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Advising Guide For Students |
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| Advising Overview |
Frequently Asked Questions |
Advising Terminology | How To Prepare for an Advising Session |
Advising Flowchart  |
Useful Links |
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Q: What is the difference between advising and registration? A: The primary goal of advising is to help you figure out what program of study is best for you, and to help you efficiently and successfully complete that program. On the other hand, registration is a once-per-semester event that includes signing up and paying for a set of classes. REGISTRATION SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN WITHOUT FIRST BEING ADVISED! Q: Who can I talk to on campus if I am not sure what major to select? A: The first place to go on campus if you are having trouble making decisions about academic goals is the career center, and you can make an appointment with them by calling 828-286-3636 ext 266. Also, you are welcome to talk with any of the faculty members on campus their programs of study, and talking to them might give you ideas about what you can do with the various degrees offered on campus. Whatever you do, know that this is an extremely important decision that must be made very quickly, and consequently, it is a good idea to use as many resources as possible when trying to make your decision. Q: How do I find out my advisor’s name? A: You will be assigned to an advisor based on your program of study when your application is completed. Each division has a system in place for advisor assignments, and you can contact your division if you need to find out who your advisor is. You can contact the divisions by dialing 828-286-3636 and then using the following extensions:
If you are not sure which division you fall under, you should contact student services at extension 239. Q: How do I get in touch with my advisor? A: You can get contact information for your advisor from the internet employee directory http://www.isothermal.edu/directory/directorynew.htm · Email—this is a convenient form of communication but is not recommended if you need an immediate response. · Telephone—dial (828)-286-3636 and then the extension of your advisor. Feel free to leave a message with your name, the reason for your call, and a number where you can be reached (if necessary). · Drop-in—you are welcome to drop by your advisor’s office anytime. If he/she is not available, check the office door for a schedule of office hours and plan to come back at one of those times. If you try all of the above and cannot get in touch with your advisor, contact your division for further assistance. Q: When should I meet with my advisor? A: The most common reason for meeting with an advisor is to prepare for registration. NEW STUDENTS—You will be assigned to an advisor after your application is complete and you have completed the placement tests (if necessary). You may then be asked to make an appointment with your advisor, or you may be advised by another person. If your first advising session is conducted by someone other than your assigned advisor, it is a good idea to meet your assigned advisor during the second or third week of your first semester. Just dropping by your advisor’s office for a brief introduction will help make you more comfortable when the time comes to be advised for your next semester of classes. RETURNING STUDENTS—To have the best chance of getting into the classes you want, make an appointment with your advisor on the advising day that happens prior to the semester for which you wish to register. The dates for advising days are printed in the student handbook and usually happen in October and March. If you cannot meet on the designated advising days, you should make an appointment with your advisor as early as possible before the beginning of the semester. While drop-in advising is available during open registration periods, it is strongly recommended that you meet regularly with your assigned advisor to ensure consistency and accuracy in your advising experience. Beyond preparing for registration, you should feel free to contact your advisor anytime you have questions about your academic plans and goals. While your advisor may not be immediately available, he or she will be glad to assist you as quickly as possible. Q: What should I do to prepare for a meeting with my advisor? A: There is a list of steps that should be followed before meeting with any advisor. These steps are in place to ensure that the time spent with your advisor is as efficient and effective as possible. In addition to these steps, your advisor may have other requests or requirements, and you should stay in touch with him or her to make sure you are adhering to their guidelines. Q: What is my advisor supposed to do for me? A: In general, your advisor is a resource person who is there to help you determine and achieve your academic goals as efficiently as possible. At the beginning of your academic career, your advisor will expect you to be highly dependent on him/her and will work with you carefully to help you “learn the ropes” of your program of study and other aspects of college life. As your academic career progresses and you learn more about your chosen pathway, responsibility will shift from the advisor to you. You can always expect your advisor to be knowledgeable and helpful, but the goal of advising is for you to eventually take control of your own path to success. Towards the end of your academic career, your relationship with your advisor should have transitioned to him/her being a person you can ask for help when you cannot figure out what to do, rather than being a person who tells you what you need to do without you asking. Finally, you can expect your advisor to have a clear understanding of the curriculum in his/her area of expertise, but do not expect him/her to know everything about everything. For example, if you are seeking an associate of science degree and your advisor is a math instructor, you should not expect your advisor to be knowledgeable about the welding curriculum. For more information about advisor responsibilities, click here: http://www.isothermal.edu/advising/resp_advisor.htm Q: What is my role in the advising process? A: Your role in the advising process will change as you gain experience as a college student. Initially, you can expect your advisor to guide you through, and even do certain things for you. Then, over time, you will learn how to do things for yourself—like selecting appropriate courses and making out a schedule. The goal of advising is to help you make the transition from being highly dependent on others for your academic planning, to being mostly independent and able to make decisions for yourself. For more information advisee responsibilities, click here: http://www.isothermal.edu/advising/resp_advisee.htm |
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