Set An Academic Goal

Worksheet Description

The “Set an Academic Goal” worksheet is a targeted resource to help students develop actionable plans for achieving their academic objectives. The worksheet begins with a space for the student to write their name, establishing ownership of their goals. Students are prompted to articulate a specific goal and then evaluate it against the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound—ensuring that their goal is well-defined and achievable.

The subsequent sections guide students through a structured planning process. They are encouraged to identify potential challenges to their goal and to consider solutions and the people who can support them. This helps to proactively address any obstacles that might impede progress. Further, the worksheet breaks down the goal into manageable steps, asking for details on the actions required, the time allocated for each, and their deadlines. This breakdown transforms the goal from a concept into a series of concrete tasks. Additionally, students are asked to think about the resources they need, how to access them, and who in their network can provide assistance. The final reflective question prompts students to visualize their success, an important step for maintaining motivation and focus.