SMART Goal Setting Guide for Academic Mentoring

This guide is designed to support mentors in helping their mentees set and achieve academic goals effectively. Using the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Tangible—mentors can guide mentees through a structured process to identify their academic challenges, set meaningful goals, and track their progress.

How Mentors Can Use This Guide

1. Goal-Setting Sessions

• Introduction: Begin by discussing the importance of setting clear, achievable goals in academic life.
• Review the SMART Framework: Go through each section to ensure the mentee understands what makes a goal effective.
• Collaborative Goal Setting: Identify current academic challenges or areas for improvement, then draft SMART goals using the template provided.

2. Reflective Conversations

• Progress Check-ins: Revisit the mentee’s goals regularly to review progress, celebrate achievements, and discuss obstacles.
• Adjusting Goals: Use the document as a reflection tool to adjust goals based on academic experiences and feedback.

3. Action Planning

• Breaking Down Goals: Help mentees break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, “Improve essay writing” could be broken down into “attend writing workshops,” “schedule regular writing practice,” and “seek feedback on drafts.”
• Identifying Resources: Discuss tools, support systems, or strategies that can help, such as time management apps, study groups, or academic workshops.

4. Accountability Tool

• Written Commitment: Encourage mentees to write down their goals, fostering a sense of commitment and responsibility.
• Regular Reviews: Include short goal-review segments in each mentoring session to maintain momentum and accountability.

5. Confidence Building

• Highlighting Achievements: Use measurable criteria to show progress, even in small steps, boosting confidence and motivation.
• Reframing Challenges: When goals aren’t met, help mentees view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures.

Example Mentoring Session Approach:

1. Icebreaker: “What’s one thing about your academic work you’re proud of, and one thing you’d like to improve?”
2. Goal-Setting Discussion: “Let’s take that area you want to improve and turn it into a SMART goal.”
3. Action Planning: “What small steps can you take this week to move towards this goal?”
4. Wrap-Up: “When we meet next, we’ll check in on how things went and see if we need to adjust anything.”

The SMART Framework for Academic Goals

SPECIFIC

• Who: Who is involved in supporting this goal (e.g., tutors, mentors, support staff)?
• What: What academic outcome do I want to achieve (e.g., improve essay writing, organise study materials, complete assignments on time)?
• Where: Identify specific study environments or platforms (e.g., library, study groups, online platforms).
• Which: Identify resources, tools, or strategies needed (e.g., assistive technology, note-taking apps, time management tools).

Example:

• General Goal: Improve my grades.
• Specific Goal: Develop effective note-taking strategies to improve understanding and retention of lecture content.

MEASURABLE

• How will I measure my progress (e.g., grades, tutor feedback, task completion)?
• How many study sessions or hours per week will I dedicate?
• How will I know when I’ve achieved my goal (e.g., achieving a specific grade, completing assignments ahead of deadlines)?

ACHIEVABLE/ATTAINABLE

• What skills or knowledge do I need to develop?
• What support systems (mentors, resources) can help me?
• How can I break down larger goals into manageable steps?

Example:

• Instead of “Ace all my modules,” aim for “Improve my academic writing by attending one writing workshop per month and applying feedback to my essays.”

REALISTIC

• Is this goal achievable within my current schedule?
• Do I have the resources and support needed?
• Am I setting realistic expectations for my learning pace?

TANGIBLE

• Link academic goals to tangible outcomes such as:
  • Receiving constructive feedback from tutors.
  • Improved grades on assignments.
  • Completion of revision notes or mind maps.

Guidelines for Writing an Academic Goal Plan

Use positive, present-tense statements:

• “I am improving my critical thinking skills through regular practice.”
• “I am organising my study schedule to manage my time effectively.”

Academic Areas to Focus On:

• Time Management: I am managing my study schedule effectively.
• Note-Taking: I am developing note-taking strategies that work for me.
• Reading & Comprehension: I am improving my ability to analyse academic texts.
• Writing Skills: I am enhancing my essay writing and structuring skills.
• Organisation: I am keeping my study materials well-organised.
• Exam Preparation: I am using active revision techniques to retain information.

The 6 Principles of Setting Academic Goals:

1. Ensure the goal aligns with what you genuinely want to achieve.
2. Avoid setting goals that conflict with each other.
3. Focus on key academic areas like study habits, time management, and specific subject improvements.
4. Write goals positively (e.g., “I am improving” instead of “I want to stop struggling”).
5. Include detailed steps for how you’ll achieve the goal.
6. Aim high—believe in your potential!