Making the Most of Your Academic Advisement Experience

By Kim Moistner-Bartlett
Partner, Reslife.Net

If you have your class schedule in hand, chances are that you successfully completed the academic advisement process. Or...did you? A successful academic advisement experience involves much more than just getting a class schedule. To make the most of your advisement experience it's important that you do more than just focus on course selection.

Understand the role of the academic advisor. Your academic advisor is interested in your success and persistence at the university. He may be a member of the faculty or he may be a university staff member. Advisors have a wealth of information that can be helpful to you if you choose to take advantage of their knowledge. If you have not yet declared a major, your advisor is an excellent resource to guide you through this process. If you're wondering what type of career options you might have with the degree you are pursuing, your advisor may be able to provide you with information you need. He may also refer you to resources on campus that may be better able to provide you with additional information. He is also there to assist you with course selection. He can work with you to keep you on track toward the academic path to graduation. He can answer questions you may have about particular courses. He can answer questions you may have about your university's procedures for adding and dropping classes. He can also provide you with guidance if you're experiencing academic difficulties at any point during the semester.

Establish a positive relationship with your advisor. Get to know your advisor. He/She can prove to be a great asset throughout your collegiate experience. In addition to meeting with your advisor to prepare for class registration, make it a point to see your advisor outside of this commitment. As previously mentioned, your advisor is a wealth of information. Many students experience academic problems and don't know where to go for assistance. Your advisor can refer you to tutoring services as well as academic support services on campus. The better you know your advisor, the more likely you will be to turn to them when in need of assistance. Plan to go to graduate school? Your advisor may serve as one of your references when you apply. Don't be intimidated by your advisor. They are there to assist you!

Be prepared for your advisement appointments. In order to take advantage of the limited time that you may have with your advisor, be sure to be prepared when you arrive. Create a few class schedules that include the courses you wish to take. Flexibility is important as some of the courses you wish to take may be closed before your advisement/registration time. Have a list of questions for your advisor written down so that you won't forget them once you arrive. Bring a copy of your university bulletin/catalog as well as a copy of the class schedule guide for the upcoming semester with you. Be on time for your advisement appointment. Obviously, the time before class registration is very, very busy for advisors. Arriving late will only limit the amount of time you have to spend with your advisor.

Keep all of your advisement materials organized and on hand. While your advisor will have copies of your advisement materials, it's important that you possess this information as well. You may wish to create an advisement folder or binder. Each semester be sure to include your advisement information in this folder. When you register and receive your final schedule, add this to your advisement folder. If you add or drop a class throughout the semester, keep of copy of this in your advisement folder as well. Keep your university bulletin/catalog and class schedule guide with this information. By doing so, you will have all of this important information in one place. This will serve as a great reference to you throughout your tenure at the university.

Getting your final class schedule for the upcoming semester is just one of the many perks of the advisement experience. Your advisor has much to offer you...and at no additional cost! Understand what your advisor can do for you, get to know your advisor, be prepared for advisement and keep your advisement information organized. Good luck!