Bachelor of General Studies Customized Learning Plan
The following information is meant to guide you in developing a plan for your General Studies Degree. It is for your use and will only be shared with an advisor or any others with your consent.Student Name: Click or tap here to enter text.
Student ID Number: Click or tap here to enter text. / Phone Number (Optional): Click or tap here to enter text.
Student Email: Click or tap here to enter text.
Alternate Email (Optional): Click or tap here to enter text.
Section 1: My Profile
I am:
☐Entering the Bachelor of General Studies without having completed previous post-secondary study
☐ Entering the Bachelor of General Studies after having completed another credential (diploma, certificate, degree)
☐ Transferring into the Bachelor of General Studies from another UFV program
☐ Transferring into the Bachelor of General Studies from another institution
☐ Other [Provide brief explanation here]: Click or tap here to enter text.
Most or all semesters, I will be completing my program (check all that apply):
☐ As a full-time student
☐ As a part-time student
☐ Intermittently, as my work and finances allow me to attend
Number of university-level credits completed:
☐ 0-29
☐ 30-59
☐ 60-89
☐ 90-120
☐ More than 120
I plan on graduating in:
☐ 1-3 semesters from now (not including this term)
☐ 4-6 semesters from now (not including this term)
☐ More than 6 semesters from now
☐ I do not know yet
Have you previously met with a UFV advisor to discuss your Bachelor of General Studies?
☐ Yes
☐ No
Section 2: My Self-Assessment
Tell us some more about yourself and your interests, as they relate to your program of study.
Consider, for example:
- Learning Preferences: What type of learner am I? Am I an explorer who likes to take courses in multiple fields as a way of expanding my knowledge and skills? Am I a planner who likes a well-defined program of study? Am I a creator who wants to build a unique program of study around specific topics or interests? Are there certain types of learning environments (classroom, online, field based) that I prefer? Are there certain strengths I’d like to build on or areas I’d like to improve on in terms of how I learn and apply new ideas and information?
- Professional and Community Interests: What kind of career interests do I have? For instance, do I want a job where I would work outside (or indoors) or in a high-paced environment (or in a less pressured workplace) or in teams with others (or where I could work more independently)? Do I want to prepare for multiple careers because of varied interests (or do I have a passion for a particular kind of work)? Do I want a job working in government or education, and if so, what is it that is drawing me to this work? Do to gain employment experience while in school? Do I want to use my degree to get ahead in my current area of employment? Am I overwhelmed by the career planning process? How comfortable am I in a leadership position? Is this something I want from my work and volunteer experiences?
- Personal Interests:Are there some personal interests that I’d like to pursue more as a part of my degree (for instance: creative expression, such as music or writing; a love of travel; an interest in certain topics; etc.)? Are there personal interests that require time in my life away from school, and which I want to make sure I can pursue while studying? Are there ways in which my personal interests help me work more effectively as a student?
Learning Preferences
Click here to provide a short summary of how you see your learning styles. (Textbox will expand as you write.)
Professional Interests
Click here to provide a short summary of your professional interests. (Textbox will expand as you write.)
Personal Interests
Click here to provide a short summary of your personal interests, as they relate to your educational and professional goals. (Textbox will expand as you write.)
Section 3: Goal Setting
Tell us more about what goals you are hoping to achieve by completing your Bachelor of General Studies. Each person’s goals will be unique. Consider:
- Personal Goals: What do I hope to achieve for my personal developmentwhile in my program? What do I want to learn and/or what skills do I want to develop? What goals do I have that will allow me to give back to those around me or to my community?
- Professional Goals: What do I want to have learned or done while in my program that will help me in meeting career or employment plans? What skills or training do I hope to complete while in my program? What types of professional and social connections do I hope to make? Do my professional goals meet my personal values?
- Educational Goals: What do I hope to learn within my program? What specializations do I hope to develop or credentials do I hope to complete? What areas or subjects do I hope to develop more competency in? Am I hoping to complete a Thematic Option?
You can write about any combination of goals from the above types, e.g., 2 professional and one personal goal, or three educational goals, etc.
Goal 1 / [Summarize goal here]
Click here to provide a brief explanation of your goal and a summary of why this is of importance to you.
Goal 2 / [Summarize goal here]
Click here to provide a brief explanation of your goal and a summary of why this is of importance to you.
Goal 3 / [Summarize goal here]
[Provide a brief explanation of your goal and a summary of why this is of importance to you.]
*For more information on Thematic Options, see:
Do you have additional goals you’d like to include? Go ahead! Use the space below to enter in additional goals and explanations you think are important to your university plan.
Write additional goals here (optional).Section 4: Meeting My Goals
What strategies will you pursue that will help you meet your goals? Each goal will likely require multiple strategies and tactics.
For instance, if your goal was to become a professional pilot, your strategies will likely include specific types of training, experience, and job connections, as appropriate to your program.
In many cases, you will have already taken steps to help meet those goals, either through academic work, professional experience, or community engagement.
Goal 1 / Summarize goal here. You can cut-and-paste from last section if that’s easiest!
What steps do you plan to take that will help you meet this goal?
I plan to meet this goal by (check all that apply):
☐ Within the next 1-3 terms
☐ Within 1-3 years from now
☐ Completion of my BGS degree
☐ Completion of another UFV credential (e.g. BA, BBA, etc.)
☐ After graduation, either as part of graduate-level training or in a professional capacity
☐ Other
Goal 2 / Summarize second goal here. You can cut-and-paste from last section if that’s easiest!
What steps do you plan to take that will help you meet this goal?
I plan to meet this goal by (check all that apply):
☐ Within the next 1-3 terms
☐ Within 1-3 years from now
☐ Completion of my BGS degree
☐ Completion of another UFV credential (e.g. BA, BBA, etc.)
☐ After graduation, either as part of graduate-level training or in a professional capacity
☐ Other
Goal 3 / Summarize third goal here. You can cut-and-paste from last section if that’s easiest!
What steps do you plan to take that will help you meet this goal?
I plan to meet this goal by (check all that apply):
☐ Within the next 1-3 terms
☐ Within 1-3 years from now
☐ Completion of my BGS degree
☐ Completion of another UFV credential (e.g. BA, BBA, etc.)
☐ After graduation, either as part of graduate-level training or in a professional capacity
☐ Other
Section 5: What I’ve Already Accomplished
In many cases, you will have already taken steps to help meet those goals, either through academic work, professional experience, or community engagement.
Outline what experience you have already obtained that will be useful in helping you to meet your goals.
Transferable Skills: Transferable skills are those skills that you develop through many different courses and employment experiences, and are ones that can be ‘ported’ or transferred to other situations. In other words, they are not specific to a discipline or course. Examples of transferable skills include: strong communications—both written and verbal; use and interpretation of statistics; critical thinking; use of literature to research complex problems; ability to work effectively with your peers; and adaptability to new digital technologies (software, platforms, etc.).
Below, speak to which 3-4 transferable skills you believe are your strongest, and how you’ve been able to develop these. You can include specific courses, if relevant, or you can draw from other experiences—volunteer, paid employment, other programs, etc. Textbox will expand as you type.
Click or tap here to enter text.
Applied Skills: Consider those skills you’ve developed that are perhaps more specific to the workforce or certain types of learning or certain disciplines. Do you have specific skills or competencies related to your goals? These skills may vary, depending on goals, such as use of specific software programs or technologies, advanced statistical analysis, business/ accounting skills, grant-writing, types of creative applications (e.g. design, illustration, etc.) or others. Textbox will expand as you type.
*Tip* Review your resume. Think about ALL your past jobs, volunteer hours, etc. and consider what you have learned through these various experiences. Lots of great learning takes place outside of the university!
Click or tap here to enter text.
Section 6: What to Do Next Toward Your Goal?
Customized Learning Plan
(complete all sections that apply)
Thematic Options, Minors, and Other Credentials
Thematic Options allow BGS students to complete a specialized program of study in an area that is not offered as a major or minor by UFV. BGS students also have the option of completing one or more minors. Please indicate whether you plan to complete a Thematic Option and/or a minor. BGS students can also pair their degree program with one or more other credentials at the diploma and certificate levels.
*Tip* Review the UFV calendar for a list of minor, certificate and diploma options
Thematic Option (if applicable):
☐ I plan on proposing a thematic option in [enter area of focus or idea for thematic option here]
☐ I have already submitted a proposal for a thematic option in [enter area of focus or idea for thematic option here]
☐ I am requesting more information on Thematic Options. (If you check this box, an advisor or program faculty member will contact you with more details and next steps.)
Minor (if applicable):
☐ I plan on completing a minor or minors in [enter area(s) of study here]
☐ I am requesting more information on what minor(s) I could complete.
Certificates and Diplomas (if applicable)
☐ I plan on completing a certificate or diploma in [enter area(s) of study here]
☐ I have already completed the requirements for a certificate or diploma in [enter area(s) of study here]
Cooperative Education (if applicable)
☐ I plan on applying for Cooperative Education
☐ I am currently enrolled in Cooperative Education
☐ I am interested in Cooperative Education, but need to know more before I apply
Applied Skills
Describe what types of experiences, both paid and volunteer, you hope to accrue while completing your program. *Tip* learn more about UFV’s Career Services at and the Co-Curricular Record at
[Click here to provide a brief summary of additional experiences you plan to pursue. Textbox will expand as you write.]
Describe what, if any, other academic or professional training, at UFV or elsewhere, that you have received or are working towards completing that is not currently part of your BGS program.
[Click here to provide a brief summary of additional qualifications you plan to pursue. Textbox will expand as you write.]
Specific Courses
Identify any specific courses that you would like to take that will help you meet your goals. (If you don’t know which ones you would like to take, you can leave this blank.)
Why do we ask this question? The BGS Advisor or program chair will be able to review this to identify any courses that may not be offered within the planned timeframe, as well as courses that may be good additional options.
Course / To be completed by
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Section 7: Resources
(complete all sections that apply)
Activity / I Plan to Complete By:
If not relevant, leave blank or enter N/A
Meet with the BGS Advisor
BGS students are encouraged to meet with the BGS advisor at least once a year, or after every 30 credits. You are also encouraged to meet with the BGS advisor prior to submitting your customized learning plan.
To book an appointment with the BGS Advisor, go to: / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Make an appointment to meet with the Career Centre to review my résumé and find out more about how to plan for my career
Consider booking an appointment once a year with the Career Centre to update your résumé, on-line profile,and review career planning options. This will help to ensure that your professional presentation captures your best skills and attributes.
For more information, and to book an appointment, see: / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Find out more about Cooperative Education, by reviewing on-line materials and/or setting up a meeting with the Cooperative Education office
Cooperative Education is program of alternating work and study terms that provides students with employment experience that is often related to their employment goals. Cooperative Education employment is full-time, and academic credits earned from the first two Cooperative Education placements (6 credits per term) can be used as part of the 120 credits required for the degree.
For more information on Cooperative Education, see: / Click or tap here to enter text. /
Optional: For those planning on applying to elementary education programs, e.g. UFV’s Bachelor of Education:
- Attended a TEP information session and/or met with the Education Advisor at UFV or at program(s) you plan to which you plan to apply.
For more information on UFV’s Teacher Education Program, see: / Click or tap here to enter text. /