Unlock Your Child’s Full Potential: 5 S.M.A.R.T Goals for Exam Success!
By WR!TERS@WORK
By WR!TERS@WORK
As parents, we all wish to see our children excel in their studies and thrive in their academic and personal lives. WRITERS AT WORK knows all too well the pressures of exam preparation, whether students may be scrambling for good phrases for composition writing or searching for past year PSLE papers to attempt. One effective way to ensure this is by guiding your child to set S.M.A.R.T goals. In this blog, we will explain what S.M.A.R.T goals are, why it is beneficial to have S.M.A.R.T goals and share practical tips on how you can guide your child in setting these goals.
So what are S.M.A.R.T goals? S.M.A.R.T is an acronym that stands for, “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound”.
Specific – Students should set well-defined and clear goals that are not ambiguous. Having specific goals make it more likely for your child to accomplish them. When setting goals, try to consider the 5Ws and 1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How).
Eg: I will improve my vocabulary and usage for the PSLE English examinations, especially for Paper 1.
Measurable – Goals set should have a criteria for measuring your progress, allowing your child to witness his/her progress over time and determine whether he/she is on the right track.
Eg: Learn 10 new vocabulary words/phrases each week and try to incorporate at least 3 in the next essay practice.
Achievable – Every child has different strengths and weaknesses. Consider your child’s abilities and available resources to set a goal that is attainable and realistic. It should prompt your child to step out of his/her comfort zone, but not make him/her overly stressed out.
Eg: By allocating 10 minutes a day to study flashcards on new vocabulary words, I can reach my goal of learning 10 new words a week. Additionally, by practicing past year Paper 1 questions, I can better learn how to incorporate these words into my essays.
2023 Methodist Girls’ School Prelims:
Write a composition of at least 150 words about developing a good habit.
Consider the following points when you plan your composition:
2023 Red Swastika School Prelims:
Write a composition of at least 150 words about an important event.
Consider the following points when you plan your composition:
Relevant – Goals set should be pertinent to your child’s academic and personal development.
Eg: Improving vocabulary and usage is crucial for me to achieve good grades for the PSLE English examinations.
Time-bound – S.M.A.R.T goals should have a start and finish date. Setting time constraints can help your child be more motivated to strive towards his/her goals due to the sense of urgency.
Eg: Complete the vocabulary learning plan by the September holidays in preparation for the PSLE examinations in Term 4.
Setting S.M.A.R.T goals helps your child have a clear aim of what he/she wishes to achieve, be it in their academics or other pursuits. Keeping these goals in mind will allow them to remain focused and keep perspective, as these goals might not be easily achieved in the short-term. S.M.A.R.T goals also allow for easier identification of areas for improvement, comparing progress over time since the goals are measurable. This allows decisions to be made based on your child’s objectives and current progress, sometimes modifying their present approach and learning styles slightly in order to reach their goals.
After understanding more about S.M.A.R.T goals and the importance of setting them, let’s explore some practical tips you can adopt when guiding your child to set these goals:
Having a chart or checklist to track your child’s progress towards his/her goals can better help them to visualise their progress and ensure they are on the right track. This can motivate them to continue working harder towards their goals as they witness their efforts translating into results.
Review goals with your child on a regular basis and make adjustments if needed to ensure the goals remain relevant and realistic. It is perfectly alright to reduce the expectations for the upcoming examinations and make adjustments accordingly after, preventing your child from feeling over-pressurised. After achieving a goal, prompt your child to reflect on what he/she has done well and commend them for their efforts. Then, discuss what they can improve on and provide them with constructive feedback and suggestions.
Keep yourself informed of your child’s upcoming examinations and major extracurricular events. This can help you guide them in setting relevant and timely goals, while also allowing you to provide them with more support during these critical periods. Be patient and encouraging in the process, and encourage a growth mindset to celebrate efforts instead of perfection.
Helping your child set S.M.A.R.T goals is an effective way to enhance their academic and personal development. WRITERS AT WORK and our team of dedicated teaching staff strive to help your child in achieving their goals. Do check out our other blog posts for primary english comprehension tips, PSLE situational writing tips and much more to better prepare your child for the upcoming PSLE English examinations!
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!
Parents should take around a year or two to prepare for PSLE as learning about subjects like English requires a long-term effort, as opposed to short cramming.
2. Is PSLE Compulsory?
PSLE is compulsory for everyone to enter secondary school in Singapore.
3. How to Study for PSLE?
Parents should make a list of everything a child should study for all their PSLE subjects. Engaging a tuition teacher or practicing with workbooks and past year papers may help students tackle the exam format of PSLE and feel more confident taking the exam.
4. How Do I Motivate My Child to Do PSLE?
Children should be motivated to do PSLE by being taught that it is important for their future. Explaining to them the reasons to do the exam may work better than forcing them to study.
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