Award SMART Goals

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

I want to improve my communication skills and film and video making abilities over the next 3 months by taking a film and video making course at least once a week for at least 1 hour, practicing filming and editing at least twice a week for at least 1 hour, and participating in a film and video making club at least once a week for at least 1 hour. By the end of the 3 months, I will have completed at least 3 short films and will have improved my communication skills as demonstrated through my participation in club meetings and feedback from my course instructor.

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My goal for French in Foreign Languages under Skills Category is to be able to have a conversation with a native French speaker with ease within 6 months. I will attend French language classes twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 2 hour per week. I will also attend conversational French classes weekly to acquire new vocabulary and practice conversational French. I will also be aware of local French events and take any opportunity to both listen and practice speaking French. I will defend my improved French language skills by speaking French with my family, friends, classmates and other native speakers.

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My goal is to become knowledgeable in Horticultural practices and enhance my environment and nature skills by completing a 3-month project in which I will research horticultural methods and apply them in the creation of a garden. During the project I will utilize resources such as public libraries and online materials to study horticulture methods, attend workshops, and keep track of progress on the project. By the end of the 3 months, I will take pride in my accomplishment by displaying the results of my hard work and dedication.

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Goal for Assisting Organisation Caring for Neglected Animals e.g. RSPCA in Animal Welfare under Voluntary Service Category: To increase my knowledge and experience with animal welfare by volunteering with RSPCA for at least 4 hours per week for 12 months. During this period, I will participate in activities such as assisting with animal care in the shelter and out in the community, learning how to recognise signs of animal welfare cases, attending veterinary clinics to learn about preventative care, and attending public events to spread awareness on animal welfare. I will also use my social media channels to inform the public about the work that RSPCA is doing to care for neglected animals.

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My goal for Journalism in Communications under Skills Category for teenagers 14-18 years old is to write three articles by the end of the twelve months that cover current issues in the news for a local paper or publication. I will conduct research for each article by reading a variety of news sources and interviewing relevant people. I will use my Journalism in Communications skills to craft stories that engage the readers with accurate and relevant information. I will also revise, edit and proofread each article before submission.

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My goal for Radio Production in Communications under Skills Category is to become well-versed in Radio Production Equipment and Techniques by creating 3 audio pieces within 3 months. During this time, I will follow educational resources about Radio Production, attend classes twice a week for 2 hours and practice at home for an additional 2 hours per week. Furthermore, I will also participate in Radio Production forums to gain insight from professionals and learn new techniques.

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My goal for Upholstery in Life and Vocational Skills under the Skills Category is to construct a full size chair within 6 months. I will attend upholstery classes once a week and will also practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week. I will read and research different materials, tools, and techniques available to help me complete the project. By the end of this time period, I will have a finished, full size chair with upholstered fabric.

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Goal: To improve my screen printing skills in crafts within 3 months by participating in an online course program and creating three different screen-printed products. I will spend at least 2 hours a day perfecting my screen printing techniques, focusing in particular on color selection, blending, and registration. I will take advantage of any additional resources or resources available to me. At the end of 3 months, I will create a portfolio of three projects that showcase my technique, to demonstrate my progress and accomplishments.

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My goal for Poetry in Communications under Skills Category is to become a more confident communicator by writing and performing three original poetry pieces for my peers within 3 months. I will attend poetry classes twice a week for 1 hour and will practice alone for an additional 2 hours per week. I will also join a poetry club to network and receive feedback on my work. Additionally, I will actively participate in poetry writing exercises with my peers to build confidence and learn from each other.

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My goal is to become proficient in Geology in Environment / Nature by the end of 12 months. To do this I will attend Geology courses at least twice a week for 1.5 hours and complete assignments to increase my understanding and application of the subject. In addition, I will sign up for field trips, do volunteer work or participate in community events related to Geology to apply the concepts and gain hands-on experience. I will also join or create a club or group of like-minded students to share ideas, resources and knowledge.

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My goal is to improve my life and vocational skills by researching and applying a new set of job and college preparation skills within 3 months. I will research career options and job requirements, learn the basics of job applications and resumes, and practice developing interview strategies and professional communication strategies. I will also research college requirements, prepare applications, and practice writing college essays. I will use online resources and personal connections to help me gain more insight into the job and college processes. In the end, I will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about my future.

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My goal is to master card games without gambling in less than 12 months. To do this, I will practice for 1 hour, 3 times a week by myself, participating in online or live card game tournaments with no gambling and joining card game clubs that adhere to a strict no gambling policy. I will also attend educational and informational sessions related to card games, such as game rules and strategies, at least twice in the months of June and December. By the end of 12 months, I want to be able to confidently join friends or family in card games of skill and show them who the true champion is.

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My goal for Vehicle Mechanics in Life and Vocational Skills under Skills Category is to become proficient in performing automotive maintenance tasks such as oil changes, tire rotation, checking and replacing battery and wiper fluid, and brake pad and tire inspections within 3 months. I will attend a Vehicle Mechanics course twice a week for 2 hours and will practice at home for an additional 2 hours per week. At the end of the 3-month period, I will be tested on the core principles of vehicle mechanics.

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Goal for Leatherwork in Crafts under the Skills Category for teenagers 14-18 years old to be completed within 12 months: To improve my leatherwork skills by creating three quality leather craft items using advanced techniques within 12 months. I will attend at least two leatherwork classes a week for 1 hour and practise at least 1 additional hour per week at home. I will document my progress on a weekly basis and set milestones for each project to stay focused and motivated.

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Goal for Peer Education in Life and Vocational Skills under Skills Category for teenagers aged 14-18: To complete the certification process for Peer Education in Life and Vocational Skills within 3 months, I will attend one workshop per week and watch two instructional videos related to Peer Education in Life and Vocational Skills every week. I will review relevant materials to enhance my knowledge and practice what I have learned in the workshop by engaging in skill-building activities (e.g. discussions, role-play, games, etc…) with my peers at least twice a week for 1 hour. At the end of 3 months, I will complete the certification process and will receive an official certificate.

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My goal for Democracy and Political Studies in Life and Vocational Skills under Skills Category is to increase my knowledge of the historical and current development of the US political and electoral system by reading an in-depth book on the topic and writing an essay on the most important aspects of the US democracy and electoral system within 6 months. I will read at least one chapter of the book per week and dedicate 3 hours of focused study and research to write my essay. I will also create a presentation and present my essay to a group of my peers.

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My goal is to become an eco-friendly teen aquarium keeper within 12 months. I will research sustainable aquarium keeping practices, such as methods for reducing my aquarium-related carbon footprint, conservation techniques for keeping water clean, and which types of fish and plants are best suited for my aquarium. I will also make a budget for my aquarium and plan for weekly maintenance and regular water changes. I will also attend aquatic life-related events, such as educational aquascaping workshops, to gain more knowledge on the topic.

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My goal for Model Construction in Hobbies under Skills Category is to build a detailed model airplane in 3 months time. To achieve this, I will acquire the necessary skills and tools by studying tutorial videos, reading official handbooks and manuals, and by attending hobby clubs every other Saturdays. Moreover, I will also practice model construction techniques on small scale projects, such as building model boats or cars, to improve my knowledge and techniques. Additionally, I will also research about the materials that can be used for this project and maintain a work log to track my progress.

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My goal for Flying in Sports related under Skills category is to improve my overall flying skills by achieving at least a basic pilot’s license within 12 months. To achieve this goal, I will participate in at least 4 one-hour flight sessions per week and practice flying for an additional 4 hours at home each week. I will also attend an optional group class at a flight school once a month to review the lessons I am learning to ensure I reach my pilot’s license.

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My goal for Filmmaking and Video Production in Communications within 12 months is to improve my skills in filmmaking by creating a 4-minute video which showcases the unique characteristics of teenagers 14-18 years old. To do this, I will attend a filmmaking class twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 2 hours per week. I will research different techniques and styles of filmmaking, and collaborate with other teens to write an effective script and create a compelling story. I will use the latest software and equipment to create a well-crafted and engaging video by the end of 12 months.

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In addition, I will do a 30 minutes warm-up routine before each class and will track my progress over time to identify areas where I need more work. Goal: I will improve my overall Life and Vocational Skills by attending weekly online classes focused on the topic for a minimum of 3 hours per week over 3 months. I will watch educational videos, research available resources, and keep track of my results to assess my progress and monitor areas for improvement. Furthermore, I will participate in two online forums for skill development by discussing my goals for the month with a certified professional and identify at least 3 areas to focus on for future growth.

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My goal is to develop proficiency in the visual arts over a period of 3 months by experimenting with different media and techniques. I will take 1 hour of classes in the visual arts at local art museum or school and practice for an additional 1 hour per week. I will research and create 3 pieces of art each week in the visual arts emphasizing on perspective techniques and color use. By the end of the 3 months, I will have a portfolio of at least 12 pieces demonstrating improvement in my visual arts abilities.

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My goal is to improve my knowledge and understanding of Indoor Plants in Environment / Nature by researching and studying different species of indoor plants within 3 months. I will dedicate 2 hours a week learning about the different species, their natural growth patterns and prominent characteristics. I will also conduct experiments with different soils and light levels in order to understand the different needs for each plant. I will also learn about the environmental benefits of having indoor plants in my home. At the end of the 3 months, I will give a presentation to my peers about my findings.

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Goal for Bone Carving in Hobbies under Skills Category: To become proficient at Bone Carving by completing a professional-level project within 6 months. I will learn the basic techniques required for Bone Carving by attending a class at least once a week for 2 hours. I will also watch tutorials and practice carving for 2 additional hours each week. I will document my progress by taking photos of my projects, tracking my skills development and reviewing feedback from experts. I will join a Bone Carving forum to share my work and ask for advice from experienced carvers.

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Additionally, I will read 3 articles per month on how to improve my BodyAttack skills and techniques. My goal for Costume Study in Performance under Skills Category is to increase my costume make and design ability by creating three costumes for performance within three months. Specifically, I will spend two hours a week researching techniques and patterns to create the costumes. In addition, I will attend costume making workshops in person or online, and read five fashion-related articles a month to gain comprehensive knowledge in costume design. Finally, I will attend three fashion shows to evaluate the work of professional designers and apply what I learnt to my costume designs.

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My goal for English in Foreign Languages under the Skills Category is to attain a Beginner Level B1 certification in English as a Foreign Language within 3 months. I will attend English classes twice a week for 3 hours each session, and will practice at home for 1 hour per day. I will also take online classes as necessary to support my language development and complete an additional 1 hour of practice per day. I will take an English language proficiency test to ensure that I’ve achieved my desired level of proficiency.

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My goal is to improve my dancing skills by improving my choreography and technique in Dance Theory for Sports. I will attend Dance Theory class twice a week for 1 hour and will practice at home for an additional 1 hour per week for the next 3 months. I will also participate in at least one Dance Theory competition or performance within the next 3 months. By doing this, I will be able to improve my technical and creative abilities in Dance Theory to help me better understand and perform movements within dance-related sports.

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