If you have a goal to drive across the United States, you could, in theory, hop in a car that may need an oil change and travel without GPS or an itinerary and without a carefully packed bag or a planned budget. You could simply follow the stars and road signs and hope for the best with weather, lodging, money, and the condition of the car. You might make it to your destination—which you didn’t even narrow down beyond getting to the opposite coast—but what is likely to go wrong? How would some planning have improved the journey? Planning your college education is no different. Some preparation, a navigation system, and a clear destination will help you reach your goals, and smoothly.

Academic planning is a vital step in your college career, and it should be an ongoing process that starts on day one. Once you lay a foundation for your studies, you’ll save time and money, avoid missing credits, and take ownership of your curriculum. You’ll also stay motivated with a clear sense of how each step in your academic plan contributes to your overall purpose for being in college. It’s no coincidence that students who engage in academic planning are more likely to stay in school. They are the people who know where they’re going and how to get there. They have set their goals, and they know what it takes to achieve them.