Education Planning

Education planning is when a university or college student involves themselves in self-assessment, exploring, and the integration of academic and career goals. At this point in their lives, students are required to make a decision which is relevant to both their present and future. Educational planning incorporates short and long-term goals, involving many key tasks and milestones. Educational planning aids students to develop the skills they need to make informed decisions about their future, whether that be about their education, career, and life. Preparing their own plan will help students make a smoother transition to their post-secondary school. In such a manner, students will learn about themselves, learn to set goals, and make appropriate plans to achieve their goals which will work as a key motivator. Every student planning on attending either university or college should ask themselves 4 questions in order to better understand themselves:
  1. Who am I?
  2. What are the opportunities available to me?
  3. Who do I want to be?
  4. What is my plan to achieve the goals I have?
  5. In answering these questions, each student gains a better understanding of what they want for their future as well as an understanding of the skills necessary to achieve their goals.
Students must be aware of certain conditions to ensure that their educational outline is of optimal quality:
  1. A personal attachment to the educational plan and involvement in creating the outline. Each student must realise the importance of the plan for their future.
  2. Flexibility is necessary when it comes to implementing the plan. Students should be aware that decisions concerning the future involve uncertainty and consequently, all plans may be subject to change as situations develop.
  3. Students should be able to communicate their reasons for attending university/college as well as how the degree they wish to obtain would further their career goals.
Many aspects contribute to an individual’s education, the degree they wish to obtain, and the goals they hope to achieve. The following should be considered in an education plan:
  1. Student financial aid
  2. Program eligibility
  3. Budgeting for education and student life
  4. Finding student jobs
  5. Education requirements for each type of career
  6. Career prospects post-graduation
Students should regularly discuss their post-secondary plans with their parents/guardians and advisors. Advisors are key to helping students begin their education planning and are also essential to monitor student progress. The student should speak with their advisor ahead of time to ensure that both the advisor and student understand their respective responsibilities in the process. Advisors should create a comfortable atmosphere for the student to share their dreams, ideas, and proposed plans to achieve goals. Advisors need to be actively involved in the student’s planning process. In doing so, they can impart their experience and maturity on many aspects of the outline, making sure the student is well prepared to implement their plan. Nonetheless, it is the student’s responsibility to make decisions in order to feel a personal connection to the formulated plan. Students should remember that they will be the ones living with the outcome of the plan and will need to play an active role in modifying the plan if the need arises.