Have you ever had an appointment with an academic advisor? If not, you could be seriously missing out.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be in crisis to consult an advisor! They’re there for every student, and they want to help maximize the impact of their studies.
Read on for more information about this important role. You’ll soon see why you should reach out to your academic advisor today!
What is an academic advisor?
An academic advisor is a special kind of counselor. Their role is to work directly with students pursuing higher education. Advisors support students to make informed, effective decisions that serve their future ambitions and propel them toward success.
The words of wisdom and practical guidance that they offer can be invaluable to any student, whether they’re currently struggling or thriving in the academic environment. An academic advisor is there to help all students make the most of the amazing opportunities available to them, overcoming challenges along the way.
The need for academic advisors:
Studying should be an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, it can also be an intimidating one. Some students find it hard to adapt to their new learning environment. They may not feel confident navigating the opportunities that studying offers them.
Universities and colleges install academic advisors to act as guides. Without them, students might feel like they’re facing overwhelming difficulties alone. This could have a damaging effect on student retention, which would be disastrous for the individual as well as the institution.
Often, all that struggling students need to succeed is a little extra support. Academic advisors offer much-needed human connection, bridging the gap between a student’s situation and their academic studies.
How can an academic advisor help right now?
If you’re currently studying toward a qualification, an academic advisor can help you in many ways. For example, if a particular class is causing you unexpected difficulties, they can explain exactly what is expected from you and give you expert advice on how best to approach it.
They can also help you take full advantage of your time as a student by connecting you with classes and extra-curricular opportunities. An academic advisor will essentially accompany you on your journey as a student, highlighting landmarks along the way and ensuring that you never get lost!
How can an academic advisor help in the future?
When your studies come to an end, you’ll be glad that you made regular appointments with your academic advisor throughout your course. They’ll have kept you on track as you studied, ensuring that the work you completed served your long-term career goals.
What else might they have helped you with? Well, they may have supported you to refine your objectives based on the interests you uncovered as you studied. As a result, your plan probably evolved along the way! They may also have pointed you in the direction of internships and employment.
Unfortunately, some very qualified students still graduate with no idea of what to do next. Those who have regularly consulted an academic advisor are far less likely to feel that way.
When should you see an academic advisor?
If you’re currently experiencing or considering any of the following, then you should urgently schedule an appointment with your academic advisor:
Selecting a course:
Before you commit to a course, check with an academic advisor that this will serve your long-term career objectives. Sometimes, a course’s content may not be strictly relevant to your future goals; however, it could help you develop transferable skills and useful supplemental knowledge. A career advisor will be able to advise you about these less obvious connections.
Dropping or adding a course:
Maybe you’ve started to feel like a particular course is a bad match for you and the career path that you’re pursuing. This is fine, but you shouldn’t rely on instinct alone to make your decision. Certain courses could be critical, opening important doors in the future, so you should strategize with an academic advisor first.
Transferring to another institution:
To obtain your qualification, you have to meet specific criteria. Accepting the opportunity to transfer to another school could endanger the progress you’ve already made at your current learning institution. That’s why you need to confirm the implications of this change with an academic advisor before you make any drastic changes.
Seeking internships or job opportunities:
If you’re looking to pick up some part-time work as you study, or you’re planning to commit your vacation time to an internship opportunity, why not consult an academic advisor? They may have insider knowledge about lucrative placements that will advance your career prospects.
Doubts regarding class requirements:
Started a new class and feeling unsure what’s expected of you? Don’t leave anything to chance during this important period of your studies. It’s better to resolve your doubts with an academic advisor now rather than face an avoidable failure later. All it might take is a short conversation to clarify everything for you.
Struggling in your classes:
If you’re experiencing difficulties with your coursework, it’s imperative that you seek support as quickly as possible. Otherwise, problems could accumulate and become overwhelming. An academic advisor is there to help and get you back on track. Whatever your issue is, they’ll undoubtedly have seen it before, so don’t hesitate to contact them!
Looking for extra-curricular activities:
Employers usually respond well to extra-curricular activities on your resume. These are fun opportunities to enrich your studies, but they still need to be balanced with the demands of your classes. An academic advisor can inform you about the range of activities available, and they can also advise you on how to juggle participation with your pre-existing responsibilities best.
Academic advisors are uniquely placed to help you make the most of your studies, so it makes sense to schedule an appointment and see what expert guidance they’re able to offer you. Now you know that this amazing resource is available, you’ve no excuse to ignore your academic advisor. Getting a fresh perspective on your studies can illuminate a whole range of options you’d never considered before, so why limit yourself?
