SMART Goals Worksheet

What Are SMART Goals?

• Specific: Clearly defined and focused goals.
• Measurable: Goals you can track and assess.
• Achievable: Realistic steps you can take.
• Relevant: Meaningful to your high school success.
• Time-bound: A clear deadline or timeframe.

Example

“I will review math notes for 15 minutes every evening to improve test scores by 10% in the next month.”

Your SMART Goals

1. My First SMART Goal:

2. My Second SMART Goal:

Reflection

Why is setting SMART goals helpful for your success in high school?

Study Strategies Guide

1. Active Reading & Highlighting

• Description: Engage with the text by underlining key ideas, writing margin notes, and asking questions as you read.
• Tips:

• Preview each chapter’s headings and summaries before reading.
• Highlight only 2–3 core concepts per paragraph.
• Write a one-sentence summary in the margin after each section.

2. Cornell Note-Taking

• Description: Divide your page into three sections—cues, notes, and summary—for organized lecture and reading notes.
• Tips:

• Record main ideas and details in the large right-hand column.
• Write key terms or questions in the left cue column after class.
• Summarize the entire page in 2–3 sentences at the bottom.

3. Flashcards

• Description: Create question-answer cards to quiz yourself on definitions, dates, formulas, or concepts.
• Tips:

• Use index cards or a digital app (e.g., Quizlet).
• Keep one concept per card for clarity.
• Test yourself in both directions: term → definition and definition → term.

4. Mind Mapping

• Description: Draw diagrams connecting a central idea to related subtopics and details in a visual web.
• Tips:

• Start with a clear central image or keyword in the middle of your page.
• Use branches for main topics and color-code each branch.
• Add keywords, pictures, and arrows to show relationships.

5. Study Groups & Peer Teaching

• Description: Collaborate with classmates to review material, ask questions, and explain concepts to one another.
• Tips:

• Keep groups to 3–5 students to stay focused.
• Assign roles (e.g., note-taker, question-asker, explainer).
• Teach a partner a concept—if you can explain it, you know it!

6. Time Management: Time Blocking & Pomodoro

• Description: Schedule dedicated study blocks and use short, timed intervals (e.g., 25-minute work, 5-minute break).
• Tips:

• Color-code your calendar or planner with study sessions.
• Commit to one subject per block to minimize multitasking.
• After 4 Pomodoro sessions, take a longer (15–30 minute) break.

Your Study Plan

Choose three strategies above and plan how you’ll use them. Be specific about when, where, and how you’ll practice each one.

1. Strategy & Plan:

2. Strategy & Plan:

3. Strategy & Plan:

Accountability Partner (peer or mentor):

High School Success Plan Template

Use this template to create a clear roadmap for your first year of high school. Refer to your SMART Goals Worksheet and the Study Strategies Guide as you fill out each section.

1. My SMART Goals

Goal 1:

Goal 2:

2. Study Strategies I Will Use

Choose at least three strategies from the Study Strategies Guide and describe when, where, and how you’ll practice each one.

Strategy 1 & Implementation:

Strategy 2 & Implementation:

Strategy 3 & Implementation:

3. Potential Challenges & Solutions

Identify challenges you might face and plan how you will overcome them.

Challenge 1:

How I’ll Address It:

Challenge 2:

How I’ll Address It:

4. Accountability Partner

Name a peer, mentor, or teacher who will help keep you on track. Describe how you will check in with them (e.g., weekly meeting, text update).

Partner Name & Role:

Check-In Plan:

5. Reflection

How does having this plan make you feel about starting high school? What will you do if you start to feel overwhelmed or unmotivated?

Ready Set High! Teacher Script

Warm-Up and Icebreaker (5 minutes)

Teacher (enthusiastic): Good morning, everyone! Today we’re going to talk about something exciting—your upcoming move to high school and how to make it a smooth, confident transition.

Teacher: To get started, let’s do a quick pair-share. Turn to a partner and tell them:

1. One thing you’re most excited about in high school.
2. One thing you’re a little nervous about.

Teacher: I’ll give you one minute. Go!

(pause 60 seconds)

Teacher: All right, let’s bring it back. Who can share one excitement and one nervous thought? [Pause for 2–3 volunteers]

Introduction to High School Skills (5 minutes)

Teacher: Now, let’s look at some key tips and tools that will help you hit the ground running in 9th grade. Please turn your attention to the screen for the High School Transition Presentation Slides.

1. Slide: Transition Challenges
   Teacher: Notice how new routines, a bigger campus, and more responsibility can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly what we’re here to tackle.

2. Slide: Organizational Tips
   Teacher: Here are three easy strategies:

   • Use a planner or digital calendar to track due dates.
   • Color-code your subjects so nothing gets lost.
   • Break big projects into smaller steps.

3. Slide: Effective Study Strategies
   Teacher: Strong study habits matter. Active reading, Cornell notes, and study groups can boost your success.

Teacher: I’m handing out the Study Strategies Guide. Keep it handy as we work through today’s activities.

SMART Goals Setting (7 minutes)

Teacher: Next up—setting SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. (Advance to the SMART Goals slide.)

Teacher (pointing to slide): Let’s look at this example together:

“I will review math notes for 15 minutes every evening to improve my test scores by 10% within one month.”

Teacher: Notice how it meets each SMART criterion.

Teacher: Now, I’m passing out the SMART Goals Worksheet. Please write two SMART goals you can use during your first year of high school. I’ll give you four minutes.

(pause 4 minutes while students work and the teacher circulates)

Teacher: Great work! Please finish up your second goal. You have one more minute.

(pause 1 minute)

Individual Success Plan Creation (8 minutes)

Teacher: You’ve got SMART goals—now let’s build your personalized plan. I’m handing out the High School Success Plan Template.

Teacher: On this template, you’ll:

1. List your two SMART goals.
2. Select at least three strategies from the Study Strategies Guide and describe when, where, and how you’ll use them.
3. Identify potential challenges and plan solutions.
4. Choose an accountability partner and decide how you’ll check in.

Teacher: Take seven minutes to complete as much as you can. I’ll walk around if you have any questions.

(pause 7 minutes while students work and the teacher circulates)

Sharing and Reflection (3 minutes)

Teacher: Turn to your neighbor. Share one of your SMART goals and one strategy you plan to use. Then answer: “How does having this plan change how you feel about starting high school?” You’ll have one minute.

(pause 1 minute)

Teacher: Who would like to share their reflection? [Pause for 2–3 volunteers]

Wrap-Up and Next Steps (2 minutes)

Teacher: Today we practiced planning, goal-setting, and study strategies—your toolkit for success in high school.

Teacher: Keep your Success Plan visible in your binder or on your desk at home. We’ll have a check-in during the first month of high school to see how you’re doing and adjust your plan as needed.

Teacher (smiling): You’ve put in great work today. You’re ready to Ready Set High! Have a wonderful day, and get excited about the adventure ahead.