Make a SMART Goal

Want to get better grades? Want to be a starter on the soccer team? Have some other goal in mind? Learn how to create a SMART Goal, which will help you achieve what you want to accomplish.

Watch the video to learn the parts of a SMART goal.

Oops... maybe you need to watch the video again:

Now let’s apply the parts of a SMART goal to a student named Alex. Alex wants to be in the Math Honors Program because it will give him the opportunity to apply for a $500 scholarship to his dream college.
 
To be in the program, students are required to have an A or B grade in math starting second semester.

Alex must raise his math grade from a C to a B by the end of first semester to get into the Math Honors Program.

Help Alex create a successful SMART goal!

The first step is to make it SPECIFIC. You must know what you want to accomplish and why.

Now make it MEASURABLE. Identify how Alex will know he met his goal. What will prove he completed it?

Now let’s see if Alex’s goal to raise his grade from a C to a B is ATTAINABLE, which means “is it possible?” Alex is halfway through the first semester and is trying to raise his grade.

Alex's goal is ATTAINABLE because he has enough time to raise his grade from a C to a B. If Alex wanted to raise his grades from an F to an A, it would be more difficult or even impossible!
 
Now let’s look at why the goal is RELEVANT. When making a goal, choose something you’re passionate about or you'll have a hard time making it happen!

Alex's goal is RELEVANT because he wants to be in the Math Honors Program so he can apply for the scholarship to his dream college.

However, if Alex had an A in math, the goal would not be relevant because he would have already met the Math Honors Program requirement.
 
You made Alex's goal SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ATTAINABLE, and RELEVANT - that’s SMAR (of SMART).

Now time to make it TIME-BASED.
 
Goals without a due date might never happen! Give yourself a firm due date so you can pace yourself as you reach the deadline.

Awesome job! …You helped Alex write a SMART Goal! Now he’s on his way toward the Math Honors Program and a chance to apply for the scholarship.