If life is an ocean and you’re a ship and graduation is some island across the sea, you’ll need a map to make sure you don’t end up going in circles. High schools and colleges do their best to give you that map, but sometimes, you need a navigator aboard who can help you course-correct in a storm or on a starless night.
- High schooler, meet your navigator: your counselor.
- College student, meet your navigator: your academic advisor.
Here’s the why and how of an advising visit, thanks to some of the navigators themselves.
HIGH SCHOOLERS
From Diane Campbell, counselor at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins:
Why should students visit their high school counselor?
A high school counselor can be a helpful resource to discuss course choices, plans for after graduation, college applications, college costs and personal struggles you may be dealing with. Counselors are advocates for you during high school and are there to help and encourage you when needed.
How should students prepare for an appointment?
When a student has an appointment with me, I always appreciate if they give me an idea of the topic or questions they have ahead of time so I can prepare and have answers for them. When planning for college, I like to meet with the student individually and also with their parents to discuss affordability and college options. It really helps a student when everyone can be on the same page to discuss plans. The school day can be very busy, so it’s helpful on both sides to come prepared. However, it’s always OK if a student simply says, “I know I’d like to go to college, but I don’t even know where to start.” That is a great starting point for a discussion.
What should a student expect to get out of an appointment?
It’s important for a student to realize that there might be next steps that they might need to take after a meeting with their counselor. One thing I use when meeting with students is a checklist. We talk about starting points, next steps and deadlines. Sometimes students prefer to add deadlines and dates into their phones. A counselor is someone that you can trust and talk openly and honestly with about any questions or concerns you may have, and the information is not shared. I will always ask a student first, “Is it OK if I call your parents to help them understand their steps in the FAFSA, or a course choice we are discussing?” I always want the student to feel that our conversation is about them learning how to advocate for themselves, but also that there might be others (parents, teachers) who we need to include to support the student.
My hope is that students know that counselors are here to help!
COLLEGE STUDENTS
From Anne Toewe, professor of Theatre Arts at UNC:
Why should students in a specific major visit their assigned academic advisor?
It's the advisor’s job to get you graduated on time and with a “do-able” course load. We also track GPA and time management/study skills. We know of resources on campus that can help a student to be successful as well.
How should a student prepare to speak with an advisor?
Think about classes that are interesting to you in both your major and liberal arts core [or general education requirements]. Also think of any concerns about areas or courses that seem like they are not a good fit. Know yourself — can you get up early for class? Does after lunch need to be naptime? Do you need to have a job, and does it have a specific schedule?
From Chris Freeman, academic advisor for UNC’s Academic Support and Advising, which advises exploring students and students on probation:
Why should students visit Academic Support and Advising?
To register for courses, for help with academic struggles, coming up with an academic plan for success, building a manageable course schedule, major exploration discussions.
How should students prepare to meet with an academic advisor?
Students should come with a list of questions about anything and everything they're wondering about in college. Even if we can’t answer their specific questions, we can give them contact information for the appropriate department. This will help students learn more about campus navigation and structure. They should also think about which courses they're interested in taking by using the online catalog before meeting with us. We are not there to tell them which courses to take, but to guide them as they select courses of their own choosing.
What should students expect to get out of an advising meeting?
Students will receive course advising, information about academic support services on campus, information about different major options, PIN number so they can register, advice on how to build a manageable schedule, and how to build an academic plan for success.
As of Spring 2019 the Office of Academic Support and Advising is now called SOAR.
