Creating your IDP
An IDP incorporates all three domains of life as a graduate student: your academic goals and activities, your personal wellbeing, and your professional and career development. Your IDP can take a variety of forms. Some students prefer to use an app, planner or template designed for this purpose, while others choose to use a notebook or journal for writing down their plan. myPath has create tools specifically for 91社区 graduate students to help you reflect, envision, plan and engage with your goals and aspirations.
Continue reading to learn more about myPath's steps to creating the IDP or skip ahead --->Download a planner or template听or听watch our video series
myPath's steps for writing an IDP:
There are many ways to make an Individual Development Plan. Below is a brief overview of myPath's approach.
- Sign-up听for an听introductory workshop on how to use an听听the IDP.
- Download a myPath workbook or template, open the myPath module on ,听login to the myPath WebApp or grab simply grab a notebook and pen and watch the myPath video series.
- Set aside 2-3 hours to write your IDP. An IDP contains 4 phases. You can do as many or as few of the exercises as you want. Aim听to complete at least 1 exercise from each of the following phases:
Reflect
Spend some time thinking about who you are and where you've been, the skills you want to develop, and the values that drive your behaviour and priorities.
Try out the exercises in "Module 1: Reflect and Assess" of the myPath workbook听or watch the following videos: "Reflect on Last Year"; "Create Your Skills Matrix"; "Understand Your Values".
Envision
Visualize and imagine听your future self:听where do you want to be in the future?听Create a vision statement to identify the priorities that will help you get there.
Try out the exercises in "Module 2: Envision Your Future" of the myPath workbook or watch the following videos: "Alternate Paths"; "Establish Your Vision and Priorities."
Plan
Create a meaningful plan for the next semester based on your vision by choosing specific goals and activities you want to pursue over the next year. Break your goals down into specific activities that will enable you to realize them. Remember to consider not only your academic life, but also your personal wellbeing and professional and career development.
Try out听the exercises in "Module 3: Make a Plan" of the myPath workbook and fill out the IDP template,听or watch the following videos: "Set Your Goals," "Create Your IDP."
Engage
Break down your goals into monthly and weekly tasks, and stay on top of your goals by revising your plans often.
Try out the exercises in "Module 4: Engage" of the myPath workbook, or watch the following videos: "Stay on Track," "Review Your Progress," "Sustain Your IDP."
- Take a look at the resources available at 91社区 that can help you achieve your academic, personal and professional goals.
- Review your IDP every 6-12 months and make changes when necessary.听