Award SMART Goals

Explore our collection of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Smart Goals and find your next challenge

Over the next 6 months, my SMART goal is to successfully complete the Grade 5 classical exam by Trinity Exams, diligently measuring progress through the completion of each exam section, regular practice sessions, and mock exams, dedicating at least 1 hour daily to focused practice, seeking guidance from a music teacher or mentor for continuous improvement; concurrently, I will aim to perfect fingerstyle techniques by incorporating specific exercises, ensuring a high level of precision and control, and seeking feedback from my music teacher, aligning with my broader aspiration to advance my musical skills and achieve a recognized qualification in classical music.

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As part of my silver level award in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, my goal is to complete the Pool Lifeguard course, which provides comprehensive lifesaving training for individuals who regularly interact with water in their professional roles. By undertaking this training, I aim to enhance my skills and knowledge in water safety and rescue techniques, contributing to a safer environment in aquatic settings.

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I will document my progress and review all feedback from the instructors and others. A Goal for Coaching in Sports related to teens 14-18 years old, to be completed within 3, 6 or 12 months, could be: To improve my coaching skills in order to give more valuable advice to the athletes I work with, by completing a sports coaching certification program within 12 months. I will attend a coaching class once a week for 2 hours, and study for an additional 2 hours per week in order to review course materials and gain additional knowledge in the area of sports coaching. I will also attend and observe at least 3 games of my sport of choice, to observe and gain insights into different coaching techniques and styles. At the end of each month, I will document my progress and write a reflection on what I learned.

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My goal for Music Theory in Music Other under Skills Category is to improve my fundamental music theory knowledge by achieving a B+ grade on a comprehensive online music theory course within 6 months. I will study music theory for 1 hour every day, attending online classes three times a week to discuss concepts in detail. I will also complete weekly homework assignments and challenge myself with bi-weekly quiz activities in order to solidify my knowledge.

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My goal is to improve my overall astronomy skills by participating in at least one astronomy-themed event within 6 months. I will attend either an online astronomy course or a local one (offered through my school or community) two days per week for 1 hour and will practice independently for an additional 1 hour each day. I will also attend an astronomy club meeting or lecture once a month to gain more knowledge and resources. I will participate in an astronomy outreach event at the end of the 6 month period to demonstrate my acquired knowledge.

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My goal for Scrapbooking in Crafts under Skills Category is to create 3 scrapbook albums comprised of a minimum of 30 pages, with themes of personal, family and seasons, within 6 months. I will purchase the necessary scrapbook supplies and will attend a scrapbooking class every week for 2 hours. I will also use online resources like tutorials, blogs and forums to improve my overall craftsmanship and create unique layouts. Finally, I will showcase my scrapbooking albums on social media and encourage feedback to help me reach higher standards.

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My goal for Lace Making in Crafts under Skills Category is to become a proficient lace-maker by mastering basic lace stitches and incorporating them to create intricate lace designs. I will practice making lace for 3-4 hours a week over the course of 12 months, research techniques and patterns in order to create more intricate patterns, and develop my own original patterns. Additionally, I will join a lace-making class or club 6 months from now in order to be able to work in a group, receive feedback from professionals, and challenge myself in completing complex lace designs.

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My goal for Model Soldiers in Hobbies under Skills Category is to build an entire model village, including an active train track, within 6 months. I will follow set instructions and tutorials to learn both the carpentry and engineering techniques necessary to build model soldiers. I will purchase the necessary materials and dedicate 15 hours per week to learning this skill. I will use the internet and books available at the local library to guide me along the way. At the end of 6 months I will have created a model village that I can enjoy, show off to friends and family and even participate in local competitions.

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My goal is to become proficient in playing the trumpet in musical instrument within 12 months by taking private one-on-one classes at least once a week for an hour, as well as an additional two hours of practice each week. I will also work on increasing my repertoire of music pieces for trumpet and join an orchestra or other musical group to perform the pieces I have learned. By the end of the 12 months, I will be able to play the pieces of my choice with confidence and accuracy.

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My goal for Japanese Language under the Skills Category, to be completed within 12 months, is to be able to achieve a Level 4 rating on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) within 12 months. I will work on improving my language proficiency 2 hours a week by engaging in conversations with native speakers, watching programs in Japanese, and studying the language using the Genki textbook. I will also engage in online learning, use the Kanshudo app for studying new words, and take part in practice tests to prepare for the JLPT.

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My goal for Accounting in Life and Vocational Skills under the Skills category is to obtain a Financial Literacy Certificate within 3 months by mastering basic accounting principles and tools such as Tax Returns, Budgeting, Cost Management, and Financial Planning. I will attend an online financial literacy class twice a week for 1 hour and complete the related course tasks provided by the instructor within the set deadlines. Additionally, I will regularly practice the accounting principles and tools outside of class in order to thoroughly understand new concepts.

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Goal: To become an effective radio host in communications by mastering the fundamentals of radio hosting and developing a unique radio hosting “voice” within a period of 12 months. I will participate in a radio hosting workshop and two or more internships or courses per month to broaden my knowledge. Additionally, I will shadow experienced local radio hosts, record practice shows and receive feedback from experienced professionals in order to hone my radio hosting skills. I will also create a portfolio and/or demo-tape to showcase my progress.

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My goal for Bookbinding in Crafts under Skills Category is to be able to create a durable and aesthetically pleasing hardbound book within 3 months. I will attend bookbinding classes twice a week for 1 hour and will spend an additional 2 hours per week practicing at home. This goal is measureable and achievable, as I will use techniques such as binding with glue, thread, or waxed linen at the end of the 3-month goal period to demonstrate my progress. At the end, I will have a portfolio of bookbinding projects that I have accomplished to showcase my newfound skills.

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My goal for Creative Writing in Communications under the Skills Category is to improve my creative writing skills and to produce three creative writing pieces by the end of 3 months. I will attend creative writing classes twice a week for 1 hour and will also work on extra assignments at home for an additional 2 hours per week. I will read and analyze other creative writing pieces to improve my writing skills, and I will submit my work to online writing contests and platforms for feedback.

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Goal for Committee Skills in Life and Vocational Skills under the Skills category for teenagers aged 14-18 years old to complete within 3 months: I will improve the skills required to effectively lead and manage a committee by attending 3 virtual workshops for 1 hour each month and practicing these skills for 1 hour twice a week. I will also complete an independent research project and present my findings to my committee. At the end of the 3 months, I will evaluate and reflect on the progress I have made.

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My goal is to develop my knowledge and skills in website production within Communications by creating a simple yet meaningful website by the end of 6 months. To achieve this goal, I will attend an online web development and coding course for at least 3 hours per week and invest an additional 2 hours per week in researching different website designs and learning website-specific coding. I will also attend lectures, seminars and workshops to improve my website development skills and gain the necessary knowledge to create a quality website. Additionally, I will seek feedback from peers, colleagues and mentors to ensure my website meets the requirements.

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My goal for Drawing in Arts and Design under Skills Category is to become proficient in Adobe Illustrator by improving my technical skills and creating works of art, useable for exhibit, portfolios and/or commercial use, within 12 months. To accomplish this, I will attend 10 hours of classes every month under instruction from a qualified arts and design teacher, as well as practice at home for an additional 5 hours a month. I will make sure to keep a portfolio of my work throughout these 12 months and review my progress periodically.

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My Goal for Discus in Athletics under Physical Recreation is to improve my overall Discus throwing skills within 6 months by participating in at least one Discus competition or performance. I will attend Discus technique classes twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week. I will focus on improving my technique and increase the distance I am able to throw the Discus. I will record my progress on a spreadsheet, to measure the improvement.

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My goal for Clarinet in Musical Instrument under Skills Category is to be able to play a full clarinet concerto piece from the classical or romantic period within 12 months. I will attend private clarinet lessons once a week for 1 hour, practice for a minimum of 1 hour for 5 days each week, and participate in a yearly clarinet masterclass or recital. I will establish a repertoire specific to me and will have the confidence to perform in front of audiences of all sizes.

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My goal is to become a proficient card-maker in the Crafts category within 3 months. I will use both online and in-person resources to learn the necessary skills, including attending card-making classes twice a week for one hour each session. I will allocate two additional hours per week to practice card-making at home with the materials I have learnt to use. Through this process, I will develop technical skills for card-making and complete at least one card-making project that I am proud of.

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My goal for Coin Collecting in Hobbies under Skills Category is to become an expert in coin collecting by improving my knowledge and understanding of coins from around the world within 6 months. I will engage in daily activities including participating in a coin collecting forum and reading books and articles related to coin collecting. I will also tour local and national coin stores to increase my collection and knowledge. Additionally, I will regularly attend meetings, lectures, and workshops related to coin collecting and will take part in battles and challenges on coin collecting forums.

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Goal for Drama and Theatre Skills in Performance under Skills Category for teenagers 14-18 years old and to be completed within 3 months: To improve my overall Drama and Theatre Skills by actively participating in a school or community theatre production within 3 months. My goal is to gain knowledge and experience of the processes of theatre production by collaborating with fellow performers, theatre technicians and the director. I will attend every rehearsal (3-4 sessions/week) on time and practice memorising lines and portraying the character I am assigned to. By the end of the 3 months I will be able to decisively recall all of my lines, perform basic blocking with confidence, and have a thorough understanding of the overall theatre production process.

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Goal for Korean in Foreign Languages under Skills Category: Increase my understanding of Korean language to intermediate level by participating in Korean language classes twice a week for 6 months. I will attend an online or in-person Korean class for 1 hour per week and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour. I will complete homework and projects assigned by the teachers and will take additional tests to track my progress. At the end of the 6 months, I will take a test to measure my improvement and proficiency in the language.

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My goal is to improve my bell ringing campanology skills in musical instruments by actively participating in bell-ringing performances over the duration of the next 6 months. I will attend campanology classes twice a week for 1 hour and will practice for an additional 2 hours at home every week. I will also participate in at least one bell-ringing performance over the next 6 months and will strive to improve my skills and increase the difficulty of my repertoire.

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My goal for Public Speaking in Communications under Skills Category is to be able to confidently speak in front of 10 people on a given topic within 3 months. To accomplish this, I will participate in weekly public speaking classes for 1 hour and practice speaking publicly in a safe environment. Additionally, I will practice speaking in front of a mirror for 20 minutes each day. I will also attend local public speaking competitions and seek feedback from experienced public speakers to improve my skills.

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My goal for Woodwork in Life and Vocational Skills under Skills Category for teenagers aged 14 to 18 years of age is to construct a wooden project with precision and accuracy from a supplied design within 3 months. I will acquire appropriate training through attending a woodwork course two times a week for 1.5 hours for the first 6 weeks and 1 hour a week for the remainder of the 3 months. Additionally, I will practice 1 hour a week at home to complete my project. I will track and document my progress to benchmark my own woodwork skills.

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