Overview of the GPS LifePlan
Welcome to the GPS LifePlan overview. This narrative presentation is meant to introduce you to the GPS LifePlan and detail how you can utilize the resources and services. The tools within the LifePlan are intended to assist you in developing and achieving your goals and plans while you are attending Century College and aid you in your life transitions after Century College.
There are 7 categories within the GPS LifePlan that were created to meet the needs of students in all areas of their academic, personal, and career development. In no way are you expected to work on all areas or know everything about each area of the LifePlan. This new initiative was developed around meeting YOUR needs. You can work on one area, three areas, or none of them. How you utilize the GPS LifePlan is based solely on your needs and the questions your have surrounding you success as a student.
So, why GPS? Not only is GPS the new way to navigate driving directions but here at Century College we like to think of it as GOALS + PLANS = SUCCESS. You can use the GPS LifePlan to think about where you are right now in your college experience, where you want to go using your education, and how you are going to get there. If you do not know the answers to these questions, the resources and services within the GPS LifePlan are a great place to start!
Each plan is focused around helping you find the resources you need to be successful and to help you in your LifePlanning. Each of the plans is listed below and details which resources you can find with each category.
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
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
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
LeadershipPlan
Develop leadership skills
Participate in campus and community activities and organizations
Make social connections
Build experiences for your resume
Explore career possibilities
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
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
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
There are several facets in which you can utilize the resources and services throughout the GPS LifePlan. The primary resources surrounding this tool are the GPS LifePlan online website, efolio, the Student Experience Directors, Counselors, and GPS LifePlan workshops.
The Student Experience Director's role on campus is to make sure you are having a positive experience at Century College and to help you create goals and plans regarding your education and future. They can help explain the resources within the GPS LifePlan and point you in the right direction to begin your journey as a successful student.
The Century College Counselors primarily work with students on their EducationPlan, CareerPlan, and PersonalPlan. The Counselors are available to meet with students by appointment or walk-in to help you in your career decision making process, with personal issues, and to develop an academic plan for yourself.
The GPS LifePlan workshops are also another resources that is coordinated with the objective of helping students create goals and plans while at Century. There are over 60 workshops offered each semester, which are presented by Century faculty, staff, and community members to help bring insight to the 7 different areas within the GPS LifePlan. The workshops are all less than 1 hour long, free, there is no need to sign up ahead of time, and there is an incentive plan to motivate your attendance. For every workshop you attend you will receive a completion certificate and invitation to a reception at the end of each semester, if you attend 3 or more workshops you will receive a GPS LifePlan padfolio, and if you attend 7 or more you will receive a completion plaque and be entered into a drawing for tuition credit. These incentives are in place to reiterate the Colleges motivation for you to succeed and to reward you for your initiative in your education.
Finally, the GPS LifePlan website has endless opportunities for students to navigate. Each of the plans has links, surveys, and tutorials to help you find answers to the questions you may have.