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| Academic Advising: A Key to Academic Success |
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The academic system in the United States is often very different from those in other countries. It is important for you to learn what you can expect from faculty and academic support staff, and what is expected of you. In the U.S., responsibility is placed on you for learning and following academic regulations, planning your academic program, registering for classes, and meeting academic expectations.
A faculty advisor is assigned to help you with matters concerning your academic progress toward your degree. Your advisor is there to provide you with information, or the sources of information, and to assist you with your decision-making. It is your responsibility to make the actual decision.
One of the classes you would be taking during your first year at Colgate is called a First Year Seminar (FSEM for short). During orientation, you will be assigned a "link group," which basically consists of an upper classmen and the other students that are taking your same FSEM (there are about 40-45 different link groups every year).
The professor teaching your FSEM will be considered your advisor during your first 2 years at Colgate. You will be able to chose who you want your advisor to be once you declare your major (which is usually at the end of the sophomore year). Generally, it would be a professor you have had before in your particular department of interest.
The following suggestions are designed to help you use the time and expertise of your academic advisor most effectively:
Take The Initiative: Let your advisor know you
In order to provide quality assistance, the advisor needs to know more about you than just your name and your field of study. In addition to helping you with academic planning, advisors provide students with other services such as writing letters of reference for employment, financial aid, and recommendations to other programs. They need to be familiar with your background, interests, co-curricular activities, academic and career ambitions. So introduce yourself to your faculty advisor!
Involve Your Advisor in Long-Term Academic Planning
During your first year, you should outline a plan for the duration of your program, so that it reflects your personal and career interests. This may also help avoid unnecessary delays in your studies. Advisors offer a wealth of knowledge regarding prerequisite courses, when certain courses will be taught, or when certain professors may be on sabbatical.
Prepare For Appointments
Before making an appointment, you should try to find and read as much relevant information about your concerns as possible. (Often, you may find the answer to your concern/question in The Colgate University Catalogue, departmental handouts, or other university publications.) Having reviewed the literature, you will be able to use your time with advisors more effectively by asking specific questions not covered in these publications.
Be Prompt For Appointments
Advisors have many responsibilities; they usually schedule their day in order to serve students and the university most effectively. Please notify the advisor immediately if you will be late or must cancel an appointment. Failure to do so is perceived as irresponsible and inconsiderate of others.
Contact Your Advisor As Soon As You Experience Difficulty
In general, the sooner you seek help, the more options you have in resolving a problem. Academic advisors are trained to help students with all kinds of academic difficulties. If they are unable to help you directly, they can usually put you in contact with someone who can.
In short, visit your academic advisor often, be always on time and stay open about your academic difficulties and inquiries. The student-advisor relationship can easily become informal and enjoyable.
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