world” practicing how to set goals and benchmarks for yourself is an important skill to hone now. 

Using the SMART system when goal setting helps you accomplish so many things: If you want to be a better student, get good grades, find extracurriculars that truly enrich your college experience—you name it—SMART goals can give you the framework you need to make these things happen. It will take practice to reshape your thinking from vague to specific, fluid to measurable but taking the time to get goal setting right is a worthy endeavor. 

When you set effective goals, you set yourself up for success, allowing for continuous self improvement. Not to mention, you’ll feel an immense sense of pride every time you tackle a goal that you’ve set for yourself. 

SMART goals examples for students

As a student, you have many balls in play, so to speak, that make up your overall life. You have your classes—studying, tests, grades and so on. You have your social life and the new friends and experiences you’ll have, particularly if you’re college bound. You have your professional life, which is just starting to bloom, like when you start your first job search. 

The following SMART goals examples for students are broken down into categories so you can get a jump on creating your own goals in various areas of your life. Use these examples as inspiration to brainstorm what you personally want to shoot for. (Remember: You can use the SMART acronym for both short term and long term goals.)

Academic goals 

Example: Attending your professors’ office hours within the first month of classes

This goal is specific: You aren’t just saying that you’ll meet your professors and chat with them in a vague, open-ended way. You’re setting a specific goal to meet each one during their allotted office hours. 

Measurable: 

This goal is measurable because you can check off which professors you’ve spoken with as you meet with them. 

Achievable: 

This goal is achievable because you’re giving yourself a good amount of time to get it done.

This goal is relevant because meeting your teachers early on in the semester can help you establish a rapport with them. This can be important when you need extra help, are looking for a mentor, need a recommendation and so on.

Time-Bound: 

This goal is time bound because you are setting a deadline for yourself of one month. 

Other examples of SMART goals in this category : 

• Setting aside a certain amount of time each week for studying
• Applying to a specific number of colleges or graduate school programs
• Checking in with your academic advisor periodically for support
• Participating in class discussions by raising your hand a certain amount of times each week
• Joining campus clubs that fit with your academic and career goals
• Finishing course work on time (before the day it’s due)

Career goals 

Example: Securing a summer internship at a law firm by the end of Spring Break. 

This goal is specific because you’re not just looking for any job—you want to get an internship in a specific field. 

Measurable:

This goal is measurable because you’ll either get hired or you won’t—there’s no vague in between. 

This goal is achievable as long as you’re giving yourself enough time to get it done, from researching firms to submitting applications to interviewing. You also need to be sure that you’re qualified for the jobs you are applying to, of course. 

This goal is relevant if you want to become a lawyer or are studying law. 

This goal is time bound because you are giving yourself a solid deadline by which to get hired at a law firm. 

Other examples of SMART goals in this category:  

• Visiting your campus career center one time each semester
• Spending a set amount of time researching new job opportunities the same day each week
• Following up with contacts about mentoring and networking opportunities monthly
• Attending at least two professional development seminars each semester

Financial goals

Example: Apply to 10 college scholarships in the first semester of your senior year

This goal is specific because you set a benchmark for yourself of how many scholarships to which you’ll apply. 

This goal is measurable because you can tick off your scholarships as you submit each one.

This goal is achievable in that you can likely use the same statement of purpose and cover letter for many of the applications, making tweaks here and there as needed. 

This goal is relevant if you’re needing financial assistance for college.

This goal is time bound because you’re giving yourself a deadline of one semester in which to complete and send your applications. 

• Committing to learning about mutual fund investing for 20 minutes a day so you can understand how to grow your money over time
• Sticking to your budget by checking in with your spending once a week
• Diverting extra money to hit a specific savings goal that you set each month

Self care goals

Example: Making time to reading for fun by choosing one new book to read each month

This goal is specific because you are outlining one form of self care that matters to you and outlining how you will achieve it. 

This goal is measurable because you can say whether or not you accomplished finishing your book.

This goal is achievable if you’re committed to reading each day as a form of leisure.

This goal is relevant if you enjoy reading for fun and want to do it to relax and unwind to balance out your academic and social commitments. 

Time-Bound:

In committing to reading one book a month you are time bound to finishing your current book by the end of the month. 

Other examples of SMART goals in this category: 

• Going to bed at a set time each night that feels reasonable to you
• Setting aside a certain amount of time for fun and leisure activities each week
• Visiting the guidance counselor or therapist once a month
• Eating a balanced diet by purchasing healthy groceries and eating out only three times each week
• Creating a plan for movement and exercise, including how often you plan to exercise and what type of activity you will do
• Getting outside and in nature once a week by enlisting a friend to hike with you

Relationship goals 

Example: Stay in touch with high school friends by hosting a Zoom hangout once every two weeks

This goal is specific: You have a who (your high school friends), a what (virtual hangout), a when (every two weeks) and a where (over Zoom). 

This goal is measurable because you can see on your calendar where you have committed to these hangouts.

This goal is achievable because you should be able to find time in your schedule to at least hop on Zoom for 15 minutes every two weeks if connecting with these friends truly is important to you. 

This goal is relevant because staying close to these friends is a priority to you. 

This goal is time bound because it is recurring every two weeks. You know when it’s coming and you can plan for it accordingly. 

• Checking in with parents and family members a set number of times each month
• Limiting time on social media to X hours
• Committing to two or three social events per week to make new friends

Work smarter, not harder

Setting goals in general is important for achieving what you want out of life. But setting SMART goals sets you up from true success. Practicing goal setting through the SMART framework is a skill that you can continue to work on throughout your academic career and into your adult life. 

Use the aforementioned examples to help inspire you to make your own goals. SMART goals will help you achieve both academic success and personal satisfaction. With the right goal setting in place, you’ll have the motivation and the road map you need to accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Hot Stories

Two men say theyll never get married unless they find identical twin women - then one day at a festival everything changes, 41 daughter quotes that will touch and melt your heart, dad dumps 80,000 pennies in child support on estranged daughters lawn - her response is absolute gold, dan lok | my hero is my teacher, poor boy couldn’t afford to bury his mom - so he takes matters into his own hands, rude customer has a disagreement over $6 - teen employees have the perfect response, leonardo dicaprio told kate winslet to “let the fat girl thing go”.

Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?

Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's True Friendship

Kate Winslet has not always been sure of herself. "I was always comparing myself to others. You see I've been bullied at school, they call me blubber, they teased me for wanting to act."

While it's nearly impossible to think of the gorgeous and talented Winslet as anything other than a force to be reckoned with, years of being teased and the media's love for taking shots at her weight did their damage.

"I was sort of made to feel ashamed of myself, my appearance."

But when co-star and friend, Leonardo DiCaprio stepped in, he had only a few words of encouragement that helped to shape a new outlook for the Titanic actress. An outlook that she was able to share with other women, including her young daughter , Mia.

"You know, happiness it isn't a search for, you know ,facial physical perfection. You know, it comes from inside."

Woman “Accidentally” Forgets to End Call Before Speaking About Daughter-In-Law

Mother-in-Law Routinely Tricks Woman With This Phone Hack

Even though we’re told we shouldn’t care what other people think of us, deep down, many of us still do. Wanting to be accepted and loved is natural, and it can be devastating to hear someone talk badly about us behind our backs.

However, hearing someone say nice things about us when they don’t think we’re listening can be incredibly uplifting . One mother recognizes that, which is why she routinely "forgets" to hang up on her daughter-in-law.

A Secret Good Deed

A mother-in-law made sure to make her daughter-in-law feel special

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships can have a bad reputation. Many accounts of power struggles and differing points of view in the media and online set the tone for how some people expect these connections to be. But that’s not always the case, and this mother-in-law proves it.

Recently on Reddit, someone asked what secrets people are hiding that they would be willing to share online. A user named Kindly-Article-9357 had the best response: she was secretly uplifting her daughter-in-law.

“I've started to on occasion ‘accidentally’ (but on purpose) not hang up my phone correctly when getting off a call with my daughter-in-law,” she shared . “I then proceed to talk to my husband about how much I enjoy talking to her, how lovely I think she is, how glad I am that our son chose her, and whatever other boost I may think she needs.”

A Chosen Family

According to the woman, her daughter-in-law doesn’t have any family that uplifts her, and historically, that tears her down. So she decided to uplift the woman with these calls. It all started because she had accidentally butt-dialed her daughter-in-law one day and didn’t realize it when she began talking about her.

“I started doing this after my son told me about his wife coming to him in full-on snot tears,” she recalled of the experience. “She stayed on the line to hear what I ‘really’ thought of her, expecting the worst because that's been her experience of family. Apparently, she was quite touched by the things I said, and my son told me it gave her a confidence boost that lasted weeks.”

Now, the woman uses age to her advantage to continue making the couple feel good.

“So I do it more often now. Neither of them have any idea I do it on purpose, though. They just think I'm getting old and worse at managing my tech,” she added.

Leading By Example

According to the woman, she was inspired to foster a positive relationship with her son’s wife after her own experiences dating a man with a terminally ill mother.

“She had this calm serenity about her that I think only comes from making peace with your own death,” she added in the comments. “*She* treated me like her own daughter , and it made me feel so seen and accepted. It is her example that I try to follow with my own kids and their spouses.”

The story touched many in the comments, especially those who wished their own relationships with their in-laws were stronger and people who said they could use a boost like that themselves.

“As a girl who grew up feeling like a failure and a burden, this makes me cry. You're a wonderful MIL and the world needs more people like you,” one person shared.

Speaking With Kindness

It’s one thing to speak nicely about others when they’re listening, but it’s a whole other thing when someone overhears you speaking kindly about them. It’s validating and uplifting and something we can easily do for one another in life without much effort.

We don’t need to fake hang-ups to uplift others. Speaking kindly about family members, children, friends, or coworkers on the regular increases the chances they might overhear you. Not only that but it’s been scientifically proven that others may begin to see you as having the same positive traits that you’re talking up about someone else.

No one ever really knows what someone else is going through, and your words may one day be the boost a person needs. At the very least, you can feel good about yourself for doing your part to be kind and to make your corner of the world a warmer, safer place.

*Featured image contains photos by Karolina Kaboompics

Mom Asks Woman To Give Up Her First-Class Seat For Her Child - People Are Applauding Her Response

Desperate man needs to pay rent - decides to give his money to a stranger instead, grandma forced to sell homemade goods to get by - then, a stranger walks up to her, grieving daughter goes thrift store shopping - finds an unexpected note in a purse, why paul walker left his only daughter with vin diesel, matthew mcconaughey’s life-changing lesson for kate hudson (video), snoop dogg confronts the man that got tupac killed (video), jennifer hudson's horrific family tragedy-how the singer forgave and healed, subscribe to our newsletter, nicola coughlan has brilliant response to fan calling her bridgerton scenes "very brave", the untold story of michael and janet jackson's complex relationship, the disturbing and beautiful story behind danny trejo's salma hayek tattoo, the 11 best bridgerton quotes to make you feel powerful, romantic and wise, 40-year-old mom spent three years in prison - now she's an intern at princeton.

40-Year-Old Mother of 3 Goes From Inmate to Princeton Intern

Life can take us down unexpected and scary roads. Sometimes, we don’t know how to get off those roads and begin the climb to a better future. As this mom proved, however, anything is possible with a second chance and a little determination .

A Former Inmate

Woman goes from inmate to Princeton intern.

Mary McCrary is a 40-year-old mother of three who spent three years in prison. According to Good Morning America , she served time at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville for a parole violation following a conviction for aggravated burglary.

McCrary dropped out of high school in Grade 10 and has since successfully pursued her GED, but it wasn’t until prison that she began thinking about further education . She hit a breaking point behind bars and decided it was time to turn her life around.

“When you get to a point where you're tired and don’t even want to live and you're hopeless and you feel useless and worthless, you have a decision to make,” she told the publication.

“I made the decision to use this time to do something different, to change my life, because I didn’t want to keep doing the same things and getting in trouble and ... doing whatever I had to to survive because it gets you in the exact same place.”

So, McCrary enrolled in a coding class as part of the center’s Persevere program, an initiative aimed at helping inmates earn certifications as front-end or full-stack web developers.

“The class alone made you feel like you’re a human being, that I was working towards something, that there is a goal in sight, I am going to accomplish something, and I did,” she added. “That does give you confidence and hope.”

A Life-Changing Opportunity

For the next six months, McCrary earned her certificate in front-end coding. She decided to develop her skills even more by enrolling at Nashville State Community College, which offers a program for inmates.

This past May, McCrary was granted parole, completed her supervision, and earned extra credits toward an associate’s degree. But not even she could anticipate what would happen next: an internship at Princeton.

The nine-week program is meant for formerly incarcerated undergrad students to gain experience and new opportunities, and so far, McCrary is excelling.

“Her dedication to building her future is evident in how she does not shy away from challenges and the unknown,” Bridgett vonHoldt, an associate professor at Princeton and the head of the internship program said. “She is a role model, demonstrating for anyone who thinks such change is impossible that nothing is impossible.”

As for McCrary, she knows this is an incredible opportunity and hopes the internship is the next step toward earning her AA degree back in Nashville.

“This has been life-changing in more ways than one. This is an unbelievable, sometimes overwhelming experience,” she said. “If you look at my past, it's a crazy shamble mess, but look now, look what can happen. Nothing is ever impossible.”

Second Chances

McCrary hopes to be a role model for those who are having a hard time accepting the idea of a brighter future and so far, she certainly is. She’s a great example of how things can get better and you can change your future when you’re willing to take advantage of the opportunities you have — even if they don’t seem like opportunities at the time.

This story is also a needed reminder that everyone deserves a second chance in life and that sometimes, by allowing someone who has messed up the chance to try again, they may surprise you.

No one is perfect, and everyone stumbles. It’s not how hard we fall that truly matters in life; it's how we pick ourselves back up. But it’s also up to us whether we want to be the person who lends someone on the ground a helping hand or if we want to be the guy who just keeps on walking.

Copyright © 2024 Goalcast

Get stories worth sharing delivered to your inbox

• What’s New

Google Classroom

Microsoft Teams

Google Drive

• SPED Teacher
• Academic Leader
• Technology Leader
• In-Class & Blended Learning
• Assessments & Grading
• Monitoring & Feedback

Collaboration

Accessibility

• Reading & Writing

Certification

Template Library

Leadership Hub

Help Center

INTEGRATIONS

See the new world of Kami here!

SPED teacher

Academic leader

Technology leader

BY USE CASE

In-class & blended learning

Assessments & grading

Monitoring & feedback

English language learners

Reading & writing

Kami Blog > How to Use SMART Goals for Your Students

Inspiration

How to use smart goals for your students.

What is a good goal for a student?

• Goal setting is a good practice for students of all ages to learn to set measurable goals, improve time management skills, and achieve milestones in their personal development. Good goals for students can be career goals, life goals, as well as personal goals.

What does the SMART acronym stand for?

• Specific : a clearly identified end goal that the student can measure whether they have achieved or not.
• Measurable : a tangible goal that you can track progress to ensure you achieve.
• Achievable : a goal that you can complete but that also pushes you to improve, it cannot be too easy or too hard.
• Relevant : the short-term goal must help you complete your relevant long-term goal .
• Timebound : a specific deadline is needed to mark progress and completion of the smart goal.

What are good examples of SMART goals?

A good SMART goal would cover all of the above criteria. A SMART goal is the practice of goal setting with a specific goal that is attainable within a prescribed time period and is fundamentally relevant to your long-term goals.

A good SMART goal would be “I want to be in the top 5 in my class this year.” As opposed to, “I want to improve my academic performance.” Academic goals fit into the SMART goal definition smoothly as your students are graded periodically. Consequently setting good grades as an achievable goal creates an action plan for academic success. Please use the SMART goal template below for your students to coach them on how to set goals.

What are 9 example SMART goals for students?

1. Improve academic performance

“I will get a 4.0 GPA this semester.”

S pecific : The goal is to get a 4.0 GPA for the year. M easurable : The student can track their GPA progress on a report card or online portal throughout the year to monitor their own smart goal. A chievable : The student might have achieved a 3.6 GPA last semester, so a 4.0 is definitely achievable if they work hard through the end of the school year. R elevant : Improving their GPA is a relevant goal for the student’s future success and long-term goals if they wish to attend college. T ime-bound : This goal is for the year so they have a specific time frame to improve their GPA.

2. Improve Organization

“I will be more organized when submitting my assignments on time by setting aside one hour per week to note down all my upcoming due dates for the next week.”

S pecific : The main goal is to submit assignments on time. M easurable : There are clear steps, and one hour per week is an extra time commitment to improve organizational skills. A chievable : One hour is a reasonable amount of time, and will help improve time management skills. R elevant : The steps taken will serve the overall goal and help with personal development and accountability for school work. T ime-bound : This goal provides the opportunity for a weekly check-in.

3. Increase class participation

“ I will contribute at least five times each week in class to a discussion or provide an answer to a question”

S pecific: The clear objective is to contribute at least five times in class per week. M easurable: Each time a question is answered, the student has demonstrated progress and commitment toward meeting their goal. A chievable: The student will stay on top of their assigned reading, homework, etc in preparation for class. R elevant: It’s an effective goal for becoming a better student and achieving good grades. T ime-bound: Each week provides an opportunity for benchmark

4. Learn another language

“I want to learn Spanish, so I’ve committed to spending 20 minutes a day outside of class completing an online program. In 4 months I want to be able to have a conversation in Spanish.”

S pecific : Learning Spanish is a specific goal, as is the deadline. M easurable : The amount of time spent in an independent study can easily be measured. A chievable : Twenty minutes a day is achievable. R elevant : The goal of learning a language is relevant to diversifying skills. For college students or applicants, it is a demonstrable extracurricular. T ime-bound : Online daily lesson time is easily trackable.

5. Improve academic performance

“I will get an A in my current essay in my English class.”

S pecific : I specifically want to target English for improvement. The specific essay is the current one that has been assigned. M easurable : The measurement for success is an A- or above. A chievable : I achieved a B- in my previous essay so I believe I can increase one grade with enough extra time and by using my feedback from my previous essay. R elevant : The goal of getting an A in my essay is relevant to my long-term goal of applying to college next year. T ime-bound : My essay is due in 7 weeks.

6. Improve reading level

“To expand my knowledge base, I will read X book(s) per month of extracurricular material. I will do this by reading for two hours on the weekends and 30 minutes daily.”

S pecific : the target of a specific number of books per month is unambiguous. M easurable : it is simple to demonstrate success if the student is able to reach the goal. A chievable : when setting the goal the student can choose the appropriate number of books per month. R elevant : reading is an excellent academic skill that will improve vocabulary and spelling. This will increase overall personal development and contribute to better grades. T ime-bound : at the end of the month it is clear whether the objective has been achieved.

7. Increase the amount of sleep

“By the end of next month, I will commit to getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night. I will do this by turning off my devices one hour before bed and practicing breathing exercises to fall asleep faster.

S pecific:   The goal is to get more sleep, preferably the recommended daily amount for 13-18-year-olds.  M easurable:   Having a set bedtime and using an alarm, set for 8 hours later. A chievable:   Organizing the student’s activities and eliminating distractions make this goal achievable. R elevant:   Restful sleep is crucial for your brain and body to function at their highest level, increasing your ability to concentrate and potentially academic performance. T ime-bound: The routine gives the student time to get to know their schedule and work it to account for additional sleep.

8. Improve My Productivity

“I will improve my productivity by using a Pomodoro timer when studying and closing all other tabs on my computer. I will do this every time I study for 2 months.”

S pecific: Use a Pomodoro timer every time I study. M easurable: Will keep a diary measuring my progress. A chievable: Study regularly and this is an add-on to an existing study program to improve productivity during my existing study time. R elevant: Better study productivity can help me learn faster and get better grades. Ti me-bound: The goal is to persist with the habit for 2 months.

9. Memorize 100 Flashcards Within 3 Weeks

“I will create a deck of 100 flashcards related to my history course and memorize all 100 dates within 3 weeks by spending 20 minutes per day on the task.”

S pecific: The goal will be to learn the things that are specifically listed on the flashcards. M easurable: I will be able to have a friend test me at the end of the 3 weeks to see my grade out of 100. A ttainable: It is reasonable to be able to memorize 100 facts in 3 weeks or about 5 words per day. R elevant: Learning these words will make it easier for me to pass my history class. T ime-Based: I will meet this goal within 3 weeks.

Challenge your students with setting their own SMART goals

Remember that SMART goal setting will improve with practice. Long—term goals will be achieved by ensuring students can break them down into achievable chunks within specific time frames. Ask your students; does your goal make sense? Is it clear and concise? Is the goal measurable? Is this goal challenging but not impossible? Will this goal help you achieve your long—term goals? Have you allowed yourself a realistic amount of time to complete the goal?

Good luck using the SMART acronym with your students and maybe think about setting yourself some SMART goals!

You may also like

Creating a Positive School Culture

Anti-Bullying Lesson Ideas for Elementary Classes

Bring learning to life

Product overview

Flip alternative

Help center

Book a free training

Get Kami Certified

Template library

Leadership hub

Run your own training

Become a Kami Hero

Facebook Community

Reading & Writing

Copyright © 2024 Kami | All Rights Reserved

Terms of service | Privacy Policy | Responsible Policy Disclosure

Kami Quote Request

• eLearning Platform
• eLearning Content
• Access 800 Courses on our Platform
• Bespoke eLearning
• Our Pricing
• Request a Demo
• Content Partnerships
• Whitepapers
• Most Popular Blogs
• Personal Learning Journeys
• Training Feedback Form
• Training Needs Analysis Template
• Personal Development Plan Template
• Learning and Development Strategy
• Talent Management Strategy
• Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model
• Microlearning
• Informal Learning
• 70 20 10 Learning

Home » Blog » How To Write SMART Learning Objectives & Outcomes

How To Write SMART Learning Objectives & Outcomes

As a methodology first created for business management, SMART has since been adapted across numerous fields, including education. SMART objectives offer a structured framework to help educators design effective learning goals that are clear, focused, and reachable. They ensure that learners can understand what is expected from them, fostering a more efficient and meaningful learning experience.

What are SMART Learning Objectives?

The SMART framework breaks down learning objectives into five key characteristics: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Each characteristic plays a pivotal role in creating a comprehensive learning goal that is practical, attainable, and aligned with overall educational targets.

George T. Doran first proposed the SMART framework in the November 1981 issue of Management Review . In his initial formulation, Doran’s A stood for “assignable,” meaning a task that can meaningfully be given to a specified individual. His R stood for “realistic,” a concept now captured by the latter-day “achievable” component.

In its current form, the framework offers a set of criteria that can be applied to any learning methodology to ensure that its content and assessment systems are fit for purpose.

The learning objective should be well-defined, clear, and unambiguous. Instead of setting a broad or generic goal, educators should aim to specify what the learner will achieve upon successful completion of the course or lesson.

Another way to think of this is to consider what the learner will be able to do or understand, having completed the course, that they couldn’t have done or understood beforehand. How will it change their work life, skillset, or understanding?

The objective must include criteria for measuring progress and outcome. This ensures that the learner’s progress can be tracked, and the effectiveness of the learning process can be evaluated.

With eLearning content , there are numerous ways to measure progress and comprehension, including completion percentages, internal quizzes, and final assessments. Various interactive tools allow for gamifying the process of measurement with puzzles and challenges that can be inserted into the course material to maintain interest and gauge understanding.

The learning objective should be realistic and attainable. While ambitious goals can be motivational, they should not be so challenging as to be unattainable, which might lead to frustration or discouragement.

Stepped courses with modules for complete beginners, intermediate-level learners and experts can help ensure that the student completes a course at a level they can manage. Courses should avoid being too lengthy or complicated, or the end goal can begin to seem unreachable.

Break down your course materials into slides, lessons, and modules to motivate students to persist, and reward completion stages with badges, congratulations, or other markers of success.

The objective should align with the learner’s broader educational or professional goals, ensuring the learning process is meaningful and applicable to their overall development. This is particularly important in mandatory training courses such as fire and safety training, first aid or DEI courses.

By tailoring courses to the day-to-day situations your students and employees will face, you will increase engagement.

If a course has an in-person element, make sure it incorporates time for students to discuss how each lesson relates to their own life or work. Lively discussions will follow, and the relevance of the topic will hit home.

Each objective should have a defined timeline, offering a clear deadline for when the learning goal should be achieved. This enhances motivation and allows progress tracking over time.

Run many trials of your courses and time how long it takes the average student to complete the various modules, then tweak the content and design accordingly. Experience has shown that an individual module should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.

Another good idea is to give students a realistic notion of how long each part of the course will take to finish. This will allow them to allocate sufficient time for completion, without having to interrupt their flow.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing SMART Learning Objectives

Creating SMART learning objectives involves six critical steps – an initial definitional stage and then one step for each concept in the SMART framework. By following these steps methodically, you’ll ensure your courses are well-designed and fit for purpose.

Step 1: Identify Desired Outcome(s)

Before setting an objective, identify the desired learning outcomes of the lesson or course. What should learners know or be able to do by the end? It’s a good idea to specify this up front to set expectations.

When you’ve devised the course, you can run tests and examine the achieved outcomes. Do they match your intentions when designing the course? If not, a rethink may be required.

Step 2: Be Specific

Use action verbs to precisely define what the learner will achieve. Clearly state the scope of the objective to eliminate ambiguity.

Here’s an example of a poorly written course objective:

“Students will gain an understanding of the basics of social media marketing.”

And here’s that objective written with more specificity (with action verbs in bold):

“Students will appreciate the different audiences of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, understand the marketing objectives that can be achieved using each one, and will practise using some marketing techniques to make best use of each medium.”

Step 3: Ensure Objectives are Measurable

Define clear, quantifiable criteria to evaluate progress and success. You might establish various methods of assessment, including quizzes, projects, or discussions.

Be very transparent upfront about what constitutes an excellent, good, or acceptable “pass mark.” While some courses pass or fail only (driver’s tests, for example), others have gradations of achievement.

It can be difficult to quantify comprehension of a complex topic with multiple choice questions, so if it is vital that students gain an in-depth knowledge of a complex subject, then it is better to include a project, in-person assessment or written essay.

Without some sort of measurable outcome, there’s a danger students can complete courses as “lip service” to the notion of education, without really learning anything.

Step 4: Ensure Objectives are Achievable

Consider the resources available and the learners’ current capabilities when setting objectives. This ensures that the goals are challenging but within reach.

It can be helpful to run a “pre-assessment” test or questionnaire to gauge current comprehension level. If you do so, make sure you stress that there is no good or bad level of achievement; you are simply trying to identify a place to begin.

Match your course materials to the age, reading level and/or educational level of your students. Don’t use overly complicated language when simpler terms will do.

Step 5: Ensure Objectives are Relevant/Personalised

Align the learning objectives with the overall goals of the course and the individual learner’s needs. This ensures the learning process is valuable and beneficial for the learner.

Online systems allow for a high degree of learning personalisation of courses, including offering modules in a range of languages or including various optional extras.

As well as making the course content fit students’ needs, you need to make sure the outcomes match what they’ll be able to use in their employment or day-to-day lives.

For instance, if you were teaching a course in beer-making in a microbrewery setting, but most of your students were likely to work in commercial breweries, it would be wise to tailor the outcomes to include those very different environments.

Step 6: Establish Deadlines/Timeframes

Set clear deadlines for each objective. Balance the time constraints with the scope of the objective to ensure it’s feasible within the given timeframe. This may involve a degree of trial and error as you’re designing the course.

There’s little more frustrating than being told a course must be completed in one hour, only to find that its quizzes are so lengthy and challenging that it takes twice as long to finish.

Examples of SMART Learning Objectives

Here are examples of SMART objectives in different settings:

Classroom Setting

“In this semester, students will improve their writing skills by composing and revising at least three essays, with each essay receiving a score of 70% or higher.”

Note that there is room for variation in this objective – some students may complete three essays while others may do more. 70% is an ambitious but not unrealistic goal if your student intake has been pre-selected for basic literacy.

Online Courses

“By the end of this 20-hour online photography course, participants will produce a portfolio of ten high-quality photographs demonstrating mastery of advanced lighting techniques.”

This course may use advanced photo analytics to judge whether specific lessons about dynamic range, composition, colour, focus and subject choice have been adhered to and demonstrated.

What’s especially good about this objective is that it specifies the completion time (20 hours) and work volume (ten photos) very precisely.

Professional Development

“Within six months, team members will complete an advanced project management course, implement new strategies in their work, and show a 20% decrease in project overruns.”

Although the 20% overrun reduction may prove ambitious, it’s likely that the course organisers have researched the difference between the effect on deadlines of trained versus untrained teams.

“Within six months” is time-bound, but allows some wriggle room, for learners who can complete their coursework more quickly. The objective promises real professional and personal development.

Each of the above examples is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

Benefits of Using SMART Learning Objectives

Enhanced focus and clarity.

SMART objectives provide clear and concise goals, aiding learners in understanding exactly what is expected. They ensure that a higher percentage of learners engage with course materials and see courses through to completion.

Improved Measurement and Assessment

Because they’re measurable, SMART objectives make progress tracking and outcome assessment easier and more effective. It becomes easier to demonstrate the efficacy of a course, and to identify places where materials can be improved in future iterations.

Increased Motivation and Engagement

Achievable and time-bound objectives motivate and engage learners by providing clear goals and a sense of urgency. They can foster a spirit of friendly rivalry too, as team members compete with one another to gain the best completion scores.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing SMART Objectives

Here are some of the frequent pitfalls course creators face:

• Avoid vague or overly broad objectives that fail to clearly state what is expected from the learner. These will not inspire excitement and may lead to students feeling adrift as they work through the course materials.
• Avoid objectives without measurable criteria that offer no way to evaluate success. Neither the course creator nor the student is well-served by a course with no objective measure of achievement.
• Avoid irrelevant content that students won’t be able to incorporate within their lives or working environment. If elements add to completion time but don’t contribute to course objectives, the content should be left out.
• Lastly, steer clear of unattainable or unrealistic goals that may frustrate or discourage learners. This will reduce engagement and can cause you to receive poor reviews of your courses.

Strategies for Implementing and Monitoring SMART Objectives

Methods for effective implementation include:

• Incorporating objectives into lesson planning and making sure they are at the forefront when designing a course.
• Tracking progress and adjusting as necessary. Run numerous trials of your courses in the design stage, including participants at various levels of prior subject knowledge.
• Providing regular feedback and support to learners. Take stock at various points during your course, either with recaps (for an online course) or in-person discussions of “what we’ve learned so far.” This helps learners feel they’re keeping up.

SMART is Objectively Better

Creating SMART learning objectives plays an important role in enhancing educational effectiveness. It enables learners to understand expectations, focus their efforts, and measure their progress.

As an eLearning company , Skillshub is committed to creating efficient and impactful learning experiences.

We incorporate these principles into our learning modules, providing a well-rounded eLearning platform and approach that caters to each learner’s unique needs and abilities.

Join us today to elevate your learning experience!

Sean McPheat

Sean is the CEO of Skillshub. He’s a published author and has been featured on CNN, BBC and ITV as a leading authority in the learning and development industry. Sean is responsible for the vision and strategy at Skillshub, helping to ensure innovation within the company.

Learn How To Create Personal Learning Journeys For FREE!

Updated on: 6 September, 2023

Would your connections like this too? Please share.

You might also be interested in…

21 Learning and Development KPIs You Need

How To Transform Existing Content into Engaging eLearning

The Impact of Return To Work on UK Employees

10 Essential Elements for a Winning L&D Strategy

Refining Healthcare Through Health eLearning

13 Strategies for Enhancing Training & Development in Your Organisation

• elearning Content
• Virtual Training
• Get In Touch

How to Set SMART Goals (+ Examples and Templates)

Table of Contents

We all have goals — to be more successful in what we do, to enroll in a university, improve our skills — the list goes on. Goals are what sets thriving people apart from everyone else. 

As Norman Vincent Peale, an advocate of the positive thinking movement, once said:

“All successful people have a goal. No one can get anywhere unless he knows where he wants to go and what he wants to be or do.”

But are your goals always worth pursuing?

Are your goals always even possible to achieve?

Are your goals tangible?

Those are all difficult questions ⁠that often surpass our ability to answer in a straightforward, systematic, and logical way. 

Luckily, I’ll offer simple criteria you can use to determine the value of any goal — they’re called SMART goals. 

In this guide, I’ll also lay out the answers to the following questions:

• What are SMART goals exactly,
• How and when to set SMART goals, and
• When SMART goals are not that smart.

As a bonus, I’ll give you a few SMART goal templates to use in your work and life and touch on how to write SMART goals you’ll stick to.

Let’s get rolling! 

What is a SMART goal?

The acronym SMART stands for 5 characteristics of a goal that you should consider to be able to achieve the goal successfully. Each characteristic is represented by 1 letter in the SMART abbreviation:

• S stands for Specific — specific goals are straightforward, precise, and can be easily defined.
• M stands for Measurable — measurable goals constitute points of reference you can use to assess whether you are successful in progressing toward or reaching the said goal.
• A stands for Attainable — attainable goals are realistic in the sense that you have a reasonable amount of time, money, and skills to reach them.
• R stands for Relevant — relevant goals hold particular importance in your life, the project you’re currently working on, or your business as a whole.
• T stands for Time-bound — time-bound goals “bind” you with a specific time frame you’ll have to work on to call your efforts a success.

In other words, SMART goal setting helps you elaborate your aims and desires — and make an action plan. In fact, setting SMART goals increases the possibility of achieving your goal. 

Interestingly, SMART goals are also known as SMART criteria or SMART objectives, too. But no matter your SMART goals definition, don’t pass on this opportunity to make them part of your routine.

For an illustration of SMART goals, take a look at my example of cutting time for processing data in Excel below:

How to write SMART goals?

By now, you might wonder, “ How do I write a SMART goal and how do I apply this framework to real-life scenarios? ” 

I’m glad you asked!

The application of SMART goals varies. In any case, you can use these criteria to decide whether your current career goals are worth pursuing or if working on particular areas of your personal development would be beneficial enough.

To help you wrap your head around the matter, here are 5 critical steps to follow on your SMART goals journey. Let’s get started!

Step #1: Make goals specific 

Specific goals are well-defined and precise enough so that you won’t steer away from achieving them. 

Let’s take a look at an example. 

If you say that you want to be in marketing, that’s a nonspecific goal.

It’s what you usually say to your extended family when you want them to stop bugging you about when you’ll get a job. Again, it sounds nice, and it may even impress your grandparents — but it’s too broad to motivate you to act on it. 

On the other hand, suppose you say you want to land the position of a Junior Marketing Specialist in a Boston tech company. Now, that’s a well-defined, specific goal you can strive for. 

Let’s look at a few prompts to use when crafting your SMART goals.

Questions for specific goals

If you want to make a goal specific, consider answering a few questions. You don’t have to answer all of them, but the more questions you answer, the more specific your goal gets. 

Here they are:

• Q1: What is the goal?
• Q2: What are the details of the goal?
• Q3: What do I want to accomplish with it?
• Q4: Who is involved?
• Q5: Where is it going to happen?
• Q6: What resources are available?

Examples of answers that prove the goal is specific :

• A1: I want to land a Junior Marketing Specialist position.
• A2: I want to apply for 10 job calls each week during the month. At this rate, I’ll land a job faster.
• A3: I want to feel financially stable, enjoy my work more, and generally feel better about myself.
• A4: I’m the chief person responsible for getting the job. Still, I’ll also talk to a few mentors and industry peers to learn how to land a good position.
• A5: I’ll spend a bit more time online, researching and applying for jobs. I’ll look at job boards and create my own portfolio website.
• A6: I’ll have advice from my mentors and the network I’ve established over the years. Also, I’ll ask previous employers to write me recommendation letters.

Step #2: Make goals measurable

Measurable goals consist of specific milestones with clearly defined criteria that help you track your progress on your way to achieving them.

For example, if you just say that you’ll study for your Monday math exam, you might not be actually able to follow through with this plan. 

When you define your goal without a specific, actionable plan, you don’t have any distinguishable milestones to help you stay on track. 

But let’s assume you say that you’re going to study for your math exam for 5 hours each day, leading up to the next to the last day before the exam when you’ll revise everything. Now, that’s a measurable goal with clear milestones and a plan you can follow (and a plan you can stick to).

So, let’s explore 3 questions and 3 answers of measurable goals.

Questions for measurable goals

If you want to make a goal measurable, consider answering the following questions:

• Q1: How will I measure progress?
• Q2: Do I have the necessary tools to measure my progress?
• Q3: How will I know the goal has been accomplished?

Examples of answers that prove the goal is measurable :

• A1: To measure my progress (or lack thereof), I’ll check in with my goal tracking app of choice and get a report on how much time I spent studying for the math exam.
• A2: I’ve recently subscribed to the Clockify goal tracker to track my progress daily. Also, I’ve set a clear learning goal with areas where I expect improvements, like algebra, geometry, and arithmetic.
• A3: Simple math will tell me whether I have accomplished my goal. If by next Monday, my time tracking report shows that I’ve spent 5 hours a day reading, studying, and learning for the math exam, I’ll consider it a success.

💡 Clockify Pro Tip

Whatever SMART goal you set, you should measure and keep track of it with a fitting tool. Here’s the definitive list of the best goal tracker apps you can use for this purpose:

• 12 Best goal tracker apps for 2022

Step #3: Make goals attainable 

Attainable goals are realistic enough for you to successfully reach them. 

Saying that you’ll lose 30 lbs in 1 month is usually not attainable .

In fact, you can expect 2 outcomes that can come from such an overachieving goal — and neither is favorable:

• You go on a strict diet and exercise routine. You stick to your diet without faltering and exercise hard every morning. But, ultimately, you fail because losing that much in such a short time is near impossible.
• You feel discouraged by such an unfeasible goal from the start. So much that you give up without even trying.

On the other hand, saying that you’ll lose 3 lbs every week for a month by eating healthier and exercising regularly is attainable .

With such a reasonable goal, you’ll have the best chance to stay motivated throughout it.

Next, let’s dive into 5 questions and 5 answers of attainable goals.

Questions for attainable goals

To make your goal more attainable, answering the following questions might help:

• Q1: Do I have the financial capacity to accomplish my goal?
• Q2: Do I have the skills and willpower to accomplish my goal?
• Q3: Will I have access to help when needed?
• Q4: Do I have all the necessary resources?
• Q5: Do I have the time to accomplish the goal?

Examples of answers that prove the goal is attainable :

• A1: I have enough money to join a gym and consult with a professional trainer.
• A2: I’ve previously already lost 13 lbs within a month on a different occasion. As a result, I firmly believe I can do it again.
• A3: I’ll have access to a personal trainer, helpful advice from my nutritionist friend, and additional support from my family.
• A4: I have all the necessary resources at hand, as my city has several great gyms. I also have an enviable selection of healthy food in the neighborhood supermarket.
• A5: Considering that I work remotely 5 days a week and my job comes with flexible working hours, I can spare 1 hour per weekday to go to the gym — and I have enough time to prepare healthy meals. I can easily spare even more time for the gym and food preparation on weekends.

Step #4: Make goals relevant 

Relevant goals are the ones that directly impact your progress and are particularly important to you.  

So, to actually stick to your goals till the finish line, you need to make sure your goals are relevant. 

Say you want to major in economics. That sounds relevant and worthwhile, right?

However, you’re not the least bit interested in economics. In fact, you don’t plan on pursuing a career in economics. 

That right there makes it an irrelevant goal, as it’s not clear what you’ll get in life by working toward it. Of course, apart from gaining a college degree. But you could also get a degree by studying something you like .

As you might have guessed, it’s always best to pursue a college education in a topic that interests you. A college education goal may also be relevant if you pick a potentially profitable subject you’re not 100% passionate about, but you want to pursue.

Finally, let’s explore 3 questions and 3 answers of relevant goals.

Questions for relevant goals

To make your goal relevant, ask yourself the following questions:

• Q1: Why is this goal important to me?
• Q2: Is this goal worth my time?
• Q3: Is this the right time for it?

Examples of answers that prove the goal is relevant :

• A1: If I get a major in economics, I’ll be more financially secure and have more time to spend on what matters. Also, pursuing a major in economics will make me more confident about myself and my current career.
• A2: I feel that getting a major in economics would benefit me in the short and long run. In a nutshell, doing so will affect my mental and physical health. Therefore, it’s worth my time.
• A3: The holiday feasts are over, and it’s time to implement the New Year’s resolutions. As a result, it’s time to pursue that major in economics.

Step #5: Make goals time-bound 

Time-bound goals are usually set within a specific time frame, with a clear deadline for their completion. 

Take a look at the following example.

To say that you want to participate in a poem writing contest that’s due next week is admirable.

But phrasing it like that means it’s not a time-bound goal .

In this case, the contest has a deadline — say it’s Sunday, February 2. But you didn’t define a deadline for your work. Will you submit your finished work on Tuesday? Or Wednesday? Or 5 hours before the contest deadline, giving you enough time to tweak it to perfection?

As a matter of fact, what’s your time-bound battle plan?   

Now, say that you plan to handle the contest by:

• Writing the first draft of your poem on Monday, January 27,
• Revising everything on Tuesday, January 28,
• Finalizing the rhyme scheme on Wednesday, January 29, and
• Sending out the poem on Thursday, January 30 — 4 days before the deadline.

That’s a time-bound goal you can work with. So, let’s dive into a few questions and examples of time-bound goals.

Questions for time-bound goals

To make a time-bound — or timely — goal, answer the following questions:

• Q1: When will I achieve the goal?
• Q2: When will I carry out the activities that will bring me to my goal?
• Q3: When can I expect the first outcomes?

Examples of answers that prove the goal is time-bound:

• A1: I’ll set January 31 as my end deadline. Also, I’ll include daily targets for each of the 3 stages — writing, revising, and finalizing the poem.
• A2: Every day after work, I’ll set aside 2 hours to work on the poem. I’ll make a clear schedule for writing, revising, and finalizing the poem in stages. I’ll check in with my progress every day to see if I’m set to meet the deadline of submitting the poem 4 days ahead of schedule. 
• A3: The first outcome I can expect should be completing each stage — writing, revising, finalizing — on a daily basis. For example, if I’ve completed the writing stage, then I can consider my first outcome a success.

Now you know how to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals. Kudos! 

Next up, let’s get a few additional tips from business experts and life coaches — with SMART goals examples for work, play, and much more.

How to set SMART goals: Proven tips and expert opinions

If you’ve come this far, setting SMART goals shouldn’t be a problem at this point. But just to be safe, I sat down with a few time management experts, business enthusiasts, coaches, and others to help you understand how to be unstoppable with your SMART goals.

Let’s take a look at unique expert insights into setting and sticking to your SMART goals.

Tip #1: Set a SMART action plan and stick to it

Plans come first, as they are a visual representation of your goals. If you don’t have a plan, you’re more likely to get off track. 

But it’s expected that you’ll have more SMART goals than 1. So, I recommend that you:

• Laser-focus on 1 goal in 90-day sprints,
• Spell out each action step in a timeline, and
• Track your progress every week.

I asked Vincent Nair , the CEO of SMARTECH Business Systems, to weigh in on this topic. According to him, setting clear goals will bring you clarity:

“Planning ahead is one of the most effective ways to ensure goals are well-understood, timely and realistic. With a clear schedule and roadmap in place, your entire team will have a better understanding of exactly how, why and when your goals are being set.”

That’s what I call common sense — we truly sometimes need to get back to the basics.

Next, I spoke to Will Yang at Instrumentl, a platform serving grant-seekers. His words were another eye-opener as he said that a SMART action plan must include clear landmarks:

“Ensure apples-to-apples comparisons: it is critical to compare equivalent items and activities when setting SMART goals. For example, if you wish to raise the number of sales calls made in a month, don’t compare it to the number of emails sent in a month. Instead, concentrate on which activity will yield the desired outcomes.”

Learn all about how to think about objectives and key results, with additional resources right here:

• Objectives and Key Results (OKR): everything you need to know

Tip #2: Serialize your goals and celebrate more

If you’re reading this article, it probably means that you are an overachiever or striving to become one. But one of the main pitfalls overachievers fall into is trying to get more done than they can handle, therefore spreading themselves too thin.

I talked to Alexis Haselberger , time management and productivity coach, to share her wisdom on how to avoid this all-too-common trap. She gives a powerful illustration about how you can feel a sense of satisfaction and motivation if you pace yourself:

“Think of it like reading a book: if you read 5 books all at the same time, and read 5 pages each per day, it’ll take you months to finish them all. But, if you start with one book, and read 25 pages a day, you’ll finish in a couple of weeks, and then can move onto the next — which is much more satisfying and motivating.”

To keep a steady pace means creating a workflow that helps you achieve your SMART goals. Career expert Kaloyan Dimitrov of Enhancv, a resume builder, made a good point when he emphasized the importance of enjoying an occasional treat — your milestones:

“Keep yourself motivated and committed to accomplishing your goals by celebrating the milestones that you reach along the route. Think about treating yourself to something special whenever you reach a significant milestone or accomplish a particular goal.”

In fact, it’s this attitude that allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment and get better results.

Speaking of books, read our selection of the best productivity textbooks on the market right here:

• 25+ Best productivity books

Tip #3: Assign people to help you with your goals

Sometimes, you can’t achieve results or accomplish your tasks without the help of others. 

For example, it’s possible to lose weight on your own. However, it’s smarter if you pay for a gym membership, and let a professional fitness coach or a nutritionist help you in that process. In reality, it’s easier and safer to listen to professionals with the right skills and knowledge to carry out tasks.

Likewise, you’ve probably heard about the Boomerang effect on gaining weight back quickly after losing it. This usually happens because people starve and lose a lot of weight in a short period. Not only do they lose weight quickly, but muscles as well. As a result, people experience their metabolism slowing down and regain weight again.

Luckily, you can translate this weight loss scenario into any modern knowledge work job, like:

• Coding, etc.

If you’re the editor-in-chief and would like to have a document proofread thoroughly, you don’t need to do it yourself. Instead, ask a fellow editor or writer on your team to do the job for you.

In fact, assigning the right people for the job can result in faster and higher-quality results.

Tip #4: List the tasks that need to be done

Now that you elaborated on your goal in more detail and assigned the right people to assist you, it’s time to focus on the smaller parts. That means the tasks that must be done to achieve the ultimate goal.

In the case of losing 12 lbs of weight, you’ll probably need to complete tasks like:

• Go to the gym every day after work,
• Put aside money for the gym membership and nutrition consultations,
• Weigh yourself each Sunday afternoon, and
• Eat nutrient-rich foods.

Healthy habits coach Stephanie Averkamp weighs in — pun intended — on this topic. Interestingly, she brings home the point on why you should focus a lot more on your behavior in reaching the goal, and not the final goal itself:

“Center your SMART goals around specific behaviors or actions that will take place instead of around specific results you want to achieve. For example, set a SMART goal that is focused on the exercise you will do instead of the amount of weight you will lose. Your behavior is the one thing you have full control over, and behavior drives results.”

When you break your goal into more manageable pieces, you have a better overview of what needs to be done. In turn, the possibility of achieving your goal increases. For that purpose, you can create a hands-on to-do list to keep track of all your tasks in one place.

Get as many to-do list templates as you need — from simple to business and personal — right here:

• Free To-Do List Templates

Tip #5: Make a workable schedule

To make sure you accomplish your SMART goals even faster, make work time estimates for each activity or task that you need to complete. What’s more, make use of the time blocking technique to organize your tasks into specific blocks of time.

Let’s move back to the weight-loss example again. One of the key things that you need to strictly follow when losing weight is to pay attention to when you eat your meals. 

Even if you are being extremely careful with how many calories you consume daily, eating late at night can decrease your progress and lead to achieving partial results. 

For example, one 2022 study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that late-night eating impacts how you spend energy throughout the day. In fact, the research sheds light on the fact that your productivity overall could suffer from irregular eating schedules. Expectedly, all this negatively affects how you work on your goals.

So, to make sure your SMART goal plan runs smoothly, you need to:

• Create a time-bound schedule that you are going to stick to, and
• Determine when your breakfast/snack/lunch/dinner is. 

After completing these steps, you’ll see tangible results.

On a similar note, registered dietitian Kelsey Costa thinks that journaling can play a major role in creating a workable schedule:

“Journaling can be a powerful tool for increasing self-awareness, reflection, and the attainability of goals. Journaling helps identify obstacles, patterns, and areas of strength that you may need to draw on during your goal-setting journey. Regularly revisit the specifics of your goals, such as action steps, measurements, and deadlines.”

Now, that’s how you stick to your SMART action plan and goals!

Tip #6: Evaluate and explore

So much valuable advice can sometimes be overwhelming. Yet, many experts have a somewhat curious take on how to approach the SMART goal-setting process.

For example, mental performance coach Lain Lee emphasized that comfort isn’t your ally in reaching your goals:

“Instead of ‘realistic’, your goals should be UNCOMFORTABLE! Nothing worth doing or fighting for is done in comfort! The best things in life — growth, success, learning, love — all exist outside of your comfort zone. So if your goals don’t make you uncomfortable, they’re TOO realistic!”

Another interesting approach in conversations with experts came from certified career and life coach María Tomás-Keegan who showed me a way to enrich the SMART criteria with evaluation and revision:

“2 Additional steps make your SMART goals SMARTER: Evaluate & Revise. Decide when you’ll evaluate your progress and what you’ll look for. This step closes the loop on each goal. Then you’ll know if you need to revise your goal or timeline. This creates a 360-degree view of each goal that helps move them to the finish line.”

In sum, do what works for you — try to make SMART goal setting a seamless process aligned with your personality and preferences. 

Remember: You want SMART goals to work for you, not the other way around.

Interested in learning more about how your personality type might influence your productivity? Say no more — I got you covered in our blog post with productivity tips:

• Productivity tips for 16 personality types based on MBTI  

Why should you use SMART goals?

Even ancient Greek philosophers emphasized the importance of goal setting and proposed that purpose can incite action . 

Setting your goals by following the SMART criteria helps you elaborate on them. Similarly, it allows you to see if the current goal you want to achieve has any potential or if it’s just a waste of time , as sometimes can be the case.

Up next, I discuss how the SMART goal concept can benefit you insanely in the short run.

Benefit #1: SMART goals enhance well-being

A 2022 study found that SMART goals can increase the likelihood of accomplishing goals and experiencing positive affect. Simply put, positive affect refers to upbeat emotions and expressions in the study’s respondents.

In fact, the same study researchers suggest that the mere existence of a SMART goal strategy increased the quality of the respondents’ behavior that led to goal attainment.

Another relevant result was that the psychologists in charge of the study established that goal attainment, in this sense, led to enhanced well-being. 

In summary, SMART goals make it likely that you’ll achieve your goals and that those goals lead to your well-being.

Read our detailed guide on how to up your goals game by setting daily targets:

• How to set and reach your daily targets

Benefit #2: SMART goals improve time management skills

Setting goals and efficiently managing your time are 2 elements that go hand in hand. 

If you look at the acronym SMART again, you’ll see that the terms measurable and time-bound refer to time management . So, when you have a clearly defined goal or goals, you know how and where to focus your time. 

What’s more, you can make work time estimates and stick to them to avoid poor spending of resources. Finally, your improved time management skills will help you reduce distractions and increase your focus on more important tasks.

For that purpose, you can opt for a goal-tracking tool like Clockify to get a silent partner in efficiently managing your time and reaching your targets.

For example, Clockify allows you to beautifully tag and color-code your projects so that you can easily stay on track — and enjoy the process. In fact, the app lets you break down goals into manageable tasks that you can easily digest.

In sum, Clockify offers a variety of different plans , so you can choose the one most suitable for you to check in on your progress and obtain a report on your productivity.

By integrating SMART goals into your daily routine (whether work or personal), you’ll never miss a deadline or find excuses for missing your workout again.

Learn how to improve your time management skills in our in-depth guide:

• 10 ultimate steps to improve time management skills  

Benefit #3: SMART goals increase accountability

To achieve any goal, you need to hold yourself accountable. 

I know I’m not reinventing the wheel here, but people often forget to be more responsible on an ongoing basis.

In fact, Harry Morton of Lower Street, a podcast production agency, says something to that effect. Simply put, he told me that you should expect peaks and valleys in how distracted and motivated you feel:

“When working toward a long-term goal, it can be natural to encounter dips in motivation or distractions. An accountability partner can guide you back on track, offering an objective perspective when you deviate from the path to your goals. Be completely transparent and work with someone who understands what motivates you.”

Benefit #4: SMART goals beat workload overwhelm

A little planning ahead never killed anybody — but work overload and workplace stress are taking a toll on people’s health and the economy. According to a research paper by the World Health Organization, anxiety and depression cost the world’s economy $1 trillion each year, mostly due to a decline in productivity.

However, by setting your personal or business goals, you have a clear picture of what needs to be done, when , where , and how . As a result, the likelihood of feeling burned out reduces tremendously. 

What’s more, when you clearly identify your SMART goals, you learn how to unshakably say “No” to your colleagues the next time they try to swamp you with work. That’s right: SMART goals will save you from exhaustion and stress.

Okay, so now you understand what the SMART goal concept means and why it’s beneficial. Up next, let’s see when SMART goals are the most effective — and when you should avoid them.

Find out more about the causes and symptoms of career burnout and how it affects your health right here:

• Career burnout and its effect on health

When to use SMART goals

Are SMART goals effective?  Yes, when used in the right context.

Here’s when SMART goals work best.

1. Use SMART goals to set priorities

Use the SMART goal criteria when you want to single out your priorities and focus solely on them. 

The SMART criteria should guide you in the right direction to get a better insight into what’s important to accomplish something. 

In fact, the SMART framework saves you from wasting your time. If you don’t set your priorities right, you’ll lose track of your work. What’s more, you’ll probably end up feeling exhausted — and you don’t want that if you were wondering.

Learn why not all tasks are equally important and how you can prioritize them easily:

• How to (re-)prioritize your tasks

2. Use SMART goals to set high-level objectives

Use SMART goals when you need to focus on high-level goals that involve a number of smaller, specific tasks. High-level goals (such as advancing your career, enrolling in a university, or losing weight) demand a thorough action plan the SMART goal concept can offer you. 

However, I would even argue that SMART goals are especially useful for the more consequential targets in your life — where you need to be on top of your game because the stakes are high. That’s why it’s essential to make SMART goals a part of your everyday life and planning.

For illustration, consider you’re moving into a different town or state and selling your house. If you fail to take into account local taxes, regulations, real estate prices, and transport in your SMART goal framework, achieving this goal could lead to a disaster – personally and professionally.

3. Use SMART goals to tackle work tasks and set mini-milestones

SMART goals help you carry out your ongoing job responsibilities more efficiently and successfully. 

In fact, the SMART goal concept helps you split your goal into smaller, more manageable pieces. As a result, you get a clearer insight into the tasks that lead you to achieve the ultimate goal. 

For a quick fix, tackle your tasks one at a time to efficiently get them done and avoid being overwhelmed. The technique works wonders! 

In fact, the family law and relationship expert, Laura Wasser , thinks that you first need to set mini-milestones to get you going:

“When setting a SMART goal, think of it as a roadmap to your desired outcome. Break your goal into smaller, achievable steps, which will make it easier for you to stay on track and motivated. These mini-milestones will not only keep you focused, but they’ll also give you a sense of accomplishment as you progress.”

Read our all-inclusive guide to find out how to break down large tasks into easily digestible pieces:

• How to Break a Project Down into Tasks

4. Use SMART goals to handle new assignments

Employ the SMART goal criteria when you’re moving on to new assignments. 

Whether simple or complex, the SMART goal concept works well with all types of assignments regardless of their complexity or duration. It shifts your attention to what needs to be done and makes a thorough plan to achieve the final goal.

When you get a new assignment, the first step should be to insert it into one of the upcoming SMART goal templates at the end of this guide. This practice shows you if the assignment is even worth your time and effort — or if it’s a priority.

Learn how to distinguish between short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans in your work and life:

• The differences between long-term and short-term planning

5. Use SMART goals for personal development

When you feed the SMART goal criteria into your daily routine, you can make an everlasting, positive change in your life. This way, you can identify areas for improvement and personal growth — and go the extra mile to advance your career.

If you want to perform better at your job by following a comprehensive, step-by-step guide, check out this article:

• How to improve in your job

When SMART goals are not so smart 

Now, just because it sounds like the smart thing to do — pun intended — that doesn’t mean you should view all your tasks and initiatives through the SMART goals framework. 

Take a look at the examples of situations when you should avoid using SMART goals. 

1. Don’t use SMART goals to “count” your successes and failures

You shouldn’t use SMART goal-setting just so you can race past your goals as fast as you can without stopping to take a breather and reflect on what you’ve learned along the way.

You also shouldn’t view a SMART goal you haven’t accomplished as a failure and, thus, a reason to judge yourself.

Just because you failed this time doesn’t mean you won’t be able to succeed next time or use the knowledge you gained from pursuing the said goal in the future.

2. Don’t use SMART goals if you tend to give up too soon

SMART goals take time! That’s because they’re more complex than your everyday goals, such as getting to the food store before it closes.

As such, SMART goals take more effort and dedication. Therefore, they can be a bigger challenge for people who get nervous when they think they’re not progressing as best as they could.If you fear that a goal is too large for you to commit to it, it’s best that you reassess it and parse it 1 by 1 into smaller, less challenging goals you can reach easier until you’ve accomplished everything.

3. Don’t use SMART goals when you’re uncertain whether a goal is attainable

Out of all the letters in the SMART acronym, the “A” — which stands for attainable — is the least precise one.

After all, most of the time, you can only be sure a goal is attainable or not if you’ve already tried to pursue it.

So, are you sure you have a shot at landing the position of that Junior Marketing Specialist at that Boston tech company?

Perhaps you don’t have the right qualifications or the right experience.

We’ve seen this before with our example of losing 30 lbs in a month. 

Let’s assume you pursue a goal you’ve defined as attainable (despite it, realistically, not being the case). In this case, this action is bound to discourage you when you fail to reach your goal.

Alternatively, you may miss out on some great opportunities if you mark a realistic goal as “out of reach” without properly thinking about it.

4. Don’t use SMART goals when managing a project

According to the Scrum methodology, even though the SMART criteria suggest that a goal should be specific and measurable , other SMART goal criteria can threaten the success of a project , no matter how well you prepare it. 

Since a project goes through many stages during its life cycle, some things — like, if a goal is realistic — can’t be predicted in advance without further analysis. Also, the criterion time-bound doesn’t fit with the project management principles either. 

You might not be able to know when a goal would be accomplished due to the constant changes during a project’s life cycle.

Therefore, the SMART goal concept doesn’t go hand in hand with project management since it “encourages a simplistic and short-sighted approach to management” — as Scrum methodology experts emphasize in the article I linked to above.

Learn about the essential elements of project management and a few tools to get you started:

• Project Management: 31 best techniques, practices, and tools

5. Don’t use SMART goals when you expect a challenge

The SMART goal criteria propose that your goal needs to be attainable . In effect, this means knowing in advance if you have the right skills/knowledge/resources to accomplish something. 

When you know that a goal is achievable in advance, it gives you some kind of security. On the other hand, it keeps you stuck in one place. In other words, you are deprived of learning new things or acquiring new skills. 

Sometimes, the thrill of the unknown pushes you towards it and makes you realize all the things you can do. So, if you are a thrill-seeker looking for sudden challenges along the way — maybe the SMART goal concept is not the right fit for you.

—Now that you understand when and when not to use them, here are some examples of well-rounded SMART goals you can use to find inspiration. Let’s get rolling!

5 SMART goal examples

By now, you might be thinking: “ Enough with the beating around the bush, tell me what’s a SMART goal example, alright!”

I won’t give you 1 but 5 SMART goals examples — how’s that for a treat? 

Let’s go through them 1 by 1.

Example #1: SMART goal for improved performance at work 

To say, “ I want to improve my Excel skills, ” is too vague. Instead, try to make your goal:

• Specific : I want to improve my performance with Excel to get a promotion at work. These performance improvements focus on quicker data entry, more efficient calculations, and creating graphs.
• Measurable : I’ll know I’ve succeeded because — by the 1st of next month — I’ll be able to enter my data, complete my calculations through custom and combined formulas, create graphs, and carry out my other work in Excel all on my own, and with minimum effort.
• Attainable : I have enough time to work on improving my Excel skills. I can even look for a website with tutorials or enroll in an online course to help me understand some of the finer points.
• Relevant : I like working in my company, and I want to continue working there. One of the preconditions of my staying in the company longer and getting promoted is to streamline my work in Excel.
• Time-bound : I want to perfect my performance with Excel by May 1.

Are you familiar with performance improvement plans (PIP)? Check this article out to learn more about how PIPs can boost your work performance:

• Everything about performance improvement plans

Example #2: SMART goal for improved time management

Here’s an example of poor goal setting: “I want to accelerate the process of calculating in Excel.”

Instead, your goal should have the following attributes:

• Specific : It takes me 6 hours to implement all the formulas I need to process data in Excel. I want to cut that time to 3 hours per day, at least.
• Measurable : I can track the time I spend handling Excel data every day and then observe how that time decreases day by day and week by week. Similarly, I can work on improving my schedule.
• Attainable : I have the resources to help me learn how to be more efficient when using and combining Excel formulas.
• Relevant : I currently spend 6 hours of an 8-hour workday carrying out calculations in Excel, and that’s too much of my time. Cutting that time in half would ensure I have more time for other work activities.
• Time-bound : I want to cut the time I spend on Excel calculations in half by the 15th of next month.

Example #3: SMART goal for students 

Your grades won’t get better overnight, and you sure want to get into a top school or university. Well, saying, “I want to improve my GPA,” won’t do miracles. Instead, make sure your goal is:

• Specific : I want to improve my GPA to 3.8 so I can apply for a semester abroad with a full scholarship.
• Measurable : I’ll need to score an A or A+ on all of my tests this semester to improve my total GPA to an average of 3.8 to qualify for a semester abroad on time.
• Attainable : In recent months, I have fallen behind in school, but I have a history of improving my grades when I put substantial effort into it. So I can improve my grades once again. I’ll need to work longer hours , temporarily cut back on extracurricular activities, and focus on each test and quiz as it comes along.
• Relevant : The school abroad I want to spend a semester at has a great chemistry program. Passing that program will come in handy when I go to college. There, I want to major in chemistry to become a Chemical Engineer.
• Time-bound : I want to improve my GPA to 3.8 by the end of this semester to qualify for a position at the college abroad in question.

Students need all the help they can get when it comes to mastering their output. Read our in-depth guide to learn how to radically increase your productivity:

• Student guide to productivity

Example #4: SMART goal for leadership and team management 

Do you notice a stall in your team’s productivity? Being a team leader can be a double-edged sword from time to time. However, SMART goals can come to your rescue even in this situation. 

To help you get started, ensure your goal to boost your team’s productivity is:

• Specific : I want to motivate my team to improve their productivity by 50%.
• Measurable : 50% of increased productivity will trigger a 50% faster project turnaround.
• Attainable : I’ll use team management software and supply my team with the right productivity tools to help them out.
• Relevant : Higher productivity means faster project turnaround, and faster project turnaround leads to satisfied clients. Satisfied clients bring good word of mouth, so we’ll likely land more clients because of it. As a result, team morale would increase, so they’ll feel encouraged to keep up the good work.
• Time-bound : I want to see the expected increase in productivity 6 months from now.

Discover more interesting aspects of team management and how it can affect performance right here:

• The Complete Team Management Guide

Example #5: SMART goal for weight loss and fitness

You know that I’m-hitting-the-gym-next-Monday attitude never got you anywhere. Most people (including myself) consider going to the gym or exercising in any form as exhausting. In other words, we most frequently see exercise as something that requires a ton of will and determination. 

Although it’s not easy, setting a goal based on the SMART goal concept can make it much more bearable and joyful. 

Once you are on the right track, you’ll regret missing your workouts, even during public holidays. So, be all ears and ensure that your goal is:

• Specific : I want to lose 10 pounds to improve my fitness and athletic performance.
• Measurable : I want to lose belly fat and be able to endure physical activities without getting tired easily.
• Attainable : Suppose there’s a gym near my building with group fitness classes, indoor cycling, a weight loss program, Pilates, and more. I’m going to try the weight loss program first to lose some fat and later switch to Pilates to form my body shape. Also, I’m going to avoid fast food and late-night snacking.
• Relevant : I like to look nice in my clothes, and physical appearance matters to me. Fast food is high in cholesterol, and high cholesterol runs in my family. As a consequence, I need to be extra cautious.
• Time-bound : I need to go to the gym 3 times a week, go places on foot, and hopefully lose 10 pounds within 2 to 3 months. This is a healthier plan since — if I lose weight in a short time — I will gain it all back eventually.

Learn a thing or two about how physical and mental fitness can help you become more productive and reach your goals:

• 10 Productivity exercises for body and mind

SMART goal templates

Skilfully crafted SMART goal templates and SMART goal worksheets can serve as your quick and efficient generator of — you guessed it — SMART goals. 

In the following section, you’ll find different examples of templates, including:

• Leadership SMART goals examples,
• Time management SMART goals examples,
• SMART goals examples for employees, 
• Productivity SMART goals examples, and more.

In fact, these SMART goals templates and SMART goals worksheets provide the outline for your SMART goal setting. As a result, you’ll just need to follow the said outline and fill it out with your data. It’s a fast and efficient alternative to creating and following your template or making plans without one.

Basic SMART Goal Template

The first of 10, the Basic SMART Goal Template is a simple yet powerful way to get a bird’s-eye view of your goal. 

The straightforward design of this template allows you to easily identify the key components of your goal. If you use the Basic SMART Goal Template, you are taking the first step towards your professional or business goal.

What is the Basic SMART Goal Template about? 

The Basic SMART Goal Template is divided into 5 sections, each representing a letter of the SMART acronym: 

• Specific, 
• Measurable, 
• Attainable, 
• Relevant, and 
• Time-bound.

How to use the Basic SMART Goal Template?

Answer 1 or 2 questions for each section to determine whether the said goal is worth your time. Next, think about if you missed some important aspects and rewrite where applicable.

Who should use the Basic SMART Goal Template? 

This SMART goal template is perfect for people who want a simple approach to setting their goals.

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template PDF

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template Google Docs

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template Excel

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template Google Sheets

Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems)

The next on our list, the Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) is same as the previous template — just on steroids. 

This template is an effective tool for setting and achieving goals. The Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) gives you deeper insights into the resources and persons who may assist you in reaching your goals.

What is the Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) about? 

The Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) is divided into 5 sections on 2 pages each. 

The first page consists of questions to understand the problems you face. The second page is made up of a cheat sheet that can help you solve those problems.

How to use the Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems)?

Answer 1 or 2 questions for each section to determine whether the said goal is worth your time. Next, think about the problems you may encounter as you work toward the said goal — and try to solve them before they happen.

Who should use the Basic SMART Goal Template (+Problems)? 

This SMART goal template does wonders for preventing potential problems with your goal (if you want a simple SMART breakdown of your goal). The Basic SMART Goal Template (+Problems) is perfect for businesses and individuals who want to predict financial and organizational issues.

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) PDF

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) Google Docs

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) Excel

⬇️ Download the Basic SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) Google Sheets

Simple SMART Goal Template

The Simple SMART Goal Template is a more relatable and direct template with phrases that anyone can fill out fast. 

Yet, it’s fairly simple and can only get you so far. That said, it’s an awesome first step to get you started on setting your SMART goals!

What is the Simple SMART Goal Template about? 

The Simple SMART Goal Template lets you determine why you want to pursue your goal — and start planning your goal. It’s a simple illustration of your SMART goal.

How to use the Simple SMART Goal Template?

Answer each question in as much detail as possible. As soon as you’re done, consider if you’ve left out any important information – and add it accordingly.

Who should use the Simple SMART Goal Template? 

This SMART Goal Template is perfect for people who want to set SMART goals but don’t necessarily want to answer to SMART criteria.

⬇️ Download the Simple SMART Goal Template PDF

⬇️ Download the Simple SMART Goal Template Google Docs

⬇️ Download the Simple SMART Goal Template Excel

⬇️ Download the Simple SMART Goal Template Google Sheets

Elaborate SMART Goal Template

The Elaborate SMART Goal Template guides you through your thought process with in-depth prompts. 

This template takes you beyond superficial goal-setting. In other words, the Elaborate SMART Goal Template digs deeper into your potential, desires, and plans.

What is the Elaborate SMART Goal Template about? 

The Elaborate SMART Goal Template is divided into 5 sections, each representing a letter of the SMART acronym:

How to use the Elaborate SMART Goal Template?

After downloading your preferred template, answer a detailed list of questions for each section to determine whether the said goal is worth your time. You may also need to tweak your answers as you go, and that’s totally fine.

Who should use the Elaborate SMART Goal Template? 

This SMART Goal Template is perfect for people who need more pointers on whether the goal they want to pursue is SMART or not.

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template PDF

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template Google Docs

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template Excel

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template Google Sheets

Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems)

The Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) is a helpful tool to establish problem areas and solve each. 

The template contains useful prompts on resources and people you can check in with to help you reach your goals faster.

What is the Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) about? 

The Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) consists of 5 sections on 2 pages each. 

The first page features a series of questions of the SMART framework. In contrast, the second page consists of a cheat sheet for solving problems you established on the first page.

How to use the Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems)?

Answer a detailed list of questions for each section to determine whether the said goal is worth your time. After that, think about the problems you may face as you work toward the said goal — and try to solve them before they happen.

Who should use the Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems)?  

This SMART goal template is great for preventing potential problems with your goal — in case you want a more detailed SMART breakdown of your goal. The Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) is perfect for businesses and individuals who want to explore financial and organizational concerns in depth.

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) PDF

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) Google Docs

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) Excel

⬇️ Download the Elaborate SMART Goal Template (+ Problems) Google Sheets

SMART Goal Tree Template

The SMART Goal Tree Template is a nugget of gold on our list of SMART goal templates. 

It’s a treasure trove of valuable insights and direct measurement tools to reach your goals in an efficient and effective manner. 

What is the SMART Goal Tree Template about? 

The SMART Goal Tree Template helps you select and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that tell you how well you’re progressing with your goal.

How to use the SMART Goal Tree Template?

To use this more complex template, set up at least 3 indicators for your goal. Then, insert measures to track progress, and reach the targets. 

For example, the overall goal could be: “Improved customer satisfaction by 50%.”

An indicator for this goal would be: “ The number of calls, requests, and emails taken by customer support and ending in happy resolutions. ”

The 2 measures we can use to calculate the indicator could be: 

• “Professionally and cheerfully handling customer requests, calls, and emails,” and
• “Creating an incentive system for customer support agents to be better in their job”.

Finally, the 2 targets for each measure could be:

• “50% more calls/emails handled more professionally and cheerfully by customer support,” and
• “Managers in the customer support team giving positive employee reviews weekly”.

Who should use the SMART Goal Tree Template? 

You can use this template to measure success in various business areas, such as:

• Customer support, 
• Company finance, 
• Internal processes, and more.

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Tree Template PDF

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Tree Template Google Docs

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Tree Template Excel

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Tree Template Google Sheets

SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities)

The SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities) is just what it sounds like. 

This template calls for responsibility and sets out steps on your way to reaching your professional and personal goals. In fact, it gives you immediate feedback on whether you’ve reached your objectives in the end.

What is the SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities) about?  

The SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities) lets you determine the value of a goal by asking you to explain how or why the said goal is:

• Time-bound. 

Then, you can add the person responsible for the said goal and lay out the steps you need to go through to reach success.

How to use SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities)?

After downloading this action plan template, respond to each prompt and fill out the steps you need to complete to reach your goal. Also, you can name the responsible persons or entities that need to help you on this journey.

Remember that nothing is set in stone, and you can always rewrite it if you spot inconsistencies or flaws in your original plan.

Who should use the SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities)? 

Great for teamwork within a project where each teammate has different goals and responsibilities that together tie into one greater purpose. Also great for goals that imply a specific set of steps (or tasks) you need to tackle to reach them.

⬇️ Download the SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities) PDF

⬇️ Download the SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities) Google Docs

⬇️ Download the SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities) Excel

⬇️ Download the SMART Action Plan Template (+ Action Steps and Responsibilities) Google Sheets

New Year SMART Goal Template

The New Year SMART Goal Template prompts you to provide an overview of your personal and professional aspirations for the coming year. 

As a result, this template goes above and beyond to explore which goals you truly want to pursue — or not.

The New Year SMART Goal Template requires that you make a bit of a long-term commitment.

What is the New Year SMART Goal Template about? 

The New Year SMART Goal Template lets you define SMART goals for your:

• Personal growth, 
• Health, 
• Business life, 
• Family and friends, 
• Travels, 
• Hobbies, and 
• New purchases in the new year.

How to use the New Year SMART Goal Template?

As soon as you download your preferred format, answer the prompts in as much detail as possible. 

For example, in the Personal growth section, you can list things such as “Start meditating every day for 30 minutes” or “Read 20 book pages daily” and go from there.

Who should use the New Year SMART Goal Template? 

This template is perfect for carrying out your New Year’s resolutions. So, you can be a university student, a freelancer, or anyone else pursuing goals in the coming year.

⬇️ Download the New Year SMART Goal Template PDF

⬇️ Download the New Year SMART Goal Template Google Docs

⬇️ Download the New Year SMART Goal Template Excel

⬇️ Download the New Year SMART Goal Template Google Sheets

SMART Goal Template for Project Managers

The SMART Goal Template for Project Managers is a clear, concise, and descriptive tool to get to the hows and whys of your project management goals. 

In turn, it helps you lead your team and create a roadmap for success in a short period.

What is the SMART Goal Template for Project Managers about?  

The SMART Goal Template for Project Managers consists of 5 sections. 

With this template, you can assess each goal you want to assign to a team member. In fact, you can decide whether the goal needs redefining or even whether it’s worthwhile (or unattainable by the assigned team member) in the first place.

How to use the SMART Goal Template for Project Managers?

Answer 2 questions per section to set and define a goal any project manager might face. Similarly, remember that you can tinker with the details and rewrite anything you deem necessary at any point during the process.

Who should use the SMART Goal Template for Project Managers? 

This SMART goal template is perfect for managers who are currently defining the goals and objectives of a project. You can also consider this template as a way to establish SMART goals for better time management.

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template for Project Managers PDF

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template for Project Managers Google Docs

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template for Project Managers Excel

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template for Project Managers Google Sheets

SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) 

Last but not least, the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) presents a powerful tool for learning what motivates you to reach your goals. 

By taking the time to understand what drives you, you can tap into your intrinsic motivation and stay focused on your short-term and long-term goals even when things get tough.

What is the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) about? 

The SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) lets you assess whether a goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. 

Then, you can define the motivations and rewards that stand behind your pursuit of the said goal.

How to use the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations)?

To get to the bottom of your rewards and motivations, simply respond to 5 questions from the SMART framework, followed by 2 questions on how you’ll make the goal motivating and rewarding. 

Who should use the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations)? 

Rewards are important to keep you motivated enough to pursue a goal. I suggest you pick this SMART goal template if you want to define specific rewards that await you when you reach a goal.

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) PDF

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) Google Docs

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) Excel

⬇️ Download the SMART Goal Template (+ Rewards/Motivations) Google Sheets

Estimate task and project duration better — with Clockify

Our last quick tip on handling your goals is this: Limit how much time you allocate to tasks and projects.

Hear us out. 

You can use time management software like Clockify to block out parts of the workday and complete your workload. To create tasks, follow these steps:

• Go to a project you’re working on,
• Open the Tasks tab in the project,
• Type your preferred task name, and

After you’ve completed these steps, you can insert them into your Clockify calendar (like below). In fact, you’ll be able to move, split, and resize each task and project as you see fit.

If your task takes longer than you expected, you can use this knowledge to make better time estimates for future goals. In any case, you’ll be able to set more realistic objectives.

Now, imagine hitting your goals not just on time but ahead of schedule. Sounds good?

Optimize your daily routines, reach professional milestones, and gain greater clarity on projects and tasks.

Marija Kojic is a productivity writer who's always researching about various productivity techniques and time management tips in order to find the best ones to write about. She can often be found testing and writing about apps meant to enhance the workflow of freelancers, remote workers, and regular employees. Appeared in G2 Crowd Learning Hub, The Good Men Project, and Pick the Brain, among other places.

Where does the time go?

START TRACKING TIME

with Clockify

How to Work Under Pressure Effectively: A Guide for Managers

Want to help your team members work under pressure effectively? Read our blog post to learn how.

ADHD and Motivation Explained: How to Boost Work Productivity

Uncover the toxic relationship between ADHD and motivation and learn how to stay productive with ADHD in the workplace.

Use the 2-Minute Rule to Increase Productivity Instantly

Beat procrastination once and for all with the simple 2-minute rule. Learn all about how it works and what makes it so efficient right here.

Effective Calendar Management Tips for Business Owners

Take your calendar management to the next level using these simple tips.

4 Warning Signs You’re Holding Too Many Meetings

Discover the 4 signs you’re stuffing your calendar with too many meetings. Here’s how to build a better meeting culture.

The Ultimate Guide to a Compressed Workweek

Wonder whether a compressed workweek schedule would be beneficial for your team? Learn all about the pros and cons of a compressed schedule right here.

FREE FOREVER • UNLIMITED USERS

Free time tracker

Time tracking software used by millions. Clockify is a time tracker and timesheet app that lets you track work hours across projects.

11 SMART Goals Examples for Improving Your Writing Skills

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.

Good writing skills are becoming more critical, particularly in finding and maintaining a good job. As a writer, you are faced with several challenges. This has to do with your overall writing skills, not just with the profession in general.

A lack of vocabulary, issues with plagiarism, insufficient reasoning and cognitive skills, a lack of feedback, poor grammar and spelling, and a lack of research skills are problems you may face.

However, setting SMART goals is one thing that can help you significantly improve your writing skills. This article discusses SMART goals for writing skills.

SMART goals can help you set precise goals you can measure in realistic ways to monitor your progress over time.

Table of Contents

What Are SMART Goals?

To set usable SMART goals, knowing what they are is crucial. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable (or Attainable), Relevant, and Time-Bound (or Timely). These are five parts of a greater goal.

If you focus on the five letters of this acronym, setting and achieving goals becomes easier. So let’s look at the five letters of the SMART acronym and what they mean in setting SMART goals for writing skills.  

• Specific: These goals need to be precise, concise, and unambiguous. Setting a goal is relatively meaningless if you don’t know what the goal is.
• Measurable: The goals you set must be measurable in some way. The more accurately you can measure your progress toward a goal, the better you can judge what still needs to be done to get there.
• Achievable: Any goal you set needs to be attainable or achievable. Setting unrealistic goals that are not readily attainable will demoralize and demotivate you.
• Relevant: The goals you set need to be relevant to the specific skill you are looking to improve. For instance, while eating healthy is a worthy goal, it won’t help you become a better writer.
• Time-Bound: These SMART goals should always be time-bound. These goals should have specific time limits or deadlines that they should be achieved by. This will help motivate you, and it will also help you monitor progress on a linear scale.

If you would like more information on setting and achieving SMART goals, we recommend checking out Ultimate Guide to SMART Goals . In addition, a vision board can help you determine what your biggest goals are.

Why SMART Goals Are Important for Developing Writing Skills

SMART goals help you create structure in a way that makes them easier to achieve.

It’s about setting specific goals where you can measure the progress over a certain period, goals that are relevant to your overall end goal, which, in this case, is improving your writing skills.

There are a significant number of challenges that today’s writers face . One of the most common is dealing with complex and unfamiliar topics and lacking practical research skills. But, of course, to write, you first need to research, which is easier said than done.

Another big challenge , once resources have been found, is to organize them, so they are easily usable for your writing. Also related to research and sources is ensuring that your writing hasn’t been plagiarized, which can land you in serious trouble.

Moreover, perhaps one of the biggest writing challenges is forming a coherent argument that makes sense and is valid. It concerns using common sense, logical thought, and deductive skills within a solid writing structure to develop an argument that is accurate and easy to understand.

Another challenge writers face a simple lack of grammar and spelling skills , combined with an ineffective vocabulary. The cornerstone of assembling a good piece of writing is knowing the best words to use.

Other challenges you may face include a simple lack of feedback. To improve at something, you need constructive criticism. A lack of practice and experience are also issues.

We want to look at a series of SMART goals for writing skills to help you formulate a strategy that will help you improve.

We will help you set goals to tackle the challenges writers face, as laid out above. SMART goals are your plan of action.

11 Examples of SMART Goals for Writing Skills

Let’s go over a few examples of SMART goals that will help you tackle the challenges mentioned above faced by writers.

1. Read from Academic Sources

“To improve my vocabulary, I will spend at least 15 minutes reading from an academic source each day. All throughout, I will keep track of the number of words I do not know to judge my reading comprehension skills and vocabulary. My end goal is to fully comprehend any piece of writing within one year of the start date.”

S: This goal is specific as you aim to read from an academic source every day for a particular time to increase your vocabulary.

M: This goal is measurable because you can track how many words you are unfamiliar with over 15 minutes of reading.

A: This goal is achievable because spending 15 minutes per day reading is not very time-consuming, nor is making a list to keep track of unfamiliar words.

R: This goal is directly relevant to improving writing skills because having a good vocabulary is essential for writing well. Regularly reading is a great habit to have anyway.

T: This goal is time-bound to a certain degree because the aim is to engage in this practice for at least 15 minutes per day, every day, by the end of each day.

2. Learn New Words

“To help improve my vocabulary, I will spend 10 minutes each day making a list of words that I have heard but do not know the meaning of. I will then use a dictionary and a thesaurus to learn what these words mean and their synonyms. I want to shorten my list of unfamiliar words by at least 5% each week.”

S: This goal is specific as the aim is to make a list of unfamiliar words and then learn their meanings. The objective is to improve your vocabulary.

M: This goal is measurable to a certain degree because you can easily see the length of your list of unfamiliar words.

A: This goal is easy to attain because you can write down unfamiliar words as you read them and then set aside a few minutes each day to look them up.

R: As established above, having a strong vocabulary is essential to becoming a proficient writer.

T: This process is time-bound, as you are setting aside a certain amount of time each day to complete this task. It’s also time-bound as you intend to shorten the list of unfamiliar words within a set timeframe.

3. Ask for Feedback

“Whenever I complete a piece of writing, I will immediately give it to a friend or family member and ask them to provide me with realistic and relevant feedback. I will ask for feedback within three days. Then, I will examine the feedback immediately and make adjustments as needed by the end of the week (or within seven days of giving said person my piece of writing).”

S: This goal is specifically designed to seek feedback on your writing within a specific timeframe to have others tell you what needs improvement.

M: This goal is measurable to a certain degree, as you can use your judgment to determine how positive or negative the feedback is. The more positive feedback you get, the more you progress.

A: This goal is easy to attain because you simply have to find some people willing to engage in this feedback process. Here’s a good guide on how to motivate others to help you.

R: This is highly relevant because things sound different from somebody else’s perspective. You need to know how other people read and interpret your work.

T: This goal is time-based, as the aim is to get feedback and make adjustments within a specific time.

4. Join a Debate Club

“To improve my logical thought, deduction, and argument-formation skills, I will join a debate club within the next 14 days. I will aim to have at least one debate per week, with the overall goal of winning at least two consecutive debates within six months of joining the debate team.”

S: This goal is specific in using a debate team to improve argument-formation skills over a particular time to win consecutive debates.

M: This goal is measurable because you can judge your progress by your performance and overall results in your weekly debates.

A: It’s a relatively easy goal because argument formation skills also improve by practicing debating skills.

R: It’s a relevant goal because good writing requires clear and coherent arguments to be formed.

T: It is a time-bound goal because it aims to win two consecutive debates within six months of joining the team.

5. Learn to Read Faster

“I will read at least one chapter of a book per day and write a summary of the main points within the said chapter. The overall goal is to first increase the speed at which I read, and second, to detail the main points more clearly and concisely within each chapter. My aim is to read at least one word more per minute each day and be able to read at least 100 words per minute within 60 days of beginning this exercise.  I will then go back through each chapter to examine my analysis' accuracy.”

S: This goal is specific because you intend to read a certain amount, be able to read faster, at least one word per minute more each day, and to better comprehend what you’ve read over a period.

M: This goal is measurable because you can keep track of how many words per minute you read and count the main points you could remember and comprehend.

A: This is an easy-to-attain goal because by practicing, your reading speed and comprehension skills will improve over time.

R: A crucial reading and writing skill is to disseminate essential facts quickly and efficiently from large writing pieces.

T: This is a timely goal as the objective is to read a certain number of words more each day, intending to read at least 100 words per minute within 60 days of starting. This could be a part of a daily morning routine .

6. Hone Writing Skills

“I will join a professional writing class by the end of the month and complete it by the end of the year. The overall goal is to hone my writing skills, precisely the style, and type of writing required for my profession. My aim is to get at least a 90% score on all exams in this writing course.”

S: The specific goal is to first complete a particular writing class and, second, get a score of at least 90% on all exams.

M: This goal is easy to measure, as all of your work will be graded by the instructor.

A: This goal is attainable through hard work, practice, and studying.

R: It is a relevant goal because taking a course designed specifically for that end will improve my writing skills.

T: It is a time-bound goal, as writing classes only last for so long.

7. Identify Writers You Admire

“I will identify writers I admire whom I can learn from. By choosing one writer per month, I will have time to research that writer, identifying their trademark style, unique approach to topics, and literary style. I will identify one to three aspects of each writer’s style that I can adapt to my own writing style, practicing these over the last two weeks of each month per writer. I will then track to see which style adaptation works for me and which feels out of place.” 

S: This goal is specific in that you need to identify people who write in such a way that you admire. The task is specific and targeted at a predetermined outcome—finding writers you like. 

M: You can measure your success here by how many great writers you’ve researched and considered as writers you admire. 

A: Achieve this goal by reading up on one writer per month, which is achievable. 

R: Build the relevance of this goal by focusing on a skill (other writers’ writing ability) that you can apply to your own writing career. 

T: This goal has a time limit of one writer per month, which ensures you won’t get bored and will have enough time to research these writers, while still having time to write too. 

8. Developing Writing Tricks

“Having achieved my goal of identifying writers I admire; I will now learn their tricks or the shortcuts that help them create great content and captivating manuscripts. I will use the next month per writer, reading their best work and also their worst work, identifying what worked in the first while being missing in the latter. From my notes, I will then apply the x-factor that helps these writers be so great to help me be a better writer. Having found each writer’s success formula, I will apply this to my writing too.”  

S: Identify the specific traits or skills that a writer used to succeed that was missing from their poor work. This is a specific step.

M: Success can be measured by seeing whether you can identify what made a writer great in their work, while also spotting what made them not succeed, and then seeing if you have similar challenges. You can measure success by how many writers you can analyze in the given time.

A: Anybody can read what someone else wrote, but because you are a writer, you will be able to achieve a real analysis of their work and style through comparison. 

R: This is a relevant goal as it will improve your writing ability if you can see what tricks work and what doesn’t. You write relevant content by learning from someone else’s mistakes. 

T: There is a time limit to this goal because you have a month per writer, which is when you move on to a different writer. 

9. Develop Brilliant Self-Editing Skills

“I know I am not perfect, so I will sharpen my self-editing skills. I will make it a requirement to read my content at least three times before letting it rest for a week and then reading it again, but this time reading it from the bottom up (not in reverse) so I can check each sentence independently, and also then read it from start to finish to catch any errors and inconsistencies that need to be edited. I will also invest in a good grammatical tool such as Grammarly Premium for the next six months to suggest changes where necessary. By asking family members to check my writing, I can get an indication of my improvements and learning.”  

S: This goal is about improving the quality of your writing, which is a specific goal. 

M: You can measure this goal by looking at the grammar checking tool’s score, while also asking family members to report back on their perception of your writing improvement. 

A: You can achieve this goal as it has smaller micro-goals, such as editing from the bottom up and investing in a grammar tool for six months. 

R: As a writer, having quality content and captivating writing is vital to industry success, which means this goal is relevant to your career as a writer. 

T: With a time limit of reading content three times, resting seven days, then reading it again, you create a healthy time habit that will help you review your work with fresh eyes. 

10. Broaden My Knowledge Base

“To be a successful writer, I also need to be a great “reader” with a wide knowledge base, so I will read a new niche or topic each week. Instead of reading about things I am already familiar with, I need to read new and unusual topics that I know nothing about and possibly never even knew existed. For each new topic, I will create a list of 10 terms or ideas that are unique to that area of expertise, which I will practice referring to in the last week of each month.” 

S: The specifics of this goal are to broaden knowledge, which you can specifically do by reading a new topic each week and keeping notes on that topic.

M: You can measure your knowledge expansion by using industry-specific knowledge in daily discussions. Check off each term or idea each time you use them. 

A: Reading a book or blog each week is achievable, and it’s interesting too, so you will likely keep up the knowledge habit. 

R: Writing is about knowledge, so being informed about many different areas of interest means you will have a wide knowledge base, and this will keep you (and your written content) relevant. 

T: The time limit on this task is specific, helping to keep you on track in your goal to read a new book (topic) each week. 

11. Identify New Writing Markets

“To ensure I can earn a living from writing, I will explore different writing markets until I find one (or more) where I naturally thrive. A market can only be explored if you work in it, so I will choose a new writing market every three months, seeking out writing opportunities and clients in that market. When I am satisfied that I know more about that particular writing market, I will move on to the next (while still maintaining activity in the previous markets). Finally, I will choose the markets where I can enjoy the most success and hone my skills there.”

S: The specific goal is to find new writing markets that may help you write successfully and earn a living. 

M: Your success can be measured by the number of markets you explore and how you slot into each. 

A: You can achieve this goal by applying for new writing jobs or projects online in markets where you haven’t previously written, such as content writing, SEO writing, copywriting, fiction, non-fiction, and more. 

R: The goal is relevant as you want to build a successful writing career, but you may not yet know what market you and your writing abilities are best suited to. 

T: With a time limit of three months per market, you have enough time to investigate a market without forcing yourself to drown in any particular one. You can easily dip your toes into a market in three months, so the goal is reachable and timebound. 

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Writing Skills

The best way to hone your writing skills is to set specific goals. The best way to do this is by making them SMART goals, which enable you to set concise goals, achieve those goals, and when they should be completed.

This kind of structure and organization always makes achieving any goal easier. So make five or six SMART goals and start improving your writing today!

And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 7 SMART Goals Examples for Administrative Assistants
• 6 SMART Goals Examples for Social Media Marketing
• 7 SMART Goals Examples for Creatives & Artistic People

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Goals — The Importance of Setting SMART Goals as a College Student

The Importance of Setting Smart Goals as a College Student

• Categories: Goals

About this sample

Words: 449 |

Published: Mar 8, 2024

Words: 449 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Specific goals, measurable goals, attainable goals, relevant goals, time-bound goals.

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 746 words

6 pages / 2550 words

1 pages / 461 words

2 pages / 691 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Goals

Apple Inc. is one of the most iconic and innovative companies in the world, known for its cutting-edge technology and sleek design. From the revolutionary iPhone to the game-changing iPad, Apple has consistently set the bar high [...]

Having meaningful and fulfilling relationships is a fundamental aspect of a successful and well-rounded life. As a college student, I recognize the importance of setting clear relationship goals to guide me through this [...]

Setting goals is an essential aspect of personal and professional development. However, not all goals are created equal. To ensure success, it is crucial to set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and [...]

Setting and achieving goals is a cornerstone of personal and professional development. Goals provide direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose, which are essential components for achieving success in various aspects of life. [...]

Leadership has always been the core value for founding an effective military organisation. Leadership can be defined as "a process of engaging others in concerted efforts to pursue a goal, in conditions of complexity and [...]

In this essay I will be looking at a number of different sources from the Bible and Christian theory to understand what is Godʼs wider mission, how I can program my work towards the young people in my local community by using [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Welcome to the new OASIS website! We have academic skills, library skills, math and statistics support, and writing resources all together in one new home.

• Walden University
• Faculty Portal

Writing a Paper: How to Set a Writing Goal

How to set a writing goal.

Strong written communication consistently ranks among employers’ top desired skills. It is a skill that traverses disciplines, as most professionals need to know how to communicate clearly in writing. Yet knowing where to start building your written communication skills can be challenging. We recommend starting with setting clear writing goals. The following resources will guide you in forming clear, actionable writing goals.

Getting Started

The first step in setting a writing goal is getting to know yourself as a writer. What are your strengths and improvement areas as a writer? What stresses you out about writing? What is your typical writing routine, and are there ways to improve that process? To answer these questions, you may consider the following steps:

• Take stock of your writing experiences—past and present—and reflect on what you know about your writing abilities and learning style
• Sketch out your existing writing practice (i.e., where, when, and how you write) and pinpoint distractions (e.g., social media, noisy workspace , lateness in the day )
• Outline your ideal writing process (i.e., if everything in your writing process worked out perfectly with no distractions) and highlight potential skills or techniques to model
• Learn from other writers and explore what practices they have employed to keep the writing process running smoothly  
• Identify personal obstacles to your writing process —whether it be your own self-consciousness or the blank page—and assess ways to alleviate these pressures

Once you have this information, ask yourself: What did I learn about myself as a writer, what specific patterns or practices in my writing or writing process would I like to change, and what steps do I need to take in order to develop those skills? You can use your responses to start setting writing-specific goals. 

Drafting Writing-Specific Goals

At this point, you may be asking yourself: What is a writing-specific goal and how do I set one? Let's start with what a writing goal is.

A writing goal is an objective you set to build on and enhance a particular skill or set of skills that influence your writing. Writing goals, in this regard, are about identifying skills in your writing or patterns in your writing process that need growth and development. 

You may find that, based on what you learned about yourself as a writer in the “Getting Started” section, your writing goals are related to mastering APA citations and references or establishing a better method for organizing ideas or improving your knowledge of academic writing and its impact on tone. This list is a quick preview of possible goals; however, there are countless, other writing-specific goals to consider, including but not limited to clarity, cohesion, flow, analysis, synthesis, paraphrasing, and grammar skills. Each of these areas is an excellent basis for establishing a writing goal.

The next step is to use SMART Goal Criteria to ensure your goal can be realistically achieved. 

Using SMART Goals as a Guide

The SMART Goals Guide is an excellent tool for ensuring you set clear, manageable writing goals. It helps to establish that your writing goals are:

S–Specific: Is your goal focused and specific? Does it avoid generalizations and abstractions?

M–Measureable: Can you track your progress and completion? What indicators will you use?  

A–Achievable: Is this goal within your control? Do you have the necessary resources for success?

R–Relevant: How does this goal impact your skills set and where you want to be? 

T–Timely: Does this goal have a reasonable timeline and completion date?

The Academic Skills Center has an excellent resource that walks you through how to develop SMART goals . Keep it on hand as you draft and revise your writing goals. 

Working Toward Goals in Paper Reviews

Once you have established your writing goals, keep in mind that you don’t have to set out achieving those goals all on your own. We are here to support your goal progress and overall writing skill development. We encourage you to set up a paper review appointment and share those writing goals with our writing instructors. Together, we can discover more ways to support your path to writing goal success. Click here to learn more about our paper review appointments .

Related Resources

Webpage Feedback

Didn't find what you need? Email us at [email protected] .

• Previous Page: Why Set a Writing Goal
• Next Page: How to Avoid Ineffective Writing Goals
• Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

• Academic Residencies
• Academic Skills
• Career Planning and Development
• Customer Care Team
• Field Experience
• Military Services
• Student Success Advising
• Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

• Center for Social Change
• Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
• Office of Degree Acceleration
• Office of Research and Doctoral Services
• Office of Student Affairs

Student Resources

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Form & Style Review
• Quick Answers
• ScholarWorks
• SKIL Courses and Workshops
• Walden Bookstore
• Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
• Student Safety/Title IX
• Legal & Consumer Information
• Website Terms and Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Accessibility
• Accreditation
• State Authorization
• Net Price Calculator
• Cost of Attendance
• Contact Walden

Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.

• Share on Facebook
• Share this on X
• Share on LinkedIn
• Print this page
• Email this page

SMART goals for Students

A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions:

*Who: Who is involved? *What: What do I want to accomplish? *Where: Identify a location. *When: Establish a time frame. *Which: Identify requirements and constraints. *Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.

EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, "Get in shape." But a specific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 days a week."

M easurable

Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal.

To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as......How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

A ttainable

When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and financial capacity to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.

You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. When you list your goals you build your self-image. You see yourself as worthy of these goals, and develop the traits and personality that allow you to possess them.

To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. Some of the hardest jobs you ever accomplished actually seem easy simply because they were a labor of love.

Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Additional ways to know if your goal is realistic is to determine if you have accomplished anything similar in the past or ask yourself what conditions would have to exist to accomplish this goal. 

A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 lbs., when do you want to lose it by? "Someday" won't work. But if you anchor it within a timeframe, "by May 1st", then you've set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal.

T can also stand for Tangible

A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of the senses, that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing. When your goal is tangible you have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and thus attainable.

Retrieved from topachievement.com June 2, 2011

Suggested Activity/Discussion Topics for Goals Setting

First year students are often uncertain of their goals and may not have much experience in developing action plans to meet a goal. The suggestions below can be used to lead a discussion or provide guidelines for one or more small group or writing assignments.

1.   Long Term Goal - Encourage students to think long term about their goals. Even students unsure of their major will have an idea about their desired lifestyle and the level of success they want. Students can brainstorm answers to these questions and share them with a partner, small group, or the class as a whole.

• Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?
• What kind of work are you doing? What is the career you have?
• Why was choosing this goal important to you?
• What satisfaction does it provide, other than money?
• What relationship does this class have to reaching your goal?

2.   Intermediate Range Goals – Sometimes, students can’t see beyond a few years. In that case, encourage students to think more in terms of the UMD experience. They might write a journal entry to answer these questions:

• What do you need to accomplish in the next 2-5 years in order to reach your long-term goal or to help you formulate a long term goal? For example, do you need to explore one or more areas of interest? Who can help you do this? What kind of information will be helpful to you?
• What do you need to do to do this year to make progress toward defining a goal or toward focusing your efforts? For example, can you identify the resources available to help you make decisions?

3.   What is your short-term academic goal for this semester ? – one paragraph

• State at least one goal specifically: “I want to get an A- in ENG 101” or “I want to get a 2.5 GPA.” It is not acceptable to say, “I want to get good grades,” (because “good” is not specific) or “I want to learn as much as I can” (because that is not specific).
• Make sure the goal is something you can complete by the end of the semester. It is not acceptable to say, “I want to learn as much as I can at UMD” because you’d need more than one semester to accomplish the goal.
• Make sure the goal is measurable. For example, you could say, “I want to earn at least a C+ in Accounting” because you could measure your progress with each quiz/test grade. It is not acceptable to say, “I want to work as hard as I can” or “I want to earn good grades” because you can’t measure your progress (how much is “hard as I can”? If I get a 70 on a test, is that “good”?).

4.   Plan to Achieve Your Short –Term Semester Goal – one paragraph

• What strategies will you use to help you reach your goal? BE SPECIFIC.
• Study 2 hours every day
• Go to the Writing and Reading Center for help
• See my instructor during office hours
• Study with a friend
• Use the Cornell note taking method (info in Writing and Reading Center)
• Use content maps to organize information to study
• Create a monthly assignment calendar to plan to meet due dates for all courses.
• Create a weekly study schedule that lists specific courses/projects you will work on.

Personal Development Plan

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Student Name: __________________________        Date: __________________

There is a direct relationship between how well you follow a specific, four-year personal development plan and your ability to meet professional objectives upon graduation. The purpose of this project is to enable you to create, follow, and mark progress in college by using a personal development plan. Although you will complete this planning process during your first semester, you will be encouraged to follow through on implementing and revising your plans by utilizing the support network dedicated to sustaining your growth and success in the personal development process during each subsequent semester.

Write Your Vision Statement ( Image of the ideal. It is future looking, inspirational, and creates the most desirable scenario):

Write Your Mission Statement ( A brief, clear, concise statement of your purpose and desires, and the primary methods through which you intend to fulfill that purpose. It is somewhat uplifting but more practical than the vision.) 

First Year: Rank Number the top five tasks that fit your priorities this year:

Write 3 Goals for your first year including objectives and action plans for each goal

Goals: Statements of desired future states, long-term and possible, and based on mission and vision. Typically few in number, with a target date.

Objectives: Short-term, specific, measureable outcomes statements

Action Plans: Series of short-term tasks to be completed that will result in the achievement of the objectives or outcomes.

Second Year: Rank Number the top five tasks that fit your priorities this year:

Third Year: Rank Number the top five tasks that fit your priorities this year:

Fourth Year: Rank Number the top five tasks that fit your priorities this year:

Academic degree programs

Discover a wide range of majors, minors, and graduate degrees designed to help you find your passion and achieve your career goals. Our expert faculty and supportive community provide hands-on learning and real-world experience, preparing you for success. Explore our programs and apply now to join our vibrant and innovative campus.

Last modified: Fri, Apr 10, 2020, 01:14 by Daryl Poeira

How To Write A Powerful Essay On Achieving Goals (+ Example)

Goal setting is a useful strategy to get the most out of life and set yourself up for success. However, there are many things to remember regarding proper goal setting and achievement. When writing a blm argumentative essay , it’s important to provide context on the history of the Black Lives Matter movement and the issues it seeks to address. This can help the reader understand the significance of the essay’s thesis and arguments. Let’s get to grips with the process of goal setting and come up with a powerful essay on achieving goals.

Structuring Your Essay on Achieving Goals:

How to write an introduction, how to write the main body of your essay, how to write a conclusion, example of an essay about achieving your goals, the basics of setting and achieving goals.

A goal should be measurable because you need to keep your finger on the pulse and know where you’re at. For instance, a test or assessment score can provide evidence that you have reached your goal.

Ready to write an essay about achieving goals?

Hopefully, the information in the article has given you the basics to help you write a powerful essay on achieving goals. I also hope that this article has helped you think about how you can work toward achieving your own goals. There are many great books about the science of goal achievement. I especially recommend ones written by Brian Tracy , as they have helped me a great deal in my pursuit of happiness . You can also create an engaging presentation about achieving goals and objectives using this  goal presentation template . Next up, you may want to explore an ultimate guide to writing expository essays .

Rafal Reyzer

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Smart objectives, smart career goals.

SMART goal-setting was first introduced by Dr. Edwin Locke in the 1960s (Griffin, 2017). According to Locke, setting goals that fit into the SMART criteria provided motivation and empowerment to people, which was crucial to ensure that the goals are achieved (Griffin, 2017). Today, SMART criteria are applied to the goal-setting process in many organizations, regardless of their size and area of business. The rules are universal and can also be applied to personal goals, which makes them an excellent tool for developing a career plan.

The first criterion emphasizes that goals need to be specific and relevant to the desired outcome (Joseph, 2017). Setting general goals may reduce motivation, as the path to achieving them becomes unclear (Joseph, 2017).

In order to achieve success in pursuing a goal, there has to be a way to measure success, which is why the second point of SMART goals theory is that the goals need to be measurable (Joseph, 2017). By measuring success, it is possible to monitor the progress towards the goal, which ultimately improves motivation.

The third criterion to be applied to goals is attainability. A goal that is impossible to achieve becomes a burden rather than an opportunity, as all the efforts put in by the person will not help him or her to attain the goal. If the goal is achievable, on the other hand, it is possible to devise a clear strategy to ensure that it is reached.

The next criterion emphasizes the need for the goal to be realistic, which means that a goal has to be set with consideration of the current circumstances. If the goal is set too high comparing to the current career level, reaching it will be hardly possible.

The final stage of goal-setting is ensuring that the goals are time-bound. Setting a definite time limit by which the goal has to be achieved creates a sense of urgency, which may become a substantial motivating factor.

My ultimate aim is to become a Registered Nurse. However, there are three main stages that have to be completed before I can reach the desired position.

Stage One: Graduate from Regis Health Care Administration

The first step in my career plan is to graduate from Regis College with a degree in Health Care Administration. In order to do that, I need to complete all of the program requirements and courses, which is a specific objective. The goal can be easily measured, and the result of completing the goal will be receiving a Diploma that marks the successful ending of the course. I believe that this aim is also attainable, as I am working towards completing the course and so far my grades have been acceptable. Completing this stage of the plan is realistic, as the goal is set based on my current level of education and abilities. Finally, the expected time of completion is Summer 2018, which makes the goal time-bound.

Stage Two: Enroll in an Accelerated Nursing Program

After I receive my certificate in Health Care Administration, I will need to enroll in a nursing program to continue my nursing education. I plan on applying for an accelerated nursing program at Regis, Metro, or Denver School, which is a specific objective. Acceptance into the program will be the ultimate measure of success, which means that the goal is measurable. It is also attainable and realistic, as it is the next step after I graduate from my HCA program; I am aware of the requirements of these schools and believe that I can attain the results needed for acceptance. Finally, the anticipated start of the program is in Fall 2018, which sets a specific time limit for the goal.

Stage Three: Work as an RN in Sandalwood Rehabilitation Center

The ultimate goal of my career plan is to achieve an RN position at Sandalwood Rehabilitation Center, where I currently work as a CNA. This aim is specific, as it mentions the position and place of work. The goal is also measurable, as I will know when I receive this position. The goal is attainable, as I have been successful in my work here so far and I believe that upon completion of the nursing course, I will be accepted to work as an RN. The aim is also realistic as I understand the requirements of the position and the path to achieving certification. Finally, the time limit of the goal will be estimated as soon as I complete the second stage of the plan, as it depends on the length of the nursing program that I will complete. As soon as I receive the certification, I believe it will take me up to six months to gain an RN position.

Overall, I believe that separating my career plan into three SMART goals is a useful practice to gain more understanding of how to achieve the ultimate career aim. SMART goal-setting ensures that the goals are not unrealistic, which provides more motivation to work towards the goals. I feel that my current abilities and the chosen path of development will help me to reach my final goal and to receive an RN position at Sandalwood Rehabilitation Center.

Griffin, D. (2017). The SMART goal-setting process . Web.

Joseph, C. (2017). Elements of S.M.A.R.T. goal setting . Web.

• China and UAE: Management Analysis
• Integrated Emergency Management
• SMART & SMARTER Goal-Setting Techniques
• The "Kisses from Berlin" Photo by Regis Bossu
• Expectancy and Goal-Setting Theories in Healthcare
• The Balanced Scorecard Approach Implementation
• American Distribution and Manufacturing Company's Standards
• Balanced Score Card and Gamification for Performance
• "Competing on Analytics" by Davenport
• Improving the Management Problems Within the Organisation
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, September 13). The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-smart-goal-setting-process/

"The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment." IvyPanda , 13 Sept. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-smart-goal-setting-process/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment'. 13 September.

IvyPanda . 2020. "The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment." September 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-smart-goal-setting-process/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment." September 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-smart-goal-setting-process/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment." September 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-smart-goal-setting-process/.

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

• Basic site functions
• Ensuring secure, safe transactions
• Secure account login
• Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
• Remembering privacy and security settings
• Analyzing site traffic and usage
• Personalized search, content, and recommendations
• Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

• Remembering general and regional preferences
• Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy .

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy .