Tips for Developing an Academic Plan

1.  Register for a realistic credit load. Remember the general rule is that for every hour you are in class, you   should expect to study two to three hours outside of class. If you registered for twelve credits, you should plan on a minimum of twenty fours a week of study time.

2.  Identify your career goals and educational goals as early in your college career as possible. If you know where you are heading, you are more likely to take the classes you need to reach your goals in a timely manner. Visit with a counselor early in your college career to discuss your career and education plans. The CareerPlan portion of the GPS LifePlan can help you to identify a college major or career that best fits you.

3.  Use the academic planning sheet to plan the sequence of your classes all the way to graduation. Consult with the college catalog to identify courses that are only offered fall or spring—this will affect your planning. If you are in a technical program, you are advised to meet with your program instructor to discuss the sequence of your classes. All students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to develop an academic plan. Use your program guide sheet and degree audit report to make sure all of your required courses are in your academic plan. You will find all of these tools in the links below (each link will open a new window):

Academic planning sheet 
Program guide sheets
College catalog

4.  It is important to understand your assessment scores and how they affect your course sequencing! Many Century courses require that you have completed developmental coursework in Reading and English if you have not tested at the college level.  Click here  to help you determine what your assessment scores mean. (This link will open a new window.)

5.  You may need to revise your plan!  Because life is unpredictable, there may be times when you need to adjust your academic plan. It’s okay to make revisions and adjustments to your original plan. Again, you are encouraged to meet with a counselor to discuss changes to your plan.