A SWOT analysis is usually something that we associate with businesses. However, there are some SWOT analysis examples for students that can contribute to the student’s personal growth. In this sense, a SWOT analysis becomes a powerful tool that uncovers the deeper truths about our inner worlds and our talents.
In this article, you will find personal SWOT analysis examples for students that will show you how to use this tool yourself.
What Is SWOT Analysis
The first thing to gain a deeper understanding of the SWOT analysis examples for students is to learn what SWOT analysis is in the first place. As you may have already guessed, SWOT is an acronym for the words strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Therefore, the personal SWOT analysis examples for students take into consideration all these factors.
To help you understand each one of these words, let’s see them in more detail:
- Strengths – this element refers to all the skills and talents that you have. It consists of the things that make you stand out from the other students in your school and what makes you special. You will find that in the SWOT analysis examples for students, this category focuses on the academic strengths.
- Weaknesses – on the flip side, this element refers to all the things that you are finding challenging. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are bad at them, just that are having a hard time getting their grasp.
- Opportunities – this particular element refers to all the things that can help you achieve your goal. For example, it might be an event, a course, a specific textbook, or notes that you can get from your professor.
- Threats – in contrast to the previous element, this one shows all the things that might stand between you and your goal. You have to be aware of them so that you take any preventive measures that might help you. You will find more about it in the personal SWOT analysis examples for students later in this article.
Questions to Ask for Personal SWOT Analysis
In the SWOT analysis examples for students, you will notice that each goal is broken down into the four categories that we have explained above. Therefore, it is important to ask yourself a couple of questions on each of them to determine what you will write down. By doing this and following the personal SWOT analysis examples for students, you will create one for yourself in no time.
The questions that you should ask yourself about the strengths are the following:
- What am I good at?
- Do I have any special skills?
- Do I have any people skills?
- Is there something that I’m better than the others?
- Have I achieved anything I’m proud of?
- Do I have an existing network of students?
Some questions that you will find in the SWOT analysis examples for students and will help you fill in the weaknesses category are the following:
- Is there some areas I feel that I’m lacking?
- Is there something that I’m worse than my peers?
- Do I have any negative habits that affect my academic performance?
- Do I lack any particular people skills?
- Which is the course that I’m finding the hardest to keep up with?
When it comes to opportunities, the questions that you should make yourself are the following:
- Are there some upcoming courses, seminars, or classes I can enroll in?
- Do I know anyone with better academic performance on this course?
- Is there some new technology I can use?
- Is there some internship I can apply for?
To determine the threats as seen on the personal SWOT analysis examples for students, you must ask yourself these questions:
- Will there be any obstacles?
- Is there a moment when I won’t be able to study in my room?
- Are there too many deadlines I have to meet?
- Am I lacking some resources to complete my work?
8 SWOT Analysis Examples for Students
In this section, you will find several SWOT analysis examples for students to show you how to do it for your own goals. These personal SWOT analysis examples for students are about different cases to highlight their varied applications. And they are all made using the online whiteboard tool Boardmix.
#1 New Student SWOT Analysis Example
This is one of the most common SWOT analysis examples for students that are changing schools. This particular example focuses a lot on the student’s social skills.
What is your goal? I want to get familiar with my new environment.
Strengths
- I have a strong academic background and good grades,
- I can easily make small talk with strangers,
- I like doing sports and it’s an ideal activity to find like-minded students.
Weaknesses
- I don’t know if my school has a team I can participate,
- I don’t know where anything is on campus,
- I don’t know where is the best place to talk to my peers.
Opportunities
- There is a school representative that can show me around campus,
- There is an upcoming orientation day,
- There will be a student party I can go to meet new people.
Threats
- My commuting time is long,
- My schedule will be too tight and I might not have enough time to socialize.
#2 College Student SWOT Analysis Example
One of the personal SWOT analysis examples for students is that of the college student. This one deals with someone that tries to improve their academic performance and gain top grades.
What is your goal? I want to improve my grades.
Strengths
- I’m good at writing essays,
- I have built a strong academic background,
- I have caught up on the curriculum,
- I’m daily studying extra materials.
Weaknesses
- I’m not confident in my oral presentations,
- I get too nervous during oral examinations,
- My time management skills are lacking.
Opportunities
- I’m taking classes with strong professors,
- There is a study group that can help me,
- I have close friends with the same goal.
Threats
- I will be changing houses, so it will be challenging to study,
- I’ve found a part-time job and I have to adapt my schedule.
#3 Exchange Student SWOT Analysis Example
One of the SWOT analysis examples for students that you will find is the one of exchange students. This particular example shows the challenges and opportunities they are facing.
What is your goal? I want to make the most out of the exchange program.
Strengths
- I can adapt to the requirements of my new professors,
- I like exploring the new area.
Weaknesses
- I’m a little shy and I can’t easily open up to strangers,
- I tend to avoid social events.
Opportunities
- There is an event for all exchange students,
- There is a study group I can join,
- The school representative will explain everything I need.
Threats
- I’m completely on my own,
- I might need to find a part-time job.
#4 High School Student SWOT Analysis Example
If you search for SWOT analysis examples for students, then you will definitely find one for a high school student. In this instance, the goal is to prepare for the future.
What is your goal? I want to find out which college I want to attend.
Strengths
- I have consistently got great grades,
- I have volunteered in an animal organization,
- I have developed my writing skills.
Weaknesses
- I’m easily intimidated by the amount of studying required for college,
- I’m not very good at oral interviews.
Opportunities
- There is an orientation day at a college near me,
- My teachers will help me with my college applications.
Threats
- I don’t know if I’m going to afford the college of my choice without a scholarship.
#5 Master’s Degree Student SWOT Analysis Example
One of the personal SWOT analysis examples that you are going to find very helpful is that of a master’s degree student. In this case, the student already has a strong academic background.
What is your goal? I want to complete my master’s degree.
Strengths
- I have already honed my academic skills,
- I’m very good at writing essays.
Weaknesses
- I don’t like participating in the class conversation,
- I get easily distracted by life and work.
Opportunities
- I can ask for a promotion with my master’s degree,
- My professors are easily accessible.
Threats
- I don’t have a lot of time for studying.
#6 Graduating Student SWOT Analysis Example
Some other SWOT analysis examples for students focus on those are currently graduating. These examples try to show the challenges they have while trying to find a job.
What is your goal? I want to find an entry-level job that suits me.
Strengths
- I have been consistent in my studies,
- I can easily break the ice with strangers,
- I have a clear vision for my future career.
Weaknesses
- I don’t have any experience in the field,
- I don’t have any connections and I don’t know how I can make any.
Opportunities
- There is an online course on how to write a resume,
- There is a career fair day I can attend,
- My professors can offer me recommendation letters.
Threats
- Most of the companies that interest me aren’t located in the area,
- I will have to fully support myself.
#7 Groupwork SWOT Analysis Example
Some other SWOT analysis examples for students focus on the challenges of groupwork. This is something that all students will have to face, and so this example will be useful to you.
What is your goal? I want to make this cooperation successful.
Strengths
- I can offer my research skills to the team,
- I’m great at organizing the team,
- I already know most members of the team.
Weaknesses
- I’m not good at time management,
- I’m not as familiar with the topic as other members.
Opportunities
- The library has a great selection of sources.
Threats
- We might disagree on how to do the presentation,
- We will have to find a place to study all together.
#8 Academic Performance SWOT Analysis Example
One more example that will be invaluable to you is a SWOT analysis of your academic performance.
What is your goal? I want to improve my grades.
Strengths
- I can remain focused if I put my mind to it,
- I know how to structure an essay.
Weaknesses
- My research skills are lacking,
- I need to make my points come across clearer.
Opportunities
- My school’s library has great resources,
- My professor is willing to give me extra material to improve my writing.
Threats
- My free time is limited because of my part-time job.
The Bottom Line
All of these are SWOT analysis examples for students that you can use as inspiration to make one for your case. In Boardmix, you will find plenty of templates, which you can easily edit depending on your needs. The free SWOT Analysis template provides a pre-structured format, which saves time as you don't have to create one from scratch, and ensures you don't overlook any important aspect of the analysis. Create your account to gain the benefits of a personal SWOT analysis!
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