What does a college advisor do? What do I do when my college advisor doesn't help?

There are plenty of circumstances when meeting an academic advisor is a good idea. At College Success Plan, we find successful students typically meet with an advisor at least once a semester to verify the courses they are planning on taking. Other key times to meet with your advisor are as follows:

Are you planning on changing majors? An advisor should be able to review your previously completed credits and tell you how they may apply to your new degree path.

Do you have questions on how to apply for graduation? Advisors can complete a graduation check to verify graduation eligibility, and then guide you through any necessary applications and commencement RSVP forms that will need to be completed. These all have deadlines.

Are you generally feeling unsure about school? Check in with your advisor to further discuss your long-term goals.

Here are our 5 key strategies for making the most of your advising appointment:

Understand their role.

It isn’t just about figuring out which courses to take. Advisors can serve as an ongoing resource to help you discover and achieve your goals. As you track your progress toward graduation, your advisor can sometimes help you apply your skills outside the classroom through service projects, internships, study abroad or research opportunities.

Do your research and come prepared.

You are solely responsible for tracking the satisfaction of your degree requirements, and are expected to be aware of university policies, requirements and procedures. Make sure to acquaint yourself with your college’s course catalog and important dates for the current semester, such as the last day to request pass/no credit or the last day to withdraw from a course. Have questions? Write them down and bring them with you.

Be honest.

Many students experience academic difficulty and do not know where to go for assistance. Advisors can refer you to tutoring services, as well as support services on campus. If you anticipate that a particular subject will be challenging during the next term, share this so your advisor can help you select other courses that complement your strengths and bring balance to your class load.

Create a plan of study.

Some courses are offered in alternative years; some programs have specific application deadlines. Other activities, such as studying abroad or pursuing internships require careful planning to make sure you complete all of your graduation requirements on time.

Explore your career options.

Most majors qualify you for multiple careers. Ask your advisor to identify popular professions for your field of study.

If your college advising office is not offering this type of support, WE CAN HELP. At College Success Plan we help students with ALL things college, enabling them to get the most out of their own education and career goals.

At College Success Plan we help students with ALL things college, enabling them to get the most out of their own education. We cover all these areas, and much more, in our individualized program. Think your student could benefit from working with a college coach? S chedule a free consultation with us today!