An action plan is basically a plan containing step-by-step actions for achieving a certain goal. These plans provide you with a visual overview of what you’re going to do. They are extremely useful for students.
Below we provide 30 excellent sample student action plan examples that you can use as templates for achieving various goals. Let’s dig right in!
1. Studying Student Action Plan
| Studying Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Low grades | Increase my grades. Try to get an A grade or an A+ | Action plan for student achievement | Getting a higher grade than before. Getting an A grade | |
| Actions | Do homework every day Takes notes in class Create a daily study schedule Ask teachers for help Participate in class Find a group of students to study with Get additional tutoring | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Spending too much time on sports and friends Getting distracted by social media and television |
2. Transfer Student Action Plan
| Transfer Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to transfer to a new college | Successfully enrolling in a new college | Get the following done in a 1-2 week time frame | Enroll in a new college by my chosen target date | |
| Actions | Look for a new college Speak to my advisor Visit chosen college, speak to admissions officer Check which credits transfer Get what I need for the application like transcripts, etc. Apply | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not getting everything done in time Not being able to transfer credits |
3. Study Abroad Student Action Plan
| Study Abroad Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Wanting to study abroad | Successfully enrolling in a college abroad and studying there | Personal action plan for studying abroad | Successfully enrolling in a college abroad | |
| Actions | Draw up a budget for studying abroad Decide where I want to study Choose a study program Book a study abroad program through my college Confirm my place Apply for a student visa if needed Find student accommodation Make travel/luggage arrangements | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Being turned down for the program |
4. Summer Job Student Action Plan
| Summer Job Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to find a summer job so that I can earn money | Successfully finding a summer job | Complete the following steps before Summer begins | Completing first day of work | |
| Actions | Contact temporary staffing agencies Check job sites Approach local business Talk to friends, parents, family members, other students | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Getting turned down for a job Businesses aren’t looking for workers Not being qualified for the job |
5. Class Project Student Action Plan
| Class Project Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to complete a class project | Successfully completing the class project | Do the following | Getting a good grade for the project | |
| Actions | Pick a topic to focus on Complete the planning process Decide what materials that I’ll need Break up tasks and allocate time to them Research the project Take notes Write out the project Put the project together | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not being able to come up with an idea Putting things off |
6. Grade Increase Student Action Plan
| Grade Increase Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to improve my grades | Getting higher grades. Moving from a C to an A average | Complete the following activities | Achieving a higher grade by one letter | |
| Actions | Create a space for studying Research study techniques Go over notes every night Learn to relax during exams Always do homework on time Find a small group to study with Talk to my teachers about grades Get a tutor | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Laziness Social media Procrastination |
7. Social Life Improvement Student Action Plan
| Social Life Improvement Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Not having friends, feeling lonely | Make at least one new friend | School improvement plan for my social life | Making at least one new friend | |
| Actions | Join a club or team Go to social events Volunteer or get a job Be more active on social media Make small talk with strangers Learn to listen Invite people to hang out | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Getting rejected Not having time for friends |
8. Spiritual Life Student Action Plan
| Spiritual Life Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Wanting to become more faithful | Move closer to God | Do the following | Feeling closer to God | |
| Actions | Prioritize my relationship with Jesus Christ Go to church once a week Pray every night Join Christian organizations on campus or school Read Bible once a day Start Bible study plan | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not having time for the above activities Getting distracted by life and temptations |
9. Mental Health Student Action Plan
| Mental Health Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Poor mental health, problems with depression and anxiety | Feel better and improve my mental health | Start doing the following | Seeing positive changes in my mental health | |
| Actions | Get enough sleep Eat better Start exercising Limit social media Talk to people, connect with them Eliminate stress Practice gratitude See a therapist | |||
| People in Charge | Myself School mental health support staff | |||
| Potential Barriers | Problems that cause stress My own behaviors that lead to poor mental health (e.g., social media) |
10. Physical Fitness and Diet Student Action Plan
| Physical Fitness and Diet Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Being overweight and unfit. Feeling bad because of it | Lose weight 5lbs. Increase strength and fitness | Complete these necessary steps for my diet and exercise plan | Getting on the scale and seeing that I’ve lost 5lbs. | |
| Actions | Create exercise program Exercise daily Make diet program Track calories Quit eating junk food and overeating Get enough sleep Drink more water | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Laziness Procrastination Being too busy to exercise Junk food addiction |
11. Sports Achievement Student Action Plan
| Sports Achievement Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Not achieving my sporting goals. Not making the football team | Get onto the football team | Work on the following action items | Getting onto the team | |
| Actions | Train on my own time Talk to the coach, ask what he’s looking for, or needs Try out for team when it’s time Get a private coach to help me | |||
| People in Charge | Myself The coach, any staff member in charge of football | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not being good enough for the team Not training hard enough or having time to train |
12. Extracurricular Activities Student Action Plan
| Extracurricular Activities Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Not being able to get into the marching band | Get accepted into the band | Start doing the following | Becoming a member of the band | |
| Actions | Talk to band director about joining the band Ask director what instruments they need Make friends with band members Start getting private music lessons Start practicing on my own | |||
| People in Charge | Myself Band leaders | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not being a good enough musician |
13. Earning Money Student Action Plan
| Earning Money Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to earn money | Find a job or way to make money | Experiment with the following activities | Successfully find a way to make money | |
| Actions | Get work at a restaurant or bar Find something I can sell online Start tutoring Try get a housesitting job Try to make money with online surveys | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not being able to find a job or way to make money Not having time to work and earn money |
14. Family Connection Student Action Plan
| Family Connection Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Having a bad relationship with family | Developing a better connection and relationship with family | Do the following | A deeper more fulfilling relationship with family members | |
| Actions | Set aside time for my family every day Arrange a day out with family members Check in with members who need support Find activities we can do together Call family member Have family meetings | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not having enough time Family members who aren’t interested in connecting |
15. Social Change Advocate Student Action Plan
| Social Change Advocate Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Students who are being bullied | Stop bullying in my high school | Engage in the following activities at school | No more bullying in my school | |
| Actions | Talk about bullying with students, teachers, etc. Teach students how to spot the signs of bullying Increase bullying awareness among students Speak privately with bullying victims Confront bullies Intervene in bullying situations | |||
| People in Charge | Myself, teachers and students at school | |||
| Potential Barriers | Bullies who refuse to stop Teachers who won’t help |
16. Leadership Student Action Plan
| Leadership Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Right wrongs in my community | Become a better leader and create change in my community | Engage in the following activities | Successfully overcoming injustices in my community | |
| Actions | Establish goals for leadership Become a better listener Volunteer for community action projects Create an email blast list for people in my community Create ethical development action plans with fellow committee members | |||
| People in Charge | Myself People in my community | |||
| Potential Barriers | Lack of time and skills |
17. College Students Entrance Exam Student Action Plan
| College Entrance Exam Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to get into a good college | Successfully getting into college | Complete the following steps | Achieving my target scores on tests | |
| Actions | Choose either the ACT or SAT test Start preparing 3-6 months ahead of time Set targets for scores Take practice tests Get additional tutoring if I need it Study as much as possible | |||
| People in Charge | Myself My teachers and tutors | |||
| Potential Barriers | Procrastination Not studying hard enough Not having access to study materials |
18. GED Exam Student Action Plan
| GED Exam Student Action plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Having to take the GED exam | Successfully getting my GED | Do the following before writing exams | Getting my GED certificate | |
| Actions | Choose a date to write exams Focus on material I don’t understand Develop a study schedule Start studying early Try to find tutors who can help me Make use of study guides | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not studying hard enough Not having time to study |
19. Technical or Trade School Student Action Plan
| Trade School Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to get into trade school | Get accepted into a trade school | Complete the following activities | Successfully getting a trade school | |
| Actions | Find a trade school with the programs I need Get my high school diploma Complete my trade school application Interview with the admissions representative Take the admissions test | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not being accepted into the trade school of my choice |
20. College Acceptance Student Action Plan
| College Acceptance Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to apply for and get into college | Successfully getting accepted into college | Complete these specific actions | Getting accepted into college | |
| Actions | Take the ACT or SAT Decide where I’m going to apply / visit colleges Think about how I’m going to pay for college / find a scholarship Submit my application Get letters of recommendation Write my college essay Get ready for college interviews / take interviews | |||
| People in Charge | Myself Parents / teachers | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not getting a high enough score on the SAT or ACT Not getting accepted into the college of my choice |
21. College Financial Aid & Tuition Student Action Plan
| College Financial Aid & Tuition Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing money for college | Get financial aid and money for tuition | Complete the following steps | Receiving financial aid for college | |
| Actions | Get the documents I need Complete FAFSA application Talk to my college’s financial aid officer Apply for PLUS loans and Grad PLUS loans Search online for grants and scholarships | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not being qualified for financial aid |
22. College Move Preparation Student Action Plan
| College Move Preparation Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to move away to college | Successfully move away to college | Complete the following | Successfully move into a new place for college | |
| Actions | Come up with a monthly budget Decide if I’ll stay in dorms or off-campus, and alone or with roommates Talk to landlords / sign rental agreements Set up utilities Buy furniture / take furniture from home Get things like utensils / plates, etc. Find movers for moving | |||
| People in Charge | Myself / Parents | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not being able to afford a place to stay Not finding a place to stay in time |
23. Career College Student Action Plan
| Career College Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to find a job after college | Successfully find a job | Do the following before graduating | Successfully finding a job before graduation | |
| Actions | Write my resume and tailor it for each job Check job boards and newspapers Talk to people who I went to college with / use my alumni network Prepare for job interviews / do mock interviews Research how to take interviews | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | No jobs available |
24. Career High School Action Plan (instead of vocational / technical school or college)
| Career High School Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Needing to find a job after high school | Find a job | Complete the following action steps | Successfully finding a job | |
| Actions | Try to find a place to work before the end of my school year Write a resume Apply for jobs where I don’t need a college degree or vocational school (e.g., fast food, retail) Research interview techniques Practice answering interview questions Apply to and go to interviews Follow up with a Thank You note | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | No jobs are available Not having the qualifications for jobs that I want |
25. Gap Year Student Action Plan
| Gap Year Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Wanting to take a gap year and finding something to do | Successfully take a gap year | Investigate the following | Starting my gap year | |
| Actions | Apply for internships Look for volunteer abroad opportunities Look for a job at a summer camp Try get work as a substitute teacher in my field | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not getting accepted for a job, internship, or volunteer position |
26. Financial Management Student Action Plan
| Financial Management Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Lack of money due to mismanagement | Manage my money better | Do the following | Having more money, spending money better | |
| Actions | Prioritize money management Set financial goals Create a budget Open up a savings account Find ways to cut expenses | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Unexpected expenses Wasting money Spending money on things I don’t need |
27. Learn a New Language Student Action Plan
| Learn a New Language Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Wanting to learn a new language | Successfully learn a new language | Do the following | Speaking fluently with a native speaker | |
| Actions | Choose a language to learn Research the best learning resources and methods Study pronunciation Learn the grammar Try to memorize 1-5 words or phrases per day Watch TV shows, listen to music, read books in the language I’ve chosen Find native speakers I can practice with | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not having access to learning resources Potential difficulty with the new language |
28. Reading More Student Action Plan
| Reading More Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Not reading | Read at least one book every 1-2 weeks | Implement the following habits | Achieving my specific goal of reading one book every 2 weeks | |
| Actions | Read before I go to bed Try to read for 15 minutes after I wake up Read on the bus Stop watching TV and read instead Join a book club Create a space to read | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Not having time to read Not wanting to read |
29. Time Management Student Action Plan
| Time Management Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Not having enough time. Managing my time badly | Improve time management skills | Sample action plan for better time management | Having more spare time. Completing projects on time | |
| Actions | Create a master schedule Use an agenda Eliminate distractions Set high goals for each study session Start working on projects before due dates Make project plans Complete the most important thing on my to-do list first | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Procrastination Laziness Not taking the time to create a schedule, etc. |
30. Rest and Relaxation Student Action Plan
| Rest and Relaxation Student Action Plan | Problem | Goal | Action Plan | Evidence of Success |
| Feeling stressed out. Not being able to relax | Take time off to rest and recuperate | Do the following | Feeling more relaxed. Sleeping better | |
| Actions | Start an exercise program Meditate and do yoga Practice deep breathing exercises Find a hobby that is relaxing Listen to music Spend time with friends Get more sleep / take power naps | |||
| People in Charge | Myself | |||
| Potential Barriers | Things that stress me out Being too busy to take time off |
Conclusion
These examples give you a template for developing your own action plans. You can then create a plan for your own goals. Doing this should make it easier to achieve your goals as well as give you a better idea of what has to be done.
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