4.5: Case Study- SMART Goals

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 110104

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

Case Study: SMART Goals

In the following scenario, meet a fictional student, Melissa, who wants to make improvements in a college class so she writes an effective goal using all of the SMART criteria to do so.

Melissa is taking an anatomy and physiology class which is an important prerequisitie for her nursing degree. The class is challenging, and she's worried about her grade. Melissa knows she needs to earn at least a B in the class to be in good standing for clinical acceptance, but she currently has a low "C" at midterm. She does well in lab quizzes but earned a lower grade on exam #1. Melissa first analyzes her situation in terms of how she has prepared for exam #1, how much time she been reading and studying and how she actually has in terms of her work schedule, family commitments and other classes. Melissa writes the following goal statement:

"By the beginning of week seven of this semester, I will be spending at least one hour per day reviewing the notes I took on the textbook chapters, and I will have scheduled two study sessions with a partner in the tutoring center so that I can earn an 80% or higher on exam #2."

S = earn a certain grade on exam #2

M = one hour per day reviewing notes; two study sessions; 80% of higher

A = Melissa understands the practical lab information but realizes she hasn't been paying enough attention to the textbook.

R = She can spend the time needed based on an analysis of her other commitments.

T = the beginning of week 7

Reflection Questions:

How will Melissa know that she achieved her goal?
If you were Melissa's friend or classmate, how would you know whether or not she achieved her goal?