At this point in your college career, you have probably heard about S.M.A.R.T. goals. If not, here is a little tutorial about what they are and how to use them.
There are several different variations on what the acronym means. In our case, we prefer the following descriptions and definitions, but feel free to adopt the definition that works best for your group:
Specific: It’s not vague, meaning you can explain it easily, clearly, and quickly to somebody else, as though you were giving an elevator speech about it.
Measurable: There are numbers attached to the goal, like writing a 300-page novel, spending less than $75 a week, or learning 10 new recipes.
Action-oriented: There are concrete action steps you can take to achieve the goal.
Realistic: The goal isn’t completely impossible. You have the resources and the wherewithal to get it done.
Timely: You can create a timeline along which to execute your goal’s action-steps.
-adapted from studentleadership.com