Key takeaways
- A college academic advisor’s job is to guide you through your academic journey by helping you choose classes that align with your goals, assisting you with navigating degree requirements, and supporting you as you plan for life after graduation.
- Most students meet with their academic advisor one to two times throughout each semester, but many advisors are available whenever students need them.
- When meeting your academic advisor for the first time, you’ll want to get to know them, keep an open mind, and take notes.
Flickr user Tulane Public Relations
Before you get fully underway with college life, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor. Now you might be wondering what that means and what role this person will actually play in your experience. Academic advisors (sometimes called college counselors) are valuable resources for college students. While libraries and professors help with individual classes, academic advisors are there to help you map out your entire college career like planning classes, exploring majors, and preparing you for life after graduation.
In order for them to help you fully, you’ll need to build a relationship with them. And that starts with your first meeting. Here are a few things you should know before meeting your college academic advisor for the first time.
What does your academic advisor do for you?
Think of your college academic advisor as your go-to guide for your college career. They can help you determine the right classes to take, which professors to talk to, programs or tracks to consider, and even present career options you haven’t thought about. Academic advisors typically:
- Explain your degree requirements and review your schedule so you don’t miss anything important.
- Help you pick out classes each semester.
- Guide you towards classes that support your academic and career goals.
- Connect you with helpful campus resources, internships, or opportunities.
- Talk you through things that may feel confusing, like adding a minor or understanding certain school policies.
How often should you meet with your academic advisor?
Most students typically meet with their academic advisor once or twice a semester. This is usually before registration to plan classes and again for a check-in or if they need extra support. Of course, if you feel the need to meet with your academic advisor more frequently, you absolutely can. Remember, their job is to support you throughout your college journey.
The dos and don’ts when meeting your academic advisor
When meeting your academic advisor for the first time, keep these dos and don’ts in mind:
Dos
- Let them get to know you: When you meet your advisor for the first time, tell them about yourself, your passions, career aspirations, and what you’re interested in studying. The more they know about you, the better equipped they will be to help you.
- Come prepared: They are busy, so try not to waste their time by coming unprepared. Bring a list of questions and review your degree requirements before your first meeting.
- Be honest: Advisors do their job best when they know what is really going on with you. They want to know what makes you excited or causes you to feel overwhelmed. Be honest about your goals and any concerns you have right away.
- Keep an open mind: Your advisor is there not only to help you achieve your goals, but also to consider additional or even new ones. They have the resources, connections, and know-how to show you new options or different takes on what you’re interested in.
- Take notes: Make the most of your meeting by bringing a notebook and taking detailed notes. Even if your advisor sends follow-up materials, having your own written record helps you stay organized and confident about your next steps.
Don’ts
- Only meet with them once a year: Advisors are one of the best resources you may have on campus. Whether you’re trying to decide between two classes or you’re considering changing your major, your advisor is there to help.
- Expect them to make decisions for you: Remember, advisors are there to guide and advise. They are not responsible for making decisions for you.
- Be afraid to speak up: If something doesn’t feel right or is confusing, say something! Your advisor can help clear things up so there isn’t a misunderstanding later.
- Think you know better: You might have a plan, but plans change. Even if you’re certain of what you want to do when you graduate, ignoring an advisors advice or could squander a great resource who is willing and dedicated to helping you out.
- Forget to follow up: Make it a priority to meet regularly with your advisors—especially before class registration for the next semester. They’re busy during this time, so make sure to book a meeting in advance. Even after a meeting, it’s always good to send a follow-up email in thanks or to clarify any lingering questions.
Tips for making the most of your academic advisor
Academic advisors can be valuable resources when utilized effectively. Keep these tips in mind to get the most out of your academic advisor:
- Think long-term: Yes, they’ll help you register for classes each semester, but touch base each meeting on your long-term plan in case things change.
- Check in periodically: Don’t wait for something to go wrong before you check in. Regular check-ins strengthen your relationship and make it easier to ask for guidance if something does come up.
- Use them as a connector: Academic advisors can be great for getting you connected to other professionals, campus resources, study abroad programs, and internships you might not be able to find on your own.
- Stay organized: Keep track of conversations and meetings you have with your advisor so that if plans change or you’re feeling unsure about a class, you can refer back to notes.
Set yourself up for success
Your academic advisor is a helpful guide to navigating college. Set yourself up for success by meeting with your advisor and taking full advantage of their help. They can help you make decisions about your education and help navigate the confusion and hardships of college. Colleges offer academic advisors for a reason—so don’t let yours be a stranger.
Your academic advisor is there to help, but it helps even more when you’re at a college that fits you and your goals. With College Raptor, you can easily discover personalized college matches for FREE and start your journey at a school that checks all the right boxes.
