A Guide To Setting Goals
A Guide To Setting Goals
A Guide To Setting Goals
SETTING
GOALS
Successful students must learn to be proactive. Identify what you want
to accomplish and then do it! Understanding the importance of goal
setting and how to set goals is vital for learning and growth in university
and beyond. Use this fact sheet to review the principles of setting goals
and create a SMART goal to initiate the goal setting process.
2. Set “SMART” Goals: A useful way of making powerful goals is to use the acronym SMART. The principles of
SMART goals are as follows:
Specific: Set goals that are well-defined and clear. Goals should state what you hope to accomplish, how you
will achieve your goal, and why it is important to you.
Measurable: Objectives that are quantifiable and have an end result that can be measured.
Attainable: Objectives that can be accomplished with effort. It is important that you set goals that are
realistic and achievable.
Relevant: Objectives that have personal importance and are consistent with long-term goals.
Time-bound: Objectives that are bound by a set time frame.
Different goals will require different amounts of time for completion. A short-term goal is something you’d like
to achieve within days, weeks, or months. Long-term goals are goals you work to achieve over a longer period of
time such as a semester, year, or many years.
THE PROCESS OF GOAL SETTING
3. Re-evaluate: Examine the progress of your goals throughout your set timeframe and re-evaluate your goals
at the deadline. If you have accomplished your goal, do something to reward yourself and celebrate your
success! If results were not achieved, determine why and what you can do moving forward. Also set a new
deadline for your goal.
My dorm is too noisy to study I have a friendly professor I will be better prepared for
Business Management II
I struggle with financial calculations The Student Learning Centre It will help my overall GPA
has free tutors and workshops
Once you have identified your long term goal, you can break it down into smaller targets (short term goals).
Short Term Goal:
I will go to the library immediately after each Business Management I class to study for one hour.
I will meet my professor during her office hours bi-weekly to discuss difficult concepts and prepare for my exam.
I will review my lecture notes after each class to ensure completion and understanding.
Celebrate! Find a way to reward yourself when you accomplish a goal. It will encourage you to set more goals
and work hard to achieve them.