Your big dream might be something as broad as “I want to have an amazing life.” And that’s a great place to start.
No matter how ambitious your vision is, turning it into reality takes a clear, step-by-step plan. If you’re working towards a strong ATAR score, that plan becomes even more important—it’s the bridge between where you are now and where you want to go.
SMART Goals
While big-picture dreams give you direction, SMART goals help you focus. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. They break your vision into practical, manageable steps—so instead of just dreaming big, you’re taking real action to get there.
Example of a SMART goal: I will improve my English result by 10% next term by asking my teacher, each week, for feedback and advice about what to work on next.
You can do SMART goals for each subject.
SWOT Analysis
Once you have your SMART goals, do a SWOT analysis. The SWOT will help you to understand your capacity to improve your score.
Brainstorm your ideas. Have a friend help you for more ideas, or you can just do it alone.
Turn Ideas into Action: A USED Analysis is your plan for ATAR success
Once you’ve completed your SWOT analysis you’re ready to take the next step: turning insight into action.
How to Do a USED Analysis
Set aside 10 focused minutes. Look at each point in your SWOT and ask yourself:
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How can I Use my strengths to support my ATAR goals?
Maybe you’re naturally organised or confident in a particular subject—how can you build on that? -
What do I need to Stop doing that’s holding me back?
Are procrastination or poor time management dragging your results down? -
What opportunities can I Exploit?
Are there extra tutorials, mentoring, study groups, or resources available that you haven’t tapped into yet? -
How can I Deny or reduce the impact of threats?
Is stress, burnout, or a lack of support threatening your progress? What strategies or supports can help?
Example USED Analysis for an ATAR Student
At the end of your USED analysis, your ideas are a list of actions. These actions are your key to success. By undertaking these actions, you will achieve your goal.
Success Planning
Your USED analysis has given you a list of tasks that will lead you to your goal. Work with your list:
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Choose the task that you want to do first.
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Figure out WHEN you are going to do the first task.
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When will it be finished?
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How will you know you have done it successfully?
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Create your plan for four actions that you want to do first.
Congratulations – you have your plan
You are now well on the way to achieving your best possible ATAR score. You have your plan. You know what to do.
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