“I want to do better this term” is a wish, not a goal. It has no deadline, no measure and no clue about what to do on Tuesday afternoon. Good goals give you direction, help you decide what to say no to and make your progress visible. The SMART framework is a simple test that turns a wish into a real goal.
What SMART means
- Specific: clear about exactly what you will achieve.
- Measurable: you can tell when you have done it.
- Achievable: ambitious but realistic for your time and starting point.
- Relevant: connected to something you really care about.
- Time-bound: it has a deadline.
Examples: from wish to SMART goal
Wish: “Get better at maths.”
SMART goal: “Score at least 70% in my end-of-term Mathematics exam on 12 December by completing two past papers every week.”
Wish: “Read more.”
SMART goal: “Read one set book chapter every weekday evening for 20 minutes until the end of November.”
Wish: “Pass my certification.”
SMART goal: “Pass the networking certification exam by 31 March by studying 6 hours a week and scoring 80% or more on three practice tests first.”
Wish: “Stop cramming.”
SMART goal: “Start every assignment within two days of receiving it, every week this semester.”
Use the goal ladder
A big goal becomes manageable when you break it down into four rungs: a long-term goal (one to four years), a term goal, a weekly goal and a daily action. If you always know your next daily action, the long-term goal looks after itself.
Outcome goals and process goals
“Get an A in Biology” is an outcome goal; it gives direction but is not fully in your control. “Do 30 minutes of active recall on Biology five days a week” is a process goal, and it is completely in your hands. Set one outcome goal per subject, then attach one or two process goals and track those every day.
Do not set too many
If everything is a priority, nothing is. Limit yourself to three main goals per term, usually one academic, one personal or health goal, and one career or skill goal. Write them where you will see them every day and review them every Sunday.
Try it now
Use the free SMART Goal Builder, then go deeper with Productive Student, the illustrated guide with a 30-day plan and printable worksheets. You can read the first chapter free.