How to set a “SMART” goal

Every student is working on something. However, students who can define what they are working on are bound to reach success! By specifying a goal, students will be able to envision their endpoint and feel immediate motivation. An easy way to specify a goal is to make it “SMART”, an acronym coined by businessman Paul J. Meyer. 

So what does SMART stand for? 

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound 

Examples of SMART goals could be “I will finish Huckleberry Finn by next Friday by reading 30 pages a day” or “I will raise my grade in math to an A by checking my work thoroughly on every assignment and test.” 

To elaborate on each point, “specific” means the goal should be simple and clear. “Measurable” means that the goal must be meaningful and quantifiable. “Achievable” means that it’s a realistic goal that the student has full control over reaching. “Relevant” means that it is pertinent to the student’s current challenges. Lastly, “Time-bound” means that the goal has a due date. 

Without these parameters, a student may feel discouraged by an unrealistic goal, or distressed by a goal with no end date. When you set up a goal with your child, be sure to bring it up often so they do not forget it. It’s also best if they work on as few goals at possible at once so they can concentrate. If necessary, a reward system is a fun way to keep kids on their toes!