Every student should have a course plan for their education. Why? Having a course plan allows students, teachers, and parents to be on the same page about the student’s goals for their future.
If you do not have one or not sure how to get started, here are a few tips to ensure your student gets the most out of their course planning.
1. Start Early: Students should start planning out their course plan as early as the summer before high school. A good starting place would be to look at your high school course catalog to get an idea for the general education courses and requirements beforehand. If your student has a major that they want to pursue in university, it is also recommended to look at classes for that path. Having a clear understanding of their college and career goals is a good first step in ensuring they are taking the appropriate courses.
2. Plan Ahead: This can be overwhelming and daunting for some students because they are starting a new chapter of their lives. However, they are encouraged to reach out to their teachers and school counselors to help them formulate a plan that fits their needs. Some high schools have a college and career center, which is a great resource for students to utilize. The hardest part is always sitting down and taking the initiative to get started, but once that happens the rest will come naturally. When it comes to course planning, it is extremely important to start early. By creating a detailed academic plan, students are able to complete their courses in a timely manner to stay on track for graduation. This will also allow teachers and students to make changes to the plan if needed, while still being able to stay on schedule.
3. Organize, Time Management, and Prioritize: Being able to come up with a course plan comes with learning important skills, such as organizing, time management, and prioritizing. These skills are crucial in college and in any career path. In their freshman year, students should start by coming up with a clear list of their career objectives and goals. By the time sophomore and junior year rolls around, there will be a lot more to juggle, like extracurricular activities and part-time jobs that could potentially take up a lot more time than anticipated. Being able to prioritize these changes a few years in advance will help your student balance everything, while still having alternative options open like summer classes should that be needed.
Have questions about course planning or want to learn how to get started? Reach out to our counselors who are ready to help by scheduling a consultation here.