University Orientation Seminar

Developing a Plan for Success

In this University Orientation Seminar, you have become more familiar with the Capella
courseroom and Campus, practiced using academic skills that you will continue to refine
throughout your program, and identified individuals, resources, and strategies to support you in
reaching your goals.
For this final assignment, you will create a personal Plan for Success. The purpose of this plan
is to provide you with an opportunity to incorporate what you’ve learned in Orientation and
prepare for your journey.
Remember that this plan is for you. Responding to the questions below in detail will help you:
 Outline the steps you will take to achieve your goal of earning your degree.
 Begin your journey by giving yourself direction, focus, and motivation.
 Prepare for your first phone meeting with your academic coach.

Creating Your Plan

For each of the categories below, reflect on the topic and consider what you have learned
throughout the University Orientation Seminar. Using the questions as a guide, write a 1−2
paragraph summary of your plan for each category.

Area 1: Goals and Mindset

What are your personal and professional goals related to pursuing your degree? What do you
want to be different in your career as a result of completing your degree, and what are the steps
(in addition to your degree) that might help you achieve that? How will having a growth mindset
help you reach your goals?

My plan for achieving my goals and maintaining a growth mindset:

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Area 2: Academic Resources

In this Orientation, you began identifying resources and strategies to help you further develop
your academic skills and successfully complete you program. Building upon the reflections you
shared in your discussion and assignment work, which resources will you utilize to support your
academic growth?

Note: You can use or expand on your Unit 1 discussion post and Unit 1 assignment here.

My plan for utilizing the resources available to me:

Area 3: Support
Most learners have a variety of roles and responsibilities, and as you transition to life as a new
learner, it’s absolutely normal to reach out to others for support. Who can you enlist to help
support your efforts? In what ways do you think they will be helpful? How will you ask them to
assist you? How will reaching out to your support network help you manage your time and
priorities?

My plan for building and utilizing my support network:

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Area 4: Financial Planning

How are you financing your education? Have you calculated your estimated program costs? If
you are using employer assistance or scholarships, have you completed the necessary
paperwork to have your funds routed to your account? If you are using federal financial aid,
have you completed your FAFSA and Financial Aid Agreement documents? Have you
completed your Master Promissory Note? Do you know how much financial aid you have left
against your Lifetime Limit?

Note: If you need assistance with your Financial Plan, contact a Financial Aid Representative You can
reach them via phone at 1-866-933-5988, via email at GradFACounselors@Capella.edu or by submitting
an appointment request here.

My plan for financing my education:

Using Your Plan

Your Plan for Success is a great way to give yourself direction, focus, and motivation as you
complete your academic program.
The time you’ve spent developing your plan will be helpful to you beyond this Orientation
Seminar. In addition to creating your Plan for Success for this assignment, we also recommend
that you share it with your academic coach.
Shortly after you begin your First Course, you will receive an email introducing you to your
Academic Coach. Your coach will want to connect with you, via a phone appointment, sometime
during your First Course. He/she will want to hear how things are going as you’re getting started
in your master’s program, review and set-up your Academic Plan with you, and establish how
he/she can best support you as you begin your journey. Directions for how to schedule your first
phone appointment with your coach will be included in the email you will receive.

Additional Items for Discussion with Academic Advising

In addition to the Plan for Success you’ve created, please take a few minutes to review the
following statements. Highlight any that are not true for you. Highlighted items are excellent
topics to bring up to and discuss with your academic advisor.

 I understand my degree requirements.

 I understand the number of transfer credits that apply to my program (if my program
requirements allow for transfer credits).

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 I know how many courses I will take each quarter.

 I know approximately how long it will take me to complete my program.
 I understand that I should inquire early if I am interested in options available to accelerate
my degree (if my program allows), including:
o Sophia Pathways.
o FlexPath.
o Prior Learning Assessment.
 I know how I will finance my education.
 I know what will be expected of me as an online learner.
 I have a good idea of how much time I will need to devote to my school work on a
weekly basis.
 I am confident that I have the time management skills necessary to succeed with
academic work.
 I am confident that I have the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed
with academic work.