Developing a Personal Learning Plan for Honors
Each year, honors students develop a Personal Learning Plan. The plan outlines the key skills, or
competencies, a student expects to develop in a given period of time. Students can think of the plans
holistically – that is to say, non-honors academic and other personal goals can be included as well. The
annual plans are submitted to the Honors Program Office by Sept 28th, and they are followed by an
advising session with the Director or other Honors faculty and staff. Think of them as opportunities for
reflection and goal-setting, followed by a conversation and mentoring by the Director.
Before you begin your Personal Learning Plan, review the Honors Program competencies and rubrics
(available from the office), and ask yourself which areas you would like to develop, and how you’d like
to work on them. If you don’t understand a competency or rubric, ask the Honors staff. Consider the
type of evidence that would demonstrate your acquisition of these skills. Would you show that you have
attained a skill through an artifact, such as a project, paper, or presentation? Would your skill be best
demonstrated through a reflective essay about an event (a lecture, or a culture night) you attended, or
about an extended leadership or service project you have been working on?
Your Personal Learning Plan need not be fancy, just thoughtful. A one-to-two page plan will suffice. Also,
understand that your personal development while at Minnesota State will not occur in one year, but
instead over several years, and that important learning takes place both in and outside of the classroom.
At the top of your plan, place your name, academic year, major, and second-language study that you are
pursuing. After that, divide the report by the competency areas you would like to develop, including
your major field and any other skills you’d like to develop, followed by specific plans and potential
evidence for your demonstration.
Your Personal Learning Plan, followed by regular updates and submission of your efolio each May, will
become the building blocks for your Honors EFolio that you develop over your years here at Minnesota
State. They will allow the program to follow your progress and provide effective mentoring.
Name: Sarah Honors Student
Year: Sophomore
Field: Biology (Pre-medicine)
Second Language: Spanish
My Personal Learning Plan for the 2012-2013 academic year includes the following goals and activities.
1. Leadership

I will develop my leadership skills by participating in the Leaders of Tomorrow Program in
Fall 2012. I hope that the seminar will help me to develop my global leadership values, and
my ability to work across cultures and within a team.
o Demonstration: I expect to demonstrate the skills that I have developed through a
series of short, reflective exercises relating to the seminar’s activities.

I will also develop my leadership skills by running for office in my sorority.
o Demonstration: I will provide evidence that I ran for office. If elected, I will provide
an assessment of my leadership abilities from the sorority’s advisor, Dr. Alpha
Sigma.
2. Research

I will develop my research skills by completing a research paper in Dr. Cole’s Honors
Intermediate Writing course.
o Demonstration: I will submit the completed paper, and Dr. Cole’s analysis, as
evidence of my ability to exhibit information literacy skills and my ability to
synthesize and integrate ideas.

I will begin to search for a faculty mentor for my undergraduate research project.
o Demonstration: I will attend the Honors Program seminar on undergraduate
research in October, and will reflect upon what I have learned in a brief journal
entry.
3. Global Citizenship

I will continue developing my second-language ability in Spanish by completing Spanish 201.
o Demonstration: Evidence of successful completion of Spanish 201.

I will learn to use Sociology to identify other social conditions that different people
experience.
o Demonstration: Research paper developed in Honors Social Problems class with Dr.
Hunter.

I will learn more about at least one ethnic minority population living in Minnesota by
attending culture nights or lectures at Minnesota State, Mankato, when available.
o Demonstration: Short journal entry on my experiences at Hmong or African Culture
Night.