# SMART goals

**Source**: https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/smart-goals/
**Parent**: https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/

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# SMART goals

- [Analysing questions](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/analysing-questions/)
- [Critical thinking](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/critical-thinking/)
  - [Academic arguments](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/academic-arguments/)
- [Habits of mind](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/habits-of-mind/)
  - [Active learning](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/active-learning/)
  - [Reflection and introspection](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/reflection-and-introspection/)
- [Time management](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/)
  - [SMART goals](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/smart-goals/)
  - [Pomodoro technique](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/pomodoro/)
  - [Scheduling your semester](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/scheduling-your-semester/)
  - [Staying motivated](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/staying-motivated/)
  - [Dealing with procrastination](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/dealing-with-procrastination/)
  - [Prioritising your tasks](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/time-management/prioritising-your-tasks/)
- [Note-taking](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/note-taking/)
  - [Digital note-taking](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/note-taking/digital/)
  - [Cornell note-taking method](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/note-taking/cornell/)
  - [Charting note-taking method](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/note-taking/charting/)
  - [Mind mapping](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/key-study-skills/note-taking/mind-mapping/)

Learn how to set SMART goals to succeed at university and beyond.

***Tē****tōia****,****tē****haumatia***

Nothing can be achieved without a plan of attack

## Why set goals?

Goals are a great way to stay focused and work out what’s important. Having long-term and short-term goals can help you be more productive and get more out of your time at university.

Goals can be big or small, long-term or short-term.

- **Short term** (Today, this week, this month) – Finish an essay; get a part-time job.
- **Mid-term** (This semester or year) – Improve GPA; get an internship.
- **Long-term** (1-5 years) – Finish your degree; post-graduate study; graduate programme; travel.

## Start with ideas

Some examples of goals might include:

- Keep on top of the readings each week.
- Get accepted into Law School at the end of this year.
- Become fitter.
- Get a part-time job.

Below are some ideas to help you find inspiration:

- Check out [Careers Development and Employability Services (CDES)](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/student-support/career-development-and-employability-services.html).
- Talk to your peers, family, and friends.
- Join a [club, society or association](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/on-campus/life-on-campus/clubs-societies.html).
- Explore options to study abroad with [360 Auckland Abroad](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/360-international.html).
- Learn about [leadership and volunteering](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/on-campus/life-on-campus/leadership-and-volunteering.html).

Once you know what you want to achieve, turn your idea into a SMART goal.

## What’s a SMART goal?

Using the SMART goal system will help you to set concrete, measurable goals:

- **Specific:** Add specific details so you know what you’re aiming for.
- **Measurable:** Make sure you know if you have achieved your goal or not.
- **Achievable:** Use your goal to stretch yourself, but not so much that you feel overwhelmed and give up. Is the goal realistic?
- **Relevant:** Make your goal meaningful. Why is it worthwhile? What are the benefits of achieving it?
- **Timely:** Give yourself a deadline to complete the goal.

### Examples

Once you have some concrete goals, you can start breaking them down into smaller, more achievable steps.

**Short-term, modest goals:** I will do all my readings every week.

Is it SMART?

**Specific:** Every Sunday, I will make a list of readings and schedule time to complete them.

**Measurable:** I know how much I have to read.

**Achievable:** I can tick off each reading as I do it.

**Relevant:**The assigned readings are based on a reasonable workload expectation.

**Timely:** Every week.

**Mid to long-term goal:** Get into Law School at the end of this year.

Is it SMART?

**Specific:** I’m accepted into Law

**Measurable:** I’m either accepted or rejected.

**Achievable:** Pass LAW 121G and LAW 131. GPA of B+ to A- for all papers.

**Relevant:** I want to study law so I can influence policy and create change in the future.

**Timely:** End of this year.

## Try it yourself

Think of something you would like to do or a goal you would like to achieve. Use this worksheet, [Setting SMART Goals](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/files/2020/02/Setting-SMART-Goals.pdf), to turn that idea into a SMART goal.

### Related topics

- [Planning your assignments](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/writing-effectively/planning-your-assignments/)
- [Transitioning from school to university](https://learningessentials.auckland.ac.nz/learning-at-university/transitioning-from-school-to-university/)

### Workshops

- [Academic Skills: Time Management](https://auckland.campuslabs.com/engage/events?categories=19057)

See all [available workshops](https://auckland.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/tetumuherenga).

**Short on time? Watch a video on:**

- [Critical thinking](https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/99789/pages/critical-thinking) – 6:01
- [Time management](https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/99789/pages/time-management) – 5:15
- [Note-taking](https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/99789/pages/note-taking) – 5:39

Have any questions?

[Ask us](https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/public/library/ask-us.html)