Most students know about “SMART” goals — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
It’s a helpful framework, but when it comes to studying for something big — like the SAT — it often feels too big. Students make ambitious promises (“Raise my score by 500 points!”) but lose momentum before they even begin.
That’s why I started teaching a more practical version: SMART goals with a twist: Small, Measurable, Actionable, Repeatable, Today. These five words make goal-setting real and achievable for students trying to build better habits, one step at a time.
Start Small
Big goals sound exciting, but can feel paralyzing. They make great social media posts, but don’t lead to consistent action. The secret is to start small, so small it’s almost impossible not to want to begin.
When I was in high school, my PSAT verbal score lagged behind my math score, even though I’d always done well in English. I finally realized why: I grew up in a bilingual home where we spoke Chinese, so my English vocabulary wasn’t as deep as my peers’. That insight gave me a focus, but I didn’t start by memorizing 2,000 words.
Instead, I made a small goal: buy an SAT prep book and learn just a few new words each day. That simple step made all the difference. Once I started, I kept going.
Make It Measurable and Actionable
You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Progress fuels motivation, and numbers make it real.
Instead of vaguely hoping to “raise my verbal score,” I set a measurable target: “boost my verbal score by 500 points.” I could track that goal through ten new vocab words, ten math problems, or one reading passage a day.
Equally important, every goal must be actionable. I broke mine down into steps I could control: buy the prep book, review the vocab list, and make flashcards for the words I didn’t know. Small, measurable actions replaced wishful thinking.
Parents and coaches can reinforce this mindset with simple, supportive questions:
- “What’s one small goal for today?”
- “How will you know you’ve done it?”
- “How can we celebrate your progress?”
Each question turns goal-setting into a conversation, not a correction, that keeps students engaged.
Repeat What Works
The best goals are the ones you can repeat. Success doesn’t come from one big effort; it comes from small habits done consistently. I kept my flashcards somewhere visible and flipped through them every day. Over time, what started as a five-minute routine became second nature. My brain began storing those words for the long term, not just for the next quiz.
By the time I took the SAT, my verbal score had caught up and eventually surpassed my math score. That didn’t happen overnight. It came from repeating one small, sustainable action again and again.
Do It Today
The first step, and the one students struggle with most, is simply to start today. “I’ll do it later” easily becomes “I’ll never do it.” So pick one small thing you can do right now. Write your goal down. Share it with someone who can help you stay accountable. Then take the first action, even if it’s just five minutes.
Every small win builds confidence. Every measurable step builds momentum. And every repeated habit builds results that last.
The Payoff
SMART goals with a twist work because they’re simple enough to sustain. They help students trade stress for structure and replace pressure with progress.
- Small keeps it doable.
- Measurable keeps it trackable.
- Actionable keeps it moving.
- Repeatable keeps it lasting.
- Today keeps it real.
My own SAT story ended with a higher score, a better scholarship, and a valuable life lesson: big goals start small. So, encourage your student to take that first step today.
You’ve got this, Coach!
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