Part 3: Academic Planning (100 Points)

When you start college, almost everyone asks you what you are going to major in and what is your career goal.
The truth is that many students don’t know, and those who do know often change their minds. So, how can
you plan when you are unsure about so many things? That is exactly why an academic plan is so important. An
academic plan allows a student to sketch out short, medium, and long term components designed to meet an
academic goal while remaining flexible to changing circumstances.

Starting your academic plan is one of the most important tasks you need to accomplish this semester. This
assignment requires you to reflect on the courses you have taken, the courses you need to take, and your ideal
schedule for the next semester. This assignment is broken into three steps:

Step One: Program Map

1. Identify your program and locate your program course map.

a. You will find all NCC programs here: https://www.northampton.edu/academics/programs-
and-majors.htm.
b. If you click on a program and go to the bottom of the page you will find a link to the map.
c. Print out a copy of the map.

2. On that program map:

a. If you are a transfer student, identify any courses that you transferred into and check the box
next to those courses.
b. If this is not your first semester at NCC, check off all courses you completed before this
semester.
c. Identify any developmental or pre-requisite course work you still need to do.
d. Now, put a checkmark next to all courses you are attempting this semester.
e. Put stars next to any course that you are concerned about successfully completeing this
semester.

3. Identify the next four to five courses on your map that you should take next and circle those courses.

4. When completed, take a picture of this program map to submit with your final project

Step Two: Planning for Registration (*hint* you will find some help with questions 5-8 here:
https://www.northampton.edu /admissions/register-for-classes/current-students.htm

1. For each of the courses you stared on your program map, briefly describe why you are concerned
about that course. How might you use a growth mindset to reframe those concerns?
I have fallen behind on the course but I am putting in the effort to make up for lost time.
2. How many courses are you going to take next semester?
o Full-time students take between 12-18 credits per semester; Total of 5 courses
o Part-time students take 11 credits or less per semester;
o Students seeking to graduate in 2 years should take at least 15 credits in the fall and spring
semesters.

3. What times/days are you going to target for your courses? Why?
o Consider family and work obligations or time constraints
o Consider what is best for your learning and studying style?
 I am going to target Monday through Friday, with one course Monday, 2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
and one on Wednesday
4. When is the first day of registration for next semester?
October 25, 2020
5. Who is your advisor and what is their email? (Contact information is located in MyNCC under “My
Academic Information”)?
Erin War (eward@northampton.edu)
6. What do you need to do to “be cleared” to register for classes next semester?
Nothing that I specifically know as of now
7. When do you have to pay your tuition bill? Note: the tuition due date is located in the Academic
Calendar.
August 24, 2020

Step Three: Your Academic Plan for the Next Two Semesters

1. Using the template on the next page, enter the courses you have taken in previous semesters (if
applicable).

2. Now, enter the courses you are taking this semester.

3. What course are you planning on taking next semester?

4. How about the semester following that?

* This assignment only requires you to plan out the next two semesters, however, feel free to use the
remaining tables (or to create additional tables) to plan further.

5. Save this entire document and submit it along with the picture of your marked program map to the
designated spot in BlackBoard.

6. Make an appointment to meet with your advisor and take a copy of your program map and academic
planning worksheet with you.
 Academic Planning Worksheet
Student Name: __________Mike Zyskowski________________________
Academic Program: ___________Liberal Arts:History___________________
Advisor: ____________________Erin Ward___________________
Academic Plan according to plan developed by Mike Zyskowski and Erin Ward on Sept
22, 2020
First Semester: Fall: 2020
1. American History I
2. Ethics and Moral Problems
3. English I
4. College Success
5. Principles of Sociology
6.

Second Semester: Spring: 2020

1. Elementary Algebra
2. Introduction to Communication
3. English II
4. Intro to Music
5. Modern European History
6.

Third Semester: Summer: 2020 ?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Fourth Semester: Fall: 2020

1. Math Statistics
2. Contemporary Biology
3. Modern European History
4. Arabic I
5. POLS101
6.