Your academic advisor is your key to success on a college campus. Be sure to set up an appointment as soon as you are admitted or able to visit the campus. It is best to do a sit-down appointment where you meet face-to-face. Go to the meeting prepared with a list of questions (or an agenda) of topics to discuss.
Also, plan to meet with your academic advisor at least twice during each semester. Their role is not just registering for classes but as a resource to you. They are the guide to aid you in your successful transition and continued journey while in classes.
Here are some questions to take to your academic advisor: (You don’t need to discuss all of them during one appointment. Choose the most relevant.)
For first time appointment:
- Is there a guide to help me plan the courses I need to take for my degree? How do I get this curriculum guide?
- Please explain the difference between Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Associates degrees.
- What is the difference between an emphasis and a minor? Should I get a minor?
- How do I register for my classes?
- When is the drop/add date and how do I do this?
- How do I figure out the schedule for my finals?
- When can I pre-register for next semester?
- Is there a Freshman Orientation course that I can take?
- What campus services should I be aware of?
- When should I schedule another meeting with you?
For continued appointments:
- What classes should I take outside of my major?
- What direction should I go with my major if I’m interested in _________?
- What internships will enhance my resume?
- How should I prepare for graduate school?
- Can I take summer classes at the local community college and transfer them over?
- What is my four-year plan for graduation?
- What would be a good minor to add to my study plan?
- What valuable campus resources should I be aware of?
Sources:
Atkinson, T. (2017). The Successful Scholar.
This book, The Successful Scholar, is filled with the tips and necessary information to aid the student through their first year. It contains graphs, pictures and diagrams. There is information on learning personalities and how to identify the best methodologies in relation to these learning personalities. All of which are in color.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel by clicking here.
By Tracy AtkinsonTracy Atkinson, mother of six, lives in the Southwest with her husband and spirited long-haired miniature dachshunds. She is a teacher, having taught elementary school to higher education, holding degrees in elementary education and an EDS in higher education. Her passion is researching, studying and investigating the attributes related to self-directed learners and learning styles. She has published several titles, including MBTI Learning Styles: A Practical Approach, The Art of Learning Journals, Calais: The Annals of the Hidden, Lemosa: The Annals of the Hidden, Book Two, Rachel’s 8 and Securing Your Tent. She is currently working on a non-fiction text exploring the attributes of self-directed learners: The Five Characteristics of Self-directed Learners.
Comments are closed