Smart Goal Definition

Goals are a fundamental part of success in collage and beyond. Some of the most effective goals are SMART goals. This mnemonic device stands for Specific, Meaningful (Measureable), Actionable, Realistic, and Timed. I have noted the importance of these types of goals and have decided to apply it to a goal of my own. My goal is to “Remain on the dean’s list(or academic merit for co-op semesters) for the entirety of my college career by completing all course work early and an additional 10 hours per week studying.” As outlined in the following text I will demonstrate how this goal is a SMART goal.
My goal is specific for a few reasons. The desired outcome is specific by nature; “Remain on the Dean’s list…” while it implies other goals, it is far more specific than saying “I want good grades.” In order to be on the Dean’s list a student must maintain a course load of twelve or more credit hours, a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and no grades of I, F, or U per semester. Most of the same is true for academic merit except that it is for between six and eleven credit hours per semester. Additionally, this goal is specific because it requires me to spend a determined amount of time studying, not to include time spent on course work.
Monitoring my own understanding of a subject should just about ensure adequate grades to achieve my goal. However, should my grades begin to slip I will take further steps and seek help from my support group in my personal life and at school. This goal meaningfully resonates with me on many levels. The main reason I went to this level of planning is to prove to myself my ability to overcome adversity. This is supported by a desire to surpass my wife’s achievements in academia, which set the bar high at a 3.96 GPA for her Associate of Arts