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Strategies for Success in Online Learning

Goal Setting

 

 

 

 

 

Setting Your Goals for Success!

Goal Setting

Setting clear goals is a strategy you can use to help you overcome challenges and be successful in an online class. Setting goals will help you stay on track and motivate you to take action when you come up against a challenge.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: The SMART Method of Goal Setting is an Acronym to Help You Remember the Key Parts of an Effective Goal.

S    Specific

M   Measurable

A    Attainable

R    Relevant

T    Time-Based

  1. Use Specific wording - State exactly what you want to accomplish. You need to know exactly what your goal is so that you can know when you have achieved it.
    • Don't write: "I want to ace my math exam next week."
    • Do write: "I want to get at least a 95% on my math exam next week."
  2. Include Measurable goals - How will you know when you've met your goal? By making it measurable!
    • Don't write: "Do well in my anatomy class this semester."
    • Do write: "I will get at least a B in anatomy this semester."
  3. Aim for realistically Attainable goals - Is your goal reasonable and something you can actually do? Be honest about your ability to achieve the goals you set.
    • Don't write: "I want to get at least a 95% on my exam next week." if the highest exam score you have received so far is 70%.
    • Do write: "I want to get at least an 85% on my exam next week."
  4. Pick Relevant goals that fit your life - Does this goal "go with" other goals you wish to achieve? Is it relevant to your overall goals?
    • If your desire is to graduate with a 3.0 GPA or above, setting a goal of achieving 85% on your exams will help you get there. Setting a goal of learning to play chess may not. 
  5. Make goals Time-Based by including timeframe and deadline information. How long should it reasonably take you to achieve your goal? Set a timeframe for accomplishing your goal.
    • Don't write: "I want to ace my math course.”
    • Do write: “I want to have an average of at least 80% in my math course by mid-term."
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