Weekly Assignment 2: Establishing SMARTER Goals ✓ Solved

Develop one academic goal you have while at Stratford University. It could be for this course, for your degree, for your studying, or another area. Fill out each area of this worksheet. Your description should answer the questions in the Mnemonic and provide a clear explanation for each part.

Name Goal: Date: Reason this goal is important to me: Step

1 S pecific: Exactly what is it you want to achieve in your work or personal life? Good goal statements explain: what, why, who, where and when. If your goal statement is vague, you will find it hard to achieve because it will be hard to define success.

2 M easurable: You must be able to track progress and measure the result of your goal. Good goal statements answer the question: how much or how many. How will I know when I achieve my goal?

3 A greed: Your goal must be relevant to and agreed with all parties; examples include your manager & employees.

4 R ealistic: The goal should be stretching, but realistic and relevant to you and your company. Ensure the actions you need to take to achieve your goal are things you can do and control. Is this goal achievable?

5 T ime-Bound: Goals must have a deadline. A good goal statement will answer the question: When will I achieve my goal? Without deadlines, it’s easy to put goals off and leave them to die. As well as a deadline, it’s a good idea to set some short-term milestones along the way to help you measure progress.

6 E valuate: what is working & not working? Barriers? Seeking win–win?

7 R eassess: what changes need to be made & take action. (Since you may not be able to do this part yet, list what actions you would take if you found you were not reaching your goal).

Paper For Above Instructions

Establishing academic goals is crucial for success, especially in a university setting like Stratford University. A SMARTER goal encompasses various aspects that contribute to effective goal-setting and achievement. For this assignment, I will focus on my academic goal of improving my research and writing skills throughout my time at Stratford University. This goal will enhance my capabilities as a student and prepare me for a successful career post-graduation.

1. Specific

My goal is to enhance my research and writing proficiency by completing a comprehensive writing project that incorporates extensive research and critical analysis. This project will focus on a significant topic within my field of study, allowing me to explore various perspectives and methodologies. The specifics of my goal include dedicating a minimum of five hours each week to work on this project, engaging with faculty for feedback, and participating in writing workshops to refine my skills.

2. Measurable

I will measure my progress by setting specific milestones for each stage of the writing project. This includes the completion of a detailed outline, a draft of each section, and the final revision. Furthermore, I will track the hours spent weekly to ensure that I meet my target of five hours. The completion of these milestones will indicate my progress toward achieving my overarching goal.

3. Agreed

This goal is relevant not only to my personal aspirations but also to the expectations of my professors and the larger academic community at Stratford University. The skills I develop through this process will be beneficial in my future coursework and career. I've discussed this goal with my academic advisor, who supports my focus on improving these specific skills.

4. Realistic

This goal is realistic as I have previously engaged in research projects and writing assignments throughout my academic career. By allocating time for these activities and seeking help from faculty when needed, I can feasibly complete my project. Additionally, the timeline I propose is manageable, allowing for flexibility in addressing any unforeseen challenges.

5. Time-Bound

I have established a timeline to complete my writing project by the end of the semester, giving me a clear deadline. I plan to submit a detailed outline by the end of the second month, complete the first draft by the end of the third month, and finalize the project by the semester's conclusion. This deadline will keep me motivated and ensure that I allocate adequate time for revisions.

6. Evaluate

Throughout the process, I will evaluate what is working well and what isn't. For instance, if I find that my research methods are not yielding sufficient information, I will adapt my approach and seek guidance from the library resources or discuss alternative strategies with my professors. Reflection and feedback will be critical in fine-tuning my efforts.

7. Reassess

If I discover that I am not making the anticipated progress towards my goal, I will reassess my approach. This may involve adjusting my study schedule, seeking additional resources, or even collaborating with peers for support. The willingness to adapt is crucial to overcoming barriers that may arise during this journey.

Conclusion

In summary, my academic goal of enhancing my research and writing skills is a SMARTER goal that adheres to the principles of specificity, measurability, agreement, realism, time-bound parameters, evaluation, and reassessment. As I progress through this educational journey, I am confident that achieving this goal will not only benefit my academic performance but also lay a solid foundation for my future professional endeavors.

References

  • American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

  • Irving, W. (1819). Rip Van Winkle. In The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. (pp. 517-522).

  • Cather, W. (1928). The Neighbor Rosicky. In My Ántonia (pp. 694-695).

  • Locke, J. (1690). An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Thomas Basset.

  • S.M.A.R.T. Criteria. (1981). Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound. Retrieved from https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/smart-goals.html

  • MindTools. (n.d.). How to Set SMART Goals. Retrieved from https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm

  • Tharp, G. K. (2016). Improving Student Writing Skills. Academic Press.

  • Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Research and Citation Resources. Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/resources.html

  • Babson College. (n.d.). Writing Resources. Retrieved from https://www.babson.edu/academics/support/writing-resources/

  • University of California. (n.d.). Research Skills Development. Retrieved from https://scc.lib.berkeley.edu/