Making an Advising Appointment
Although each office may differ slightly, there are several general steps to follow when making an appointment to meet with an advisor:
- Call ahead. By making an appointment ahead of time, you will secure time on your advisor's calendar. Some offices accept walk-in appointments, however this does not guarantee that your advisor will be available to meet with you at that time. During busy times of the year, it is highly recommended that you plan ahead and schedule an appointment early.
- Be on time. If you do not arrive on time you may be faced with several problems. First, your time with your advisor could be cut short. Second, your advisor's next appointment has already arrived you may have to wait for the next available time on your advisor's schedule. Third, by not arriving on time, you may have to reschedule for a different day.
- Come prepared. Please bring the appropriate materials to your meeting with your academic advisor. If your advisor does not know which classes you have taken or which classes you are planning to take, there may be little he or she can do to assist you.
What to Bring
There are several things that students should bring with them to their advising appointments to help the appointment run more smoothly:
- Up-to-date general education sheet
- List of current classes
- List of possible classes for next semester (if meeting about registration)
- Documentation of services utilized (if on probation)
- Any other information relevant to the purpose of the meeting
After the Appointment
Once you have met with an advisor there are several things you can do to improve your success at the University.
- Set aside time to process. Your advisor may have given you a wealth of new information. Take some time to think over what your advisor has told you and determine your course of action. Sometimes a lot of new information in a short period can be overwhelming, so break it down into smaller pieces and think about them one at a time.
- Take your advisor's advice. Advisors are knowledgeable about the resources available to students on campus. If they believe you might benefit from one of those resources, make sure to follow up with their suggestions. It never hurts to see what options are available to you.
