This worksheet walks a student through one SMART goal in about 20 minutes. It works for ages 13 and up, in a mentor group, a pastoral lesson or at home. Print this page (your browser's Print option leaves out the menus), or copy the questions into your own handout.
The worksheet
Name: ______________________ Date: ______________
1. What do I want to achieve?
Write one goal, in your own words. Make it about one thing.
2. How will I know I've done it? (Measurable)
A number, a mark, a finish line or a clear yes or no.
3. Is it realistic for me? (Achievable)
Circle one: Easy · Challenging · A real stretch
What will help me? ______________________________
4. Why does it matter to me? (Relevant)
5. When will I do it by? (Time-bound)
Finish date: ______________
6. My first three steps
| Step | By when | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | ||
| 2. | ||
| 3. |
7. What might get in the way, and what will I do about it?
8. Who will I tell?
Someone who'll ask me how it's going: ______________________
A worked example
| Question | Aisha, Year 10 |
|---|---|
| What do I want to achieve? | Get a B or better in maths this term |
| How will I know? | My end of term test mark is 70% or more |
| Is it realistic? | Challenging. I got 61% last term. |
| Why does it matter? | I want to take advanced maths next year |
| By when? | The end of term test, 4 December |
| First three steps | Do every homework sheet; ask Mr Lee for help with algebra this week; do one past paper each Sunday |
| What might get in the way? | Netball finals. I'll do maths before training on Tuesdays. |
| Who will I tell? | My mentor, Ms Rossi |
Teacher notes
- Model one first. Write a goal of your own on the board with the class. Students copy the shape more than the instructions.
- Push on question 2. "Do better at maths" becomes SMART the moment it has a number in it.
- Keep the first step tiny. Something they can do this week, ideally today.
- Check in weekly. A two-minute Friday reflection (how did your week go, what got done, what got in the way) keeps goals alive after the lesson. See Goal setting for students.
- Revisit after three weeks. Adjust dates and steps. Changing a goal isn't failing.
Questions people ask
What age is this worksheet for?
It's written for secondary students, about 13 to 18. Younger students can use it with a teacher filling in questions 3 and 7 together.
How many goals should a student set?
One to start, at most three a term. One goal worked on every week beats five forgotten by week three.
What are good SMART goal examples for students?
"Read 20 minutes every school night until the end of term", "Hand in every science assignment on time this term", or "Run 5 km in under 30 minutes by the athletics carnival". See How to write SMART goals for more.
In Lifetick
Students add a goal on a phone or laptop and Lifetick asks the same five questions as this worksheet. Mentors see their group's goals and Friday reflections, and the student chooses what stays private.
See Set up a mentor group, Friday reflections and What mentors can and can't see.
Try it with your students.
Set goals, send a weekly check-in and run one-on-ones in one place. Free for 14 days, no card needed.
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