College is a time of major transition for most students. Having just left the rigid organization of the high school, or re-entering the classroom after an absence, many college students are in a state of great change and in need of good advice.
Without academic guidance, students could find themselves in college longer than necessary because they aren’t taking courses that will satisfy a degree requirement. It’s important to have a clear academic path that works towards completing a college degree. While having some college education is admirable, employers will most likely lean toward the candidates who have completed programs and earned degrees.
The advisor’s main responsibilities towards all students:
- Help students clarify and develop realistic educational/career plans.
- Assist students in planning an academic program consistent with their abilities and interests.
- Monitor student progress toward educational/career goals.
- Discuss and reinforce linkages and relationships between instructional programs and careers and occupations.
- Interpret and provide the rationale for academic policies, procedures, and requirements.
- Approve designated educational transactions (e.g., schedule, drop/adds, withdrawals, change of major, waivers, and graduation petitions).
- Maintain an advising file for each advisee.
- Refer students when academic, attitudinal, attendance or other personal problems require intervention by other campus professionals.
- Assist advisees in identifying internship or graduate study opportunities.
- Inform students of special services available to them for remediation, academic assistance, and other needs.
Similarly, all students have responsibilities to commit to with regards to academic advising:
- Clarify their personal values, abilities, interests, and goals.
- Contact and make an appointment with the advisor when required or when in need of assistance. If the student finds it impossible to keep the appointment, the student will notify the advisor.
- Become knowledgeable of and adhere to institutional policies, procedures, and requirements.
- Prepare for advising sessions and bring appropriate resources or materials.
- Follow through on actions identified during each advising session.
- Evaluate the advising system, when requested, in order to strengthen the advising process.
- Request reassignment to a different advisor if necessary.
- Accept final responsibility for all decisions.
Course Flow
