The Student Guide to SMART Goals

What Are SMART Goals?

What does SMART goals stand for?

SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. SMART goals are set up according to the SMART framework, which is essentially a set of instructions for creating goals that can realistically be accomplished. A student trying to develop SMART goals should make sure that all five criteria in the framework are met.

• Specific: Setting a goal that is too broad or vague can set you up for failure. Without a concrete objective, how is it possible to know for sure whether you’ve accomplished what you set out to do? A lack of specificity can also make it harder to break down a goal into smaller, more manageable objectives; this, in turn, can make it difficult to know whether you’re on the right path.
• Measurable: A measurable goal is one that can be quantified or assessed. But it’s not only your ultimate goal that should be measurable—often, a specific goal can be broken down into more manageable criteria, enabling you to assess your progress along the way.
• Achievable: A goal should be realistically attainable. If it’s not possible to accomplish a goal in light of existing circumstances, then it’s probably time to reconsider and readjust objectives and expectations.
• Relevant: SMART goals for students should be related to academic success and/or development or to career goals.
• Time-Bound: Being up against the clock can be motivating; it can be easier to procrastinate when a goal’s timeframe is open-ended. Additionally, having a deadline makes it easier to set interim goals whose achievement is necessary to satisfy the ultimate objective.

How to Measure Progress of Student SMART Goals

When it comes to
tracking the progress of SMART goals for university students, there are a few general methods that might be utilized.

1. Make a Checklist
   
   Creating a checklist is one method of tracking both general academic and specific class goals for students. Write down your goal, then write down all milestones that must be met in order to accomplish your goal. As you accomplish each milestone, cross it out and focus on the next.
   
   There are a couple of potential benefits to this method. First, using a checklist can help you see at a glance how much you’ve accomplished and how much more you have yet to do; this makes it easier to determine whether it’s necessary to pick up the pace. Second, because some people find it rewarding to cross items off of a list, this method can be a good motivator.
2. Mark Your Calendar
   
   Periodically assessing the progress made toward achieving a SMART goal can help things stay on track. It doesn’t matter whether you write reminders on a traditional calendar or set up digital ones on your phone as long as the method works for you. Some SMART goals might require weekly assessments, while others require only monthly assessments.
3. Rate Your Performance
   
   Are your grades improving? Are you really studying more? Have you been participating more in class discussions? While different SMART goals will be measured by different metrics, it’s important to periodically assess whether you’re performing at the level necessary to meet your goal.
4. Tell Your Peers About Your Goals
   
   Making a goal public can be a great way to enlist some extra family, friend or peer support. After sharing your student SMART goals with them, they may be able to help hold you accountable by reminding you about deadlines or asking you about your overall progress. And for some people, simply making a goal public can serve as a motivator.

Examples of Smart Goals for College Students

The following are some SMART educational goals examples. For additional practice, try to think of other SMART goals for students that aren’t on this list, and then think about how those goals might be achieved.

1. Set a Goal for Grades
   
   Earning good grades isn’t always easy. Sometimes a student may have to work extra hard to stay focused in order to maintain or improve academic performance in a certain class or classes.
   
   

   I will get an A- or higher in my Managerial Accounting course.

   Specific: This goal focuses on earning a specific grade in a specific course.
   Measurable: Earning at least an A- for the entire course is quantifiable.
   Attainable: I earned a B in my Principles of Accounting course, so earning at least an A- in this course seems achievable.
   Relevant: I want to earn high marks in my business administration program.
   Time-bound: This course lasts five weeks.
2. Plan Homework/Study Times
   
   Carving out sufficient time for studying and doing homework can be difficult for any number of reasons. Work, unnecessary screen time and a tendency to procrastinate are all things that can make it harder to study according to a regular schedule—a practice that should be a part of every student’s educational plan.
   
   

   Next term, I will dedicate one hour of study time in the evening for every class I took earlier that day.

   Specific: This goal specifically sets aside 60 minutes of study/homework time for every class taken that day.
   Measurable: It’s easy to track 60 minutes and it’s easy to count how many classes were taken during the day.
   Attainable: I can spend one to two hours studying each weekday evening if I limit my TV and social media time.
   Relevant: I want to understand the materials covered in my classes.
   Time-bound: This study schedule applies only to the next academic term.
3. Visit With Each Instructor at Least Once This Term
   
   An instructor can be many things to many people—a source of academic feedback, a potential mentor or a link to new networking opportunities. Even if you don’t have the time to build a friendship with each one, setting aside time to meet with each instructor once per term can be a productive experience.
   
   

   This academic term, I will schedule at least one meeting with every instructor I have.

   Specific: This goal relates specifically to the current academic term. I am explicitly aiming to set up a meeting with all of my instructors this term, not just one or two.
   Measurable: The success metric is clear—I either meet with all of my instructors or I do not.
   Attainable: I have four instructors this term as well as enough spare time to meet with each for at least 30 minutes once this term.
   Relevant:Instructor feedback could provide a window into how I’m performing academically.
   Time-bound: The current academic term is 10 weeks long.
4. Take an Extra-Challenging Course
   
   Different courses are challenging to different students for different reasons. Sometimes a course might be challenging because it’s an unfamiliar subject. Other times a course might be challenging because it covers advanced topics, skills and knowledge. Whatever the reason, taking a course that is more challenging than what a student is used to—one that is outside the “comfort zone”—can be an opportunity to grow.
   
   

   Next term, I will take an intermediate-level accounting course.

   Specific: This goal is relevant to the next term and specifies that the challenging course will be in the subject of accounting.
   Measurable:I either enroll in an intermediate-level accounting course or I do not.
   Attainable: I have already taken Principles in Accounting, so I have met the prerequisite for this course.
   Relevant: I am currently pursuing the generalist track but am thinking about pursuing the accounting specialization in my bachelor’s in business administration program.
   Time-bound: This commitment to take a challenging course applies to the next term only.
5. Join an Extracurricular Group or Organization
   
   Participating in extracurricular activities like clubs, events or honor societies can bring various benefits. Participation can be a way for students to meet new people, form networking connections, enhance leadership skills and build their resume. Some extracurricular activities may even potentially open up opportunities to apply for additional college aid, i.e., scholarships. While certain groups may be open to any interested students who wish to join, participation in an honor society is open only to those students who meet specific academic criteria.
   
   

   By the end of my current academic term, I will sign up for a student club and attend at least one club meeting per term.

   Specific: The goal is to sign up for one club before the current term ends and then actively participate in that club on a set schedule.
   Measurable: The metrics are unambiguous. I either sign up for a club before the current term’s end date or I do not. I then attend one meeting per term after that or I do not.
   Attainable: I believe that my online classes provide the flexibility I need to fit an extracurricular club meeting into my overall schedule.
   Relevant: I would like to add more extracurricular activities to my resume.
   Time-bound: The deadline for signing up for an extracurricular activity is my current term, which has a specific end date. Every subsequent term will have a specific start and end dates as well.
6. Explore Career Services Resources
   
   Career services resources are intended to help assist students with the process of career planning both before and after graduation. AIU career services offered include career coaching and guidance, assistance with developing a career action plan, interview preparation sessions, virtual and on-campus career events such as career fairs, featured employer events and more.
   
   

   This year, I will set up one interview preparation session in the spring and one in the fall.

   Specific: This goal relates to the current year and specifies when each interview preparation session will be set up.
   Measurable: The current year and the seasons can be tracked with a calendar.
   Attainable: I already spend a couple hours per week researching how to improve my interview skills, so it seems reasonable that I’ll have the ability to apply that time to two formal interview prep sessions.
   Relevant: I would like to feel more prepared and confident going into interviews.
   Time-bound: Both interview preparation sessions must occur within the current academic year.

Take a Step Toward Achieving Your Academic Goals—Pursue an AIU Degree Program

Utilizing SMART goals for students can be a smart way to increase the likelihood of achieving educational goals. They might even be used by prospective students to help them stay on track during the college application process: decide on a preferred start date, determine the application and program requirements and then set up a number of check-in points to help ensure that all application deadlines are met.

AIU online degree programs and specializations are offered in a range of subject areas at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We also offer a number of student resources that may be able to help students navigate their academic journey, the financial aid process, career support and more. Explore our offerings today or apply now.

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