Make the most of those mandatory meetings with your advisor each semester.
Get to know what resources are available to you and what policies you are bound by. Be ready to ask good questions and build a real relationship with your advisor. Below is a guide to being prepared for your advising appointment.
1. Find out who your advisor is
Log into your ULink, under the My Academics card, and go to Student Profile. Your advisor's name will be listed under your personal information.
2. Know when the advising period is each semester.
Check the academic calendar on the Registrar’s website to find the two-week period each semester designated for advising.
These dates should also be advertised in other locations around campus—keep your eyes open!
3. Reach out to your advisor BEFORE the advising period to schedule an appointment.
Some advisors like you to sign up via email or through an appointment scheduling system. Others will post a sign-up sheet on their door. Still, others will schedule group advising meetings at specific times. Make sure you know how advising works in your department and with your advisor BEFORE the advising period begins.
4. Before your appointment, be familiar with the General Education and Degree Requirements for your major.
Make good use of the online catalog as a way to get familiar with degree requirements and policies.
Explore your department’s website. Many websites give further information about specific programs, courses, or advice about advising targeted at students.
We have Degree Works, a degree audit system available to all students. Degree Works helps students and advisors effectively navigate curriculum requirements, as well as monitor progress towards degree completion by providing: all course requirements for a degree in a particular catalog, satisfied requirements in an easy-to-read, understandable degree checklist, outstanding requirements needed to complete a particular program, degree, major, minor, and/or concentration, and a comprehensive review of all transfer, previous, current, and in-progress coursework.
5. Considering changing your major? This is a good thing to think about before you talk with your advisor.
Explore the online catalog or department websites for all of the alternate majors you are considering.
Meet with a counselor in the Academic Success Center to discuss your academic options.
Take a career test in the Major and Career Exploration Center and have a follow-up conversation with a career counselor.
6. Look at the Schedule of Classes to see what is available for the upcoming semester
This is accessed through ULink. On the Fall Registration tab, scroll down to the heading Register for Classes and select Look up Classes.
7. Prepare a list of 5-7 courses you’d be interested in taking, based on the above information.
8. Prepare a list of questions for your advisor.
These can be questions about your academic progress, your future career options, or things outside of the classroom like extracurricular activities or your off-campus job.
9. Arrive on time for your advising appointment.
Here are some things to bring with you, especially if it is your first meeting with an advisor:
Something to take notes with
Your student ID or know your ULID