| Active-duty members of the armed forces can begin | | | | winter." 3) Action-Oriented: The goal must call for you |
| their pursuit of a college degree and the transition to | | | | to take action. |
| civilian life through good planning, which begins with | | | | - A non-action oriented example: "I want to get my |
| setting goals for their future. | | | | degree someday." |
| All you need is a set of clear objectives just like you | | | | - An action-oriented example: "I will take two classes |
| would in mission or objective planning in the military. | | | | per semester and pass all of the general CLEP exams |
| After deciding to take advantage of the military | | | | to earn my bachelor's degree in computer technology |
| education benefits you've earned through your | | | | by next winter." 4) Realistic: Make sure your goals |
| service, you can use a simple, "SMART" method, as | | | | are manageable, attainable, and believable. |
| shown on for writing down your goals to assure that | | | | - A not-so-realistic example: "I want to get my |
| they are: | | | | degree in six months." |
| 1) Specific: Make sure that your goals are clearly | | | | - A more realistic example: "I will take three classes a |
| stated, focused, and concise. Avoid general terms | | | | semester, pass all of the general CLEP exams, and |
| and give as much detail as you like. | | | | use my military experience credits to earn my |
| - A vague example: "I want to get my degree." | | | | bachelor's degree in computer technology by next |
| - A specific example: "I am going to get my | | | | December." |
| bachelor's degree in computer technology." 2) | | | | - Time-Driven: Make sure your goals have a starting |
| Measurable: Include time frames, dates, dollar | | | | point, a timeline, and an ending point. You can also |
| amounts, etc. to measure your success. | | | | break them down into smaller objectives: short-term |
| - An un-measurable example: "I want to get my | | | | (within the next six-12 months), medium-term (one to |
| degree someday." | | | | five years), and long-term (the next five to 15 |
| - A measurable example: "I am going to get my | | | | years). |
| bachelor's degree in computer technology by next | | | | |