Same Study skills › Thinking about learning › SMART goals for school
What is a SMART goal?
A SMART goal turns a wish like “do better in math” into a plan you can check: “Raise my math quiz average from 75 to 85 by the end of the quarter by doing 15 minutes of practice four nights a week.” SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
- Specific and Measurable: what exactly, and how you'll know.
- Achievable and Relevant: possible, and it matters to you.
- Time-bound: a deadline.
Why schools teach it
Vague goals don't get met
Many schools ask students to set goals at the start of a quarter or for student-led conferences. “Try harder” gives nothing to act on. SMART goals name the target, the plan and the date, so kids can track progress and adjust.
Setting and checking their own goals helps kids own their learning, a skill teachers and employers both value.
At the kitchen table
What to say, and what to skip
Say this
What exactly do you want to improve?
SpecificHow will we know you got there?
MeasurableIs that realistic by then?
AchievableWhat will you do each week to get there?
The plan
Skip this
- Setting the goal for them.Kids work harder for goals they chose.
- Goals about other people.“My teacher will like me” isn't in their control.
- Huge jumps.From a C to an A+ in two weeks sets them up to quit.
See it in action
Turning a wish into a SMART goal
Wish: “I want to read more.”
Specific and measurable
Read 20 minutes a night, 5 nights a week, tracked in my reading logAchievable and relevant
I already read 10 minutes most nights, and I want to finish my seriesTime-bound
Every week until winter break, checking my log each Friday
Check the goal every week or two. Adjusting it is part of the process.
Free practice sheet
Make a SMART goals sheet
Loading practice sheet…
Fridge cheat sheets
Study Skills Fridge Cheat Sheets
Every study skills method in one printable book (59 pages): a cheat sheet page like this guide, plus a practice sheet and its answer key for each, in Classic and handwritten Notebook styles. $8 one time, or all 7 subjects for $29.99. See all prices.
Teacher? This method has a classroom pack on TeachersPayTeachers: an anchor chart, a parent letter and practice sheets with answer keys, $4. See the pack
Parents: tell your child's teacher about this guide
Parents also ask
What does SMART stand for?
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Some versions say Attainable or Realistic.
How many goals should a student set?
One or two at a time is plenty.
What if the goal isn't met?
Look at what got in the way, adjust the plan or the target, and try again.
What is a student-led conference?
A parent-teacher conference where the student shares their work and goals.