GPS LifePlan for Success at Century College

1. GPS LifePlanWhere are you going: Make a GPS LifePlan

2. What is a GPS LifePlan? • GOALS + PLANS SUCCESS • where you are now • plan where you want to go • navigate a route to get there

3. LearningPlan • Assess what kind of student you are • Discover your learning style • Connect to the various academic support services on campus • Improve your study skills • Understand how high school is different than college • Enhance your computer literacy

4. EducationPlan • Select the appropriate courses • Choose your appropriate credit load • Track your academic progress towards program completion • Develop a transfer plan or other educational goals

5. PersonalPlan • Learn about relationship building and communication styles • Consider your ‘family life’ goals • Set a plan for your health and fitness • Create a plan for managing stress • Deepen your awareness of your personal values and identity

6. LeadershipPlan • Develop leadership skills • Participate in campus and community activities and organizations • Make social connections • Build experiences for your resume • Explore career possibilities

7. FinancePlan • Cover all of your various college expenses • Develop a personal budget • Set lifelong financial goals • Consider future lifestyle goals as part of your career decision making process

8. WorkPlan • Make a successful transition from Century College • Build effective resumes and cover letters • Improve your interviewing skills • Gain job seeking skills • Develop an on-line portfolio • Consider options for part-time employment, internships and service learning

9. CareerPlan • Think about who you are and what you want to become • Make a decision about your program or major • Bring a focus to your EducationPlan • Learn goal-setting and decision-making • Take action CareerPlan Steps: Step One: Assess Yourself Step Two: Explore Careers Step Three: Explore Educational and Training Options Step Four: Make Decisions and Set Goals

10. 3 Ways to use the LifePlan • Website • www.century.edu/lifeplan • Each plan has links, surveys, and tutorials to help students find answers that they may have. • eFolio • www.century.lifeplan.project.mnscu.edu/ • Will help students organize their plans while at Century and beyond • Manage and store information about their education, career and personal goals • Learn to think and reflect in an online environment • Uploads images, graphics, and audio and video files to showcase student’s skills and abilities • Students can create usernames and passwords to allow different audiences access to areas of their eFolio.

11. 3 Ways to use the LifePlan cont. • Workshops • Over 60 workshops offered each semester • All less than one hour long • Free • No need to sign up • Classes are invited and encouraged to attend as a requirement and/or extra credit

12. Incentives 1 Workshop: Completion Certificate Invitation to GPS LifePlan Reception 3 Workshops: GPS LifePlan Padfolio 7 Workshops: GPS LifePlan Completion Plaque Enter Drawing for Tuition Credits

13. Need Help with the LifePlan? • Student Experience Directors • The Student Experience Directors role on campus is to make sure students are having a positive experience at Century College and to help them create goals and plans regarding their education and future. They can help explain the resources within the GPS LifePlan and point students in the right direction to begin their journey as a successful student. • Counselors • The Century College counselors are experts on helping students develop their EducationPlan, CareerPlan, and PersonalPlan. The counselors are available to meet with students by appointment or walk-in to help them in their career decision making process, with personal issues, and to develop an academic plan for themselves.