Advisor Tips
General Guidelines for Advisors
- Be a good listener, and ask open-ended questions.
- Help advisees clarify their educational and career goals.
- Be knowledgeable of General Education and Major requirements.
- Access your advisees' records frequently via HillNet, and monitor their academic progress.
- Assist advisees in preparing an appropriate plan of study and course schedule.
- Encourage students to make their own decisions.
- Be familiar with resources on campus.
- Realize when to make referrals.
- Post and maintain office hours convenient for both you and your advisees.
- Be knowledgeable about College policies and standards.
- Be realistic with advisees.
- Protect the confidentiality of student records.
- Keep in touch with your advisees throughout the semester, rather than just at course selection.
- Provide relevant information on postgraduate opportunities, including careers and graduate school.
What is Developmental Advising?
Developmental academic advising is a way of advising that aids students in achieving educational, career and personal goals.
Developmental Advising helps students to:
Ø Understand their goals, values, interests and abilities
Ø Discuss majors, minors, and course work that coincide with their abilities and interests
Ø Choose appropriate courses, and develop an efficient class schedule
Ø Explore possible career paths that meet their goals, values, interests and abilities
Suggested Questions for Initial Meeting
At the initial meeting it is important to build a rapport with your advisee. Often, first-year students tend to be reserved, and look to you to direct the conversation. The following are a list of suggested questions to ask your advisees when trying to get to know more about their personal and academic goals:
- What were your favorite subjects in high school?
- Did you play any sports or belong to any clubs in high school?
- Any groups on campus you have thought about joining?
- How are your living arrangements?
- Are you still exploring for possible majors, or have you decided on a major?
- What do your family and friends think you should study?
- What are some characteristics that best describe you?
- What are some of your life goals? What are your passions?
- How do you plan to manage your free time with your studying and work load