Prepare for an Academic Advisor Meeting: The secret to success

Meeting with your academic advisor is a crucial step for a student’s success in college. Advisors are there to help students navigate their academic journey and they will help you stay on track to meet your goals.

 But most importantly, the advisors role is to support students. Make the most of your time with your academic advisor by following these tips.

 Regular check-ins with your advisor can help a student:

Stay on track: Advisors will help students check their graduation requirements and help plan their classes

Explore opportunities: Advisors will help students learn about internships, study abroad programs, and research opportunities that will help students achieve their overall educational goals

Plan for the Future: Advisors will guide students in how to prepare for graduate school or careers; they can connect students with resources and help them match their skills and interests with career options

Develop Personally: Advisors will provide resources and talk to students about their personal growth goals and their overall well-being and will be able to connect students to on-campus resources that can be of help

Preparing for your Advising Meeting:

 To make the most of an advising appointment, students should come prepared:

 Think about what you want from your advisor meeting – do you want to focus on career planning? Course selection for the upcoming year? Connecting with specific resources on campus? If you go in with a plan, you are more likely to get the information that you need.

Take a look at the course offerings for the upcoming semester and have a list of courses you are interested in.

Review degree requirements. Do you know the requirements of your major, your minor, or any other programs you are completing (i.e. the honor’s program)? Make a list of any questions you have about your requirements

What questions do you have? Write down a list of your questions so you don’t forget any of them when you are in the meeting.

Stuck about what to ask? Here are a few ideas:

Course Planning:

Can you help me plan what classes to take next semester to make sure I’m meeting my degree requirements?

I'm really interested in _________, can you help me figure out how to add that as an elective course?

 Academic Performance:

What resources are available if I’m struggling in ________ (a particular class)?

 Career/Internship Guidance:

What internships should I be looking into with my major?

 Graduate School:

What steps should I take now if I want to go to graduate school?

Extracurricular Activities:

Are there any clubs or organizations you recommend for my interest in _________?

Remember, your advisor is there to support you. They can do that best when they know what you want to accomplish. Make your appointment today and have a great meeting!