Educational planning is a process in which each college student is involved in self-assessment, exploring, and integrating academic and career alternatives, and making decisions that are personally relevant for the present and the future. Educational planning involves many important tasks that eventually incorporate a set of shortterm and long-term goals.
Certain conditions must be present before an educational plan can be of optimal value:
- Students need a personal commitment and involvement in formulating a plan. If the plan is initiated by them and has relevance for them, it will provide a blueprint for an important period in their lives and have profound influence on their future. They will also take responsibility for its outcomes.
- Students must be aware of the need for flexibility in carrying out any plan. Nothing remains static, and plans may need to be altered as new information or events indicate a change is desirable or necessary.
- Students should be able to articulate their reasons for being in college and how the degree fits into their career and life goals.