We all have goals: to study more, to pass the exam, to gain a certain GPA, to get a degree. Goals are important guides that provide direction and motivation in your studies. There are some things you can do that can help you achieve your goals.

Good goals follow the SMART principle:

1. They are specific, usually documented in some way so that you can refer back to them like pinned on a cork board above your desk.

2. They are measurable, meaning you can check your progress, success, or failure. For example the amount of time you’ve spent studying or your grades may be a measurement tool.

3. They are achievable, as in you can actually achieve the goal in the set time and with the resources at hand.

4. They are realistic. This relates closely with achievable goal and it hinges on that idea that your goals need to motivate rather than scare you.

By all means aim for the best you can but there is an actual goal setting theory, which says that your motivation is a product of expectancy (that your effort will lead to performance), instrumentality (that your performance will lead to success), and valence (that you desire the reward that comes from your performance).

Basically, it says that if you don’t think your effort (study) will lead to performance (doing well in your exam) or that doing well in your exam will gain you a reward (a high distinction), then you will not be motivated to put in that effort in the first place.

5. They are time-oriented. By when do you plan to achieve this goal?

√Goal number one: learn how to set goals

Now, go get started on goal number two.

For more information on goal setting contact us.