Although ILPs are different in every state, there are certain activities that ALL ILPs should include. This checklist will tell you what those activities are and when it’s best to do them. But, it’s only meant to be a general guide, so check with your advisor or teacher or go online to get a more detailed checklist that you can shape to fit your situation and needs.
Warm Ups
Freshman Year (9th Grade):
Freshman year is the warm-up for your high school experience — it's all about adjusting to a new school, meeting new people, trying fun extracurricular activities, and kickstarting your college, job, career and life plan.
- Meet your academic advisor and make a four-year plan that includes:
- Classes and tests you need to graduate and go to college or another type of higher education
- Classes and activities that match your skills and interests
- Possible college, job and career goals
- Any accommodations you may need
- Discuss your plan with family members or other caring adults
- Use a planner to help you stay organized
- Work with a peer mentor to discover your best learning strategies
- Take interest surveys to get to know yourself and your interests better
- Build friendships with people who bring out the best in you
- Get involved in your community through a fun activity
- Find an interesting afterschool or summer job, internship or volunteer position
- Learn about bank accounts, open one and start saving for your future!
- Become friends with at least one person you feel comfortable talking to when you feel nervous or need help
Explore Your Options
Sophomore Year (10th grade):
Now that you've warmed up, your sophomore year is all about exploring your skills and interests and discovering college majors, jobs and careers they could lead to. You can also use this year to begin to figure out an active role in your health, wellness and personal care.
- With your advisor, review and adjust your four-year plan to include:
- Any changes in graduation or college requirements
- Any changes in your interests, goals or accommodations
- Classes and activities that match your skills and interests
- Continue to discuss your plan with family members or other caring adults
- Watch/read videos, blogs and books on subjects that interest you
- Research three college majors and three careers related to these subjects
- Learn about these careers in real life by:
- Going on three job-shadows
- Meeting professionals for three informational interviews
- Try new learning strategies, like starting a study group with friends with similar interests
- Sign up for the Preliminary SAT or other prep tests to get a feel for what college entry tests are like
- Stay involved in fun activities in your community
- Pursue interesting afterschool or summer work experiences
- Ask adults for tips on managing your money and keep saving!
- Learn about how your health care is paid for and begin to schedule your own doctors’ appointments
- Learn how to cook, shop, do laundry and access transportation options available in your community
Make Your Plan
Junior Year (11th grade):
Junior year is the time to use what you've learned about yourself so far to make your college, job, career and life plan! This includes setting goals and mapping out the steps you will take to achieve them.
- Review and adjust your four-year plan to include:
- Your college, job and career goals
- Classes, tests and applications required for these colleges
- Education and training needed for these careers
- Steps you will take to get this education and training
- Discuss your plan with family members or other caring adults
- Study hard and get good grades
- Sign up for the SAT, ACT or other entry tests like the ASVAB
- Research available financial aid options
- Visit three different types of colleges or technical schools with family or friends
- Connect with an adult mentor to help you identify and achieve your goals
- Seek opportunities to practice the "soft skills" (like communication and teamwork) you need to find, keep and advance in a job
- Take on a leadership position in an afterschool club or community activity
- Make time for exercise and stress relief
- Find an afterschool or summer work experience related to your goals
- Learn how college loans work and keep saving for your future!
Take Action!
Senior Year (12th grade):
You made it to senior year! You've worked hard to create your college, job, career and life plan. Now it's time to finalize this plan and put it into action!
- Review and adjust your four-year plan to include:
- Any changes to your college, job and career goals
- Classes, tests and applications required for these colleges
- Education and training needed for these jobs or careers
- Steps you will take to get this education and training
- Discuss your plan with family members or other caring adults
- Study hard and get good grades
- Take the SAT, ACT or other entry tests, like COMPASS
- Apply to a variety of colleges or jobs
- Apply for scholarships and financial aid
- Take on a leadership position in an afterschool club or community activity
- Keep working with your mentor and seek additional opportunities to develop your soft skills
- Talk with your friends, family and other caring adults about supporting your hopes and addressing your fears for the future
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
- Learn about credit scores and keep saving for your future
- CELEBRATE YOUR GRADUATION!!!
- Begin thinking about your next four-year plan!