What is Academic Advising?

Academic advising provides students academic and developmental support in adjusting to the university, decision making, major exploration, and academic planning.  Advisors are available to work one-on-one with students to craft an appropriate path while allowing students to explore the variety of academic programs available to them. The University Studies Program provides advising in a variety of ways to ensure all students needs are served. 

Individualized Academic Advisement
Students in the UST Program are assigned a professional academic advisor that will work with them until they declare a major.  Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor for throughout the semester and for course selection during registration.  Advising appointments can cover topics from how to research majors to where to look for organizations to join to how to deal with a difficult roommate.  Each student will choose the level of involvement they want to have with their academic advisor.  Some students see their advisor on an ongoing basis and check in regularly while others prefer to meet with their advisor only with specific academic questions. 

Academic Planning
Academic planning meetings focus on personal reflection and assessment; short-term and long-term goal setting; and ways to enhance the college experience through discovery learning opportunities such as study abroad, undergraduate research, service learning, or internships.  Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor to form an academic plan.  The plan can be tailored for each student’s needs and can be updated as priorities change and decisions are made.

Advising as Teaching
The UST Program uses an advising as teaching model by making advisors available in the office and in the classroom.  The UST program offers a one-credit course in the spring that combines self-exploration, academic resources, engaging discussions and activities to provide students with a greater understanding of the components that may lead to their success academically and professionally.

Specially Tailored Programs
Throughout the year several specially tailored programs will be offered to University Studies students including topics such as academic success, leadership, and career exploration.  These programs are often offered in conjunction with other departments on campus. These programs are designed to help students in enhancing their college experience.