What are the steps to be ready for academic advising? Academic advising comes up every semester. It is a required step before you register, at most universities. Unlike high school, you need to prepare ahead of time.

Things to think about before you go to academic advising.

1. Do you know who your advisor is? Find out. This will depend on whether you  have declared a major or not. Or if you are on academic probation. Or your class level, freshman or sophomore or upper level.
2. When is registration? You will probably be assigned a specific date and time to register based on your class level. Upper level students like seniors register first then on down to freshman who usually register last. Put registration date and time on your calendar and on your phone.
3. Make an appointment with your advisor ASAP! The sooner the better. If you wait  until registration week then your advisor will be swamped with appointments and you might not get all the time you need to answer all your questions. Making an appointment is often done online on the university website.

 

 

Here is a list of things to prepare before your appointment with your advisor.

1. If you have declared your major, go to the department website and download and print up the graduation requirements for that major.
2. If you have not declared your major, you can be undeclared up through your freshman or sophomore years, but at some point (your university will determine this point) you must decide. If you are undeclared, you will need to take the basic core courses required of all majors.
3. Print up your transcript. This a list of all the courses you have taken in college. Compare your transcript with the course requirements for your major. Now you have a list of courses that you must take prior to graduation.
4. Next find out what is offered next semester. Not all courses are offered each semester. You are ready to start creating your schedule for next semester.
5. Some course times might conflict. This is where it gets tricky. Keep working on your class schedule until you the courses you can and want to take that semester.

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Write down ALL your questions. Big or small. Ask your advisor during your appointment.

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Things to keep in mind.

• This is your life. You get to choose your field of study.  Once you have made that choice the University has established requirements in order to earn a degree in that field.

• Your advisor sees LOTS of students. Don’t expect your advisor to TELL you what to do. Their job is to advise. Your job is to come to their office with a good tentative plan.

 

HINT: REGISTER FOR CLASSES AS SOON AS YOUR REGISTRATION TIMES OPEN.